Angered by offer of free horse

Ravenwood

Ravenwood

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Today I was told about a horse going free. Apparently it would suit me! 16hh, 16 yrs so plenty of miles left on the clock, not novice ride but purely as it gets very strong out hunting, other than that there's really nothing else wrong with it.

So why is it free?

Because the owner is starting her youngster and hasn't got time for it anymore :mad:

Of course this horse may well end up in a lovely home and the outcome would probably be the same if she sold it for 500 quid which is what any run of the mill horse of this age is worth nowadays but its the morality behind it that annoys me.

Discarding the old in favour of the new :mad:
 
Yes I can understand where you're coming from. I have an 20 year old and an 8 year old. If I had to get rid of one for any reason, it would be the 8 year old. I feel that the 20 year old owes me nothing and deserves the best of care for the rest of his life.
It could be that the person who offered you the horse is at a stage where the old horse can't do as much as she wants to do, and perhaps she thought that by offering it to you she was assuring the horse of a good future. Maybe you should see it as a compliment.....
 
Sorry, but I don't understand why she cannot give her own horse away for free. I would assume that as it is free she would be vetting the new owner thoroughly and therefore would be guaranteeing his future - well certainly short term.

If the youngster is more her bag then so be it...
 
I don't think that's too bad if she's putting the word about amongst local people whom it might suit. Its not like its on Horsemart. Plus its not like she's trying to scrape a bit of cash back for it, she is just looking for a good home for a useful horse.

Its a shame it isn't just offered for permanent loan but I can see why someone wouldn't want it returned at an awkward time or returned broken with huge vet fees.
 
LOL - I don't want it!

If it ends up in a nice active home all well and good and much better for the horse obviously but it does seem a shame that horses are such worthless comodities for some people - bit like a disposable razor! Use it and chuck it away.

If someone was going to kick their old dog out in favour of a new puppy...... not quite comparable I know but it did make me cross at the time.
 
You should be pleased that she thought you would give the horse a good home.

I would rather give away a pony to a good home than sell it to an unknown person or at an auction.

I have both given away and received a 'free' pony and I don't believe I did anything wrong. I would like to think that I was doing the best for them.
 
To OP, why on earth are you so angry? OK its not something I would probably do - I've got a 17 year old who is with me for life, plus an 8 year old eventer and we have just acquired a 5 year old as well. Its her horse, and she may do as she wishes. It may go to the wrong home, but this could just as well happen if she decided to sell it for a song? You can never control what happens after they leave you. Quite honestly I cant see why you are getting your knickers in a knot over it.
 
OH for goodness sake!! The woman is giving the horse away to what she hopes will be a good home. There are enough 16 -18yr olds for sale for fairly decent money.

Personally I don't think she is doing anything wrong, I have given away 3 horses that were not suitable or what I wanted. Not an easy decision to make but they are expensive but they are also my life and I have a limited number of years left that I can be active as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I only have one life and I want to enjoy it the best I can.

While in my care the horses I have owned have had the best of everything and have been well loved even doted on and I did find the best homes I could for them. One has since been sold on after being in the home 8yrs, again his owner out grew him
 
Hippy Alert! Hippy Alert!

It's not that the horse is FREE that's the problem!

It's the fact this woman is openly advertising "don't want her anymore, got a new younger one". Which is PATHETIC!!!

If she said "I've outgrown her" or "I feel like a challenge" or "I can't cope with two, but I really want to work on the youngster" then thats ok. but "I have a new one" is the most pathetic excuse ever.

Feel free to exchange your horses for nothing, and plead ignorance as they all end up at Spindle's Farm-a-likes - but don't slag off Ravenwood for thinking this poor horse deserves more.
 
I am with Ravenwood here, its the fact that she is giving away her old horse in favour of a youngster that is wrong imo. As already mentioned, how would people feel if this was someone giving away an older dog to spend time on a new puppy?
 
MurphysMinder said:
I am with Ravenwood here, its the fact that she is giving away her old horse in favour of a youngster that is wrong imo. As already mentioned, how would people feel if this was someone giving away an older dog to spend time on a new puppy?
Click to expand...

