Sorry you missed the previous thread, Marty. I gave a description of some horses down here on the "Rescue to Show" thread that Carolyn started. Suffice it to say there are 5 minis down here who need some help. I investigated the horses on CMHR's behalf and, yes, we are discussing the dilemma right now. Part of the problem is that this is a horsetrader facility -- and the worst kind. This is where Buttercup came from last year -- if you remember her. Diane/Krazyhorses bought her to remove her from the facility and then worked out an arrangement with CMHR to take over her care.
The owner of this stable goes to the auctions or private buyers and purchases animals of any kind. He houses them with the bare necessities, just to meet County Code (you don't know how MANY people in this area have tried to get him shut down on various technicalities -- hasn't happened). He almost always has minis available, sets a price on them which is way more than they are worth, charges exorbitant fees for Coggins/shots/teeth (who knows if the shots and teeth have actually even been performed) and is generally non-negotiable, non-communicative, and evasive -- even to questions from potential buyers. That explains Carolyn's problems trying to get information from them even to purchase one of the worse off of the group (Vanilla).
The dilemma I have presented to CMHR is that we cannot afford, as a donation-funded group, to become this weasel's best customer. And, I, as one of the few Florida members of CMHR, do not have the ability to attend the abundance of auctions (many of which are killer auctions) to get to these minis before he does. This guy could keep CMHR supplied with a steady stream of minis -- at HIS prices. He does not negotiate.
While I feel for the horses in need (and next month there will be more) it would be hard to imagine that CMHR could afford to become this facility's best customer every time he brings in a batch of new minis. That is why the plea went out to anyone who might open their heart to one of these misfortunate little guys. I am willing to do whatever I can to facilitate the transaction, including some transportation. CMHR is aware of these horses, is supportive and should be able to help to the extent it can -- which may indeed include purchase of some of the horses IF we can line up fosters or adopters for them. We have no foster homes in Florida, so I may have to beg, borrow and steal for available boarding from friends (good thing I have lots of friends who would give me a good deal!!!!). Most of these horses are intact colts, including the dwarf (4 year old stallion). There is also a yearling mare who may be pregnant since she has been penned with 4 stallions for the last several months. Some of the horses are said to be registered or eligible for registration, though no papers were forthcoming when I asked to see them.
Prices on the horses vary from $350 for the dwarf stallion to $775 for a pretty sabino pinto gelding who is about 35" tall or so. There is also a palomino pinto colt, a bay pinto colt, a silver dapple colt (the very thinnest, no more than a 2 on the body scale), and a silver dapple filly. None are more than a 4 on the standard body scoring scale. There are additional fees to cover their "Medical expenses" and these fees range from $80 for a Coggins (Coggins tests in this area run around $25...go figure) to an additional $25-50 for things they might have had done to the horse (unreliable at best, but the fees are non-negotiable).
There are photos available on a web site, but the horses are all in winter coats, so hard to tell how thin they are. I can give you the web site and name of the farm if you PM me. Cannot publish it on a public forum. The horses are located in west central Florida, about 1/2 hour south of Tampa.
Robin C