52 Free Horses That Do NOT Need Homes

| August 3, 2011 | 11 Comments
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It’s not uncommon for Facebook statuses to get picked up and to spread like wildfire across the web. One such example is a post about 52 horses that need homes:

52 thoroughbred horses need homes. Will go to Sugarcreek this Sat. for slaughter. Gentleman died, his son wants nothing to do with them. Most broodmares are broke and some are in foal, yearlings, 2 yrs and 3 yrs old most are gelded. FREE and papered. Friend of the deceased is trying to find homes. 440-463-4288 Barnesville. Please copy and paste.

 

The status update above has been hitting Facebook hard, especially amongst the horse community. But can you really believe everything you see online? Yes and no.

This particular update originally hit Facebook in January of 2011. That’s right, in August (8 months later), it’s still circulating around the web. While it appears as though the horses were likely at one time available and needing homes, they were reportedly placed a long time ago. The status update above is now being reposted with claims that the horses are available in various locations, even as far away as Australia (the original location was reportedly Ohio). We received this comment from one of our Facebook connections:

“We got the first post back in January of 2011. Called the number and it was an answering machine stating that all horses were placed, never really found out what happened or if there were any horses.” (Kymber Miller, BiSaddular)

While we can’t say for sure that the horses did or did not exist (update: we have heard from several confirmed sources that the horses did legitimately need to be placed in January) we did call the number ourselves. It is now directing to a voicemail with no greeting. We’re pretty certain that you won’t find any free horses by calling them up at this point.

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Thumbnail photo credit: Stefaan Smets

 

Category: Business & Marketing, News

About the Author ()

Mandee created Horse Family™ in January of 2010. She resides in upstate New York with her APHA mare, Lark, and enjoys business leadership and entrepreneurship. She additionally owns ChargedUp Media, a social media marketing company with special interest in marketing for the horse industry. Join Mandee every Monday night for #HorseChat on Twitter!
  • http://www.regardinghorses.com Jackie

    Ahh, I wish I had the links off-hand to some of the real stories following this to back up what I remember (it helps that I live nearby in Ohio so I got some better information). It was true that an elderly gentleman passed away in Ohio in January who bred racehorses. He had 52 quality, cared-for horses that needed homes. He was also a vet. The horses weren’t in danger of going to slaughter, some of them already had placements with other trainers and breeders, and some went free to good homes. Most of the people who took the horses knew the gentleman personally.

    Two of the horses went to an eventing farm near me, and the first few months there were blogged: http://stonegatefarm-adventuresofjackjill.blogspot.com/.

    It was crazy how many different people who knew I’m into horses sent this to me at the time. I was shocked when somebody new mentioned it to me just yesterday! It was good to be able to tell them that the horses weren’t in danger and all had homes.

  • http://www.ourfirsthorse.com Cowboy Bill

    I almost fell for this one yesterday. Glad I did some checking before passing it on. In defense of those spreading the link, I think everyone just wants to help somehow and it’s just so easy to re-post.

  • Tamara

    As much as this rehash of the original post is annoying horse rescues and horse owners (I can’t tell you how many people — owners and rescues alike — have received numerous calls from non-horse-owning friends who saw the post on facebook), I’ve used this opportunity to discuss the issue of how the economy is affecting horses who find themselves homeless and end up at auctions sold for slaughter. I’m using it as a tool to spread the word that auctions and slaughter are NOT the option we want to use when a horse needs a home. I’m also using the story to educate those who DO own horses about how we must all prepare for the day when we might not be able to keep our horses, either due to illness, injury, death or economic hardship. We all need a plan in place, in order to look out for our trusted, loyal equine friends.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ImpulsionMinistries Rachel

    Tamara, I love your suggestions about education. What an opportunity to help people understand more about the horse industry & to make a difference.

    This is an awesome testimony of how people can come together to make a difference. I personally know one couple who adopted 2 of these horses, one being a mare in foal. The Freedom Ranch in Michigan plans to serve families & at-risk youth through horsemanship. You can see photos of baby Haven at https://www.facebook.com/TheFreedomRanch

  • calico

    As someone who volunteers for a Rescue, I can’t tell you how many emails and phone calls we got about this notice.

    Please use this energy to cross-post notices about horses in rescues that need homes. Rescues can’t take more in until the horses they have today are placed. You’d be doing something just as important… and saving horses’ lives!

  • http://www.TheHorse.com Christy

    Here’s the real story on the horses: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17731

  • Fed up

    I will tell you its being investigated. My # is one off from original # and from what I have found out, people have been solicited for funds, who call original #, for the shipping and feed of the horses. My number was accidently typed in on some posts, then copied and re-posted. The major circulation started back in feb, but from what I have been told, the origional # is associated with same “story” going back to 2008! I am as lost as everyone else, unfortunately, I have had to deal with distraught people calling about horses as well as people calling me to ask if their donations helped! Do not fear, the police we ill find out, and prosecute, the responsible parties!

  • http://buyrokureview.com Joshua Zamora

    Wow Mandee way to provide value to the Horse community! YOU ROCK!

  • J

    Jackie Smith of Stonegate adopted 2 of these horses (Jack and Jill). This was true and did happen, and all horses were placed. And yes, it was in Ohio :)

  • Danielle

    Hello,

    I was just reading your comment, and I did want to let you know that there were really 52 TB’s that needed to be rescued. My husband and I are from Michigan, and we actually did go to Ohio and rescued a 3 yr. old gelding, and a mare, which was in foal at the time. From her, we now have an awesome 5 mo. old stud colt :) They are great horses, and I am happy to have this opportunity to be apart of the legacy of these horses and the previous owner, Dr. Daniel Sterns, who died. I have read a lot about him, and also talked with his secretary/agent. She talked with me about him, and also about the specific horses that we took. I am very greatful :)

    ~ Danielle ~

  • Stefanie

    It is so frustrating, I personally got 8 messages from people that knew me, from across the country- and I live in FL. I have to ask those people that what about the horses that need to be rescued right here in our own back yard? I am glad those horses got placed, but so many other horses need adoption NOW. http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/

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