Green Horses

Question
QUESTION: I actually have 3 questions regarding some horses I have recently begun taking care of. They are Standardbreds.
First question, how do I even begin to work with 2 four year old stallions, who are virtually untouched, and in a large paddock together? For the most part, they get along, but when they tangle, they really hurt each other. I want these horses to have a chance at a decent life, and so far, everyone has told me they should be put down.
Question 2. I will be taking possession of a 5 year old gelding who has never been trailored. He was born on the farm he is at, and at some point, I will be bringing him to my farm. How do I go about get him ready to trailor him?
And question 3. One of the horses I am caring for is a 22 year old broodmare. She has been untouched now for a couple of years, and was in pretty bad shape when I began to care for her, but she is coming along now. Is she at an age where she should be retired from breeding?

I hope I haven't dumped too much on you all at once, but as I said, I want these horses to have a decent shot at life, and at just being horses. I am not in any kind of business regarding these beautiful horses, it is just one of my greatest passions in life.
Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Connie!

It is so kind of you to rescue these horses.  Geld the stallions NOW!  Separate them, call the vet, use oral sedation, there are several oral cocktails your vet can use to do this.  Then you will be able to add on another layer of sedation IM and finally an IV to castrate.  As soon as you have them gelded and separated you will have a better chance at getting something going with them.  They do NOT need to be bred again EVER.  The horse market is so soft, horses by the thousands, good well bred, sound horses are going to slaughter by the semi truck load.  There is no longer a market for horses that are not proven.  There are even beautiful registered horses of all kinds that end up at the killers every day.  So, PLEASE do not even think about breeding.  At the end of this e-mail, I'll give you a resource list of dvd's and reading that will put you on the right track for getting these guys started.

As far as the 22 year old mare.  NOW is the time to retire her from breeding.  There is no need to ever breed her.  If you want more horses, go to your local race track, auction yard or kill yard and rescue them.  You will find lovely, sound registered stock any day of the week.  You will find weanlings, yearlings, two year olds just about any age you want all doomed due to over breeding for the race industry over breeding in general and a bad economy.  Please do not contribute to more useless suffering.  You are kind and compassionate to rescue the horses you have, please do not breed more.  Continue to rescue, train and educate the horses so they can have loving, useful homes.  Thank you so much!  

About the gelding.  He needs to learn how to lead with quality first.  When he really knows how to follow a feel and you have control of his feet and his mind, he will follow you anywhere including the trailer.  Once you have him leading well, again the dvd's I'll be listing will really help you with all of this, head to the trailer.  If he stops I want you to step into the trailer, this will work in a stock, or slant load trailer in which you have some room to move.  If you have an in-line trailer, let me know and I'll give you some other things to do...Step into your trailer and put a feel on your halter (a good rope halter with a 12' tree line lead) the instant your horse tries to move forward, release the pressure.  Reward for the smallest effort and the slightest try!  Now ask him to come forward again, just try.  Continue this pattern of asking and releasing for the try until he is putting one foot in the trailer.  I'm guessing this is a step up, it will work the same with a ramp.   If he can't stay in the trailer, don't make him.  So long as he is trying to come forward, keep building on that!  If he gets two front feet in the trailer, RELEASE the pressure and if he feels he must back out, allow him to.  Don't hold any type of pressure on the halter just go with him.  Now ask him to come forward again.  One foot, two feet, three and finally all four.  Never make him stay.  Ask him for effort and ask him to try.  This is how you teach a horse to load!  Most horses are loaded, and never taught to load.  There is a huge difference.  This also requires feel and timing.  Something you will have to find on your own.  You will have to feel your way through this. Never go to load a horse on the day you need to leave.  It is too much pressure for you and your horse.   Keep asking questions, and I'll do my best to help you long distance!

