Rescue horses/ponies

[friesianmad]

Me and my mom are thinking about loaning a horse from some kind of charity like the blue cross or ilph. I was just wondering if there was anything i needed to know before deciding this. Any websites or your stories would be really helpful.
Have you ever had a resue horse, what are they like and have you had any bad experiences with them.

[Amie]

I work for the Blue Cross as an animal welfare assistant and I would definately reccommend you go along to one of the equestrian centres have a look at the horses and speak to the people there.

The thing about a charity ike the Blue Cross is that they will actually try to match your 'profile' to that of one of their horses. If you are not right for a horse, they will not rehome it to you, so you should never be in the position where you cannot cope. So you see you are actually safer and more protected from 'mistake' buys, but of course the horse is never legally yours.

You are expected to keep the horse for life if you loan from the Blue Cross, but there is a constant support network if you need it.

[becs]

We took on 2 rescue ponies a couple of years ago from one of the big UK charities - overall very pleased and love them to bits. One required a lot of groundwork for his manners; kept us busy!

In brief, the main things I'd mention on reflection...

they don't get many "rideables" so you may have to compromise on what you want - it was different for us, we wanted "veterinary work experience" for my daughter and boy, have we had it! (not moaning here, just acute learning curve). At 21 years (happy hacker) and 32 years (companion) I wouldn't expect otherwise...

you used to be expected to donate a sum of money for them - now they expect the amount to be in keeping with the usability (?) of the horse so you pay more (eg poss £500 instead of £100).

from the experiences of us & friends, they can be a bit economical with the truth sometimes, so do ask lots of questions. However, I appreciate that if they warned of all probs, they'd never re-home them! And they're not always correct with info (eg called straight bar shoes, heart bars, on multiple occasions). And were defensive when we needed help at beginning (wanted advice on ringworm, they were hotly denying he left with it, then later admitted the whole yard had an outbreak - I wasn't bothered where it came from, just wanted advice). One friend wasn't warned of a headshaker - so do ask lots of questions. Another friend has a great time hacking out her cobby mare from them, no probs there.

they check on you approx 6 monthly and overall the field officers have been helpful and supportive.

don't assume that what's on the web site is all they have on offer - if you visit to "test-ride" one, ask around for others "nearly ready" / being worked with - that's how you find the best ones / more suitable to you.

they give you info re worming programmes etc in the file that comes with each horse, with all their individual needs / details. You're expected to stick to their regimes eg farriery 6-8 weekly and record everything.

sad thing is, they're not allowed to disclose much re their past (due to legal action etc I guess). I'd certainly do it again though.

I'm sure I'll think of more later!

[atillathefun]

My first pony was a resue - he had been beaten up with carrier bags full of stones! B*?!rds!
He was such a sweety - we took to each other straight away (I suppose I was tiny so not much of a threat) It took ages for him to be happy with usual stuff like picking up feet etc. He would only let me catch him in - he would be waiting for me at the gate then run away if anyone else tried to get him. It took hours to get him to load but in the end he loaded well (again only for me).
Sadly he died of old age so I no longer have him but he taught me so much and was so special I am glad I gave him a nice home for the rest of is life.

I think they take longer to learn to trust people so you need to be very patient but then once they trust you I think you get a really strong bond.

Just thought aswell someone I know has a pony from the ILPH and he is excellent he is a first pony and 100% in everyway so they dont all have problems.

[tazzle22]

The reasons for horses and ponies being in the rescue sanctuaries can be varied and not all of them have been abused or neglected ..... some some in because owners may be very ill or have died ...... so you might be able occasionally to get something rideable straight away.

I am a trustee for Equine Market Watch and we are in the west midlands so feel free to look at the website
www.equinemarketwatch.org.uk
and you would be welcome to come look around to just visit.

EMW would want to ask you loads questions to make sure you knew what capabilities you had to take on an appropriate equine companion and would need to visit where the horse / pony would live. If everybody happy then you would have one on permenant loan and if any problems the horse / pony would come back to EMW .

You need to be honest with yourself as well as the organisation about what you expect and what you can realistically deal with. We would also be honest with you about any issues we are aware of but we do try to "solve" all issues as far as we cen first . John Jones works with many of the horses and advises us on an ongoing basis ..... we aslo have several complimentary therapists that volunteer their services on a regular basis.

EMW also has students from the local agricultural college to do the equine welfare part of their qualification and young people here on work experience.


My own horse was a rescue form another centre before I became involved with EMW and she was physically OK but had been abused and it took a long time till she was considered safe to ride .... yet now my grandchildren can play all around as well as ride her .... and we drive as well.



hope this helps

[ponylover88]

try http://www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/ Theyre in Lincs if that helps. I know quite a few horses who have come from there, all mistreated in someway, one even has 'war wounds' ie scars all down her neck and body.

[mad mare1]

Mums Rosie was a 'rescue' horse when mum got her years and years ago (Rosie is now 36) and she had been beaten up by a bloke weilding a plank round her head. Even now she gets tetchy when someone puts their hand to her head quickly , but mum has had so much fun with her that she asked if she could keep her at home when she retired her. She has a home for life now and the charity we got her from are happy to let her stay with us. Mum had so much help from them when she got her, in terms of them being on the end of a phone when the going got tough and mum was at her wits end, and even now theres still the phone calls every month or so to let them know that Rosie is still with us. we have asked for permission to bury Rosie (when the day comes) here at the farm next to her stable companion ( Big Jim) also from the same charity (another one mum felt sorry for) he was never going to be rideable so he came as Rosies field friend and they were together until Jim died two years ago Rosie pined at first but now spring is here and the twinkle in her eye is back bet she still manages to surprise us this year!

[friesianmad]

We've decided to have a horse from a charity and are going to start looking at the websites for more info and see which are closer to us. I think we will start visiting the centres in the summer holidays when we've got more time to go. I'm so excited.

Thanks for your help.

[BeachRiding]

That's great! Hope you find a nice horse!