A few years back, San Jose Fuji asked if sportscard bloggers collected any non-sportscard items and I do. Well, to be specific, my wife and I do as our alternate collection relates somewhat to her hobby. Plus, we don't have any children. So, we collect animals.
Here are the updates along the way
Original Post
Update 1
Update 2
Update 3
Update 4
I had mentioned a few posts ago that we had a pony that had foundered and we were trying to get stabilized by treating the laminitis directly, while also trying to control the underlying cause, Cushing's Disease. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the Cushing's under control and the laminitis worsened. Since the pony, Lady, was already 26 years old (horses normally live 25-30 years), and the probability of a successful outcome was so low, we made the decision to have her humanely euthanized. She was rescued out of a bad situation about 11 years ago and had a good life with us. She definitely leaves a hole in the herd.
So, anyways, speaking of rescues and holes in the herd:
Oklahoma is a convenient waypoint for horses bought at auctions elsewhere in the nation and being transported to Mexico for slaughter. Now, I could go on about the slaughter industry, and my opinion might surprise you, but I know you are here for sports cards and are probably already looking for the exits, so I'll stop there.
Anyways, there are rescue groups on Facebook that go to the kill lots and look for good horses to try to save. Thursday night my wife came across a Facebook post that included these pictures, among others:
She sent it to me and I have to say I was drawn to the fellow. He has a kind eye and was obviously calm in what was undoubtedly a strange and frightening environment. We talked about it Friday night and decided to drive up to the kill lot and have a look at him. So, Saturday morning we headed out in the winter weather, which included freezing rain that got worse the further we traveled.
Let me tell you, if fish tailing a car gives you a fright, try it in a one ton pickup truck pulling a 24 foot horse trailer. Having learned to drive in the winters of upstate New York, I was able to pull out of the skids but grew increasingly anxious as we continued to pass accidents and cars flipped over on their side in the median of the interstate. At the first opportunity to do so safely, I pulled over and put the truck into 4 wheel drive and proceeded on. 4WD helped a lot and we proceeded along slowly until the roads improved after we got off the interstate.
The kill lot was an odd experience. There were probably 100-150 horses there. Some were really nice (I saw a beautiful buckskin quarter horse in a distant pen) and some were in poor condition. The lot itself was clean and well maintained. The horses all had access to clean water and surprisingly good quality hay. Not what I expected at all.
We went in to see this fellow and he was scared, but not dangerous. I was eventually able to halter him and give him a good look over. He has some bad habits, but nothing we can't train out of him. Needless to say, we wrote the check and brought him home.
Here he is watching our other horses. He is definitely buddy sour, but needs to be quarantined until we can treat a case of the snots and have the vet look at him.
.So, there you go. The ongoing saga of my alternate collection.
What I am listening to: Buckskin Stallion Blues by Amy Annelle
