Okay, I've just about quit selling hay!

[RickB]

Well, I don't have horses ... but ... "IF" I did .....

As with any animals in my care, I would treat them humanely, with respect and care. I wouldn't bat an eye at providing them a heated stall.

Country life is somewhat new to me, and I've found those who grew up in the environment often have a completely different take on their animals. They see them as inventory. This concept is foreign to me and I'll never evolve to that point of view. Even if your animals are destined to be food, they deserve to be treated properly. God made us stewards of His Creation and, to me, indifference is not being a good steward.

Interesting that this post is based on one person's version of 'proper treatnent'. The notion that the vast majority of those who care for animals and rely on them as a means of support as a group do not have the animal's best interest at heart is offensive to many of us but unfortunately all too prevalent. SPCA's across the nation get countless complaints about animal owners 'abusing' livestock by providing a level of care that is normal, accepted and completely appropriate.

 

[Walkin Horse]

Interesting that this post is based on one person's version of 'proper treatnent'. The notion that the vast majority of those who care for animals and rely on them as a means of support as a group do not have the animal's best interest at heart is offensive to many of us but unfortunately all too prevalent. SPCA's across the nation get countless complaints about animal owners 'abusing' livestock by providing a level of care that is normal, accepted and completely appropriate.

I had animal control called on me a few years ago. I got the notice and called the office. I told the dispatcher that I had a notice to call the dog warden. She said sir they are animal control officers. Whatever can I talk to her. No she's off for the rest of the week. What if something happens to the horse before she comes back. Sir aren't they your horses. Yesmam. Then what would happen to them. I don't know but she felt obligated to come here and leave a notice and talk to the nieghbors. Sir I will have her call you.

Well a week went by and she called. She came that afternoon. I took her around and showed her all the horses outside. None of them looked bad or mistreated. So I took her in the barn. I had a 2 yo Saddlebred in a stall. This was a giant of a horse. I had to stand on a mounting block to bridle him. At 2 he would grow up 1 week and out the next week. So opened the stall door and there stood this giant. She said I think that's the one I'm looking for. Lucky this was a grow out week. I took him out and cross tied him. I brushed him and showed her where he was filling in at. No ribs showing. Not gaunt in the hips. Good condition at the tail dock. I showed her his feeding.

So I said as she's standing there looking up at him. What do I need to change with my program. She said I think everything's fine. I will put in my report to ignore anymore complaints. Well I said that proves these women around here want their horses azz as big as theirs. Have a good day sir.

No more visits in the last 5 years.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Interesting that this post is based on one person's version of 'proper treatnent'. The notion that the vast majority of those who care for animals and rely on them as a means of support as a group do not have the animal's best interest at heart is offensive to many of us but unfortunately all too prevalent. SPCA's across the nation get countless complaints about animal owners 'abusing' livestock by providing a level of care that is normal, accepted and completely appropriate.

Point taken. I probably shouldn't have made, in this particular response, the comment "Even if your animals are destined to be food, they deserve to be treated properly." Actually, it wasn't targeted to anyone - just a free-standing comment - one that really needs no defense in that context.

And, I'm not sure where you figured out any of this had to do with the "vast majority."

 

[RickB]

Point taken. I probably shouldn't have made, in this particular response, the comment "Even if your animals are destined to be food, they deserve to be treated properly." Actually, it wasn't targeted to anyone - just a free-standing comment - one that really needs no defense in that context.

And, I'm not sure where you figured out any of this had to do with the "vast majority."

Your commentary was directed towards those familiar with " the country environment". My response is directed towards those who presume to know more about animal husbandry than those who practice it as a way of life, either as a career or hobby, when in fact they do not. My response may be harsh and simplistic, but it is a reaction to the large number of those from outside "the country environment" who would presume to know far more than they really do about it.

 

[Walkin Horse]

This is really uncommon and I don't know what a hay grower can do about it but it was a real tragedy to my wife and the person she sold this horse too. Happened last week.

A great animal died last Sunday for an extremely rare reason. Botulism. I have been dealing with horses for 40 years and never heard of it in horses.

My wife bought this horse right after he was imported from Amsterdam and trained him for 6 or 7 years. He was magnificent. She only sold him after she was injured by another horse (broken hip) and was no longer strog enough to ride him.

The new owner qualified him for the Arizona State Championship and was supposed to be in Tucson this weekend. The wife noticed he was not on the entry list and accidently came across the new trainer and ask why he was not in Tucson. The surprise answer. He died last Sunday from botulism.



Instant heart break. Apparently the botulism is caused when the hay baling machine picks up an infected animal (probably a rat) and bales it in the hay and then the horse eats the shredded rat.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYKWw3UtiJU

Isn't botulism also caused by improperly baled hay. Baled when it's too wet. Also when haylage is fed that was not stored properly or that was not eaten fast enough after it is opened. Also it can grow in the ground from old trampled hay laying around feeders. That's a good reason to cleanup around feeders and move feeders. Is there anyone on TBN that produces haylage?

 

[Soundguy]

I had animal control called in me about 7 times one year, likely by city folk new to the area that didn't know animal care from a hole in the ground. Best one was I had a call on a horse with a face injury.

That particular horse is 33, blind in one eye, and had the other removed st an equine hospital, that's what the call was on, the injury was a missing eye, stitched shut fir some 4-5 us. Really?? What do these people smoke ?

 

[ultrarunner]

My friend that lives on his family farm on the county side of the city limit had visits because he leaves his horses out at night...

This is California... 5 months with no rain, almost never frost as in maybe not once a year.

Someone in the new million dollar subdivision called because the overnight temp were going to dip below 50...

 

[Threepoint]

A friend who is trainer had a visit from animal control one summer night several years ago. A lady had reported that someone had blindfolds on the horses in a pasture. Yep, you guessed it. They were mesh fly masks. :laughing:

 

[Murray54]

methinks this thread has taken a sharp turn south!

 

[Walkin Horse]

methinks this thread has taken a sharp turn south!

That's what happens sometimes. I can't remember the last time I had a conversation that stayed exactly on the same subject for hours or days on end without drifting.