This is not a bargain shoppers dream,
this is a horse rescue.
This page was constructed to try to save our time in answering the questions that come along.
Over half of the PMU farms IN CANADA have been closed and thus thousands of horses are going to go to slaugher if they are not rescued. These horses will need some TLC and PATIENCE. They are very nice horses but they have had very little one-on-one with a person doting on them.ADOPTION FEES FOR the HORSES:Each horse will cost $ 1,000, UNLESS otherwise stated below their picture.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE HORSES: They are not wild but they are used to the routine at the PMU farms so when you get your horse, be understanding and patient. They are VERY socially adapted and used to doing everything alongside their pasturemates. When you first get your horse, this is how you have to think - he/she knows best how to socialize with horses. So think like a "horse whisperer" (for lack of a better term!). HOWEVER, they might come off as not socially adjusted when you first put them with other horses. This is not because they are not socially adjusted, this is because they know they have to stand up for themselves and they will try to establish their spot in the pecking order. The easiest way to socialize these horses with your horses at home is to give the horse a spot in a small corral where he/she can rub noses with the other horses over the fence and integrate your new horse after they are well acquainted and you have bonded with your new horse well enough to be able to catch her/him in a field. If she/he pins her ears or acts aggressive to other horses, it does not mean he/she is an aggressive horse. It means she/he has probably had to fight for her hay and spot in the herd. If he/she acts shy and skeptical of you, it doesn't mean she/he was physically abused by people. It means that she doesn't know how to have a real relationship with a person. All these horses know about people is, they give vaccinations, trim feet, bring hay. Otherwise, they are not going to know why you are grooming them with a brush nor why you want to hand feed them goodies. Once they let down their guard, they will see that their new life is wonderful and true and you will see them brighten up. But give the horse some time as he/she has to come to this realization on his/her own.When you get your horse home, he/she will be in SHOCK. Her/his whole world has been turned upside down. The horse will feel very insecure. If he is not immediately friendly and seems freaked out completely, BE PATIENT. They will settle down. Some will settle down faster than others. THIS IS A RESCUE! You need to go into this with the heart to EXPERIENCE the PROCESS of giving your horse a new life. If you go into this with no expectations, you will be pleasantly surprised. These horses have had halters on them and have been led. They have had vaccinations and their feet done without sedation. However, this doesn't mean they are perfectly halter broke.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEW PMU YEARLING OR TWO-YEAR OLD:Upon arrival, these horses will be very stressed and tired. It is suggested that you confine then to a small, safe area like a boxed stall for a few days so that you and the young horse can get acquainted. These horses will be frightened and for you to better handle them, we strongly suggest you use this method. Once you have accomplished getting the halter on your new horse and have thoroughly bonded with her or him (can touch him pretty much over his whole body), you will be amazed at how quickly these youngsters will become friendly and sociable. One of the main health issues to watch for is respiratory infection. If you have any doubts about your youngster's health, call your veterinarian immediately. In regards to feeding, these horses were born in pastures and, therefore, we find it is best to feed them grass hay mixed with a little alfalfa hay if available. Usually it is beneficial to start them on some grain as well.
THE ADOPTION PROCESS: We interview people on the phone and in person. We need to be sure the homes for these horses are experienced enough to handle them and give them a good home. Then we need an adoption application filled out for our records and a cashiers cheque, money order, bank draft or certified cheque made to THE HOOF BEAT within four days of approval in order for the horse to be yours. You can pick the horse up as soon as you paid for her, if the horse is already in Nova Scotia. Otherwise you will be notified of arrival date and pick-up location.You would then be responsible to pick her up from one of our foster farms. All of these horses have had all their vaccinations but will be due again in a few months. Those records will not come with the horse because individual records do not exist on these horses. If you want a letter proving adoption, please email us. We can also send you the information on how to register your PMU with the PMU Registry. When you show up to pick up your horse, PLEASE bring a stock trailer or a three horse plus sized trailer. We will herd the horse into the trailer for you. Unless you have a small horse to pick up, two horse trailers can be difficult.This depends, off course, greatly how laid back your horse is and selfconfident. If all you have is a two horse available, take the middle partition out. Please understand, these horses are not wild, but they are scared. They are used to doing things when grouped with other horses. Taking one horse individually and loading her alone into a small trailer can be frightening. When you get the horse to your home or boarding facility, put her in an area where you can catch her easily and just let her relax and eat. Back the trailer up near where you are going to put her. This advice might be unnecessary but for the more frightened horse, this is the best route to take.
PROPER CARE:These horses have not been neglected. It is most accurate to say that these horses have lived a very different lifestyle and will be really shaken by a change in their routine. They perhaps are a bit emotionally abused and their lives have not been 'fun' up until this point so it is understandable why they are skeptical of people. On the most part, however, they have not been completely neglected. They only get their feet trimmed 1-2 times a year but during the summer they are in large pastures wearing down their feet. When you get your horse, she will probably have overgrown feet and desperately need a trim. The reason is because when the farms found out in August that they were no longer going to be in business, the horses were left in pasture and they did not get another trim. There is snow on the ground, so none of them have been able to wear their feet down. We suggest you give the horses sufficient time to settle in and feel safe before trimming. The horses have always had their vaccinations up to date. They have all probably been exposed to strangles so they will not need that vaccination. But they all have had the flu, rhino and tetnus shots as well as the West Nile Virus vaccine. They were ALL DUE in March for shots. They also have all been wormed regularly but due to all the stress, we advise you to worm the horse as soon as you can. Use a wormer safe for yearlings if you adopt a yearling. When you pick a feed for the horse you adopt, introduce it slowly. These horses are used to different kinds of hays, grass and grain. Feeding straight alfalfa is likely to give them diarrhea. Feed them a mixed hay variety and introduce the supplemental feed slowly. TRAINING:For help with handling and training, please email us and we will try to give you the best guidance possible depending on the issue at hand.
DISCLAIMER:Please understand that we are acting as agents to help rescue these horses out of a situation where they could end up going to slaughter. We are not liable for things the ranchers might have missed. THE HOOF BEAT cannot be held liable and people buying these mares have to understand that this is a RESCUE effort)--------------------------------------------------------------
For any information concerning these mares, please contact Sibylle Bechtold at 902-624-0315 or Barbara Claussen at 902-543-8998.
Please use the Email norush.farm@ns.sympatico.ca or bclaussen@claussenwalters.com for any general questions you have.
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