Rescue horse

[Marshall]

I am looking an 8 year old haflinger mare. She is at a rescue because of the way she was treated. She was not starved she is actually fairly heavy. I was told she was in a bad situation while in harness that left her partially blind in one eye. She originally was supposed to ride and drive. When the rescue gal got her she couldn’t even get a saddle pad on her. Now she says she can put on the pad, saddle and bridle. She has not been on her but hasdrove her form the ground and layed accross her back. So my question is, if everything I have been told is true would you take a chance on her? It would be a three hour drive one way for me to see the horse in person.

[jac]

Hi Marshall . Sounds as if the girl has made great progress with the mare. From my point of view a lot depends on how much time you have, if family can help out and tho it may sound hard.. how expensive horses are in your area. Horses are usually very forgiving…And last but most important.. what future has the mare got if you dont go ?? I would take her on. If you do go dont forget the camera:)…
John

[Marshall]

John, I am very tempted to give her a try. The gelding I have now was very jumpy and afraid of a lot when I got him. His former owner had to have him tranquilized to trim his feet. He will now do anything I ask of him without any trouble. The best dog I ever had was a stray that had been beaten. Once I gained her trust I could do anything with her. I have to believe a horse would be the same way. She would be with other horses and not by herself so it seems that would help also.

[jac]

Marshall I know this is going to sound trivial but bear with me;)… Flip a coin.. heads you go.. tails you dont.. before that coin hits the ground you will know what your going to do and you wont even need to check what side came up.. Good luck with the mare and keep us posted..
John

[LStone]

@jac 20973 wrote:

Marshall I know this is going to sound trivial but bear with me;)… Flip a coin.. heads you go.. tails you dont.. before that coin hits the ground you will know what your going to do and you wont even need to check what side came up.. Good luck with the mare and keep us posted..
John

before that coin hits the ground you will know what your going to do and you wont even need to check what side came up.

Ain’t that the truth John? That’s happened to me more than just a couple of times. Good luck Marshall on your choice. Horses are forgiving, and given enough time you may just make the same progress as you are used to making with your animals. I went 3 hours one way for my mare. Distance travelled doesn’t have any impact on your skill and needs or the horses ability to satisfy the need. The choice to be made is to trailer her. I say you can always go and don’t put her on the trailer if you are unsure. It is only time and gas/diesel spent. A lot of things cost more than that.

[Rod]

I bought my molly mule with a 60 return guarantee because their were so many issues and questions about her behavior that was was not sure I could strighten out. More than once I almost put her on the trailer for the trip back (2.5 hours) but stuck with her. I actually think the 60 day deadline encouraged me to work with her more consistently and harder than I otherwise would have and she turned out great. I could not ask for a better mule, compliant, sensitive, willing and friendly. It was all in there but needed some patience and practice to bring it back out.

[Marshall]

I am thankful for the positive responses. I really would like to get her but I just keep wondering if it would be like they say about buying a used car, “you get someone elses problems”. I guess there is only one way to find out.

[Author]

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