A sort of WWYD

[HP1*]

Hi
5 years ago I was sold a pony who a short time later was found to be grass intolerant. He wasnt bought to keep, as I didn't want ponies in my life forever and my plan was to sell him after my other pony had passed.
This happened 2 years ago, but I still have said pony, he is kept on full livery, over 2 hours away on what is essentially retirement livery as this was the only place that could cater for his special needs.
Hes a lovely sort and has never put a foot wrong so I feel I owe him this but its costing me the same as a small mortgage to keep him and I'm worried its unsustainable long term as hes only 9.
My question is, is there any chance that he could be rehomed with his issues, and if so how could I go about it ?

 

[Birker2020]

Hi
5 years ago I was sold a pony who a short time later was found to be grass intolerant. He wasnt bought to keep, as I didn't want ponies in my life forever and my plan was to sell him after my other pony had passed.
This happened 2 years ago, but I still have said pony, he is kept on full livery, over 2 hours away on what is essentially retirement livery as this was the only place that could cater for his special needs.
Hes a lovely sort and has never put a foot wrong so I feel I owe him this but its costing me the same as a small mortgage to keep him and I'm worried its unsustainable long term as hes only 9.
My question is, is there any chance that he could be rehomed with his issues, and if so how could I go about it ?

My question would be what quality of life does he have if he is grass intolerant and cannot ever be turned out, which is what I would assume grass intolerant means?
When you say he was found to be grass intolerant was that a vet that diagnosed that?
For me it's all about quality of life. If he is stuck in a stable 24/7 for ever then that would not be fair and I would have to pts, never mind think about rehoming him.

I am making a lot of assumptions as to his current care, so maybe you could elaborate a little for us? Does he stay in all the time?

 

[HP1*]

My question would be what quality of life does he have if he is grass intolerant and cannot ever be turned out, which is what I would assume grass intolerant means?
When you say he was found to be grass intolerant was that a vet that diagnosed that?
For me it's all about quality of life. If he is stuck in a stable 24/7 for ever then that would not be fair and I would have to pts, never mind think about rehoming him.

I am making a lot of assumptions as to his current care, so maybe you could elaborate a little for us? Does he stay in all the time?

 

[Bellaboo18]

I presumed he was on a track system with no grass?

 

[Birker2020]

I know some horses can be allergic to particular types of grasses, or the sugars in those grasses. sometimes it can be other environmental factors. What happens when he is put out to grass?

 

[Birker2020]

I presumed he was on a track system with no grass?

Possibly, the OP needs to give us some more information really. I know horses can be intolerant but maybe he would be different on a different pasture?

 

[HP1*]

You really are making lots of assumptions !

He most certainly is not stuck in a stable 24/7 and I wouldn't even contemplate it, this is why I have done what I have done so his quality of life is good !

I had actually forgotten why I stopped coming on this forum but I've now been reminded !

He has been scooped,scanned and tested for PSSM, with no conclusion either than he doesn't tolerate much grass but with a combination of muzzle, very poor grazing and almost grass free paddocks he is mostly symptom free.

Thankyou for your concern and PTS advice Biker2020 but really !

 

[cauda equina]

If he's a useful sort either ridden or as a companion then certainly someone might want him
It might be worth putting feelers out on some of the FB laminitis/PSSM/EMS sites, where people are more likely to have experience managing his sort of issues

 

[HP1*]

I presumed he was on a track system with no grass?

We did try track livery but they fed haylage rather than hay (they had actually told me hay but they changed due to another livery with COPD) and he doesn't tolerate haylage.

 

[SEL]

I think he could be a useful companion to someone who has a horse with laminitis or needs similar restriction. I know a friend who rehomed a Sec A for that reason.

What happens if he gets too much grass?

 

[zandp]

There are some great track liveries around - is it all grass he can't deal with ? I have one who struggles - can't be on rye grass at all but does manage ok, with careful management on mixed meadowgrass / unfertilised.

I would certainly consider a horse with these issues but would make sure I had a space in a grass free track livery to go to.

