Need To Know The Other Side Of The Story

http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1337294992.html

This is a perfect case of someone who is disgruntled about how her mare came home. I can sure agree that something happened to the poor thing. Just looka the pic. BUT we're talking horses here. I would like to see the rest of the mare and see if she's in good weight or if she's all torn up over her body where the stud bit her.

As an aside, years ago, my horse biz partner had a stud who would bite the mare on the neck and tear holes into her flesh. Had to use a muzzle on him.

Anywho, back to the post subject...however, the mare is a horse and we all know that horses are an accident waiting to happen. Things happen all the time in the best laid plans.

My first thought was what was the other side of the story? A reputable breeder who breeds for free and then sends the horse home? I'm not sure if the mare stayed at the breeders during her pregnancy and foaling and then sent home or just the breeding and on to home. I think it means that the mare stayed put, was bred, foaled and then sent home (judging by the time of year it is).

Did the owner not check up on her mare? Nowadays there is all sorts of ways to keep tabs on your horse. Just a short video or even hotmail and yahoo have video and audio stuff. That should be in the contract. If not, it's too much trouble, I'd say the mare needs to stay home.

In this case, going by my gut feeling, I'd say there is blame to share on both sides. An owner wanted to lease her mare for a while (that's fine) but didn't follow through. The breeder is busy and sees a good deal and probably thought the owner wouldn't check up anyway (how many actually do?) and got her foal (I think) and sent the mare home, who looks a bit battle scarred.

Also, the mare could have banged her head on the trailer or a fence. No telling where. I'm betting the mare owner will keep better tabs and records from now on. Like all of us, sometimes you just don't see things coming till they happen to you and then you know to watch for that very thing.