Sad end for Slew City Gem

[summerhorse]

Trainers and owners please be careful when you sell your horses particularly at the lower end. If someone misses a payment go check on them. Better yet don't let them leave until they are paid for. It's a shame that things went so far before this woman was reported the poor mare died.

http://www.komotv.com/news/13958902.html?video=YHI&t=a

2 others survived, one is in the video but don't know if that is his reg. name or not. No news yet on the ID of the other horse or her condition.

Thanks to whoever put her pedigree up.
http://www.pedigreequery.com/slew+city+gem

[Jessi P]

People disgust me sometimes - this is a case in point.

RIP SCG.

[summerhorse]

They disgust me a lot of the time. I wonder exactly why this woman thought horses didn't need to eat??? Bizarre.

[surprisewind]

I am saddened and disgusted by this, as I'm sure all of you are.

But am I surprised? No.
I'm willing to bet not many people in the horse industry can count surprise as one of their emotions in cases like these. Which is sad commentary on the world in general, that so many are so jaded.
Perhaps the only people truly surprised by this are the people who sold the horses, as they thought the woman was normal.

I can only imagine how they must feel...

[spex4me]

very sad indeed.....

[monicabee]

Tuker, the horse pictured in the story is in the database - no race record, though. I don't know the reasons for his retirement at 3.

Because Emerald Downs is seasonal, possibly the trainer was off to Northern California in October and didn't think he would make the cut - thats just speculation, though. There is always the pressure to get rid of any horse fast at the track - but accepting a payment plan doesn't sound like great judgment.

This is why organizations like Second Chance Ranch exist - to provide a contract, screening and follow up for trainers and owners who are on to the next horse.

As bad as Tuker looks, we have a rescue foster in the barn right now who looked equally bad and is now really perking up. She passed her vet visit and has only a little rain rot and scratches to contend with. I hope there is redemption for Tuker as well. I am going to try and find out more.

[monicabee]

Sounds like there is going to be a happy ending for the two survivors at least.

I'll post more when I can confirm.

[summerhorse]

Thanks for keeping us updated. And yeah sadly these stories are so not a surprise. It's hard to trust anyone it seems.

[halfbridled]

I don't know how any sane person could do this.
It's not normal.
There are some really great and caring people out there just sucks when you run across some lunatic.
Hopefully she will be barred from owning another animal ever again.

[Barbaro06]

If you can't afford to take care of them, then do not buy them. The folks who sold them did it in good faith and here is the end result. It's a shame.

[monicabee]

I posted all the additional facts that I have been able to confirm so far here:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/hors ... 130139.asp

Doesn't sound like there is any recourse for Slew City Gem, but for the other horses she will face charges. Apparently she talked a really good line and took in more than one person, even someone who did a site visit!

[Barbaro06]

Thanks for the update!

[certifiedgirl]

Thanks for posting the updated information, I'm very glad to hear that they will be pressing charges against this 'person'. I made a small donation to PHH and Ripleys. Do you know where I would send a letter of support to the county animal control agent? thanks!

[monicabee]

Certifiedgirl,

Glad to hear from you and that you took action!

You could write to:

Officer Emily Diaz
Skagit County Sheriff's Office
600 S 3rd St
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

I'm sure she'd be glad of the support.

[certifiedgirl]

update on TBs seized in WA


http://www.komotv.com/news/local/15893347.html