I am sorry, but you really cannot compare a horse to a dog. Financially, they are a completely different kettle of fish.

In my experience there are two very distinct types of horse owner - those that keep pets and those tha totally t keep working animals. If you have a pet you keep it for life come sickness or health and foresaking all others type of relationship. If you keep as a working animal then you love and care for them but if you wish to move on in the relationship you can make that decision but still look for a (hopefully) caring loving home for your animal.

There really is nothing wrong with swapping an older animal for a younger one. It happens all the time in the horsey world and is very normal and acceptable.
 
Anyone want my 22yr old TB free?
Any home considered. Must have own health and safety equipment. Must like heights. No need for front shoes. Can't eat grass.
Anyone?
N :D
 
Ravenwood said:
Today I was told about a horse going free. Apparently it would suit me! 16hh, 16 yrs so plenty of miles left on the clock, not novice ride but purely as it gets very strong out hunting, other than that there's really nothing else wrong with it.

So why is it free?

Because the owner is starting her youngster and hasn't got time for it anymore :mad:

Of course this horse may well end up in a lovely home and the outcome would probably be the same if she sold it for 500 quid which is what any run of the mill horse of this age is worth nowadays but its the morality behind it that annoys me.

Discarding the old in favour of the new :mad:
Click to expand...

Oh do get real.....we are in a recession - big horses are expensive to look after - someone is saying I have two horses, I can't afford to look after two - would someone like my other horse - free, as I realise to sell it I am going to struggle......
I have similar - my big horse is chucked out in the field (comes in at night, well loked after etc.) - I would love to market him - but I know the market is dire, so am keeping hold of him - I am lucky as I have my on land and can do it, thus I am not giving him away.....others don't have that luxery.
 
Rebelzmum said:
Yes I can understand where you're coming from. I have an 20 year old and an 8 year old. If I had to get rid of one for any reason, it would be the 8 year old. I feel that the 20 year old owes me nothing and deserves the best of care for the rest of his life.
It could be that the person who offered you the horse is at a stage where the old horse can't do as much as she wants to do, and perhaps she thought that by offering it to you she was assuring the horse of a good future. Maybe you should see it as a compliment.....
Click to expand...

I'm in a similar situation to you Rebelzmum..would do exactly the same (have 19yo and 5yo) however with regard to the original post..really don't see the problem, at least the owner is looking for a home word of mouth to someone she knows. At the end of the day horses are expensive to keep. I own a 15yo and loaned her out (to someone local who I know) because she had to be semi-retired to hacking. Going off thread a bit, but for every horse competing etc, there are tons of happy hackers which may be able to give your horse a happy retirement home when it is no longer able to do so...!
 
If you have your own land etc - its easy to say 'my horse is with me for life' - but not so easy when you have to pay livery fees! For many people, riding is the thing they love; so why should they not be able to enjoy a new horse and continue to progress with what they enjoy?

As long as she is finding a nice home, whats the issue?

I have my old boy on full livery and have been amazingly lucky to find a perfect loaner who has shared him for 2 years which means I was able to get another pony to continue competing. If she were ever in a position to have him as her own, I would give him to her. He couldn't ask for a nicer mum! The odds are he'll stary with me for the rest of his days - but if the option were there, I would take it.
 
LOL - I love a bit of a controversial thread on a Friday night when I have just opened the wine! ;)

I have just got back from driving the kids around and was thinking about the reactions to my post.............

Unfortunately I think that just maybe, I am going a bit soft and fluffy in my maturing years :o

I need help HHO'ers - toughen me up again!!! :eek:
 
I don't see the problem... The 'best' horse (and I use the term best as in most valuable and ability to compete etc) I ever owned was given to me free of charge cos the owner just simply didn't want him any more... He's still with me at 28 and he's got a home until he dies... Just cos I didn't pay for him doesn't make me value him less than the ones I have paid good money for... and trust me he's wanted for nothing...except maybe that lump of flesh he's keen to take out of my bum of course...

Bx
 
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