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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

1787.0. "Visit to a local horse shelter" by POWDML::MANDILE (medium and messy) Mon Aug 16 1993 18:59

    
    I took a trip to State Line Tack in NH Friday, (shhhh, I only
    spent $200 (; )  and on the way back home I took a detour and
    stopped in at the MSPCA/Nevins farm for horses in Methuen, MA.
    
    I was impressed with the cleanliness of the place, for one thing.
    This is where the livestock type animals are sent, and they had
    a steer, a donkey, geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits along with
    the kittens/cats and dogs.....
    
    The only horses in sight (actually, in visitor view-I guess the
    ones not looking too well are kept away from visitors eyes until
    they look presentable)  were a standardbred gelding, and a Clydesdale.
    The Clydesdale was looking good, except the feet.  Very poor hoof
    with lots of splits and cracks....the standardbred looked good also, 
    except the feet, but nothing a farrier couldn't put right....Of course,
    I hung all over the Clydesdale, patting and scratching his/her neck.
    It was friendly, if a bit lippy, but cute as a very big bug! (8
    The standardbred was also friendly, and enjoyed some attention, too.
    
    I wanted to bring them home so bad......
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1787.1Can you adopt animals from that shelter?DCETHD::WILPOLTCarrie Wilpolt, dtn 381-1884Mon Aug 16 1993 19:507
Did you learn anything about the policies at that shelter?
Are the animals up for adoption/purchase?  (if the donkey was
cute, I'd have a hard time leaving it there!  and I've 
always wanted a draft horse.  will it fit in my truck? ;^)
)
--c
1787.2YesSALEM::ROY_KMon Aug 16 1993 20:195
    Yes, you can adopt animals from the MSPCA in Methuen.
    
    I know several people that have adopted horses from them in the past.  
    
    Karen
1787.3I checked it outISLNDS::GARROWTue Aug 17 1993 16:318
    I checked into their program, but at the time they didn't have anything
    except a pony!!  
    
    If they have a horse  you are interested in, they request that you
    visit the animal over a period of time to make sure you are suited. and
    for a nominal fee ($200, a couple of years ago) you can adopt a horse.  
    
    Caryl
1787.4A scratch and a slobber treatment....POWDML::MANDILEmedium and messyTue Aug 17 1993 16:495
    
    It only took 5 mins to know the Clydesdale and/or standardbred suited
    me! (;
    
    
1787.5PeddlarSALEM::ROY_KTue Aug 17 1993 19:205
    There is an article or letter to the editor regarding the MSPCA in this
    months Peddlar.
    
    Karen
    
1787.6Adoption/Option??? Sound and Sane??ASDG::AVISFri Mar 25 1994 13:3811
    
    
    
    I was wondering if anyone could give me a little more detail on this
    horse adoption option.  I would very much like to have my own equine
    friend to love and care for unfortunatly I don't have ooddles of money
    to purchase one.  This sounds like it could be a resonable option for
    me fiancially.  I suppose the largest question would be are the animals
    normally pretty sound and sane...  I am by no means an expert rider and
    wouldn't want to step into something that is more than I could handle.
    
1787.7Have you looked before you leap?DECWET::JDADDAMIOSeattle Rain Festival: 1/1-12/31Fri Mar 25 1994 15:5316
    > ... I would very much like to have my own equine
    >friend to love and care for unfortunatly I don't have ooddles of money
    >to purchase one.
    
    Adopting a horse is certainly cheaper than buying one. But, have you
    considered the maintenance expenses? Most of us who keep our horses at
    home end up spending $1,000-$1,500 per year per horse for feed, shoeing
    and vet bills. If you choose to board a horse, the board alone would be
    double or triple that amount. Plus, you'd still have the vet and
    shoeing bills which would run $700-800 for a normally healthy horse;
    About $350-$400 for shoeing, $50-$100 for deworming, $200-$300 for annual
    Cogins test, vaccinations and teeth floating. There's a note on costs
    of basic care around here. You might check that out and see if you want
    to spend that amount of time and money before you jump in.
    
    John
1787.8See Note 1852 & repliesDECWET::JDADDAMIOSeattle Rain Festival: 1/1-12/31Fri Mar 25 1994 16:492
    The discussion about maintenance costs was Note 1852 "The real cost of
    horse ownership?" 
1787.9The 'cost' of a 'free' horse...XCUSME::BLAKETheory decides what can be observedFri Mar 25 1994 18:5720
    Well, maybe not exactly *free*  :-)
    
    as previous notes mentioned - the cost of upkeep can
    vary with your specific situation.
    
    But we got our 2 for *free*.  One is a quarter horse mare (of
    dubious origin) but a real sweetie none the less.  ie: bomb proof
    And the other is a registered Morgan gelding who had previously
    been trained and competed at 1st level dressage. ie: he knows more than
    me!  and he knows it ;*)   He came complete with papers all signed over
    to us etc.  Super deal!
    
    Moral of the story: there are lots of free horses out there for 'free'-
    especially if you aren't planning to have them for anything more than
    a pet.  These 2 were a package deal...
    
    Now my husband can't wait to tell everyone who comes to the house and
    says how lucky we are to have horses! "Ya, and they were FREE!"  :-)
    
    check this file often - it's where I found mine!  :-)
1787.10"Free doesn't always mean without aggrevation"ASDG::AVISMon Mar 28 1994 12:0114
    I had initally gotten a "FREE" horse around this time last year.
    He was a Chestnut apendix quarter horse,although the women who
    gave him to me suddenly got Horse sick and wanted him back..
    there was an agreement between she and I that if I ever wanted to
    get rid of him she would have first dibbs and that if he ever needed
    to be put down she would have the final say.  I guess I should have
    know that she was what I would call a TAD over attached..  No more 
    like obssesed she constantly came over the house while we were at work
    to visit the horse.  So rather than have to deal with an argument I 
    just told her to take him back.   So I am aware of the costs as far
    as feed/vet/shoes/dentist They are all things that I did have the 
    pleasure of providing I also kept him at home in our barn.  So I am
    fully aware of the daily/weekly stall and water duties...  Just don't
    happen to have two or three grand to spend right now..