Anyone had a horse & been travelling? What do you do with them?

J

Jsye

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 February 2014
Messages
109
Visit site
Hi

I'm 22 and I really really want to go travelling, I know 10000% I will regret it if I don't go at some point.
But what do I do with my horse?

He's an 11 year old 16.3hh thoroughbred with cushings. He's brilliant to hack on the roads, only mildly spooky and only usually at non-spooky things such as twigs and puddles (actual scary things he's pretty good)
He is good to catch, good for the vet all the usual things.

He's got suspected bone spavin which he will be having x rays for next week (insured too so treatment is covered).

I know that there is no market for a horse like this and I would never sell a problem. Apart from the above problems he is perfectly fine.

What options do I have? (please don't suggest PTS as I would rather have a life of regret and not go than put down a happy healthy horse I would never forgive myself)
Would there be someone out there looking for a loan horse like this? I would continue to pay for his medication for cushings. He really is a lovely horse and I know if he didn't have health problems then he would be ideal for someone wanting a sane safe hacker that is easy to look after and causes no bother.

(just putting the feelers out I have no current travelling plans!)
 
You pretty much do precisely what you would do if you had any other reason for not being able to look after him yourself. Loan, sell, or pay someone else to look after him.

You won't know if anyone wants to loan or buy him until you advertise him. He sounds nice, it all depends on how serious/limiting his medical issues are. The only problem I can see with loaning, is how long are you thinking of travelling for? What would you do if the loanee wanted to return him when you're in Outer Mongolia?
 
I had two - sold one and put the other on full livery at a trusted yard for seven months. When I came back, the one I'd sold had coincidentally come up for sale so I bought him straight back! Yours sounds like he'd easily be loaned out - just add a clause to the contract that you need two months advance notice of him being returned to you and I'm sure in a worst case scenario you could get a transporter to take him to a full livery yard/a horsey friend/family to be looked after. Definitely go travelling though, I had the best time and came back to a thoroughly happy pony.
 
What they said, but do NOT give up travelling. You will regret it. Get your horse sorted, with emergency provisos in place, then go see the world and enjoy it. Life is for living, get out there and do it before jobs, mortgages, and children (not that they are a bad thing) etc, etc restrict you.

I had opportunities for work and travel that I didn't take because of my horse (like many others I am sure) and I will always regret it. I am in the same boat again 30 years on, but this time I am just paying someone to look after them at home.
 
Hello, I know how you feel but my horse is far harder to find a loaner for than yours!! Am considering roughing him off in a field for a year if I go away (this would be a work sabbatical abroad rather than fun travel though).

Yours sounds like a nice chap, i think you could find a loaner without too much trouble. Agree with the others that you could just have a contract explaining the cushings etc. I guess it would help if you had a friend you could trust who could be your emergency contact in case of problems or if he needs to be returned! but if you plan it well maybe you could have a period of crossover with the loaner as well?

I agree with the others, there's so much of the world to see!! Get planning, you'll have a great time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top