Catouttathebag
Sometimes there comes around that unique horse case that not only makes you feel good, but inspires you to do more. This is one of those cases.
The United Pegasus foundation has been monitoring local auctions this year in an attempt to find out who’s dumping horses and why. We have taken in 4 horses this year that were tattooed. These horses needed our help as the underbidder was certainly a home out of the state and most likely across the border.
This month we received notification from Auction Horse Rescue that there thoroughbreds in the lot. Auction Horse Rescue raised money for his rescue and he was immediately donated to the United Pegasus foundation to care for him for the rest of his life.... so we thought...
We began the process of identifying the horse and come to find out this horse won nearly 200k and was stake placed. We then began scratching our heads. The owner breeder campaigned this horse all of his life. Even when he was on the decline into lesser claiming ranks across the country. We knew and had a gut feeling that the owner-breeder loved this horse. He was shod and surmised that he was used as a pony horse.
We contacted the owner-breeder of this horse and told Mr. Shapiro that we had rescued Catouttathebag. Mr. Shapiro said “WHAT??? I want him back, please send me him back. I gave him to a pony boy years ago and he promised to give him back to me when his second career was over. Please can I have him back!”
To be quite honest we were taken back as this truly was a owner/breeder who loved his horse and there was no doubt in our minds that he needed to go back to the Shapiros. Mr. Shapiro made sure and guaranteed that Catoutofthebag would be taken care of for the rest of his life.
Thank you Mr and Mrs Shapiro for giving us inspiration to not lose hope and to continue what we do on a day to day basis. There are a lot of happy endings out there. Your generous donation will enable us to help out other “Catouttathebag’s” find their way home.
Lesson to all of us. When giving your horse to another person for a second career, please consider a lease contract for $1 so that you can reclaim your horse if it turns out not being the good home they represented. Try to keep in touch every once in a while as people’s financial situations can change in a heartbeat. Reach out to CARMA or TAA approved rehoming facilities if you are having a difficult time placing a horse. We are all in this together making sure California maintains its reputation of doing all they can for off the track thoroughbreds.