Meet Joe.
Joe is a two year old light bay/rabicano gelding from Jackie's Butte in southeastern Oregon. He's roughly 15 hands, very sweet and wanting to be your buddy. He's pictured here being turned out into the bigger field for the first time with another horse, hence the drag line. He was completely willing to be caught, however, which is what I'd anticipated. He got along quite well with Dude, and he was nice to the sheep.
Joe was very willing to let us touch his face almost from day one. Haltering was a fairly simple feat. He's not too sure about having his feet handled, but he's becoming accustomed to me sliding my hand down those front legs and lifting them up. I can reach under his belly and rub where a cinch will someday be.
Joe was very willing to let us touch his face almost from day one. Haltering was a fairly simple feat. He's not too sure about having his feet handled, but he's becoming accustomed to me sliding my hand down those front legs and lifting them up. I can reach under his belly and rub where a cinch will someday be.
I'm in awe of Joe's movement. It's flawless...light, airy and floating. I put a pole in the round pen with him and had him trot over it a few times. Oh, my word! He just rounded up and I swear his toes barely touched the ground as he glided over it. He's one fancy moving little horse. If I had even half a clue about dressage or hunter training I'd be figuring out a way to keep this boy and train him, then sell him for a small fortune. Look at that cute face! With that soft eye, pretty profile and super movement, he's sure to go far.
But for some reason, no one wants to come and look at Joe. He'd had an adopter; a gentleman from the Seattle area who'd read about the euthanasia issue and wanted to save a mustang. He wanted a trail horse, and although I knew Joe's natural talent would be overlooked, I was happy to have found him a good home within days of him coming here. Joe stayed at home while I hauled the other two up to the fair for adoption. When I came home I contacted the adopter only to find he'd decided board was too expensive in Seattle. So Joe didn't go anywhere. I've advertised him on Craigslist in two different regions. I've got his photo up at feed stores. I tell everyone I know what a wonderful horse I've got here...and no one comes to look.
Poor Joe.
If Joe doesn't find a home here soon, he'll end up back at the corrals. Any training, lost. All that potential, overlooked. It's a sad, sorry shame and a disappointing reflection on the horse industry today when a young, talented guy like Joe may end up in a long term holding facility on the waiting list for euthanasia while people are still breeding backyard horses with no talent or purpose. A very sad thing indeed...
8 comments:
Yes, very very sad. I wish people would SERIOUSLY consider stopping their breeding programs regardless of "oh he's so and so's grandson!" Who cares? He/she will be better as a saddle horse and doing something productive rather than produce. Our economy can't handle the surplus of horses and they're bound for a bad ending.
I have a lady here in town who has various grade horses, a quarter mare, and a quarter stallion. She has proceeded to breed the stallion to various grade mares and now I've noticed she put a yearling filly in his pasture... Does she not think that the filly will be bred!? I about wanted to go deck her for that one, then had to calm myself. We'll see if there's a foal next spring from the filly, or perhaps a miscarriage late in term. :( Makes me very sad.
Joe is a good looker. And his story is being repeated everywhere: lots of really good horses headed for slaughter. Like Mudranch...very, very sad.
Joe is adorable and I love dressage. I really don't need another horse, though.
I might be moving from Minnesota to Seattle. My husband graduates from law school in May and is job hunting right now. He just recently interviewed with a Seattle law firm. I looked in to horse board already and WOW it is super expensive.
Aww!! Joe is really cute! If I could get him I would. And you're right he would be a good hunter of dressage horse.
I sincerely hope that your readers can come up with a nice home for Joe. Truly!
I agree with you and mudranch!!! There are too MANY delightful horses (with papers and without) that are looking forward to uncertain futures to continue breeding as we have in the past. Just because a horse has a uterus does not mean it should be full.
Oh, I wish I had room and money.
Very sad indeed...
Oh Tracey I sure wish hay prices were not so high right now or I would take him. I love his face, such a kind eye.
I sure hope you are able to find the perfect home for him I would hate to see him back at auction.
I wish I could afford board on a second horse...I would love a new project. He is beautiful...I will keep my fingers crossed for him.
It must be so hard for you to see all these gems, who have potential to do great things, go to waste. Joe is a beautiful boy, I'm sure someone will come along who sees his potential sooner or later.
Post a Comment