"But I Love Horses!"

"Stop talking about love. Every asshole in the world says he loves somebody. It means nothing. It still doesn't mean anything. What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to the people you say you love, that's what matters. It's the only thing that counts."
~The Last Kiss

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time, because so many people miss this simple point: it's not what you say, but the actions you do, that determines who you are.

I've heard it so many times that it now sickens me: I see an emaciated horse and inevitably one of excuses that come spewing forth is "But I love him/her!"

Listen, neglectors: love is a feeling, not an action. If you truly love something, then show you love it through your ACTIONS. For example:

Does this horse look loved?

How about now?

Yes, that's the same horse. I made the mistake of leasing her out to someone who came to pick her up, pretending to love on her and her mother (who died in this person's so-called "care"), who scratched them and talked to them like they'd be one of the family. Instead she dumped them in a pasture and forgot about them. Thankfully she is back home with me, and as you can see, she is healthy once again--a loved horse.

Speaking of said neglector, this horse, in the same "care" of the person who starved my gray mare above--does she look like anyone cares about her?

What is really sad is she was due to foal anyday here. Obviously no love, no compassion at all, for either her or her unborn foal. Even if she wasn't thin, why in the world is she left to foal out with so many other horses, out in the dirt, unattended?

This poor horse was loved once:

That is a picture of a loved horse. Good weight, hooves trimmed, shiny coat.


In case it hasn't sunk in yet, here's another horse who was purchased "with love."

When she became too much for them to handle, they suddenly didn't love her anymore.

Thankfully she is very, very well-loved today.

She even looks happier, doesn't she?

The word "love" is entirely overrated. Love doesn't pay the feed bills. Love doesn't deworm your horse. Love doesn't trim their feet or curry their coat. Love doesn't train, it doesn't feed, it doesn't water. Love doesn't cover your horse in a storm. Love doesn't keep your horse off the highway.

Love won't save your horses when you aren't responsible enough to do the right thing when things get tough. Love doesn't break ice in the dead of winter. Love doesn't feed when you're so sick you can't hardly breathe. Love doesn't pay the hay bill when you've lost your job. Love doesn't call the farrier if you're too broke or too lazy to do it. Love doesn't euthanize your horse when it's pain becomes too much to take.

If you truly do care about your animals, then show it to them with proper care. Take them to the vet when they're sick. Make sure they are getting enough food and water. Keep them up-to-date on their hoof care, vaccinations, and deworming. Keep them safe with adequate fencing.

If you truly love them and are unable to accomplish these things, then the answer is very simple: don't own a horse. Owning one is a privilege, not a right.