I appreciate your questions.  They are honest and from the heart.  I can't ask for anything more.  I REALLY appreciate your kindness and compassion in rescuing these horses.  My soul aches for all of those that end up at the killers.  I am heart sick.  So, to see just one more have a shot at a good life makes me so happy.  Bless YOU!  I have a friend in Arizona that rescues out of a kill yard there.  Just two weeks ago 5 mares, paints and palominos, were dumped with their babies some as young as two weeks old.  The mares were hazed onto a semi-truck headed for a Mexican slaughter yard and the babies were left to dehydrate and die in a back pen.  I can't get those images out of my head.  There was no one to contact. No humane group to help.  The owner of the kill yard is a drunk and would not allow anyone near the babies.  They all died. I am appalled that someone bred these mares just to dump them at slaughter.  So, Connie this is why I am so against breeding.  My friend said these were nice mares and babies.  I am gong to post a picture of a Thoroughbred mare that went to slaughter the same day.  Her coat is shiny and glossy.  She was right off the race track.  These horses just don't understand why this has happened to them.  Horses are not meat animals.  They are very intelligent companion animals.  This speaks volumes of our society and where we are headed as a nation.  It is a national shame.  So, please geld the stallions, do not breed the mare, train the gelding and continue to rescue.  With all of the horses being dumped and going to slaughter, when things do turn around and I have to have hope that it will, good horses that are well trained will be in real demand.  Bless you again, Connie!

Smiles for the Horses!  Denise

Woops, I almost forgot:  "Ground Work" DVD by Buck Brannaman
"Ground Work" Book by Buck Brannaman
"Back to the beginning" DVD by Ray Hunt
"True Horsemanship through Feel"  Book by Bill Dorrence

Watch the stuff by Buck first.  It is really clear and to the point!

give me a shout and let me know how things are going!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Denise
Not a question, but a huge Thank You. Please understand Denise, that my intent is not to breed these horses. I am caring for these horses for a man, who due to a massive coronary, is now suffering from brain injury. His wife is not a horse person, and has asked for my help. I have never dealt with stallions before, and am trying to provide her with as much information as I can, while at the same time, work with these horses to give them a chance for a loving home to live they're live.
The slaughter of horses makes me sick to my stomach. My first horse, who is still my biggest baby, is a Thoroughbred gelding. Six years old when I got him, 2 months off the track, headed for the kill floor. He is a beautiful chestnut with white socks and a lovely blaze. He suffers from arthritis in his knees. His name is Monty, and he is almost 12 now.
Please rest assured that my intent is to save, not breed. My Monty has since gained, I guess you would call him a herd mate, but I call him a brother, and my fiery little gelding will be brother number 2.
Thanks again, and I'm sure more questions will follow. And Denise, bless you!
Connie

Answer
Hi Connie!

Bless you again!  I know you will do right by all of these horses.  I know your heart, head, hands and pocketbook are all in the right place!  I added that information not so much for you, but for the people that may read this answer and hopefully will think a bit about breeding verses rescue.  So, thank you for giving me a place and a platform to add my two cents.

The thoroughbred on my site that we have the great pictures of, is a rescue.  His name is Cup-O-Huddle.  Huddle raced at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita until he was 8 years old.  As a Stakes horse, he was a money maker.  When we acquired him, he had one good leg left.  Look at what this horse could do with some time, good rehabilitation and care.  He LOVED his job as an event horse and was spectacular at it.  I am very sad to think of what this horse COULD have done if it were not for being used up at the track.   As it was, Huddle topped out his career at Intermediate. He never refused a fence.  Huddle is my daughters horse and her best buddy.  He happily now gets to chase cows and she does some break-away roping with him.  Although I know he misses time on the road and horse shows, he still gets excited when it looks like the trailer is getting ready to go, he is happy in a much deserved retirement.  

There are so many wonderful horses out there that may just need a bit of extra care.  I'm so happy to hear stories of rescued horses, like yours Connie, that are now superstars.  Keep up the good work.  You will make such a huge difference in the lives of the horses in your care!

Smiles!  Denise