I think new owner has killed my sweet natured mare?

Question

I reluctantly sold a healthy mare that we have owned for 10yrs to a new buyer. My mare was sold to him empty and he stated that he has a stallion at home that he would like to use to cover her. They didn't even own my mare for 6 weeks and he told me that she was dead! When I asked why, I was told that he had called a vet to do an autopsy and the vet had told him that she was pregnant and the stallion that I had used to cover her was way too big and this is why the mare died. Now this to me, seems like a made up story because I sold my mare empty to the new owner and when I asked for the name of the vet that told him this, the owner just changed the subject and said we'll leave it at that! I really have a bad feeling that this idiot has left my gentle natured mare in with his stallion without observing them and during the night the stallion has more than likey kicked my mare in the head resulting in her death. The story he gave me just doesn't make any sense, what do others think?

Answer 1

I'm sorry to hear that..

Interesting story. I was just reading an article that said that the size of the stallion doesn't matter, in relation to the foal being too large - he may have injured her back during the breeding if he was that much bigger than her, though. Could that result in death, though? I would think that it would be pretty obvious if the stallion was too big for the mare.. (especially if he was that big.. o.O)

I think you're right. They were probably lazy with her care and are now trying to cover their.. butts.. Or maybe uneducated. Both are just as bad if you ask me..

Answer 2

It's always sad when a good horse is lost.  

The new owners story doesn't sound like it's on the level.  

I have heard  some similar stories lately, but in most cases the buyer had resold the horse almost immediately after buying it and then lied to the previous owner.

Answer 3

Something sounds fishy. Can you report him to your local humane society? At the very least, warn your colleagues about your experience so they don't make the same mistake.

Answer 4

It's a sad story; but the fact of the matter is that once the mare was sold she was no longer your possession nor your responsibility.  You'll just have to take the buyer's word for what happened.

Answer 5

It does sound dodgy but as long as he's not trying to get money back off you I think I'd be inclined to leave it as it stands.

Once the mare was sold she became his property and, technically none of your concern. It's a painful thing when something like this happens but some people are just dense and all you can do is to get on with your life.

Answer 6

Oh what a sad story :-( I feel for you..

The new owner obviously has done something guilty which he doesnt want to tell you about.

Its a difficult situation because in effect the mare was his horse after you sold her to him, so therefore he doesnt have to tell you what happened. You could try to ask again very politely which vet which he used, but dont expect magic. You have to tread carefully in order to get information from this guy.

If that fails, you could try phoning around vets, but would patient information be confidential?

I hope for your state of mind, you are able to deal with this and grieve for your mare properly. She had 10 lovely years with you and now is in a nicer place beyond this world.

Answer 7

Sounds like c**p to me. Did he have the mare palpated and have a sonogram  done before he bred her,know her cycle,unlikely. A mare's foal adjust to the mare's uterus and if the pregnancy continues there may be some difficulty foaling but with experienced and good horsemanship can deliver a healthy foal.This clown may have tried to pasture breed the mare when she wasn't in estrus(heat).It's unlikely she was kicked in the head.He may have sold her or run her through an auction.She could have been injured by other dominate mares if he carelessly introduced her into a new broodmare band.There is no vet.otherwise he'd ease your mind and give you that information.He is a slickster bouncing the blame on you instead of being honest.Once you sell a horse you have no control what the new owner does.Believe me I know.To make you feel better,know that you took care of her and gave her a good life,otherwise you will drive yourself crazy because you just want the truth which you will never get from him.I am so sorry for your pain.Don't bother calling any vets about the horse or the owner they by law cannot discuss their patients.If you know the date you could can local rendering services and see if one was picked up there,I doubt if he buried her on his place.Hopefully she was sold.If she was registered and bred later you may find her under mares bred for that year.Throroughbreds have these records every year as Report of Mares bred if they were bred to a Thoroughbred Stallion. All horses are great some people are not.

Answer 8

I feel so bad for you. Ask him for a reference for a vet and just say my horse isn't well and he may accidentally tell you which vet he used. I know it's crazy and I don't know if you have another horse but it might work. Otherwise call every vet in town.

It seems out of the ordinary to me. I don't think a stallion could kill her unless like you said, he kicked her her in the head. When we tried to get my horse in foal, my mare kicked the stallion in the head and left a massive scar on his head, but she didn't really hurt him. If she kicked a little bit harder, she probably would have killed him. Maybe that happened to your mare. Also maybe she got kicked in the stomach or the leg and the ribs or leg bone broke. I am really sorry the hear she passed away.

Answer 9

im very sorry to hear that :'(

KEEP PERSISITING! I dont think he would have bred her wth the stallion if he was obviousdly too big, and if he was just a little bit too big, i dont thionk she wouldhave died from it. you have to DEMAND to see the vet or get the number. you cant let hm (new owner) get get away with this, it sounds like much more than you can see is going on.