What Do I Do?

What to do?!?! What to do!?!?!

The mare we looked at last week had a two month old filly by her side. I would have snapped them both up immediate but I noticed the filly had a hernia. I had to do some research before making my decsion.

I still feel bad. The mare was bought just before she gave birth to her filly. She was almost 100% guaranteed to produce a blue roan. What should pop up but a sorrel filly. So after seven weeks, the guy is ready to get rid of both. I'm guessing he was going to get rid of the mare no matter what but now he's looking to get rid of both.

I was sold on the mare. Not many give kisses to strangers. I love her and told the owner I'd buy her. Who would resist a $100 18yr old registered mare who gives kisses. She seems like she needs some TLC. She has heaves so it'll be a learning curve for me.

The only catch to bringing the mare home now is the filly. I'm not set up for a weanling but I'd make due. My concern was the hernia. I have some pictures and called the vet. I didn't ask anything specific but they said it would cost $200-$300 depending on size.

After talking with the owner, he believes it's an umbilical hernia. Neither of us have dealth with hernias so who knows. So I just called the vet to find out what to do for an umbilical hernia. She said that they sometimes grow out of it as long as it's not hanging down really far. Right now it's golf ball sized so they suggested just waiting it out for a few more months.

So now what do I do? Do I go get both the mare and the foal? Since they are apparently a planned but now unwanted pair? Or should I just hold out and wait for the owner to wean the filly and continue on my way and forget about the filly? I don't want to rescue young horses. But the mare is old and the filly is young. It's not really a rescue situation but I'm torn.

I'm afraid I'm going to get too many. As it is I don't get to spend time with everyone like I'd like. Instead I get to spend just a few minutes patting them or giving kisses on their nose. I have to think of the alternative...they could be in a very bad place if I didn't take them. I just wish I could pamper them more.

And to put yet another spin on it, I found another cheap mare. Nothng wrong with her other than she has issues with being tied. Why do I always go for the horses that have issues?So now I'm torn. I've committed myself to the older 18yr old mare. But her filly is still in question and this other mare is in question. I don't want mares, I want geldings. But I seem to be drawn to mares here lately. Poor ol' girls are used hard, then put up as broodmares, and then when they either can't produce or produce the wrong color they are dumped again to bounce around the auction circuit.

I'm so frustrated. What do I do?