Rescued Belgians

[SunshineAcres]

It sure is, Jen! Who knew she would turn out so nice, certainly not me. Sunshine is the one horse I will never sell. I’ll keep her until she dies. She’ll probably outlive me! lol The kill pen in Shipshewana, IN usually has a lot of draft horses in it not because they’re awful horses, but due to the large Amish population. Horses in the kill pen do not require a Coggins and it’s cheaper to put them in there vs. the ring. Sunshine was an untrained 4 yo (estimated by my vet) when I bought her. I don’t know the reason she was in there. I can only speculate. She’s had babies before. Maybe she wasn’t throwing big enough babies? IDK. She was only 15.2 hands in the last picture. She’s now 16.2 hands.

[PestoPower]

okay fellas,

I will answer some questions and concerns. I can support those that have come here. I ask for support and donations because I feel those of us who keep drafts and work them, might want to contribute toward rescuing those that fall thru the cracks.
The horses rescued: Abe- yes aged and has problems.

Ozzie: 100% sound, upheaded and easy to drive. I have had him in the woods, fields and roads without issue. He was brought into the ring with another dark sorrel- probably a team. The other sold for okay money- not to a kill buyer-because he had a bit more height to him and was a little flashier. I chose Ozzie.

Chinook: a 18+ hand youngster. Has the collar sores of an amish horse worked hard through the growing season. He is very big, not the sharpest tool in the shed. He has been adopted.
Sally: older broodmare. She had a sinus infection- easily cleared up with SMZs.
So the answer to rescuing cripples etc…has now been answered. Yes, there are quite a few of that type of horse going thru.
This is what I chose to do. Take it of leave it. They are not all crazy, dangerous, cripple and starved.
If there are any other questions you’d like answered fire away. When you go out to your barn and give YOUR draft a pat and some food- keep in mind those who have nobody.

I don’t feel I need to discuss my views of slaughter. This is a public forum and I have many who I know in the rescue community, and also vets who stand behind the AAEP slaughter stance.

B

[Plowboy]

I didn’t mean to take this thread in a different direction. What you are doing is great if you can rehab them and place them with people that can enjoy them, like I said in my other post. Around here there are some rescues that are overstocked which with the market is very easy to do. This year with all the rain good hay is a premium. We have enough for our animals but much of it was later cut than what we want to feed the dairy cows. The rescue folks are hounding the farmers for free hay which even if last year was a good year cost alot to make with record high diesel prices,equipment and parts. Also many rescues have a poster one eyed, lame,deaf horse with burn scars for their poster child. They have got him a little better but with your tax deductible donation this 30yr old crowbait will be a 3yr old again frolicking in the pasture and might just win the Kentucky derby if you give enough money. The most humane thing for horses like that is a bullet to make room for the young usefull horses that somebody may be able to use and enjoy for a long time.
Our horses that we have now 7 Percherons and 1 Belgian were all raised by us. They have plowed, planted, cultivated, harvested, mowed, raked, skidded firewood and sawlogs, given wagon rides for public events being gentle embassadors for draft horses everywhere stooping their heads so toddlers can rub their noses. The same gentle mannered brutes will buckle down and put 150% into the collar throwing dirt with all four feet to get a log out of a tough spot just for the asking on a loose line with no whip. Just a different command so they know they need to get after it “HERE” or “GIT” works good. When the day comes that any of them are in pain with no hope of improving they will be buried here and never forgotten.
Many folks don’t have that option or don’t care that much and their is a need to get rid of the thousands of horses that are no longer wanted or needed. Right now with feed prices I know that the hobby folks are getting out because of the expense in record numbers. There are many good usable saddle horses and drafts on the market for cheap money that need to be saved more so than one’s with special needs or issues. Good Luck in your indeavor and I hope it works out for you ,as I said before don’t take on too many at once.

[Author]

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