Re: The accidental rescue


"Joyleen E. Seymour" <joyleenseymour@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:AMCdnYR2jJS2GqzVnZ2dnUVZ_ofinZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lisa Cook wrote:
"Maureen" wrote

He sounds like a little guy that might appreciate a little girl to dote
on him.

I feel bad for Joyleen, but after reading this description of the pony
from Joyleen:

He settled right in and Liz rode him three days later. Total disaster.
He
was terrified of everything, afraid of noises, afraid of movements,
afraid of the flags, afraid of the wooden sword (acts like he's been
beaten.) Liz couldn't even get on and off quickly without him backing
up in terror.

He does not sound like a safe little-girl-doting-on kind of pony. He was
rejected from a pony party string, which makes me think that even use as
a leadline pony is doubtful, since he had flunked out from that job
previously. Not to be cynical, but you have a reactive, blind pony on
your hands. The chances of him landing a good "forever" home are slim.
I don't want to be callous, but perhaps simply putting the pony down
would be in his best interest?

Lisa Cook
Brookline, NH



We have considered that. That was my initial reaction after the vet told
us he was mostly blind. However, I had someone come to look at him for a
companion/leadline/pet and he was super with her two very young boys, they
groomed him and fussed over him on the crossties and Liz rode him walk and
trot for them and he was fine. It was the games equipment that set him
off. I think he needs more time to settle into a new home, which would
certainly be true with a mostly blind pony. I don't think he's a good
candidate for Pony Club because I don't think he should be jumping. He
could do 4-H or small local type shows, in a ring, that sort of thing.

You would know best, but it doesn't sound to me like even 4H or unrated
shows are in his future. Sounds too much stress for him and too much
liability for you. Companion animal, okay, but only with a home you can
trust (and a release of liability/disclosure form signed is recommended.)

I'd love to hear more opinions on whether we should just put him down. I
don't want him ending up in a bad place.

Is there a rescue place near you who would adopt him?

I was offered a well bred Hanoverian cross, supposedly very talented, for
free. He had an eye injury which had been "healing" for several months and
the woman claimed personal misfortune that made her unable to keep him
irrespective of the injury. I knew a little about eye injuries from my barn
owner, knew that there was a possibility he would lose sight, and didn't
want to take the risk. This woman eventually found him another "rescue"
home even though he was a talented, not yet blind horse. So for this pony
who does have confirmed eye damage I think you are talking about a rescue
home at best. So the question will be, who if anyon can you place this pony
with and ensure that it is a forever home? (Maybe a free lease as a pasture
ornament, or a right of first refusal if they want to give him up?) And how
long can you afford to keep and feed him?

But, like you said, let him settle in for a bit. Any horse needs settling
in and a blind one will surely need it more. I can't believe this wacky
woman would sell him as a "games" horse.



.

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