The mare going to big cats…

Yesterday I was contacted by the owner of a 6 yr old Saddlebred that I was told may be pregnant. The mare is at a trainer’s – they say she is “very dangerous” and “needs to go” and if we don’t take her she will go to big cats. I contacted a vet and made arrangements to meet him today so he could examine the mare. I wanted to observe her and learn as much as I could about her. Jenny said she would go with me so off we went this morning to meet this mare. It was an absolutely beautiful day. When I first saw the mare running today, an incredible feeling innocence came over me.

She moved beautifully and an old Fleetwood Mac song immediately came to mind (I still can’t get it out of my head!) – Gypsy. I didn’t know what her name was but in my mind it was Gypsy. So, meet Gypsy!

While she looked anxious and concerned, the vet was very patient with her, she behaved well. She was sedated in order to be palpated – the good news is that she is not pregnant but the vet thinks she will soon be ovulating.

We were told of inhumane things done to the mare before the current owner took her in about 3 months ago – she has been at a trainers for the last 3 weeks. She had been starved, beaten repeatedly with a 2 x 4, and handled very roughly. I asked question after question. It was explained that she has issue when confined in a stall or small pen – that she is ok until you take off the lead rope at which time she becomes unmanageable. They said that once the lead is off she will try to flee and take you out with her if you’re in her path. When she was in a stall at the owner’s barn someone walked past her stall and she lunged out and hit the human in the head – knocking her over. I was told the mare had also attacked two people – one had to go to the hospital.  Another person got kicked. They decided to send her to a trainer.

Based on what I was told, and what I observed today, I think this mare is just misunderstood.  I think she has been pushed too hard too quick in trying to get her under saddle – especially after the horrible life she led before her current owner got her. What I saw in her eyes was a beautiful soul behind a look that is shrouded by fear – but a longing for freedom from her past.

Her past is ugly – humans have molded her into the mare she is today. I’m told she has papers (but the previous owner wouldn’t give them up) and is a Saddlebred but I think there is some Arabian in her too. We’d like to help her but in order to do that we need help from others – she needs sponsors. At this time we are asking for pledges to help her. If anyone would like to help sponsor her please email me and put “GYPSY” in the subject line. Time is of the essence. Donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small but again, at this time, we are looking for pledges. Once (if) we know we have enough support we will ask that pledges be turned into donations. We’d like to get her here, safe, as soon as possible.

Thank you.
Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: www.bhfer.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb