"2 Kieger Horses 2 for the price of 1 - $200"

[angelsdream]

It seems the filly is available again. The lady who wanted her is not able to take in another horse even though she tried really hard to get her.

[desperatehorsewife]

Can we arrange transport for her if someone outside this region wants her?

I'd take her up here but for the mud... The neighbor has a nice facility but I can't afford board (stall is only $150 month, but that's $150 more than I have to spend at the moment.) Still, I'd take her on until she found a home if I had a dry space. Is there a Kiger rescue that'd be willing to help foot that bill (dry stall)?

[JoanMRK]

Gosh, "Kiger rescue" sounds horrible, what an eye opener. Too bad the economy has really come to this... I don't know of any "Kiger rescues" but maybe someone would be willing?

[desperatehorsewife]

Not any different than mustang rescue, appy rescue, arab rescue... Just a bunch of folks who are interested in helping out their horse of choice. The more popular a horse becomes, the more need there will be for a rescue. Look at dalmations and how many of those there were after people saw 101 Dalmations.

I suspect we'll see an upheaval with mustangs after all the euthanasia talk. I know I had someone want to adopt one from me last month and that was the only reason; he wanted to rescue one. Thankfully he realized how expensive it was to board in the Seattle area before he actually took possession.

Anywho... I've got this girl posted on a regional forum in the northwest and also passed the ad info along to someone I'd met at the fair who was interested in finding a dun mustang.

[stlkigers]

I know the KMA has a huge presence out on the West Coast....especially since this is a member couldn't the KMA try to help these people rehome these horses....When times get tough, sometimes all it takes is a little help and these horses can find great new homes....Tracy, I'd kick in some money (don't have much!) for shipping costs.....

Angela

[JoanMRK]

I know it's not any different than other rescues, Tracey. You are right that with popularity comes rescues... It's just still a bit of a shock. Especially when they're your breed of choice... Kinda like when you find out your kid has been lying? Bad example, but... Maybe you understand. It's too late to try and explain myself. Mustangs they are, too bad they aren't wild caught then a "mustang" rescue would probably help too.

Angela, good idea. Maybe the KMA would be interested, it'd atleast be a couple of "badges" for them.

[desperatehorsewife]

No, I know what you mean Joan. It's a kick in the gut feel.

Why wouldn't a mustang rescue help? I've taken in non-branded mustangs. Okay...only one. But mustang folks are mustang folks. Kiger is mustang, even domestic bred, so I'm certain there is help to be found. Besides, good mustang folks are good horsemen first and will always help locate a home.

Even if we could find someone to foster them until a home is found, it'd be good. Do any of you think the current owner would just relinquish them in order to place them in a good home?

[stormyranch]

Here is a new posting for the Kiger colt on Craigs list. As you can see these pictures were recent and the first one's look like early spring.

portland.craigslist.org/wsc/grd/829633894.html

Someone called Animal control and they came out and looked at the horses and said they are just fine. So, please do not worry yourselves anymore over there health. The filly has found a new home.
Kevin

[desperatehorsewife]

Thanks for the update, Kevin!

[waterbearer]

Well, the pictures still aren't the greatest, but that colt looks much better than he did in the original ad. I'll say that much.

RE: breed specific rescues. It's amazing enough when you hear of a Golden Retriever rescue for instance. I mean, what could a Golden possibly do to make you want to give it up? Fetch too many tennis balls?? But then there's the whole popularity thing and the fact that there are many people who want to cash in on that and breed willy-nilly, so it's understandable how it happens when the numbers are so large.
But then when I hear of a rare breed that I know there are not too many of, that I know sell for very high amounts, it boggles the mind that a breed like that would even need a rescue. I found my half German Shepherd half Anatolian Shepherd rescue dog originally through an Anatolian rescue. I think there are less than 200 Anatolians registered with the AKC. Amazing that a breed that rare would need a rescue, but just like with any other animal that "isn't for everyone" you get a lot of people who like the idea of a certain breed from what little they see or read, but who find out that when they get said animal, it's a lot more work than they anticipated and dogs and horses don't come with instruction manuals, or all the wonderful qualities pre-programmed and all the bad ones weeded out.