There are some good liveries around who can do barn turnout / so in groups etc, depends where you are in the country I think but I know of 2 great ones in SW - although both just too far for either of mine to be there as I can't spend 2 hours a day travelling to / from the yard.

It's difficult when they can't eat the green stuff, a friend has 2 who have issues, she rents a field and creates her own grass free track along with a limited grass track for the rest of her herd.

 

[HP1*]

I think he could be a useful companion to someone who has a horse with laminitis or needs similar restriction. I know a friend who rehomed a Sec A for that reason.

What happens if he gets too much grass?

He gets 'colic like symptoms' which are usually quite mild but can be year round even when the sugars in the grass are low. We arent sure if it's gastrointestinal or more a muscle sympathy, but I have followed PSSM protocol with no change.

 

[HP1*]

He gets 'colic like symptoms' which are usually quite mild but can be year round even when the sugars in the grass are low. We arent sure if it's gastrointestinal or more a muscle sympathy, but I have followed PSSM protocol with no change.

Myopathy not sympathy

 

[Kat]

Is he or could he be rideable? As a useful ridden or driven pony with some care it might be possible to find a home that would be happy to work with his restrictions. As a companion only, I think you need to either keep him or if you can't consider PTS as companions that need restricted grazing are very common and realistically most people don't want to take on a companion with issues.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If he were mine, I would be looking round for a suitable, experienced loan home for him. I might even enlist the assistance of one of the rehoming charities whilst not expecting the to accommodate him. I wouldn't, however, sell him on, which I know you haven't suggested.

 

[HP1*]

There are some great track liveries around - is it all grass he can't deal with ? I have one who struggles - can't be on rye grass at all but does manage ok, with careful management on mixed meadowgrass / unfertilised.

I would certainly consider a horse with these issues but would make sure I had a space in a grass free track livery to go to.

There are some good liveries around who can do barn turnout / so in groups etc, depends where you are in the country I think but I know of 2 great ones in SW - although both just too far for either of mine to be there as I can't spend 2 hours a day travelling to / from the yard.

It's difficult when they can't eat the green stuff, a friend has 2 who have issues, she rents a field and creates her own grass free track along with a limited grass track for the rest of her herd.

It does seem to be all grass. I used to have my own land (moved a year ago) and I could just about manage him but my elderly late gelding had completely the opposite needs so it was difficult.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Is he rideable?

 

[HP1*]

Is he or could he be rideable? As a useful ridden or driven pony with some care it might be possible to find a home that would be happy to work with his restrictions. As a companion only, I think you need to either keep him or if you can't consider PTS as companions that need restricted grazing are very common and realistically most people don't want to take on a companion with issues.

He is ridable, a lovely hack but green in the school as it wasnt my thing, he was driven in the past but not since I have owned him.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If he’s good to hack, then that’s a very good plus point.

 

[HP1*]

If he were mine, I would be looking round for a suitable, experienced loan home for him. I might even enlist the assistance of one of the rehoming charities whilst not expecting the to accommodate him. I wouldn't, however, sell him on, which I know you haven't suggested.

I wouldn't sell him on no,

Is he rideable?

He is yes, a good little hack but green in the school as this wasnt my thing.

 

[Kat]

He is ridable, a lovely hack but green in the school as it wasnt my thing, he was driven in the past but not since I have owned him.

In that case there may be interest in him. I'd be inclined to loan rather than sell for his safety and it might take longer to find a suitable home than a pony without issues but worth a try.

I'd advertise him as a ride/drive as it is more difficult to find a driving pony than a ridden one. Ideally see if you can find an experienced driving person to see what he's like to drive. They might know someone who is looking, especially if he is good enough for a novice.

 

[zandp]

It does seem to be all grass. I used to have my own land (moved a year ago) and I could just about manage him but my elderly late gelding had completely the opposite needs so it was difficult.

I feel your pain. My mare was on very limited grass turnout for years and then we moved to a yard a few years ago - walked from one yard to the other as they were so close - got to new yard to be told they hadn't built my stables and both mine would have to be out until stables were done. Total utter panic from me, couldn't go back to the old place as there was no room. I read them the riot act - still didn't get stables for 4 months. It was just luck that it turned out she was ok on mixed meadow/unfertilised. I put her in the field and then rushed to the feed shop for charcoal just in case it was needed to soak up anything / stop pulses etc. We didn't stay long as I couldn't get over their lack of care - they knew about her issues.

