Chances of a good home ?

Ok, as an owner who has a physically healthy 14 yo at retirement livery I can understand where the OP is coming from - mine is very nervous and is actually an easy ride if you can give him confidence but is a bit of a prat to handle.

The reason he is retired is that I can't ride him, he smashed my confidence and vice versa and while he will NEVER be for sale, I did try loaning him. TBH, the kind of people who can cope with him aren't interested - they have their pick of nicer, easier horses as they can "improve" them and the ones who were interested in mine seemed to have the attitude that I was either making things up 'cos I was a numpty/scared of him (freely admit that riding him terrified me but his antics on the ground were never a problem for me) or they fell for the flashy Section D, chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail and paces to die for!

I found out the hard way, or should I say my poor horse did, that people really overestimate their abilities - after all 20 years riding on easy, well mannered ponies sadly doesn't qualify you to handle 600kg of panicking horse who has only got into that state because you haven't realised that he is scared in time to reassure him. Too late to calm him down/give confidence when he's sweating like a pig and/or tanking around loose having a breakdown.

While I have no doubt that there is a good home out there somewhere for him, he's really not that bad, I personally have decided that if I cannot keep him, he will be shot. End of. I don't feel I can take the risk that he could be passed on, after all there a lot of much easier horses struggling to find a good home.

I'm certain a lot of people here (as do in RL but none of them are prepared to go near him) will disagree with me and call me hard/heartless but quite frankly, he is my responsibility and I will safeguard his future in the only definite way I can.
 
bonny said:
I'm not coldhearted and certainly not ignorant !
I'm trying to be realisitic and struggling with the decision, helpful replies welcome but no more like that !
It's a big problem with unwanted tb's
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People have been helpful though and have advised you to advertise the horse. He certainly doesn't sound unsaleable or quite the level of problem you seem to see him as.

There are many childs ponies who sound worse and I think he would make someone a lovely little project horse.

He is also neither too old at 12 as I would say he is still in his prime and he isn't too tall at 16.3hh as he would be the ideal size for me if I had the experience to take him on.
 
Anyway:o the point of my extreeeeeeeeeeemly long post was that the chances of a "difficult" horse not being passed on are slim - people might believe all they are telling you at the time but when the brown stuff hits the fan, they often get rid especially if they haven't had the horse long.

After all, we've all advised people on here to do the same - send them back, no shame in admitting that you can't cope, meant to be fun etc etc.....and we hope that they will tell the truth when selling on but will they?

Too many horses, not enough homes let alone truly good ones for the less desirable, quirky, difficult ones:(

I don't believe that PTS is the easy option, it's the bl**dy difficult one, IMHO the easier option is to wave the trailer off with nice fuzzy thoughts about happy ever after.....

BTW, truly don't mean offence to anyone but I've had years of abuse from people who can't imagine that I really would have a handsome, sound horse shot - cos that's cruel isn't it? :rolleyes: Yeah right, it's not cruel to risk having them pass pillar to post though.
 
Harper_Gal said:
Weezy - I agree with everything you say, but in this instance something stinks about the OP, and unless she's waiting for Martlin to get worried and start offering more money so she can make a quick buck, I'm not sure said horse is even real.

The end.
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No chance of me getting worried I'm afraid, I'm not a sucker for an emotional blackmail. If the OP wishes to shoot the horse, let him/her get on with.
I made a mistake in interpreting their post as a search for an alternative, that's all.
I'm neither pro nor against euthanising said horse.
 
im so lost, you think the horse isnt loveable, you think the horse isnt special, you think the horse is too big and too old, YOU MAY NOT THINK that the horse is able to do anything but have you ever actually used your head and thought of how many people on here have already said, that he could be sold, and that it doesnt always matter what YOU think.

its what the buyer, or the person you give the horse to thinks, if you have a sh$t attitude about the horse you will never get rid of it, many people buy problem horses and can give them a horse for life as the quirks they have are the things that keep the owners interested, maybe you should give him to a charity at least that way someone will LOVE him for who HE IS

(*sorry about the capitals just trying to emphasise what i am on about*)
 
You may not be looking for the sympathy vote but the horse is getting it from me, and I called it a poor horse because it's got an owner (if horse even exists) who would rather shoot it than try and find it a home who would appreciate it. Seems you didnt get the reply you wanted - i.e everyone saying they think killing it is the best thing to do.

You have told one or two people to get off the thread simply for stating their opinion as it's different from your own and therefore not worth listening to. You have rejected every other viable alternative without giving any reasons why they are such terrible alternatives to having this probably fictional horse shot. I dont suppose it exists, otherwise any owner who really was torn in two by this decision would be only too glad to have someone offer to take it off their hands and give it a good home. Just reads as though you're trying to justify to yourself that the horse isnt worth the time and effort and would be better off dead.

Who knows, he may make a fantastic hack or riding horse if given the time, patience and input to helping him to develop. There is a horse at my yard who is an ex racer, about 10 years old and 16.1hh with far worse problems than the one described - dont know how many times it's owner has been thrown off it, but you know what, she keeps getting back on it and she is starting to see real results.
 
