Can You Guess What I'm Thinking?

The readers of this blog seem on my level in terms of wanting to see horses well cared for, sold in a sensible, responsible manner etc. So let me ask a question, and I bet you guys jump to the same conclusion as I have. Why would you put up a sales photo of a horse wearing a rug that looks like this?:

Got your answer?




Here's mine- because what's under the rug looks even worse than the rug itself.

As soon as I saw this picture I thought- I bet that mare looks seriously poor under that. And the advert content seems to support this logic:

UNBROKEN BUT QUIET,OUT WINTERED AND NEEDS TLC AND GRASS.

Quiet- I'll bet, probably using all her energy just to stay alive! And for TLC and Grass read- NEEDS FOOD!!

As if further proof were needed: Exhibit A.

Yep, different horse but same place, same seller, another motheaten old rug (possibly a too tight headcollar as well for good measure) and another comment:

OUT WINTERED SO NEEDS A BIT OF TLC PRICED LIKEWISE

Look how thin her neck is. I can imagine we've got a bony spine, hip bones and ribs under that rug.

These are Irish ads, and yes, Ireland's had it tough, the economy's in the toilet and horse after horse has been slaughtered because people can't afford to keep them and can't find anyone to buy them. Some might say at least these mares are still alive, but to me, there's never any justification for neglect.

I suspect the owner decided to hang on and try and sell these two in spring as he'd have a better chance with the traditionally better horse buying weather coming in. Horses don't tend to sell as easily in winter. But horses don't sell when it's going to take a substantial amount of money in feed or vet attention to get them right either. A winter left to their own devices in a field probably hasn't helped these girls at all.

Still we can hope that they get a happy ending. If anyone is interested in them please click on those links!

Advert of the Day

What's wrong with this picture?!

This pony is for sale- are you gonna be rushing to buy him?!

Here's my issues:
What's he got on his FACE?! Why is he tied to the saddle- apparently- is that the only way you can ride him?!
You couldn't be bothered to clean him up a LITTLE bit?!
Same to the saddle cloth- it's gross! Do you EVER clean tack?
BTW is he sweating?! How long did you have to run him around until he'd stand still for that shot?!
You ride him on THAT surface all the time- are you sure he's sound?
Um- how about a hat?

So you might think: brain fried pony with no brakes in the hands of someone who just likes to blast around. Why would you bother taking another look?
Except there's another little piccie, not the main one, of allegedly the same pony out hunting and looking like butter wouldn't melt- minus the bondage gear too!

Something amiss here- wonder if the above shot is from a previous home? Poor pony!! Here's hoping for a good place for him, and someone who doesn't mind cleaning his gear and can use a BRUSH!

Advert of the Decade...

Seriously, someone designed this cracker over at Dragon Driving just to play on all my horse selling pet hates!

 

Non professional rider slouching all over and hanging off horse's head with random tack on it that fails to show off horse at all? Check!

 

 

Horse's apparent living space full of random junk and standing on said horse for no discernable reason? Check!

Using horse as jungle gum while at the same time managing to be utterly oblivous to the multitude of stains on said horse which could easily have been brushed off and are now transferring themselves to pants? Check!

Randomly dangerous manoevre which further illustrates complete lack of safe riding gear? Check!

I never look at one of these shots without hearing a voice in my head saying ' an' this 'ere's the last shot we got of yr uncle George, right before ole Bertha got a nasty wasp sittin' on her big behind...'

Anyway, gotta be a classic.