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Post by lildunhorse on Dec 6, 2005 12:37:39 GMT -5
LOL!! You are so hilarious LDH ;D Honey doesn't think I'm funny at all. ;D
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Post by cardicorgi on Dec 6, 2005 12:48:12 GMT -5
Aww Jamie, sorry. I don't have much to add, except that you are *not* depressing - you're on a mission You haven't gone off the deep end - unfortunately, you are the messenger, and you know what happens to messengers sometimes. It truly is too bad when people don't understand that we are stewards of these beasts, and ought to behave as such.
Hang in there - and hug your horses.
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Post by diamondindykin on Dec 6, 2005 13:06:27 GMT -5
Welcome to the “lost your marbles” club Jaime!! You have to do what makes you feel good in your life……forget what others think. If none of us spoke out about the horrors of slaughter it would go on forever…..we have to speak for the horses because they can’t, even if it is “depressing” to talk about!! Your friends comment that you do not love horses anymore is ridiculous!! Those of us who open our hearts to the fun side of horses as well as the heartbreak of not being to save them, truly love horses. Your dressage friends may think you are crazy but we still love you!! Oh that’s right…..we are crazy too
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Post by schwung on Dec 6, 2005 13:20:18 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I didn't realize this would spark such interesting conversation.
gypsy - you bring up a good point. One thing I don't do is try to "preach" to my horse acquaintances. I know that's a good way to alienate a lot of people, and I don't want to do that. I do try to educate people if they appear interested in the subject. Mainly because a year and a half ago I had no idea that this kind of thing happened either - I thought only old broken down horses were slaughtered and only for dog food...ignorance, let me tell you, truly is bliss. But when I did find out the truth I didn't hide from it - but maybe because that was because I was in a position to help. If you don't feel that you are, then maybe it is harder to listen to.
In any case, this particular person is a friend, and to me that's a little different. I listen to what my friends are interested in and want to talk about, and expect that they would do the same for me. I don't talk about the gory details of slaughter, I actually brought up the WTBA sale because I thought she would find it interesting (she loves TBs). Anyway, guess I had to learn the lesson the hard way that some just don't want to hear it. Period.
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Post by schwung on Dec 6, 2005 13:21:23 GMT -5
Oh, and by the way Lildun, thanks for making me spray coffee all over my keyboard! But please don't make me feel guilty because I haven't jumped in and rescued a reject man yet. I have my hands full with horses right now.
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Post by lessonlearned on Dec 6, 2005 14:13:07 GMT -5
I'll take a reject horse over a reject man ANY day of the week
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Post by zjaraam on Dec 6, 2005 19:30:10 GMT -5
It is truly sad she said what she did to you, but I believe what others have said probably hit the situation on the head. She has her eye on a horse, wants to spend her money the way she wants, and doesn't want to feel guilty that she didn't use it to help other less fortunate horses.
I, too was ignorant about slaughter until finding CBER this spring. When I did find out the realities of slaughter, I was flabbergasted. The shear numbers sent each year blew me away topped off by the type of horses and the process. I could not believe it even though I had bought a 9 month pregnant mare off of a kill buyer at the Davenport auction in '98, not really realizing what could have happened to her. I knew she would have been killed, but didn't think of the process or really comprehend what that meant.
Bottom line, you are doing what makes you happy, even with the ups and downs. Don't let others' negativity hurt you. I'm sure, in time she will see the error of her ways and possibly even help spread the word, in her own way.
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angelinmydreams
Full BB Member
Kitty Kat, Razzy and Sprite. RIP Angel & Pepsi
Posts: 109
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Post by angelinmydreams on Dec 13, 2005 1:57:04 GMT -5
You know I know some people who can sale a horse and not bat a eye and turn around and apy a small fortune for a horse. Its not you I agree with you. 35 k is more then some people earn in a year. She could save 60 horses with that money. I see your point though why buy a horse for bocco bucks when you are just going to watch your investment deprishate in the back yard when yo could buy a horse that is less expensive but just as great and work or no work you have money left over ( in a since)
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Post by tatesmom on Dec 13, 2005 1:59:48 GMT -5
Jaime, I also hear the same thing by most of my horse friends in Nevada, I got my first slaughter bound rescue a few yrs ago, and since have had no interest in buying the perfect riding horse. The truth be known, like most of us at one time, their head is in the sand and they prefer to keep it there. We spread the word and are known as depressing, well so be it, but, if our efforts save one more horse it's worth it. I have ridden my whole life, but, now have only 2 horses which cannot be ridden, but they both were saved and I love it.
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Post by fototropic on Dec 22, 2005 10:53:22 GMT -5
Oh, Schwung, I don't find you depressing. I find you an inspiration. I am thrilled to have found you and your organization. I didn't know where you had gone and then I saw this link in an email from another rescue list serve.
Now about the depressing part. Yeah this is hard stuff, but the only way to do something about it is to look at it, acknowledge it and not to turn away. My husband calls me "humorless", but I couldn't sleep if I turned away. Our most recent acquisition is a 16 year old OTTB that failed the vetting miserably, but I couldn't leave her there to slowly die from neglect. Well, I've had her a bit over a month now and she has changed dramatically. Her head is up now, with her ears pricked, looking around. And just last week she started running and playing in the pasture. Two months ago she couldn't run in the pasture without actually falling down on the corners. She only ran to get out of the way if she was scared.
You should have seen her last weekend, right on a run, sliding to a stop, wheeling, cornering at full speed and jumping right up into the air. The best part is that she's happy. She doesn't stand with her head hanging down anymore. When I first got her she got out and went home. Well, just a few days ago, she got out and started down the driveway. She got halfway down, stopped, looked back, then turned around and came back up to me. What more can I say? We have another vet check scheduled for next week because I really would like my daughter to be able to ride her, but I can't send her away regardless of what happens. I love dressage but I could never think seriously about competing because I take on horses for life, period. My youngest daughter started taking lessons last year and isn't right now because I haven't found a stable where she can take lessons that doesn't see horses as a means to an end, to be used and discarded when they no longer suit your purposes. My husband thinks that I have an internet problem, but the only thing I spend time on is a couple of rescue sites. I feel comfortable here and appreciate being able to be part of something that I could never do on my own. Remember the famous quote by Margaret Mead, (I hope I get it right): "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." Its often hard and I guess most can't do it. I, for one, am so grateful that you can. Pam
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twhgal
Full BB Member
Posts: 124
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Post by twhgal on Dec 22, 2005 14:01:39 GMT -5
Pam- Your story about your rescue proves that it's not all depressing. The most beautiful thing in the world is seeing once slaughterbound horses run through the field enjoying themselves. There is great joy in knowing there are many of them out there that have been rescued and that we can have a small part in making it happen. And I believe that every one that is rescued becomes an ambassador for the cause - like Kona. It's like a giant ripple. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." It seems much easier to turn away, but if you do, you'll miss the dance.
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Post by schwung on Dec 22, 2005 15:11:43 GMT -5
Oh, Schwung, I don't find you depressing. I find you an inspiration. I am thrilled to have found you and your organization. I didn't know where you had gone and then I saw this link in an email from another rescue list serve. Pam, I am delighted you found us and feel free to offer any suggestions or feedback, this is definately a work in progress!
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Post by gwenrowdy on Dec 22, 2005 18:02:57 GMT -5
Foto, welcome to our board! The night chatters are still hitting the keyboard almost every eve; hope to see you there again.
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