very nasty OWNER THAT BLAMES THE HORSE

Question
I am 47 years old, my mare (an appaloosa) is 8. I have raised her from a filly and she used  to be very willing and open minded. She has been to a trainer (about 4 years ago) but when my dad got sick and needed most of my attention I sort of put her and the other 4 horses "on the back burner". She doesn't like men. Vets, Farriers doesn't matter. (her trainer was a woman too) While she was away at the trainer she needed a hoof trimming. Seems they put her in a sort of squeeze shoot(?) because she refused to cooperate with the Amish farrier they used. I have to have her tranquilized for a trimming and I really don't like that. This last February she put a large gash in her shoulder and needed vet attention (twice) and was tranquilized for that. She has become very foundered and I have become very apprehensive about handling her. She pins her ears back, tries biting and has taken to pawing at the farrier and/or chasing him around the yard after she pulls so hard on the lead that it breaks and she goes over backward. The last farrier refused to work on her due to her being so dangerous. I can rub and pick up her feet briefly but she is very impatient with me. I have become so leery of her actions, I don't want to get hurt! I fear I may have to put her down... and right now I can't do a whole lot with her due to her founder. She isn't the herd leader or anything and I can pasture her separately. I have read about diabetic horses who display some of her behaviors, some days she is sweet as candy, can be touched, groomed and feet lifted (even briefly) but other days she HATES to have even her sides rubbed. I really can't afford any more vet bills, and can't afford another trainer, a hospital stay and bills are not an "option" either.  I realize I have to WORK with her, but I was looking for guidance as to WHAT I specifically NEED to focus on (besides the obvious).  I have raised other horses but have not had the danger and fear factors I have now. Maybe you can assist me, maybe you can't, I needed to get yet another opinion and I think you can help me there.  I look forward to hearing from you.    Sheri

Answer
Well Sheri, you are not going to like my answer, but I will tell you what I think from what you told me.  You have ruined this horse and neglected her to the point you have been slowly killing her anyway.  Maybe putting her down would be better for her than the life you have given her.

I understand that you may have other responsibilities but when you take on a horse, you either do what needs to be done or get rid of the horse, give it away to someone that is willing to accept the responsibility seriously.  This horse would have had a much better chance and a better life if you would let if free in the city.

Your mare is just a horse that was locked up and neglected and has tried to survive in your world with your rules.  She, unlike you, had no choices.  To hear you call her nasty, she refused to cooperate, using meds to trim her feet, blaming her for pinning her ears, tying to bite, flipping over backwards and calling her dangerous just pisses me off.

This poor horse has every right to bite, kick you and fear you, she has no one in the human race that has cared for her, helped her, or done her any favors, so every thing she is doing is not only normal but very understandable.  It never surprised me what a horse is willing to take before they strike out.

Not that it matters and you won't believe it anyway, but there is nothing wrong with your horse that some handling and care would not fix.  I think since you caused all this pain and miserable life for this horse, then you should accept the responsibility to help her and give her to a better home, so she could get the care and handling she deserves.

Put out an ad at your local feed store or barn and say, Neglected and abused horse that has no positive human handling needs good home!  Maybe someone will save this horse.

So, I am sure you will blame me now for being rude and mean, too bad, this horse has not had a voice and let you kill it already, no one can handle it, it does not trust people, you can't do her feet, you can't give it medical attention and now YOU are scared and think the horse is dangerous........

You should not be allowed to own horses in my opinion, what a shame for this poor horse.  At least do something for this horse and give it away to someone or some rescue organization.