Post by afinenettle on Oct 7, 2008 16:40:29 GMT -8
Went to the Petaluma Auction Monday. There was only only horse but I thought.....that one horse still needs looking after. A woman who wants to volunteer came with me. I thought it would be a good experience. I did sign up to bid tho just in case. We looked at the horse. Very handsome and well put together mare about 10-12. Red Roan, 14.2 hands and very very scared. She bonded with us immediately as her saviors. There were several other guys looking her over and I chatted with them. A couple of horse dealers and a backyard breeder. Stockman types. I was not going to bid as it is not SAFER's mission to buy horses that are not being bid on by the kill buyers. Then my new friend says, "hey, I LIKE her, and we are looking for a horse for my 13 year old son." Well after all the obvious disclaimers about having her vetted and a trainer evaluation, I said I would rehome her if it didnt work out. So I bid on her for my friend. Got her for .22 cents a pound. Plus tax she came to $227. Katie at Watermark Farm came over in her rig and we brought her home. (THANK YOU KATIE) Katie did some evaluation and found a disturbing fact: this very sweet mare had marks on her ankles and squealed when her front legs below the knees were handled. Very fearful although she did let Katie finally pick her feet. She didnt appear to have pain or lameness at all however. After some investigation we were advised that she had most probably been used for the Mexican rodeo for horse tripping and horse "dancing" - two illegal activities in CA that nevertheless occur. Our source said that the Mexican rodeo's are dropping horses off as the rodeo season is done and they don't want to feed them over the winter. Horse dancing, by the way, is when the lower legs have painful agents applied and/or are whipped to make the horse "dance". Many a horse would be ruined by this activity but I have a feeling this mare will come around. She will be evaulated thoroughly by a qualified trainer and all precautions are being taken. She is a pocket pony, tho and really seems to want human attention. Go figure. What is it with these animals that they are so forgiving. Anyway, she is doing much better even only one day later so we'll see. Here she is with her possible future rider and her dayglo auction hat.
pic coming....
pic coming....