Anyone bought / been given an ex military horse?

[Burnerbee]

We’ve probably discussed this before but I can’t find it….

There’s still a lot of horses in the military - - which is outdated and unfair on the vast majority of them imo, just to be clear - but today, watching the VE stuff on telly got me thinking, has anyone ever bought / adopted/ been given an ex military horse? They can’t all go to the retirement facility they have, there’s too many. And some younger animals must be chucked out as unsuited. How many go straight to slaughter? I’d be happy to hear from someone that really knows, no more than absolutely necessary through injury….

 

[U.N.Owen]

I know someone who had an ex military/ parade horse and if he ever heard music/band he would stop and stand still (like on parade) as that was his previous job .

Was a good and calm school master.

 

[Tiddlypom]

There was one at Pony Club, he was grand unless someone blew the retreat .

Are you fishing to find out if they are discarded and slaughtered if they can no longer do the job?

 

[Red-1]

I can only speak for Police Horses, which have a similar, regimented lifestyle...

Young ones will be sold on if unsuitable. There has recently been one for sale in a well known dealer's yard. This usually happens in the first 2 years of service. They simply don't make the grade but may be good for hunting or whatever.

Older ones will be nursed on in the job, if they are any good. They will likely not retire on to do any job as such. The good ones are the ones who enjoy their job and are reliable. They may only do one day of work a week, at the end, and will be cared for the rest of the time. Golden oldies are highly valued. They are the ones who may be more likely to be PTS as they will be kept going until they can't be kept going. I don't see this as a bad thing as they are in familiar surroundings, cared for, given every vet intervention and have had their work highly modified at something they enjoy. If they do retire, it likely won't be as a ridden animal.

Less good ones will be retired when they slow down. These are the ones who most likely are the ones in adoptive homes. They are not bad horses, as a rule, or they would have been moved on when young. They may have medical conditions, may not be good in traffic or the quietest. Still impressive animals though, and able to do a job for someone.

These are all generalisations.

 

[Dales]

A friend's relative who was in the household cavalry adopted her horse when it retired. Another friend's husband has one. Lovely horse. Not sure how he ended up with it, but he is ex army himself so will no doubt have connections.

So I've always just assumed they are retired out or rehomed if able to do a different / less demanding job for someone else.

 

[Burnerbee]

There was one at Pony Club, he was grand unless someone blew the retreat .

Are you fishing to find out if they are discarded and slaughtered if they can no longer do the job?

Not fishing, asking a straight question. If the answer is ‘only in extremis’ I’d be glad.

 

[teapot]

I think a lot go to serving/retired personnel or those who are well-known to them, like the civvie riders who help exercise at Knightsbridge. Then there’s feeding into the saddle clubs too.

If you’re that interested do a FOI - MoD may have some stats.

 

[AutumnDays]

I was on a list with the MOD that notified when they had horses available. The only reason I didn't get one is because of the time constraints they had for you to come and get the horse after purchase and I'm quite far away so it was a bit tricky. Would have loved to have been able to though

 

[Burnerbee]

I was on a list with the MOD that notified when they had horses available. The only reason I didn't get one is because of the time constraints they had for you to come and get the horse after purchase and I'm quite far away so it was a bit tricky. Would have loved to have been able to though

Ah see, that’s reassuring that such a list exists- and presumably you had to prove you were worthy of being on the list

 

[onemoretime]

My hacking buddy has got one, He came from the Kings Troop. He can be a right lary begger, jumps about on the road and canters on the spot. He took some getting used to and he is over 20 years old.

 

[SEL]

I know / have known a few - usually word of mouth to connections.

I'm not far from their retirement home and any that have finished their ceremonial career get a life of luxury on the Chiltern hills if a rehome isn't possible.

 

[Burnerbee]

Thanks all. I, and maybe others reading, are suitably reassured.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

There was a call went out to RDA groups a couple of years ago for homes for 'retired' military horses.

 

[wren123]

We had a retired police horse in my RDA group. The kindest, calmest and most sensible boy.

 

[whirlwind]

The riding I do a few hours for have several ex kings troop horses, a few retirees (although they’re generally only good for gentle work when they retire from duties) and a few cast outs.

As a general rule they make great riding school horses, used to being ridden in groups and normally pretty calm and sensible. Quite a few have come with head chucking habits/ not great mouths though I don’t know how much that is related. They’ve changed the system for getting them in the last few years though, I think you still have to be on an approved list but they now take sealed bids.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

A nice quality riding horse of a decent size, with impeccable manners, is unlikely to be unwanted.

I have never looked at those horses and wondered if they go for slaughter - I have wondered where I could get one for my husband!

I would be far more concerned about fields of scraggy cobs being unwanted and treated heartlessly than solid 16hh riding types who are valued for their contribution to society.

 

[Burnerbee]

A nice quality riding horse of a decent size, with impeccable manners, is unlikely to be unwanted.

I have never looked at those horses and wondered if they go for slaughter - I have wondered where I could get one for my husband!

I would be far more concerned about fields of scraggy cobs being unwanted and treated heartlessly than solid 16hh riding types who are valued for their contribution to society.

Oh don’t worry, I worry plenty about them, too

 

[SEL]

Thanks all. I, and maybe others reading, are suitably reassured.

Thanks all. I, and maybe others reading, are suitably reassured.

Military Horses Archives

Meet our many retired military horses who have served their country, and find out what they did before they retired to The Horse Trust.

horsetrust.org.uk

The Horses Trust took the ones injured last year in London for recuperation and regularly takes retirees.

I have no idea which regiment the guy in the next village worked for but he had 2 for years (working then retired) and has said he'd have another if the time was right. Another lady I know took one that wasn't dealing with the lack of turnout in London. Unlike the scraggy cobs these guys are a good height, well trained and in demand if they are still up for ridden work.

 

[9tails]

I think there is a waiting list for rehoming those retiring sound. I only know of one that went on loan to a private home, they couldn't catch him!

 

[humblepie]

Was next to one in a veteran class a few years back, although the person who had him was still a serving soldier. The horse was ex gun carriage.

 

[HopOnTrot]

My old farrier was ex military and he had an ex military horse, it was an excellent hunter

 

[khalswitz]

I was also on the list for a while - I came off it once I found my mare. There is a bit of competition to get the ones retiring sound and suitable for riding! It’s the ones who aren’t who tend to go to the Horse Trust iirc.