Advice wanted for old horse

G

Gemmaaaxx

Member
Joined
18 December 2008
Messages
16
Visit site
I currently own a 19 year old Arab X. He will be 20 in January but the problem is i'm going to college next year and he'll be too old for me to take as im doing equine studies. Im hoping to be able to get a new, younger horse but i can't afford to keep 2 and i'm worried about selling Sunny at his age. The owners of my old pony club suggested a long time ago about having him there when he retires, should i chase that up? I was worried because recently in H&H it said about being kinder to put old horses to sleep rather than sell because of financial crisis but he is still a good horse and he doesn't have any health problems. Any advice??
 
He's only 19!

Is he starting to show his age? If not there is no reason at all he couldn't go with you to do equine studies - the majority of RS type horses are his age or older.

I'm afraid I don't agree with 'upgrading' to a younger model. He's served you well during his prime, and I think it's your responsibility to care for him in his old age.
 
Why will he be too old.... .19 isnt exactly ancient
frown.gif
frown.gif


It would be sad to pts just for age and not health reasons
frown.gif
But also unfair not to safeguard his future.....
 
Aw don't take it to heart, when we say that we mean proper old horses, your horse isn't old by any stretch of the imagination. Anyhow, you don't need to sell him, just loan him to them. It's not like you don't know where he will be going. Yes I would chase it up, it sounds ideal
smile.gif
.
 
I would try and loan him out in that case. Colleges generally don't take on horses older than 15 do they? But you never know if you are a student and they meet your horse they might make an exception? I would ask the college first, and then maybe rehome him with the PC people if its not possible for you to take him as a school horse?
smile.gif
 
I'v just been gifted a 20 year old, that i'v known for around 15 years and he's as good as he was years ago, i'm hoping that he goes on for a lot lot longer.

I definately wouldn't consider selling him at that age, especially with the way things are, so i agree with stencilface finding a good loan home for him might be the best opition.
 
just linking this to your earlier post about "good role models" a good role model to me is someone who does not give up on their older horse in favour of a younger model just because they cannot afford two.
 
[ QUOTE ]
He's only 19!

Is he starting to show his age? If not there is no reason at all he couldn't go with you to do equine studies - the majority of RS type horses are his age or older.

I'm afraid I don't agree with 'upgrading' to a younger model. He's served you well during his prime, and I think it's your responsibility to care for him in his old age.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could not agree more.
 
Ditto....I'm not sure exactly how old my boy - passport says 15 but personally I feel/EDT thinks more like 20.....he's fit/active/healthy...I wouldnt dream of selling him on for a younger model...he is looked after very well because I want him to last forever!

If you really cant take him to college then perhaps loaning him to a trusted home may be an option- but I certainly wouldnt sell him, he deserves better than that (mines a Arabx also- I think they go on forever!)
grin.gif
 
If he is still healthy then there is no need to put him down, but I would not sell I would just find a good home.
I re homed my 19yr old ex race horse 3yrs ago. He has a fab home, he hunts every sat(only for an hour) and hacks most days looking after her childern on their ponys, He still looks like he did when he was 10- when I first got him. I think it is really good if you can find them a home where they can continue to have a active fun life and still be the center of attention. Which I could not now offer him, as I am far to busy with others.
Just make sure that the new owners know how to look after an older horse, feed ect.
The only thing I did do, was say that when he does start to show his age and can not be ridden I would have him back .
I could not stand the thought of not being there for him once he is ''old'' . But for now he is still going strong
laugh.gif


Good luck
 
Right - so your 19yr old horse is absolutly healthy?
so why be callous and sell him / loan him because you want a younger, flashier model to take to college with your friends??

Im sorry but i just dont get your point?
He is your horse so take him to college with you.
 
He is not a car to be traded in because you want something flashier to show off.

19 ?? No age at all... in fact, a mere youngster.

Take him to College and be proud of the fact that he is fit and healthy.
 
[ QUOTE ]
oh, don't forget the "put to sleep" option she gave in there also

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that that is very uncessary. This seems to be a poster genuinly looking for some advise and direction.........
 
I took my 19yr old horse to Hartpury College with me. It was awsome, while everyone else was stuggling with keeping a young, inexperienced horse in 24/7 I was having a whale of a time with mine! He absolutly loved it, I clipped him right out, rode hime twice a day and did all the competitions there. We got so much confidence that during the summer holidays I took him home and showjumped him, getting placed most times out at 1m10.
As long as your horse is fit and sound whats the problem. Honestly when someone is being bucked off their 6 year old because it isnt getting any turnout, you'll be glad you have a lovely experienced horse to relax and have fun on!
 
