Can anyone help my lovely old boy?

I think what she was meaning in companion horse was that she would pay his bills but would someone benefit from having him as a companion? That is hardly passing the buck.

AND his health was probably mentioned so that it was obvious he wouldn't be a great burden and need constant attention. So it is relevant.

If someone had offered me a companion that THEY were willing to pay for but I would have had the use of three years ago I would have been more than happy!! Most companions that are bought/on loan from charities do not have that added luxury!

She is trying to look at her options not pass him onto someone else and abandon him.

Some people can be too quick to damn and judge!
 
yes quirky i did say something out of turn about rochana but i quickly recinded it and appologised both on forum and via pm. I dont have inner anger it just makes me sick when people dont read posts properly and the answer to everything with a lot on here is pts and never a thought for op who something like that could really upset
 
I would be tempted to put up some notices in local tack shops/feed merchants and also have a chat with local instructors, farriers and vets as they may know of a private yard that is looking for a quiet companion horse.

You should also be aware that moving an old horse to new surroundings can be quite stressfull for them especially if their hearing and eye sight is going.

I think that this is an issue that we all need to consider as any of us could become ill, loose our jobs etc. Especially as horses now live so much longer.
 
You know what, none of us know what tomorrow may bring and this persons ill-health could be something that inhibits her doing the day to day care for her old boy. The fact that she is still willing to pay costs shows her commitment and love for him. After 25 years this must have been a heartbreaking decision and even at 33 this old boy is probably still very much enjoying life. By posting for advice/help may have resolved this worry for you. I too would take on an oldie with the financial costs covered by the owner. Good luck and Im sure this can be resolved. Im sure if you are in ill-health the last thing you want to comprehend is having your friend PTS. Keep us posted.
 
iv seen a few adverts on preloved wanting a older companion horse to live with there old ponies whos companions have died i would try looking thro them or there is freeads really hope you find somewhere for him soon
 
My horse is 33 too. He retired from being ridden 6 years ago, and I've owned him for about 26 years as well.

The old boy gave me the best years of his life, and I've always felt i owed it to him to give him a happy and safe retirement. It's been tough financially, as I have another young horse on part livery as well. But, I'm the only person I trust to care for my old horse, as no one else would have the same bond or care about him as much as me. Mine would not be able to live out 24/7, and he needs daily attention to a few things, i give him a bute daily alongside his joint suppliments, and wears magnet boots for a few hours each day, and I'm sure no one else would bother doing what i do every day. I've also promised myself to not let my old boy suffer for one day. I'm not afraid to make the decision as soon as the time is right.

For me I can't imagine letting my boy out of my sight, but if your boy is in good health and can live out, then maybe it's different. Please be careful though, and check him weekly at least.
 
Yep agree what you are doing is completely understandable and might suit an oldie better anyway, to have peaceful time with other oldies and not pay for lots of other stuff he and you dont need.

I do think peeps should read posts, it was very clear you want to continue caring for him and good on you for already looking after him more years than most people on here probably would, I hope you have many many more happy years and find a lovely place for him.
 
To be honest, I wouldn't want to be moving a horse of that age to a new environment. Poor old boy, losing all his friends and finding himself in a strange place to boot. When I moved my then 22 year old to her current home after 8 years in the previous place she was absolutely devastated, even though it meant she could go out every day instead of only in the summer. She would stand for hours looking back down the road in the direction of "home" and was very unsettled for many months.
 
It's not ideal but it is not an ideal world. I have had oldies in and they are surprisingly resilient. I had a thirty+ mare two years ago who was quite literally abandoned by her owner after years because she was costing too much, when the time came for her to be PTS her owner was nowhere to be seen. I had a 38 year old in for a summer of pampering with children (she adores kids) and she slotted in as if she had always been here. It's not always doom and gloom.
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It does help if you have a kind herd or nanny horse.

Anyway, OP, I wish you the best of luck in finding him somewhere suitable and well done for caring about your boy.
 
We moved our old boy last year at the age of 26 as the yard we rented was sold, he is happy and has settled well although he is nearly blind, all horses react differently.

Good luck finding your horse a nice home.
 
I hate all this PTS because it's old thing. OP If he's happy and healthy and you're going to make sure he's ok (which it sounds as though you are) then i imagine there are lots of people out there who would love the deal you are offering by paying for your boy to be a companion. Well done on trying all the options you could think of and then coming here to ask for more ideas. I'm sorry that i'm useless but i think a lot of people have been helpful so far, and i just want to wish you and your boy all the best and hope you can find an arrangement you will both be happy in.
 
Thank you so much for your kind response and, indeed, to all the other kind and helpful responses. For the sake of the less than understanding posts I should have explained my situation a bit better.

