If anyone happens to stop by, please take a second to offer some much solicitated advice!
I'm not sure what to do with this pony I have at my house. First, the people want $450 for him, which in itself is just crazy. But more importantly, I now have a responsibilty to give this pony a better life. But, is that here with me, or down the road with some other qualified person (a local rescue, perhaps)?
There's several factors I have to consider. First and foremost, is having a safe pony for the kiddos. Second is getting an assessment of the pony by a qualified person, either vet or animal control, in order to establish his condition by someone other than myself. Handy, I'm sure, when and if it comes time to deal with the owners.
And that itself presents a problem, and more questions I have. My trailer is kind of occupied right now, until we can get warm enough weather that the tractor will run and a hole can be dug to bury BB. Till then, she's hanging out in my trailer. So do I go to the pain in the ass and expense of borrowing a trailer and taking the pony to the vet??? Or do I just call Animal Control and have them come to my house?
I don't think it's fair to judge this little dude until he is healthy. He might be a laid back gentleman, or turn into a ball of fire. Who knows? I'd be willing to foster him till he's in good health, but how does that work? I'm sure as hell not paying $450 for a pony to feed and treat for several months, only to find out there's no way I'm keeping him. If animal control comes to my house, determines he should be seized, do they then contact the owners? I really don't want to have anything to do with that part. I honestly do not feel that this is intentional abuse, but intentional or not, this pony is not in a good way. And they are really not aware of that.
I guess the big question is how much I want to invest in a pony I'm not certain about. I will definitely turn him over to animal control and let them handle it, in the event I don't keep him. But I'd hate to make any decision only to regret it in a few months.
Crystal ball anyone? Magic 8 ball?
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Let's Get to It
5 years ago
$450.00 for a starving, unhealthy pony?
ReplyDeleteWhat, are these people on crack?
Yeah, I know, they aren't. Hmmm. Why not tell them you've had your veterinarian out to look at the pony. Tell them it will cost $350.00 to fix all of his ailments. Get the vet to send them the bill, and you'll pay the difference of $100.00. Or whatever number you "want" to spend.
How smart is your animal control? I'd hate to have him end up even worse off. Heck, most (normal)people vet their horses before purchase, anyway. Maybe show them comparable prices of other (HEALTHY) ponies, like they do on real estate shows. Or maybe they are desperate for $450.00. Maybe they paid way too much for him at the start, and he turned out to be a little shit with their kids. He sure isn't worth that kind of money, with the amount you'll have to spend to make him healthy. And you're right, he might be totally unsuitable for kidlings, when you're done. Welsh/Shetland cross? Does he have "papers"? Sheesh, maybe the papers are gold-plated?
Good luck, 2Toads. That's a rock and a hard place you're in.
Keep us posted!
Won't the vet come look at the pony? You mentioned having to get a trailer to take her in. Find the cost of keeping this poor thing and whether you can reasonably even afford it. You do have to consider your own finances first. You may need to return the pony and report to animal care, although maybe now the owners will try to blame the condition on you :(
ReplyDeleteYes, the vet will come and look at him, but that's a $75 farm call, plus exam, plus he wants to do a fecal analysis.
ReplyDeletePretty much everything hinders on whether I'm going to keep him or not. If I do keep him, I would absolutely have the vet look at him, either haul pony down to vet or have him come out for a farm call.
I'm even ok with feeding, worming him, ect, but not if I have to pay $450 for the pony.
I guess I don't want to be out the purchase price, whatever that might end up being, plus feed and rehab, only to find out he's not what I want for the kids. Then I'm stuck with a pony I don't want, have put all this money into, and can't sell for anything because the market is shitty.
This would all be so much easier if I could look into the future, know what he'll be like in 4 months.