The Old Gray Mare

A Young Horse’s First and Last Trip To Auction



Posted: Friday, September 23, 2011

by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com

I find myself in a strange and dirty place. It’s noisy and several other horses have just been forced in with me. I’m so uncomfortable because I can hardly move.

I want my Mom and my Sister. We got separated on the big truck and I couldn’t get to them. I called and called. They should have heard me and answered. I was very afraid and alone. The other horses were scared and were trying to keep their balance, just like me.

A little foal was totally pushed into the corner and he was screaming in pain. The horses were crowding him and he wasn’t strong enough to push back. He was getting squashed. After a while, I didn’t see him anymore.

I got jostled around too. It was all I could do to stand up without falling down.

Mom has always told me not to be a bully. She said that people won’t love me or take good care of me if I am nasty, rude or mean. For goodness sakes, the people that forced me on the truck and then the ones that ran me into this little pen were hitting me and screaming. At first I didn’t understand what they wanted me to do.

I’ve been standing here for a long time already. Now I’m crowded in again with these other horses. Oh I see someone coming. Great! They’re coming my way. Maybe they’ll let us out of this little place to stretch our legs. It would be so nice to get some air.

Ouch. That man just hit me on my nose with his fist. What did I do? Mom. Oh Mommy, where are you?

More people are coming. That man put numbers on us. I would rather have my name on my hip than a number. I’m so scared Mommy. Why is no one helping us.

I see another man. I hear a lot of calling in the other room. It’s loud now and I’m getting even more confused. No one is giving us our hay or grain and I’m thirsty. Help me get back home.

-- One by one the horses went up to auction –

And then it was the young horse’s turn to meet the auctioneer. This experience was his last.

The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blogs.

Author's note: There are many, many horses available for adoption. If you can give even one a forever home, that's one more saved. Please follow this link: http://www.thehorse.com/Horses/Available.aspx. Help is desperately needed so these horses can enjoy a good life.      copyright Brent Schlemmer
Heidi Rucki brings expertise as a horsewoman, dog lover and stained glass/mosaic artist. She is an accomplished freelance writer in the horse industry. Writing online as The Old Gray Mare, many of her current articles can be found on www.DressYourHorse.com. In the past, Rucki wrote for numerous horse organizations including The Connecticut Horse Council. She took early retirement from Phoenix Home Life where she wrote mutual fund prospectuses and was responsible for their submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Old Gray Mare writes to share knowledge and her love of horses for everyone but especially for novice and new horse owners. Besides her two main websites, she has recently published three new blog sites. Of those, her favorite is www.BeautyOfHorses.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Christofer French
 243 days 10 hours ago.
74 fans.
I don't know what to say. You got me. The photo hits me too. Good job.
» left by The Old Gray Mare 240 days 21 hours ago.
53 fans. Follow The Old Gray Mare on twitter!
Thank you. Sometimes the tough stories must be told, too. I appreciate the read and comments and esp. the rating. Thanks mucho!
» left by elle kynzer
 243 days 1 hour ago.
32 fans. Follow elle kynzer on twitter!
There are times we need to 'walk a mile in their moccasins', or in this case "a young horse's shoes." Thanks.
» left by The Old Gray Mare 240 days 21 hours ago.
53 fans. Follow The Old Gray Mare on twitter!
Thank you, Elle. Sometimes life seems unfair. It is impossible to help every suffering creature. All we can do it be kind ourselves. Appreciate your stopping and taking the time to read.
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