Am I being cruel... ADVICE PLEASE

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Hanny_Mad

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Hi everyone! :)

Just looking for some advice.. I used to loan a 15.3 Hanoverian X gelding who was basically wasted in the field after being backed as a 4 year old because he kicked someone into a gate and the person unfortunately was put in intensive care!.. Fast forward 9 years I, a confident 14 year old came along and set myself the challenge of bringing this horse on and making him manageable and rideable. I did, with lots of back to basics ground work and join up, manage to achieve this! He transformed into an amazing horse, had great manners, could school hack and jump like any other horse I was so proud! But after 2 years being young I got a boyfriend and gradually stopped seeing the horse (stupidest thing I did). Now 6 years later, I've been offered the opportunity to loan him again (since I left he has been ridden a handful of times but mainly just been turned out) he is fat as anything but is now 19 years old. Am I cruel to be bringing this horse back into work? He's never had a proper working life apart from he 2 years when I loaned him for 6 years ago? Would really love some others opinions?

thank you :) x
 
I don't think you would be cruel so long as you did it slowly and carefully and took his age (and any related stiffness etc.) into consideration. It would probably be worth having a vet give him the once over before you started. I would wonder though why, if you brought him on so well, he hasn't been ridden in the intervening time. It may well be lack of time on the owner's behalf, but I would check that there hadn't been another incident. Sorry, that's just me being cynical, but best to check it out. x
 
I agree with nikicb, not cruel at all as long as it's done slowly and carefully. Sounds like you had a good relationship with him before which I'm sure will help. Good luck and post some updates :)

Pip
 
Thank you for the replies. I'm planning on having him looked over.
The main reason he wasn't continued with is because the guy that owns him doesn't like him! But wouldn't sell him as he was the foal of his mare. He has far too many horses so just put him out with the retired ones. Such a shame for a horse like him to have been wasted like that.

X
 
Not cruel, if done carefully, but the horse won't think he has been wasted, instead he has had a nice life living with friends. Do be aware that he will be very used to the group of horses he lives with.
 
Get the vet-checks and everything sorted, bring him on slowly and carefully.......... and go for it!!!

You've obviously been involved with this horse before, you know him & like him, and vice versa, so why not?? Obviously you will have to take into account his age and limitations, but he'll probably have a wonderful time again with you!!
 
OP I know a horse that retired through old age at about 21, she got nasty artritus (sp!) from doing nothing so vet suggested bringing her back into gentle work aged 24 which they did and she was a useful happy hack for about another 5 years until her age really did catch up.

He will be low mileage so may well last a bit longer than a horse that's had a full ridden career, take it nice and slow and if you're loaning what have you got to lose? If it doesn't work out you can give him back
 
Thanks again guys,

I'm just really in two minds about it, if he gets the all clear that is.

It took a lot to get him where he was. Like one user mentioned he will be very attached to the others, which was something we have had to over come before he would just spin around and 'scream' for them is the best way to put it. I don't want to stress him out but at the same time he's over weight and think the exercise would do him good...
 
Physically I would say if it was done properly then it wouldn't be a problem. However I do think mentally it would not be fair on him. Other than the two years you worked with him he has had a long happy life just being a horse, no pressures or worries like being separated from his herd etc. I think to put him through the stress at his age is simply unfair. You may have had a good connection once But to him that was a long time ago, he may not only have forgotten everything you taught him, but may not be the same horse you remember. A lot could have happened in the last six years. I would save your self and him the stress and look for a younger project horse you can help or even a ready to go schooled horse you can just crack on and enjoy getting out and about on.
 
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