Even if there isn't a formal Kiger rescue, if there are enough people who care about horses, and enough people who want only the best for Kigers, and want only the best for the future quality and reputation of the breed, then I find there is always a network of enough caring people to provide hay here, transportation or training there, use of a trailer, a stall, etc. I think with the economy the way it is, and the cost of hay these days, that it's disheartening to see horses that once went for so much or which were so highly prized to be selling for rock bottom prices, being left to starve, or sent to slaughter.
However... the upside of this I think (and I know it's hard to see one now), is that perhaps once these rough times are over with, all the backyard breeders who bought a horse because they thought they could make money selling its babies, will have gotten out of the "business" finally realizing that 99% of the time, horses cost more money than they'll ever make for you.
In a way, because of the Kigers' rarity, and its relatively new existence, there should be an easier time of it for the true enthusiasts who want to help with the few Kigers out there that fall on hard times. Imagine if the AQHA tried to rescue every untrained, ugly, grade QH cross bred in someone's backyard going for meat prices at the auction? There aren't enough people to help them all.

I don't know enough about the situations of either one of the owners of the horses in each ad to pass any judgment. All I know is these horses look like OK horses in crummy situations. As they say on FHOTD, they're in need of an upgrade.
Perhaps this is a good time to restart the conversation on the central location of a database of all registered and or freeze branded Kigers?

[waterbearer]

Sept 8, 2008 15:57:12 GMT -5 spanishsagegrullas said:

...A member of the Board of any registry represents that registry in all that they do regarding the breed, whether they like that responsiblity or not. It's just the way it is as a professional organization. It is unfortunate that some unpalatable things are brought to light.

People have pondered why Kigers and the associated registries are not given the status and standing that they deserve, vis-a-vis other breeds and professional associations are concerned. This might be something to think about.

Diane P.

OK, I wasn't trying to stir a hornet's nest here or call someone out for being a crummy owner. The purpose of my asking if anyone knew anything about these guys, was just that. Finding out. Then, from there... seeing if there was anyone willing to help out. Because I think Diane P. makes a good point about connections to horses that are supposed to be the people who are the breed's biggest advocates. I would take it one step further and say this includes every Kiger breeder with a plan. I mean, in terms of popularity, Kigers aren't exactly up there in numbers like Arabians, Thoroughbreds, or Quarter Horses, and several others that come to mind. There is a relatively small population of these horses in the hands of owners, so somebody usually knows somebody who knows somebody, and so on. When someone can figure out who that is, the next step in my mind is for such a small, closeknit community with one common goal, i.e. to promote the Kiger, and for lack of a better term, look respectable doing it, then it's incumbent upon those with the means to offer help when it can be given. Maybe that's just a friendly phone call to the owners to offer help, or if this place really is for networking too, then people on here can band together to get the horses out of a less than ideal situation and maybe in one of your barns for a little hay and longing. To give the horses a better shot at getting a good home.
Young, grade, unhandled horses going for CHEAP on Craigslist have just as much chance as heading to a worse situation than someone who is trying to do right by them but maybe not executing it well.
For all intents and purposes, this community IS the closest thing to an organized Kiger rescue.
Does anyone have any idea just how many Kigers there are in the U.S.? Not in the wild, but in homes?

And has anyone found anything out about the 18 year old gelding?

[Michelle Clarke]

I certainly do appreciate this post being started. as I surely hope both these horses can find a great home and if anyone on this board can have anything to do with that, then that is wonderful and I am in full support.

I received quite a few requests to remove posts with names attached. While I understand that it is relevant to learning if the horses are "Kigers" or not, there is no point in bringing folks into the mix that are not even here to tell their side of the story. I think it is just like anything else...folks have to do their research when buying horses in this breed if they care enough about it to matter to them in their own personal situation or not.

I did not have the time to go through everything in detail, so I deleted the posts with names and unflattering commentary. If there was anything important, as in relevant to this thread, then you can surely repost as long as it stays civil and polite.