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  Discussion on How do you find someone to take an aggressive horse
Author Message
New Member:
majoda92

Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 11:33 am:

Yesterday,3/1/07, I posted a message about a mare who might have GCT. Dr. O confirmed my belief that she should not be in my lesson barn, where there are so many young children and inexperienced students. So now what do I do with her? How do you go about finding the right home for a difficult horse? I certainly don't want to see her hurt anyone, or be hurt herself by someone who might use force to deal with her behavior. Would this be the kind of horse you would send to a rescue group? I have always felt that once I have taken the responsibility of having a horse in my barn, that I am ethically bound to provide care for the rest of that animals life, or find another appropriate caretaker for them. Easier said than done, sometimes.
Diane
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 11:55 am:

I wonder about some of the groups that have delinquent kids or prisoners work with difficult horses? From what I've read they use "natural horsemanship" type training, and the program benefits the people as well as the horse by teaching patience, bonding, etc. An internet search would give more information; I don't really know that much about the programs, have just read a couple of articles which were interesting.
Member:
reeders

Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 12:14 pm:

I know there are some trainers with the patience & experience to work with difficult horses who actually will take a horse, train it, and then determine what type or style of rider it needs... some are very expensive to get to do this though.
Member:
amara

Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 6:41 pm:

see if you can find some natural horsemanship type trainers in your general area.... while it may be too expensive for you to get one of them to take the horse, they may have a student who would like another horse that can present them with some unique and fun challenges (i use fun in a learning sense of the word...)...
when i was training with a guy in the NE there were several of us and we looked for horses like the one you have as personal project horses... i dont have the resources right now to take another one, but there may be some people who want a project...

some rescues have the resources to take such a horse, but not all... these types of horses can only go to qualified people and sometimes they are hard to find-again, they are usually people looking for a project horse...that's how i got one of mine actually.. but he probably would have been put down if i hadnt taken him, as he couldnt go to just "anyone" and really needed some very special training...

prison or youth based programs are great, but i also have no idea where to find one... i had actually discussed with my brother starting one to work with his "kids" (works in a youth based program), but decided against it...

if you want to email me personally i can provide you with a horse rescue that might have some information you need..(click on my profile)

good luck
Member:
erika

Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 7:36 pm:

Some rescues will advertise and place your horse, but you keep it at your barn and show it from there. They have such limited resources that they are often reluctant to take on horses that may be difficult to place.
Can you hang on to her until she is placed?
New Member:
majoda92

Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 7:51 pm:

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I really do feel it would be best if she did not stay with us, due to the danger of her behavior. But, that said, I am not going to dump her on some unsuspecting person either. Diane
Member:
jojo15

Posted on Sunday, Mar 4, 2007 - 9:58 am:

This might be a hard search. I had a mare that wasn't mean, just alot to handle. tricky. OTTB. nervous, etc. I tried to sell, disclosing her need for experienced handling, i got a few tire kickers. I also got alot of kids saying they would take her on. And did not, feel that no matter their age were able. And i waffled on those decisions alot. Even talking to parents and such, but in the end felt that she would best be served donated to the boys ranch. they evalaute for 30 days and then pass her on to where they feel she'd be best. Be it a private home, prison, stay at the ranch, or whatnot. They won't keep a horse that is dangerous in any way. or a horse that is physically challenged. And i understood the caveat. And finally, they came to get her. I called once and they said she was doing fine, and was likely going to go private. I hope! and hoped it was just my inability to handle her, rather a serious problem.

Whatever you do, just remember that you MUST do it. I waffled for 7 years on her. And just never came to terms with it. Till after it was over. and done with. The hardest decision i could make, and expectedly felt bad over it, still do. When i purchase an animal, i do it with the intention i will keep them for life. And this weighed heavily on me. because i wasn't part of the solution just another part of the problem. But, it needs to be done

Good luck and you'll find someone, its just not an easy process.
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