Olly's crew
Well-Known Member
Hi all, I have been on this forum for some time, but not really posted much, but some recent threads have interested me and have prompted me to post to get your views on my head/ heart quandry. Tea and cake here if you get to the end!
Background; I am 51. Came to horse ownership late, having always dreamed of it, been some of the best four years of my life.Bought pony in question in 2012, always quirky (nappy, can put in some nifty shoulder drops/ spins and does not hack alone) In hindsight was a case of 'wrong pony', but love him etc etc and have had some brilliant times with him taking on holidays, beach rides, very low level dressage etc and generally having a great time in my mid life.
Feb 2012 incur tendon sheath injury. This is followed by 12 months of fairly permanent box rest with re injury when turned out, surgery, PRP injections, steroid injections. He is now 'field sound' and wait for it; to be used as a light hack (walk with occasional trot).
His temperament means that I have to rely on a benevolent friend to walk around the block with me to exercise him (have tried school, he either goes lame or I end up on the floor as he is bored and then plays up and spins).This means he is not ridden more than twice a week.
He would be a very happy retired pony, but although he has never had laminitis, this is because he is muzzled all day in the summer, stabled every night, and fed soaked hay only ( and enough chaff to get his occasional danilon down him). Even with this regime he is always cresty. Previously managed wight better with being ridden 6 days a week in moderate activity.
Choices as I see them;
1. 'Suck it up' keep him and do what I am doing (he is 12, in otherwise good health) but I miss being able to do more. Feels like I am missing my window of opportunity riding and age-wise (Husband/ daughter have own horses I can ride but time an issue and to be hones they are too big for me and I feel overhorsed). Not able to have an other horse and keep him, due to time/ finances etc.
2. Have him PTS; this is a hard one to think about as he appears happy and well and would be done essentially for my benefit.Big ethical/moral debate goes on in my head here.
3.Retirement livery is more expensive than me keeping him myself, so solves nothing.
4. Try to find another home as a companion (would need to be restricted grazing or he would end up laminitic) and I worry about someone in the future trying to ride him, especially a child, as he is child-sized and there being an injury.Also worry about his future care when his perceived 'value' as a companion/ light hack would be low.
I go around in rings on this, and I know I am not the first, and will not be the last in this position. However really missing the riding at the level I was doing, and being able to try to progress at my obviously low level of riding.
So, what are your views? What would you do?
Thanks (kettles just boiled and the tea is on....)
Background; I am 51. Came to horse ownership late, having always dreamed of it, been some of the best four years of my life.Bought pony in question in 2012, always quirky (nappy, can put in some nifty shoulder drops/ spins and does not hack alone) In hindsight was a case of 'wrong pony', but love him etc etc and have had some brilliant times with him taking on holidays, beach rides, very low level dressage etc and generally having a great time in my mid life.
Feb 2012 incur tendon sheath injury. This is followed by 12 months of fairly permanent box rest with re injury when turned out, surgery, PRP injections, steroid injections. He is now 'field sound' and wait for it; to be used as a light hack (walk with occasional trot).
His temperament means that I have to rely on a benevolent friend to walk around the block with me to exercise him (have tried school, he either goes lame or I end up on the floor as he is bored and then plays up and spins).This means he is not ridden more than twice a week.
He would be a very happy retired pony, but although he has never had laminitis, this is because he is muzzled all day in the summer, stabled every night, and fed soaked hay only ( and enough chaff to get his occasional danilon down him). Even with this regime he is always cresty. Previously managed wight better with being ridden 6 days a week in moderate activity.
Choices as I see them;
1. 'Suck it up' keep him and do what I am doing (he is 12, in otherwise good health) but I miss being able to do more. Feels like I am missing my window of opportunity riding and age-wise (Husband/ daughter have own horses I can ride but time an issue and to be hones they are too big for me and I feel overhorsed). Not able to have an other horse and keep him, due to time/ finances etc.
2. Have him PTS; this is a hard one to think about as he appears happy and well and would be done essentially for my benefit.Big ethical/moral debate goes on in my head here.
3.Retirement livery is more expensive than me keeping him myself, so solves nothing.
4. Try to find another home as a companion (would need to be restricted grazing or he would end up laminitic) and I worry about someone in the future trying to ride him, especially a child, as he is child-sized and there being an injury.Also worry about his future care when his perceived 'value' as a companion/ light hack would be low.
I go around in rings on this, and I know I am not the first, and will not be the last in this position. However really missing the riding at the level I was doing, and being able to try to progress at my obviously low level of riding.
So, what are your views? What would you do?
Thanks (kettles just boiled and the tea is on....)