| Near Complete Herd Dispersal |
| A Very Personal Message |
| I feel so blessed to have been able to own, breed, raise, train, ride and most of all love Peruvian Horses for the past 15 years. I was hoping to continue doing so for many, many years to come. However, our "fortunes" have changed greatly since late August of 2010. On August 25, 2010, my husband Ken underwent elective open-heart surgery: Three bypasses were completed and his mitral valve was replaced. Ken came through the surgery with "flying colors." It appeared he would be able to return to the practice of equine veterinary medicine within a few months. However, on September 10th, he suffered a stroke. As strokes go, he was very fortunate. His left side was most affected; however, he rapidly regained control of his left arm and leg. But the stroke left him with impaired vision: He lost his left peripheral vision, and his sight generally suffered. The first Saturday in October, I fractured six ribs as a result of getting bucked off a friend's young Peruvian on his third ride after being perfect on his first two rides. (None of the young horses we have raised has done anymore than one or two slight crowhops.) In an attempt to help Ken's sight, he had cataracts removed from both eyes the first two weeks in November. While the surgery helped improve his vision, more improvement is still needed. In an effort to return to his practice, Ken has pulled blood for Coggins tests, done some routine vaccinations, and palpated and ultrasounded some mares. Ultrasounding has stressed him greatly as he cannot see the ultrasound screen well; I've had to be "his eyes" when ultrasounding, and that's not a good situation. I was very hopeful that by late this spring, Ken would be well on his way to the complete return of his practice. However, this is not going to be the case. As I write this, it seems unlikely that Ken will ever do more than light veterinary work, if that. Depression has set in, and it's taken a devastating toll on him even though he's on anti-depressants prescribed by a skilled psychiatrist. This spring I've had a wonderful young junior college student help me one day a week with chores. However, he will finish his schooling this month, and he will no longer be available. I have finally come to the wrenching realization that I must part with most of my beloved Peruvian Horses. Between seeing to Ken's needs and taking care of our 21 horses, I have little time for anything else . . . even the most routine daily activities such as paying bills, doing laundry, cooking, . . . It's also becoming clear that at the age of 60, I'm going to need to return to the work force. Our income is so limited now that taking care of our horses in the manner in which we are accustomed to caring for them is not going to be possible. Even routine care . . . vaccinations, dewormers, farrier work . . . for 21 head of horses is beyond our financial resources at this time. Mare exams, semen collection, and other reproductive costs are also out of the question. Currently I have listed nine of our 14 Peruvians for sale. I cannot bear to part with our home-raised stallion LEC Nino de Soberano at this time. Ken and I cannot replace Nino--he is out of Soberano CM's last foal crop; he is the only stallion we've ever owned, and he is the only stallion I've ever ridden. Although not listed here, I may be forced at a future date to offer Bandolina PPP for sale. She is a wonderful brood mare with a locked-in gait. Her babies by Nino are outstanding. Please follow the link below to see the Peruvians that I wish to sell at this time. All of the young horses have been handled lovingly, but firmly, since birth. All are broke to lead and tie and are comfortable with being handled. The two three-year-old fillies have both been saddled and lunged with the Peruvian bosal. Consuela represented the Peruvian Horse in the Aisle of Breeds at the 2011 Iowa Horse Fair. She was completely at ease in her stall between the stalls of a Tennessee Walker and a Missouri Fox Trotter. Dama and Chulo were exhibited at the 2010 Iowa Horse Fair. If you want more information on any of the horses listed, please contact me preferably on my cell phone (641-660-4371) or online at kbharris@netins.net. Thank you so much for your interest. May God be with you. |