Just heard some horrendous news

[rikadik]

I can't believe I'm actually turning to ATOT to share my horrible news but it's late in the UK and I don't want to bother friends and have been told there is no point in phoning home as my mum is beside herself. But I need to share and reflect on it.

After enjoying a few days off work at my parents' in the countryside I left home today at around 4pm for Liverpool where I work.

At about 10pm I got a call from my brother to say there had been a fire at home, in the stable. Our horse, Jazz, and pony, Tilly, were inside. Apparently my parents were sat inside unaware of the fire when a passer by got their attention. By that point it was too late and the stable was up in flames.

What happened to the horses is unbearable enough but the devastation this will cause my parents is almost unfathomable. Not only has my mum lost her absolute pride and joy, but my parent have spent the last 4 years renovating the old farm house including converting a rusty old barn into a fantastic stable and building a menage, only to see it burn down.

At this point we don't know what caused the fire.

I'm still not sure why I decided to share this with the random internet community but I just felt the compulsion to do so. It all feels surreal but I'm absolutely devastated and can't even begin to imagine how my parents are feeling having helplessly witness the whole thing first hand.

 

[guyver01]

i hear horse bbq is delicious with the right sauces

 

[I Saw OJ]

Poor horsies burned alive

 

[BoomerD]

Obligatory

BBQ!

Sucks for the parents though. Lots of money "up in smoke" so to speak.

While I never personally understood the attraction to horses, I DO understand that people can become attached to their "pets," even the large ones.

My condolences to them.

BTW, why did you set the barn on fire before you left?

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: guyver01
i hear horse bbq is delicious with the right sauces

Sounds like they might be a bit to overcooked.

 

[dougp]

That seriously sucks, and it's a shame that those animals had to suffer like that. Hopefully they can rebuild and be able to provide a nice home for some new horses.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: Newbian

Originally posted by: guyver01
i hear horse bbq is delicious with the right sauces

Sounds like they might be a bit to overcooked.

nah... horse meat is tough .. gotta 'char' it to get it tender

 

[Mo0o]

how much does it cost to own horses?

 

[queenrobot]

That is really sad to hear. I am sorry.

 

[rikadik]

I suspected I wouldn't get a complete array of sincere responses from ATOT!

 

[keird]

I'm sorry for their loss.

My wife had to put down her 22 year old pony in February. We tried to nurse it back to health, but eventually euthanasia was the only viable course available. It's a bitter blow to any family.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: rikadik
I suspected I wouldn't get a complete array of sincere responses from ATOT!

sorry dude.. but it's a horse.

if it were a parent, or a relative, maybe..

but..

its a horse.

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
how much does it cost to own horses?

Absolutely no idea. It's been my mum's dream since she was a kid, I think they've only recently been able to consider it in the last few years.

 

[slayer202]

blame ralphie

 

[zoiks]

Sorry to hear that. Stables can be rebuilt and at least no humans got hurt. Sorry about the horses though. I'm sure you and your family were attached to them.

 

[AreaCode707]

Oh my god, that is horrible! What a terrible way to die, especially for such sensitive animals! I can only imagine how terrified they must have been.

If that happened to any of my folks' horses, especially my bratty little arab, it would take me months to get over it. I can't even begin to think how your parents must feel. My sincere condolences. What an awful loss.

 

[joesmoke]

they literally DIAF

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: rikadik
I suspected I wouldn't get a complete array of sincere responses from ATOT!

sorry dude.. but it's a horse.

if it were a parent, or a relative, maybe..

but..

its a horse.

Trust me, I fully appreciate your sentiments.

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: rikadik

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: rikadik
I suspected I wouldn't get a complete array of sincere responses from ATOT!

sorry dude.. but it's a horse.

if it were a parent, or a relative, maybe..

but..

its a horse.

Trust me, I fully appreciate your sentiments.

EDIT: But I wasn't looking for sympathy, it's not my loss, it's my parents'. Just felt the need to share it. Not sure why.

 

[buck]

Tony knows your pain.



On a serious note, sorry to hear this.

 

[Baked]

That's some good eatin'.

 

[OCGuy]

I came in here to make an Elmer's joke, but I descided not to.




Sorry to hear that.

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: Newbian

Originally posted by: guyver01
i hear horse bbq is delicious with the right sauces

Sounds like they might be a bit to overcooked.

nah... horse meat is tough .. gotta 'char' it to get it tender

^
dickhead * 2

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
how much does it cost to own horses?

Buying a horse is anything from free to five or six (in horseracing even seven) figures, depends on what you want to do with it. There are lots of homeless horses right now because of the economy and because the slaughterhouses were shut down; horse rescue organizations are overwhelmed and down in their donations. More cases of starvation, abuse and neglect are coming in.

You have to have at least about one acre of grazing per horse, plus some sort of shelter (doesn't have to be an enclosed barn, and requirements really vary by climate). You typically feed 1-2 flakes of hay in the morning and 1-3 flakes in the evening, varied by type of horse, climate, type of hay and other feed. Hay prices can be anything from $3-18/bale, depending on the kind of hay you feed. There are about 10 flakes per bale of hay, I'd guess. You also need to feed, depending on age and activity level, beet pulp (fiber), grain/oats, senior sweet feed, etc. Usually comes in 40 or 50 lb bags, approx average $20/bag. Depending on how much you're feeding a bag can last anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months.

On top of that you have to worm and vaccinate the horse, pay for (or do yourself) hoof care/shoeing, and pay any other medical expenses that come up. Horses are great at hurting themselves. You have to keep fencing in good shape. If you do any type of competitive activity you have entry fees. You also need to do at least a one time investment in tack (saddles, bridles, halters, blankets, etc.) That can be the most expensive part of the whole operation. A secondhand saddle may only be a few hundred bucks but they can get into the thousands.

Overall it's a hobby that is comparable to photography or cars. If you're in it for a bit of pleasure you shell out $20 here, $50 there (take lessons). If you're serious about making it part of your lifestyle, you shell out a few thousand (buy a horse/car/nice camera). If you get really really into it and start entering competitions etc you now get into the higher costs (expensive camera, high maintenance car, well-bred and high maintenance horse.)

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Mojoed

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: Newbian

Originally posted by: guyver01
i hear horse bbq is delicious with the right sauces

Sounds like they might be a bit to overcooked.

nah... horse meat is tough .. gotta 'char' it to get it tender

^
dickhead * 2

Yeah, no kidding. If this was somebody's dog there'd be far fewer caustic replies.