Gibbs The Horse

This week we’re having a guest post, and an auction for a needy horse named Gibbs! Natalie is a Good Samaritan and stepped in when she was needed. She’s a fiery, witty, driven and otherwise good human. Here’s the story!

I’m Natalie. I’m a horse crazy kid. I’m 25. Much to my mother’s chagrin I never outgrew this “phase”; I never went boy crazy; I never liked clothes. While other girls planned their weddings, I planned my state of the art equestrian facility. I dreamed of flawless hunter courses and daring jumper rounds instead of prom. When I thought of Prince Charming I wondered what kind of horse he’d ride and judged him accordingly. I have an expensive college degree and I’m (mostly) unemployed (This economy sucks, Natalie. I know how hard you’re trying! TSDC). Though I hate cats, I seem to be one as I always land on my feet.

This is Gibbs:

He is a 22 year old Holsteiner, I don’t know how he got this way, all I know is that he did. I’ve known Gibbs and his owner for nearly 10 years. They happen to train with *Trina The Trainer just like I do. From what I’ve gathered Gibbs just “fell apart” he wouldn’t eat, he got skinny, started acting weird at shows at the same time Owner started having personal life problems. Frankly, I don’t really care how, why (to delve into the why would pry into too many lives that don’t belong on the Internet), or when, but Gibbs was allowed to get into this condition.

I decided to do something about Gibbs.

That being said: I am poor. I say that in a cheery way. When I say poor I mean I qualify for food stamps, I never have more than $100 in my bank account, and I’ve managed to cut down my life bills so that I pay less than $300 a month to live. This includes my own horse Bubba:

While I’ve gone to college, sold my other horses, sold my truck, sold my car, sold my bicycle, graduated from college with a BS, and 2 years later I’m scrounging up random barn jobs to get by, he’s never wanted nor needed anything. His de-worming schedule might be a few months off, and he gets an annual vet visit instead of a biannual visit (or sometimes we skip a year), he’s never been sick, he’s never colicked, he’s never lost condition (he has had his bout with battle of the bulge once or twice) *lots of knocks on wood.* In my infinite wisdom I decided that this made me the perfect candidate to fix Gibbs. I hadn’t figured out the “how” part, the “why” was pretty obvious.

At this point I could have involved animal control, but since Gibbs is now on Trina’s property that would tarnish her reputation, even though she’s shoving more hay down his throat than he can eat. I also like Owner, she’s not a bad person, but sometimes life happens. Also, if I did report him and he was taken away who knows what would have happened to him. Cue my increasing frustration with the situation.

One day I was completely overwhelmed by his condition, I was angry, I didn’t understand how a horse could be allowed to get into such poor condition. I posted a picture to Twitter and Instagram and an hour later I had a plethora of responses asking how to help. I started the #GibbsTheHorse hashtag on Twitter and have collected over $300 in donations. Which is why Gibbs now looks like this:

-After just a couple of months! I’ve since put forth the idea of adopting him to Owner and she’s agreed. We sign the paperwork soon (as of Sunday night while I got this post ready, Natalie informed me that she was Gibbs’ official owner!)

In the future *Trina The Trainer and I will split his expenses as she’ll use him as a part-time lesson horse. He’ll also be available for half lease once his condition is fully recovered and hopefully, he won’t be too much of a financial burden. However, until then he eats: one bag of All-in-one ($12), One bag of Nutrena Senior Feed ($19), 5 bags of Stable Mix pellets ($60), and one bale of hay ($18) per week. That’s $109 per week and that doesn’t count his SmartPaks (probiotics and weight builder, soon to add flex) which are $25 a month. He’s in dire need of a vet visit for a check up and shots and needs his teeth done to the tune of approx $400.

There are many horses being auctioned off, sold to “killer” buyers, shipped over the borders and slaughtered, there are many horses starving to death because of neglect, many horses being turned loose, and rescues are full. Gibbs is lucky. I decided to save him but I need help to do so.

How you can help:
Donate Donate Donate
We like all kinds of goodies. Money is our favorite with SmartPak gift certificates running a close second, but we also like wither pads, half pads, a gently used bridle, new halter, brushes, etc. If you’ve cleaned out your barn and have some things Gibbs might need give us a shout.

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Wonder where the money goes? Never fear. The blotter is here!

Now, Natalie is no stranger to this blog. In fact, she’s actually donated a beaded horseshoe for a previous giveaway, and has an Etsy Shop. But this time she’s donated a hand-knitted scarf. I figure we can give it to the person who donates the most money (or goods) this week to Gibbs the Horse! The Contest will run from Monday, through Midnight PST on Friday Night. Natalie will have to get back to me with the results, but I’ll be sure to announce them as soon as I know!

Taking on a horse is a lot of responsiblity and most people who have trouble making ends meet woudn’t take on the responsibility! So let’s give Natalie some props for being up to the task!

Happy Trails!

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