kateandluelue
Well-Known Member
Charities are bursting at the seams !! they have been for years. Why don't you ring round a couple, and the ask them about the massive task they are facing, and then those rose coloured specs might come off. In the 1990's I had an oldie who was permanently Lame (high ring bone) but lively and happy. I spoke to a number of charities, all were full then !! oh and Brandsby Home of Rest's advice to me was to PTS. She was lame and could not be ridden so this is different, but at age 27 things are likely to not going to be good for long.
I don't agree with putting down a middle aged cat or dog either, but the arguments above are different I think when you have an older horse, getting past mid teens, I think you should expect to be stuck with them for life really.
Ester is right about loan homes not always being what they seem, no matter how well you vet them.
It is a sad truth that many people do not value what they have not paid for, charities are full ( check this and see) and to try and pass on a 27 year old is to leave it to its fate - yes there is always a chance that it might get a good home, but I fear that this chance is very slim indeed. I think this is an owner shirking her responsibilities, the last kindness we can do our old horses is ensuring they are okay at the end of their life.
Its also worth considering how charities are funded....its those of us who care, who ( in the main) are propping up those who are shirking their responsibilities. Sorry to sound harsh but when you take on an animal this is a big commitment and that cant be emphasised enough really
I agree with this.
Also, this situation cant really be compared with cats or dogs, because although those charaties are bursting at the seams too, i think in comparison its cheaper for a cat rescue for example to take on an elderly cat than a horse rescue to take on an elderly horse, which arguably are more expensive to keep and harder to rehome.