Comments on: Over the Fence: A Tribute to a Noble and Beloved Horse

By: Annice

Annice — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 17:13:16 +0000

I don’t wish to be cruel, but how can anyone who spent 23 years with a horse who gave so much of himself to her, send him off anywhere, period? Mental images of lush, green fields notwithstanding, this magnificent animal won her ribbon after ribbon, award after award, but once he couldn’t do that anymore she got rid of him. It’s pitiful enough that someone who clearly has the resources and facilitates at her disposal didn’t see fit to reward him with a permanent place in the home and care he’d known all his life. Couldn’t she have at least kept tabs on him, visited him periodically to say hello, and monitor his conditions and well-being? I’m not moved by her story of getting on a plane within hours of hearing about the neglect. Too little, too late. She should have been hopping on a plane regularly to guarantee this horse was getting the care he deserved. It’s sickening to think of a horse helplessly starving to death, but it’s even more sickening to think of one starving to death wondering why the human he had given his heart and soul to for so many years wasn’t coming to save him.

By: Mother Tee

Mother Tee — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 15:25:19 +0000

I dont understand why Jean didn’t keep Lou herself or perhaps just keep her beloved horse at a farm close to her home. Don’t horses deserve to taken care of after the medals? Horses are a lifetime commitment…not just to win medals and then to be given away. It is a shame that Lou was starved. It is horrific. Do you have any idea how hungry an animal has to be to eat wood? These animals are usually 1000 pounds. Do you get cranky when you don’t eat for several hours? How much do you weigh? Imagine being 1000 pounds hungry. Please love and keep these majestic and beautiful animals always not just because they win you medals.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:28:29 +0000

I would have staged someone just like the horses!

By: Ruth

Ruth — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:25:38 +0000

You can not trust anyone, ever. Situations change, even for those with the best of intentions.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 07:46:47 +0000

I am so sorry to read this. I met Lou and have met Jean a few times over the years at various events in Volusia County (Equifest, etc). This broke my heart to read. I will never understand people who do things like this. I can only hope that woman is severely punished for these horrendous deeds. My sincere condolences.

By: kygal

kygal — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 14:35:01 +0000

why are some people so cruel I don’t understand how people can let animals suffer like that and not feel anything and lie about it. sad and tragic story hope she gets as much compassion she should the defenseless animals yet you wonder how she would treat a defenseless child

By: Denise

Denise — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 14:20:47 +0000

I have one of Lou’s great grandsons. He is a wonderful, kind, living, give you everything he can, kind of horse. Though, we’ll probably never make it to Grand Prix, and certainly not side saddle, I thank his predecessors everyday for giving me this wonderful horse to have as my own. So sorry to hear that Lou is gone, but glad that I have a living piece of him for as long as he lives.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 11:25:53 +0000

Thank you for writing this story. Jean is my friend and Lou was the kindest and sweetest stallion I’ve ever known. Thank you for this tribute.

By: Cortney

Cortney — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:37:03 +0000

This story broke my heart a million times. It will sit with me always, as a testament to how cruel people can be. Rest easy in paradise, what a beautiful creature and such an unnecessary and tragic loss…..

By: Louise

Louise — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 10:27:54 +0000

What an awful, awful hell. To those who blame the former owner the sale of a horse is hard. You have to place at least some faith in people or you couldn’t do it. many people do not want you to follow up & visit & will not consider such invasion of privacy. It would seem that giving someone enough notice should work for both sides. The worst part is that even if you do follow uop, if you find things less than perfect you have no back up or recourse if the buyer isn’t willing to work with you. all of this needs fixing in law. Anyone keeping animals in such conditions should immediately lose custody of all of them & not be allowed to own or care for a single animal without proving they are competent. If you are selling a horse you should have a legal right to visit that horse ( specified time interval/ number of times) to follow through & better support.