I am a single lady with no family nearby and I, too, suffer severe arthritis and recently a heart condition. The lady who was helping me with his care, exercise and costs can no longer help and will be leaving us soon. I cannot physically or financially manage on my own. I am not looking to "dump" him - he is too loved for that to happen. He has only been at his present yard for 2 years, his last yard was closed to DIY so we all had to leave. It is unrealistic to advertise for another sharer as I don't want him ridden any more. I, personally, have not ridden him for several years - just happy to be with him to fuss over. This is why I would like us to go somewhere near to where I live (Caterham, 3 miles off J6 of M25) so he can be with other 'oldies' if possible. I will not leave him - just need some help.
 
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I think people (not Vikki89 above) could be a bit more sympathetic to the poster, who due to ill health/resulting financial position can no longer afford to keep a 33 year old that she has had for 25 years. This is a dreadful postion to be in and could hit many of us in the current climate or if we hit serious health problems.

I would not class this poster in the same class as those who suddenly don't want a horse that has had an injury/accident, who of course they loved to pieces until that happened.

The OP is seeking a companion home/cheaper keep and is willing to contribute something to future upkeep.

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Absolutely agree!
I think too many people are too quick to judge. OP has said that they are willing to pay, just can't afford full livery any more due to health and financial issues.

That is not an excuse to launch a witch hunt because a new member asks for help.
 
oh gosh, i hope you can find someone needing a lovely companion. im sure there are lots of people about-maybe put an ad in the local tack shop?
grass livery sounds more ideal for him now- is there not any nearby?
i assume you mean a part loan not a sale?
 
Hold on, you lot, she's not trying to dump him (unless I can't read what's intended) and is offering to support him in more suitable surroundings for as long as he is fine. I presume she would then oversee his euthanasia.

Blimey, talk about pounce all over someone in a bit of a predicament.

After all those years I'd be amazed if she walked away and abandoned him...
 
I am sure you will get something suitable.
R2R made a really generous offer to you.. perhaps you should pm her?
I am sure someone would be able to offer you cheaper grazing somewhere in your area.
Good luck. Owning horses can be a struggle at times, we all know that!
 
'PM' means 'personal message'. If you click on R2R's name at the side of her post, you'll be taken to her details. Click on 'send user a message' and a message form will pop up.

Good luck. I for one read your post as I'm sure you intended it. Your horse is very lucky to have such a caring owner.
 
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After 25 years together you now think some other person would want to take the 'burden' of him off your hands.
What a total joke!
You owe him a decent retirement and a secure future so if you cant provide that at 33 id say its time to do the responsible thing and have him PTS instead of expecting someone else to take him off your hands.

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Couldn't have put it better myself - there doesn't seem to be a week that goes by on here without somebody wanting to dump their veteran onto somebody else to pick up the bills etc when they are no longer fun.

There is another one further up the page wanting to get rid of an 18 year old that has been injured and is no longer what they want.

Take some responsibility for your animals if you can't be bothered or don't want/can't afford the expense then PTS

And before anyone starts I have two veterans - one 21 yr old TB ex racer that I have kept for the last 12 years with nothing in return and one 23yr old who is suitable for hacking only (broke pelvis two months after I got him and that was seven years ago and he was to replace the TB!) - I can show him as a veteran in hand and I have been very well rewarded for this.

NO i am not rich and yes I would love to be out every weekend competing - it is disheartening when your only competing is in hand.

I have never had a rant on here before - but as mentioned I am sick of the " dump you old problem horse attitude" and can no longer not say anything about this.

Sorry if I have offended

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Did you actually READ the OP's post? This poor lady is suffering from ill health and has had to take early retirement because of it, she has stated that she will pay all feed/vet/farrier costs and wants him to be local so that she can still look after him. Dear God I pray that you are never in that situation, but that if you are, people will be a little less judgemental!

OP if you were closer to me I would let you keep him here in a heartbeat, he could live with my 30yo. I realise I am very lucky to be in the position to keep her and that not everyone is.
 
Awww...and I thought we all discussed horses on HHO cos we were all sick of bitchy people at yards being judgmental... come on guys. If Roz53 wanted to dump her horse I'm sure she wouldn't be on here asking 'sensible' people for ideas!!!!
Shame on you!!!!
 
Bl**dy H*ll guys - what happened to the milk of hiuman kindness, health and circumstances change and if the OP has to put her horse down, well 25 years is a logn time and a lot of love and loyalty. It's tough. Get a grip for heavens sake!

As it happens I am looking for a horse for my daughter and would happily take an old part-retired boy that was still wanting to hack and have fun with the odd canter in the woods, no competitions or heavy stuff.
 
I would just like to appologise for my first post suggesting pts, i wrongly assumed from the first post you could no longer look after him due to ill health. I would never want to see a healthy horse pts and i also wouldn't want to see a horse past from home to home possibly worked when shouldn't be.
Sorry if this is repeating what others have said but was on lunch when i posted replys earlier and now home pc is being slow so havn't read all replys but have you thought of putting wanted ads on websites, local shops and tack shops to see if anyone needs a companion where you could still look after him. I hope you sort something out soon.
 
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