Emotional blackmail

Saw an ad posted about a wonderful horse, been there done that, great guy, just fabulous...owner moving and horse MUST go to good home or he will be put down. I find this sort of blackmail extremely offensive. Manipulation of the worst sort.

Call me a hard nose (or whatever you feel you can say on the internet without getting in trouble) but if you have a horse that has value and worth SELL IT. If you are thinking that the kindest or best thing for this animal is to put it down, then put it down, but shut your pie hole about it.

This sort of 'gun to your head' tactic makes me highly suspicious of the person and their motives as well as how truthful they are being about the horse. What are they saying? Gee, I stupidly got a horse when my life was not set up for it and now through no fault of its own the horse is going to DIE if YOU don't step forward and save it from me?

Personally I think far more people should put down their horses and dogs rather than dump them into uncertain fates. There are some horses(dogs) that can be passed along, but some who should just end where they are BUT people are notoriously lousy at making hard decisions and thus do what makes them feel good...and pass the problem along.

THe problem of rehoming your horse to a GOOD home is not helped by the threat to end his life! All sorts of saviours, who are not necessarily good homes, will swoop in because they can't help but rescue every sad case. Some of these people are TERRIBLE homes! I think people who know the kindest thing for their horse is to put it down should just do it and shut the hell up about it. If you have to make a big, dramatic flap about it in your ad, you are up to no good. Horse traders!

Some people think that by saying they will put the horse down or will ship it will bring good people out to "save" said horse quicker. I find that in most cases if the horse is free there is a reason for it. People do not give good horses to just anybody!! I am not saying people do not give horses away because that is not true. We were given 2 registered quarter horse mares last year from a fellow who had tried to sell them for 4-5 years but could not find good homes for the price he wanted and instead of taking these mares to the stockyards he brought them to us for our children. These mares are very well broke and have no health issues and are only 11 and 12 years old. Perfect and very trustworthy mounts. But in most cases the opposite us true the free horse either has health issues or temperment issues and to tell people that they will die if someone does not come and get it usually brings in meat buyers who love these freebes and will say anything to get a free horse so the horse is mo better off then if it had been put down by the owner.

Email him Uno. Tell him if he can't sell it, then you will save him the price of a bullet and the cost of digging a hole and you will come out to take his horse off his hands for free.

Then we will see if he is serious or just trying to manipulate the buyers!

You are right it drives me nuts! If the animal is really great but circumstances have changed and you need to rehome then find them a good home AND check that it is a good home!! If the animal has issues that can't be overcome then do right by it and put it down. However people who just can't be bothered and put an animal down because it stopped being a cute baby and it has become a burden to them make me furious! Seems we have become a throw away society about everything and its disgraceful (in my opinion )

Yes, people Do give away good horses. However, those people who have decided to give a horse away are often still extremely selective about where it goes. In fact, you have to be MORE selective because there is a segment of the population who will show up to take something, just because it is free! By the way, having been down this road, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE HORSE!

Around here, in small horse circles, 'good' horses are known and rehoming a good horse for free is a word of mouth, close -to -the- chest deal, where you know someone who knows someone that would be a suitable home...it's not a loose cannon shot of 'save the horse from his looming death'. My gut feeling is that when the majority of these ads are printed it isn't the welfare of the horse that is the owner's priority. It's a quick dump to anyone who shows up with a trailer...and turning a blind eye to the welfare of the horse once he's off your property.

ShowStoppingSue, forgive me for NOT taking your advice...the LAST thing I want around here is one more horse! Oh, the thawing poop to deal with!

ShowStopping? Are you referring to my brilliant good looks?

I am.

Uno I have to agree with you and I have seen this same tactic used with chicks and roosters. I understand if someone was unable to sell or find homes for extra roosters and chicks but don't use the "it will die if you don't save them method" I have had extra nice quality Australorp roosters and yes I would prefer if someone who has Australorps would take one or two to inprove their flock as opposed to me selling them to a few regulars who I have that buy and slaughter them for meat. I hope that I have never come across in this way.