Betty Mae has arrived...

[Marli]

What a nice, nice mare she is! She backed off the trailer, took a gander around and the expression on her face was as if to say, well, show me to the pasture. Very calm and relaxed, though she is a bit underweight, she went right for the hay. She bears an old scar on her right front, appears as one of those injuries that may have happened to her as a weanling/yearling (early on, like she tangled with a fence) with the remnants of white hairs and a bit of calcification around her coronet band, but she is sound. I'm sure this may be the reason she never raced. Needs some farrier attention, but otherwise, in decent shape. Clear eyes and nostrils and appears healthy and in overall good condition. Often times the stress of a sale environment can take it's toll on their weight, and I feel this accounts for her bit of ribs showing. She got a blanket on her immediately and I'm sure within a couple weeks of adjusting to her new surroundings, realizing she's secure and plenty in front of her to eat, she'll put the weight back on.

She's wearing 2 of those darned sale tags, one on each hip and her paperwork shows that she was entered in 2 sales, one early December and mid-December. I highly doubt that *anyone* would've considered her as a riding prospect with the ugly old scarring on her right front. In speaking w/the driver (a Crowley) he said that there's not alot of interest at their sale for thoroughbreds.

Here's 2 pics of her munching on hay, didn't have any help and I wanted her to settle in and relax so I didn't do alot of fussing as far as pictures-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/m ... tyMae2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/m ... tyMae1.jpg

[rascal]

Betty Mae looks wonderful, Marli! Was she headed for the killers? Can't believe it if she was. Now she'll have a good home! As he's only 14, do you plan to breed her? Also, how is Val doing now that she's been with you for awhile? Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do to save some good horses!

[rascal]

Oops! I meant to say she's 15-years-old, as today is her birthday!

[wilf]

Well done Marli and thanks for the photos, she looks as happy as a clam. If possible could you fill us in of how you clinched the deal and WHERE is that place?

[Roguelet]

Congrats Marli... she looks very content in her new home! Thanks for the pictures.

[chiggins6]

Isn't Crowley's out near me, in Connecticut or Massachussets? From what I hear, its an auction where you can pick up QH, ponies, Morgans, all kinds of backyard horse types. Its held really frequently, and there is a website, if you want to check them out. They've been around for years, I have heard of them since I was a kid, and have now and again run into someone who went there and picked up a horse (backyard situation). Every horse I have ever seen come out of crowleys has been fairly represented - I think they are known for honest disclosure of the horses they sell. From what I hear, they will tell you everything they know about a horse, and be as helpful as they can about dealing with stolen horses, etc. in otherwords, honest folks. If I am not mistaken, folks will bring their horses to their sales to be sold on consignment, but I am not sure of that, have to check out their website. While I am thinking about it, there is another such outfit in CT called "The Strain Family Horse Farm" operating similarly. They also have a new and used horse trailer business, if I am not mistaken. They seem to do things like get truckloads of Quarter Horses from Texas to sell as riding mounts. My girlfriend bought her horse "Hancock Venture" from them, he was off the QH track from Texas, years ago, and was a handsome studly only recently gelded Bay QH. My old horse, Pistol, the Palomino QH came from them, I think. Perfect conformation as near as I can tell, on a great 16h QH with a regal "show me my harem, they're here, somewhere, I can smell 'em" look in his eye. Both these horses were great, sound as long as I knew em late into their 20's but I digress. I mention all this to let people know about two local sales and auction places here in the Northeast, where horse might be run through, and that the owners are upright, helpful, business people as far as I have every heard. For what its worth...C.

[chiggins6]

Marli, are you going to ride her? She looks like she might be sound, and sweet...

[madelyn]

A bit of lighter fluid or kerosene on a rag will get the glue from the tags off her hair, then clean that off with baby oil or mineral oil. Good luck with her; one of the analysts had emailed me that she looked like a good pedigree match for Rocking Trick, so if you mean to breed her.....

[Marli]

Madelyn- THANKS for the tip to remove those nasty tags! I hate them!!

Will I ride her - most probably not. Since my knee is fragile, my riding is near void. Will I breed her, haven't decided. I'd like to let her settle in and relax and just enjoy herself. She's only been here 24 hrs. and I'm already enjoying watching her personality surface. I can see she's got some 'fire' and she's not intimitaded easily. Val has been the queen in the pasture but Betty Mae is putting her to the test! And of course there's my Nell (Nell's Angel) who always seems to find herself on the low end of the totem pole, seems she just can't cut herself a break anywhere! Should be interesting to watch how the dynamics will change over the next couple of days!

I've been suffering from an upper respiratory infection combined with a sinus infection and just feeling lousy since the day after X-mas, hopefully, I'll shake this soon and be able to get some better pics! She is a sweetie!

[nferro9925]

She looks quite at home! She looks like she would do quite well as a broodmare once she settles in.

[Karie]

Congratulations to Betty Mae she found a wonderful home