What would you do?

dctrainingandlessons · Very Active Member Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 548

I "found" an outstanding example of a really nice arabian stallion locally and decided that at any cost, I would breed at least one of my mares to him.. The fee is only $200 plus $5 a day mare care and I brought my absolutely BEST mare I had to be bred to him yesterday. The stallion owner, an older man with a heart of gold, wasn't home so the plan was to let his "helper guy" handle the stallion via live cover by hand.

Anyway, I get there and the guy looks like a creep! Then he starts talking away and proving himself as a creep. First, his wife and daughter are running around in flip flops smoking cigarettes. Then, they start making some very crude, immature, and literally discusting remarks.. At one point calling my mare a "tramp". That was the nicest remark they made... Sad

So Mr.Knowitall is trying to get me out of there and I was catching on so I said that I was staying to hold my mare... Then he comes with ropes, chains, a twitch, and hobbles to basically render my girl defensless against this stallion.. I said no way.. If either of them appear to be in trouble that then we would try something else. So then he starts laughing and basically telling me that I am one of these natural horsemanship never hit a horse type of person.. At this point I was furious!!! So I said that the breeding would not happen if things weren't done my way and he decided to go with it and the breeding was sucessful and all was said and done... UNTIL this guy decides to leave my mare's halter on in the stall, which I objected to for obvious reasons (this was a homemade type stall). And then he was going to throw an entire 40# bale of straight alfalfa in with her!!!

Remember now that this guy is NOT the owner, just a guy that comes by to ride the horses and help with chores. Also, he was formally employed by a very well known reining trainer in the area and nationally that used very extreme methods of training, lots of blood is a common thing in the trainer's barn.. So he starts telling me all about his big plans to get this stallion and train him for reining and when the owner passes away he's hoping that he leaves the stallion to him... Yeah. Nice! Not that there aren't exceptions but the particular breeding of this stallion is exactly opposite of anything compareable to a reiner! HA HA HA! Missmagus would have a good laugh if she knew the lineage I'll say this much!

So anyhow, I love the stallion to death, he's completely gorgeous, a great mover, and has excellent overall conformation. The owner is a wonderful man that is genuinely caring toward all of his animals.. He's GIVEN foals to 4H children in the area, and carries mints in his pockets at all times for his horses. How would you go about this situation?? If the other guy wasn't involved I would have no issues at all with my mare being there!!! Plus, he's out to scam this old guy in the first place!! Is it my place to say something to this man or what? And, what about my mares in the future if I decide to breed to the stallion again? I know I shouldn't be picky when it's only a $200 stud fee, but there is no price on my horse's well being either. Any ideas and suggestions are much appreciated!!!

horsewoman1965 · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:15 am Post subject:

I would tell the owner how rude his helper was. I would not leave a horse of mine there if my instincts were telling me not to (been there done that). If the owner defends the guy and his actions, I would move on. Even though the the stud fee is just $200, do you really feel it would be worth the risk of losing your mare? Crying or Very sad

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dandeeqh · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject:

I would definitly have a talk with the owner. He might not have any idea what this "helper" is really like. He (the helper) might put on a good show for the owner.

I agree with horsewoman1965 that if your instincts say get her out of there.....I would.
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Bondama · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:55 am Post subject:

I second...or is it third? that motion! Get with the owner and do it fast. You can be diplomatic and tactful, but still get your point across.
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missmagus · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

I totally agree with the others - obviously the owner has had the "wool pulled over his eyes" by this - helper?? - and sometimes people don't see things because they don't want to. Maybe this guy comes cheap and the owner really needed someone so he thinks he's found his solution to a problem.

You have an absolute interest in this situation though - as the owner of the stallion and property is ultimately responsible if this - helper?? - does things that will put your mare in jeopardy. If the owner won't hear you out and change things - then I'd take my mare away from there fast.
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Inyureye · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject:

Um, I don't get it (but then, I know nuttin about breeding) but correct me if I am wrong:

Despite all the tussling with the creep, you got your mare bred.

Why, then, did you leave her at the creepy place? I can only surmise you wanted her bred again?? Personally, I would take my sperm, cross my legs, and run.

If for some reason you wanted another go at the hunk, why didn't you take your mare home and come back another day?

You may not like how your mare was stabled, but you left her there. Rolling Eyes

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dctrainingandlessons · Very Active Member Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 548

The "helper" guy doesn't live there, and from what I got from the owner, he just comes by and rides the stallion sometimes is all.. He doesn't get paid. I voiced my concerns to the stallion owner about this guy, and he was shocked by the cruelty this guy showed toward my mare. He really helped to ease my worries for my mare, and I've been going to help with the breedings and working my mare everyday and she's in great shape, as well as her stall being in immaculate condition. LOL, the stallion owner has really taken a likeing to her and when I stopped over yesterday on the spur of the moment, he was in her stall brushing her and talking to her! It was cute actually!! He has asked me to work with his yearlings, setting them up for halter and getting them into condition, and hopefully I can show him where this other "helper" guy went wrong..

The thing that upsets me is that there's this 70 year old man who recently lost his wife and loves his horses more than anything else!! He keeps his saddles and show halters in the house with him in his living room! Mostly I think he just needs someone to help him out a little around there, perhaps he has a bit too much on his plate! And I think the "helper" was discuising himself as a good person in the owner's presence, seeing an opportunity to take advantage of this man! Makes me sick actually!!