//
//
His spine and his hip bones stuck out, and he had an
open wound on one hock. He barely looked like an
Arabian horse. When the young couple had seen him
like this, they had
immediately alerted
his breeders, who
had hooked up the
trailer, driven over,
loaded him up, and
taken him home.
Against his new owner’s objections, of course. But,
fortunately, he had not been fully paid for, so back
he went. And none too soon, either, judging from the
state he was in.
After being wormed and cleaned up and put back
on proper feed and excellent care 24/7, Moutard
d’Or recovered very quickly and soon started to look
like a proper horse again. But the deprivation at a
crucial time in his development permanently stunted
his growth, and he always remained smaller than he
should have been. The young couple that had
rescued him bought him shortly after. Which was just
as well, because the woman who had gotten him into
that sorry state actually had the nerve to sue his
breeders and try to get him back. The case went to
court, including the photos taken on the night he
returned. Incredibly, the woman might well have
succeeded, if he had not been sold. His breeders
could not have returned him even if they wanted to,
because they no longer owned him. He was safe.
Although every effort was made, nothing could be
done to retrieve the yearlings that had been sold to
the same person. Saipora died young. Polski was
seen in the pasture a few times (we had “spies”
watching the place), and at least he wasn’t starved,
but he eventually
disappeared.
Apparently he was
sold. But,
incredible as it
seems, I came
across him again
some 20 years later, by pure chance. It turned out he
was still in the same area, now a beautiful fleabitten
grey gelding, and he had found a forever home with
a lady who had changed his name, taught him circus
tricks, and gave displays with him. Like his dam, he
was a great ambassador for the Arabian breed.
As for Moutard d’Or, our little golden boy, he
remained with the couple that bought him for the
rest of his life. A big horse in a small body, he sired
one registered breeding stallion and several
daughters, and for all I know, some of his
descendants may still be around. But most
importantly, he had a home where he was loved and
appreciated. When all is said and done, that is what
really matters.
As a breeder, you have a responsibility for the
horses you put into the world, which is one reason
why I wouldn’t want to do it. Once you sell them, it’s
out of your hands. You can only hope for the best.
But if it should go wrong, it’s never too late to
interfere and bring them home. Because sometimes,
even the darkest tales have a happy ending.
MOUTARD D’OR as a yearling, the night he was rescued.
MOUTARD D’OR as a mature stallion in 1998.
“
AS A BREEDER, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
HORSES YOU PUT INTO THE WORLD, WHICH IS ONE
REASON WHY I WOULDN’T WANT TO DO IT. ONCE YOU SELL
THEM, IT’S OUT OF YOUR HANDS.
”
AHW > 47 < 08.19
sharon
(sharon)
#1