 

[HP1*]

I feel your pain. My mare was on very limited grass turnout for years and then we moved to a yard a few years ago - walked from one yard to the other as they were so close - got to new yard to be told they hadn't built my stables and both mine would have to be out until stables were done. Total utter panic from me, couldn't go back to the old place as there was no room. I read them the riot act - still didn't get stables for 4 months. It was just luck that it turned out she was ok on mixed meadow/unfertilised. I put her in the field and then rushed to the feed shop for charcoal just in case it was needed to soak up anything / stop pulses etc. We didn't stay long as I couldn't get over their lack of care - they knew about her issues.

Gosh, what a nightmare for you ! At the moment he is out in the day muzzle free on the roughest pre grazed grass (think fell type grass !) but it wont be long before the muzzle has to be back on, then in spr

 

[HP1*]

Gosh, what a nightmare for you ! At the moment he is out in the day muzzle free on the roughest pre grazed grass (think fell type grass !) but it wont be long before the muzzle has to be back on, then in spr

Sorry...then in spring he will be in small pregrazed paddocks 24/7 with hay. He probably has a better life than most !

 

[Bellaboo18]

Yes I think theres another home for your pony Someone that has another with similar needs would be ideal. To be honest he'd make a good companion for one of mine but I'm not looking yet...
I'd start telling everyone you know that you're thinking of rehoming him. Get the word around.

 

[Birker2020]

You really are making lots of assumptions !

He most certainly is not stuck in a stable 24/7 and I wouldn't even contemplate it, this is why I have done what I have done so his quality of life is good !

I had actually forgotten why I stopped coming on this forum but I've now been reminded !

He has been scooped,scanned and tested for PSSM, with no conclusion either than he doesn't tolerate much grass but with a combination of muzzle, very poor grazing and almost grass free paddocks he is mostly symptom free.

Thankyou for your concern and PTS advice Biker2020 but really !

Don't be silly, I wasn't me nasty/bitchy at all. I did admit when I wrote my reply I was making a lot of assumptions but when information is scarce it's hard to answer a post.

 

[HP1*]

Don't be silly, I wasn't me nasty/bitchy at all. I did admit when I wrote my reply I was making a lot of assumptions but when information is scarce it's hard to answer a post.

Maybe in future ask questions before assuming, things are hard enough as it is.

 

[Birker2020]

Maybe in future ask questions before assuming, things are hard enough as it is.

Next time fill in the blanks and stop taking offence at something that really wasn't meant in a nasty way. I'm not the only one that mentioned PTS. Like I said it's hard when you are not given the correct information.

I did say " If he is stuck in a stable 24/7 for ever then that would not be fair and I would have to pts, never mind think about rehoming him".
I also said "When you say he was found to be grass intolerant was that a vet that diagnosed that? " which I don't believe you answered.

 

[SantaVera]

I see no reason why the pony shouldn't have a bright future with someone willing to care for his needs and tbh if it's just grass intilerence then it's easily manageable. You could contact Hopton Rehab and Rehoming with the view of them taking your pony into the charity to rehome to suitable people as a riding pony. t

 

[HP1*]

Next time fill in the blanks and stop taking offence at something that really wasn't meant in a nasty way. I'm not the only one that mentioned PTS. Like I said it's hard when you are not given the correct information.

I did say " If he is stuck in a stable 24/7 for ever then that would not be fair and I would have to pts, never mind think about rehoming him".
I also said "When you say he was found to be grass intolerant was that a vet that diagnosed that? " which I don't believe you answered.

I did reply if you would care to look back. Horse owners dont want to hear PTS at the best of times, even less so when it isnt necessary, especially when its followed by a comment like "never mind think about rehoming him'
Rather than assuming....ASK questions first, it's hard to remember to write every detail in the first instance.
Maybe tact just isnt your strong point.