Anyone want a lame, unbroken 4yr old? (help needed pls)

Cliqmo

Cliqmo

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Some of you may have read about Bentley, he is my 4yr old 17hh grey (see siggy) and I love him to bits
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I started backing him at the beginning of the year and he was as good as gold
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Some of you may know he is currently lame after twisting his foot in the field
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and is now on box rest (pretty much for an undetermined amount of time
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) and a strong joint supplement to help the injury to heal
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I'm not terribly happy at having to pay full livery fees for a horse shut in a 12x12 stable 22hrs a day (I graze him in hand for 1hr in AM and PM) but needs must and we have been ticking over for a few weeks now....

OH (in the Army) came in today and, as delicately as possible, dropped a total bombshell. Apparently there is a 50% chance we will be moving to Germany for his next posting in October (yes chaps in 12wks time
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) and I am at a complete loss for what to do with Bentley if we end up going out there
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I haven't yet asked the question (I can't face the answer at the moment) but I'm pretty sure OH won't want to stump up the £000s it could cost to ship a horse over and keep them stabled over there, particularly if he still isn't sound
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I could ask my Mum to take him on, but I can't expect her to take a box resting 4yr old (so he would be turned away) and I really don't think being turned out for 2yrs (the duration of the Germany posting) is what a 4yr old horse needs?

I can't imagine anyone in their right mind wants to buy a box resting, unbroken horse either so selling seems very unlikely...so your suggestions would be welcome please...
 
God, he's one of my favorite horses on HHO.... it's a shame is wasn't for sale a short while ago when we were looking for horses at work... (well we still are but now we're after a working pair)

I think if you can provide vet reports that he will be better you should be able to sell but not for a lot....
 
Oh no , poor you. I have no words of help, other than the usual, will someone at the yard loan him while you are gone?
 
Sorry, i'm no help at all, just wanted to say i'll keep my fingers crossed for him coming sound. I guess that would make the technical side of things easier at least, although i suspect the emotional side is another matter.
 
Take it one step at a time.

1st. Phone round and get quotes for moving him to Germany - then if you can't afford it you know what your next move is.

2nd. Chase vets up and get 2nd opinion if need be.

3rd. Find somewhere to put him until he does come sound if you can't take him / sell him / loan him.

It will all work out fine in the end.....
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If i had my own land,or had the time to look after him for you i would have taken him.

How crappy for you to find yourself in this situation
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I would look into shipping him over there tbh. You never know it might not be that much (maybe 1.5k at a guess?), or you might be able to catch a lift with someone whos going over if you ask around nice people on here (well, some of them must go to germany at some point!). And the facilities for bringing on a young horse are likely to be really good in germany
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I looked into taking my horse to Oz when I got a job over there but the 8k it would have cost to fly him (not putting him on a boat - I've seen the black stallion!
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) pretty much stopped me
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Either that, or loan him to someone you trust - again can probably find someone on here if you don't know anyone. You never know the box rest may not be for as long as you think anyway
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Oh dear, what a change for you!!!

I would look into transport costs, there are a lot of companies that ship horses to Germany and back and hiching a ride as a shared load may be surprisingly affordable. Wouldn't OH be able to help, especially as it is his job that necessitates the move?
 
Thank you all for the replies- I knew it would be worth posting on here! You guys are tops for constructive advice, a bit of sympathy and nice compliments
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I'll stop tripping over my bottom lip now and try to be a bit more positive
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Definately look into taking him with you first. Ask about the camp you are going to, many RAF camps have riding clubs so presume the Army does too.

Don't despair yet, your husband might not get posted overseas yet and even if he does it might be possible to take Bentley with you
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Turn him out for 2yrs and spend the money on lessons in Germany.

Breaking in at 6yrs old won't hurt him and he'll be ready to take on the world!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, if you can't find a way to take him with you.
 
TBH he isnt untouched, you have started him and the state he was in when you got him coupled with the fact he is now injured I certainly think you could afford to turn him away for 2 years if neccessary, IMO it would do him no harm at all.
 
HI

I understand from a friend who's OH is in the army that the horse's transport and basic livery within the barrack's saddle club, should be covered by the forces.

I hope this helps
 
Taking a horse from here to Germany doesn't cost thousands... about £700, I think!!! Well, it cost me that much the other way around!!!

So why not take him with you... livery prices are a lot less over there!!! For example, where my parents live, you can get into one of the yards with the best facilities in the area with full livery (mucking out, feeding 3x a day, etc.) for less than €400 a month - which happens to also include 3 group lessons a week!!!

If you are going to Germany, let me know if you need help with the language - I speak German fluently...

P.S.: Riding lessons in Germany can be a bit scarier than here. Most riding schools also are essentially riding clubs - you often need to join the riding club in order to have lessons. So what often happens is that you pay a particular amount each month and you have a group lesson time slot reserved for you. Tried getting a lesson at such a place during holidays once, and they did not accept you if you weren't a member. Often, there even is a waiting list to get into such a riding club.
 
if he were mine i would turn him away, i am not convinced of all this box rest stuff anyway......you have already started the backing process and as you have said he was very laid back about it, so re-starting him at 6 really won't be the end of the world.....i backed and broke my welshie as a 5 year old with no probs,,,,as you have said yourself, no one would really want a large, lame 4yo!! and i would imagine he would end up on the slippery slope if sold on. I wish you all the best with your decision and hope it all works out for you both.
 
It costs about £400 to ship a horse to Germany, I had mine brought over to England last year.
Livery is cheaper out there than England as well.
I would advise to look into costs of livery etc before deciding to get rid of him.
Poor you, keep your chin up, i'm sure it'll work out in the end.
Where abouts in Germany will he be based? If it's close to my friends i may be able to ask them if they know of any good livery yards near by at reasonable costs.
 
Where are you going?

There are Army Saddle Clubs in Germany that provide livery. Years and years ago I used to ride at Rheindahlen and travelled to big shows at Paderborn/Osnabruck/Sennelager.

There are also lots of livery yards around.
 

You would be able to take your lad out there for £300 - 400.

Plus ( as has been already said) livery is a lot cheaper.

Good luck
 
No useful advice I'm afraid (but others have :grin).

I think he's a gorgeous horse, and knowing what you and he have been through, I think it would be an immense shame for you to have to lose him now.

Hugs and hot choccy.
 
[ QUOTE ]
No useful advice I'm afraid (but others have :grin).
I think he's a gorgeous horse, and knowing what you and he have been through, I think it would be an immense shame for you to have to lose him now. Hugs and hot choccy.

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Thanks MrsM!
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How is the Dizzy one this week? Also have you seen TheresaW's "To hog or not" thread? Her geldings mane is the only one I've seen who could rival Dizzy's golden locks
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