Buying and selling

My one question after reading “How Not to Buy a Horse” (EQUUS 474) is, “What is going to happen to this Appaloosa gelding?” The bad habits and vices that caused the author to return this horse so quickly are the result of every human he has ever had contact with. His behavior no doubt stems from fear, insecurity and lack of trust.

I myself have fallen in love with these “throwaway” horses who have never had a chance. Patience and love can work miracles. What joy to see the soul looking out of once-wary eyes. I am no armchair theorist: I do rescue work in central Wyoming.

Nine months ago, I received a horse who was described as “100 percent wonderful”---but the complete opposite proved to be true. And yet to send him back was, for me, totally unthinkable.

He would have died from neglect, or worse---and out here I think everyone knows what that means. Nine months later, after enormous expense and endless amounts of time, he is being adopted out as a therapy horse. Was it worth it? Oh yes. Giving him the chance he deserves can never be wrong. Margareth Ruesch Riverton, Wyoming