Yeah...how bloody rude are some people!

I definitely think OP should persue the offer of a retirement with her old PC...that sounds perfect.

Although 19 isn't old it does narrow your options. I think OP is doing the responsible thing by finding out her options..

I would have thought word of mouth would be a good way to go...there are people that will take on older horses..I just have
smile.gif
 
Gemma,

I think you've had some tough responses here. I would do the following
Check with college if there is an age limit. If not discuss the likely work load with them - you know your horse & whether he could cope. Arabs can be long lived & active well into old age (the Arab cross in the field behind me was "retired" to light hacking aged 27) so his breed is on his side.
If there is an age limit you are right to start thinking about alternatives now while there is plenty of time to plan. Loaning via PC sounds like a good idea and is definitely worth pursuing but a lot of people are probably forgetting that you need a fall back if the loan falls through while you sort something else out. Do you have your own land or someone who could take him in temporarily for you? I would be prepared to sell only in limited circumstances - if there is someone you know well who wouldn't sell him on when he got too old. Nobody likes the idea of a healthy horse being put down (& I speak as the owner of 2 arthritics in their 20's & A partially sighted horse) but you are being realistic to realise that in the current economic circumstances you may not have an option. There are going to be a lot of people who will have no choice but to sell or loan out their horses next year and people will need to start getting their heads around the fact that this will mean that horses that could normally be rehomed will get PTS. I hope you don't end up in this situation & by thinking about your options well ahead you ARE doing the best by your horse by giving him the best chance of finding a new home and not having to rush things.
Another thought - if he is a school master type an RS may be interested (also good to mention in any loan ads)
 
I agree that 19 is fine to go to college with - Over to You was 18 completing his last Badminton. My old boy was still going strong when he died very unexpectedly of colic at the age of 27. If however your horse would struggle with the work and you feel it's best to find him a new home, try the veteran horse society. http://www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk/
They will take ownership of him and if appropriate, rehome him to a suitable home which has been vetted by them. They retain ownership so he can't be sold on to somebody unsuitable.
 
What sort of livery are you looking at - does your horse have to be on working livery at the college? Is that why he might not be suitable? There are usually local livery yards near the colleges where students keep their horses instead of the college yard.
If you cannot find an alternative I would suggest getting in touch with the Veteran Horse Society. They find excellent homes for older horses but you would have to sign ownership over. Have a look at their website.
ETA: oops, crossposted with annagain!
 
ye, thank you for some of the more polite posts as a lot of people seem to have got the wrong idea there. I never mentioned putting him down, i said i was worried because in H&H it talked of people who were doing that because many older horses were being passed on to dealers and being mistreated and i didn't realise it was that bad. I have no intention of "ditching him for a younger model", I am planning to do a riding course and join BSJA and was worried about taking Sunny as he lost some condition this winter and i thought i would feel bad about giving him a big work load.

Thank you for the advice as loaning is a good idea which i hadn't thought about for some reason, there's a really nice pc which i used to be a member of near us where i could potentially loan him to a smaller child as he has a good temperament and loves pc.
 
Loaning to someone you know of that wants or has shown an interest is a great idea. 19 is no age at all really although it can depend on the individual horse and some are a little more 'delicate' than others so wouldn't necessarily take being put on a college yard.

I think if you already have PC contacts etc you will not have a problem finding someone to loan him from you as I assume they want him because he is good.

I'm hoping most people would not have a horse just because he is old when it is perfectly happy and healthy just because they want a younger model. I think that's despicable to be honest and not responsible horse ownership. You have a responsibility as a horse owner in my opinion and if It's not acceptable to do this with dogs (you'd get jumped on of you put your old but healthy dog down cos you wanted a puppy) then it shouldn't be with horses.
 
I agree with you LadyT with your views on putting horses to sleep,

I wouldn't consider it and it's a bit upsetting that some poeple have got that idea, i've been with him for 5 years! Did noone else read in horse & hound in the welfare report about it?? it said that people were putting horses down instead of selling them for fear of them getting passed into bad hands and i was just saying that this was worrying how bad the horse market is and the financial crisis, not that i'd put Sunny to sleep!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top