I bought Mr W as a 17hh, 16yr old TB, bowed tendon, previous owners a bit scared of him, couldn't hack on his own as he was scared of everything...........given a bit of time and understanding, we had 6 years of hacking and having fun together; he's now been happily retired for 4 years and looks fantastic.
He wasn't the perfect horse but he was perfect for me, there is a difference !
 
chestnuttymare said:
quote 'giving the horse to someone who replied to a thread may not be the most sensible thing to do. I don't mean to disparage anyone who has offered a home, or question their intentions, but I would not give away a horse unseen to someone I had never met. At least one person who has offered a home has also posted claiming to be a total beginner, so clearly a bad horse/rider match here!
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fair enough but surely she could vet the home in the same way as she would if it was someone answering an ad in an equine mag. Obviously not someone who was a complete novice.
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Of course she could, but for one thing, the OP seems to be criticised for not jumping at the chance of giving this horse unseen, untried, unvetted to a person she does not know :eek: and, even if she were to vet potential buyers it is really, really tough to pick out the right person. I assume this is the kind of thing the OP was asking about: are these kind of right buyers out there and do we think she (he?) would be able to find them.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that the OP would have to be very lucky to find the right person. This doesn't mean that she (he?) shouldn't try, but I think she would have to be extremely cautious.
 
Weezy said:
QR:

Bonny I think you are being very sensible. The ONLY way that we can assure a horse's future is to have it PTS, no other option is 100% safeguarded.


There is no future when a horse is put to sleep, my motto is where there is hope there should be life.

I am surprised that a number of people have offered to help but no take up??

I have not read all the posts but enough to know that most of them are ignored. Surely this horse needs a chance with someone willing to take on the challenge and with so many offering it would be wrong to PTS very sad indeed
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Be careful....my post was just removed and I got a warning for advertising him.

I can't see how this post is any different really!
 
Well, this is now pages of views, opinions, offers etc. I think we should let it lie now, it is just winding people up. The OP has a good offer to re-home the horse and it is up to her whether she sees Martlins offer as genuine and treats her like she would any prospective home and makes up her mind whether she wants her to have him or have the horse shot. Personally I think she has already made up her mind and a a perfectly healthy horse who is a bit too big(??) and maybe a bit of a handful in the wrong hands will be pts. Just not sure what the purpose of her starting this thread was really. Here is a line from her first post...

'but can't think that's it's better to pts a healthy horse rather than give it a chance of a future' and the title of the post is 'chance of a good home?'

now she seems to have changed her mind and seems to think that it is better to have it shot.

So those of us who have said it could have a decent future and given examples of where it has worked out for various horses and people, and even offered the horse a home for life, obviously haven't fought the horse's corner very well.
I can't see that there is much else anyone can do, it is her horse to do with as she pleases. I just wonder what the vet or the huntsman will say when he asks why he has to shoot this horse. Maybe she will tell them it is too big or unloveable and they will accept that as a valid reason.
 
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If this horse is sound and healthy, send it for sales livery somewhere they will show it off. The chance of it finding a good home depends on how useful it is and on its value. If someone can display the horse as useful with a decent price tag, its every chance of finding a good home. If you give it away as a reject, its chances are slim to none.
 
brighteyes said:
Nope me either! Perhaps put another one up threatening to shoot him because who would want a slightly unbomproof super second pony?
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PMSL!

The most amusing thing is that my post was removed because someone took exception to it and hit the moderator button. Admin told me that when I asked them why they'd singled my post out.

The didn't....they do not read the boards but allow the members to police themselves and only look into posts that are reported to their attention.
 
bonny said:
I'm not coldhearted and certainly not ignorant !
I'm trying to be realisitic and struggling with the decision, helpful replies welcome but no more like that !
It's a big problem with unwanted tb's
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I don't know how experienced you are Bonny but a horse that isn't suitable for one person could be someone else's dream horse. Why not advertise him on the project horse website where people expect horses with quirks?
With what you have said about him he just needs an experienced, sympathetic rider who's happy to spend time getting to know him. Unless he is really dangerous please don't PTS. :(
 
I, like chestnuttymare, think it is time to leave OP to shoot the horse and be done with it, that's obviously what they want.
Still baffles me what the whole post was supposed to be, but never mind.
The offer still stands, but I'm not holding my breath that I will be taken up on it.
 
12 isn't old and 16.3hh doesn't make the horse a giant. If there are no serious unrectifiable behavioural problems or medical conditions then I don't see how you can justify putting a healthy horse who could potentially lead a nice life, if you can find the right home for, it to sleep.
 
Stop whinging and groaning on here and go and do something - if you are going to shoot it, then get on with it, if not rehome it - I know plenty of people who would like a horse like that......this post smacks of TROLL to me.
 
My yard is full of ex-race horses. Some big, some small. Most raced with some success - and are now thoroughly enjoying life doing different jobs.
 
Have to say I got bored with the bickering several pages ago, although can see why the thread has gone the way it has.

The OP original question -

Chances of a good home??

Yes, plenty. If I no longer had my old horse (loony, ex polo, nut case) I would have him or something like him like a shot. I have never paid much (more than £500) for any of my horses as they are 'difficult'.

Current oldie, aquired at 18 (yes, thats 18!!) and kept as hacking horse for 12 years (yes, 12 years!!)

Like yours, he will not stand at junctions. He was a nightmare to turn out for about 8 years, jogged, jiffled, pratted about, danced, only canters sideways, leaps, farts is mega strong or no mouth at all, was old (18 is kinda old) and was not able to jump, show, XC, dressage or anythign. Junst hack and sponsered rides.

However, he looks THE BUSINESS!! He's a gorgeous boy, and lively and fun. I don't want a horse to compete bt nor do I want and ugly cart horse donkey type thing either (sorry to cart horses, no offence)

So again, in short, yes he could find a good home. For life.
 
I joined in towards the start of this post and then got told to bugg*r off by the OP. But I still stick by my original thoughts that either a) the OP is trying to justify herself and wants people to say "Oh yes I agree with you" or b) is trying to get in next weeks copy of H&H as the person who has had the most replies to her post.

Either way why give her the satisfaction. She blantantly would not know the truth if it jumped out and bit her on the nose and she will not answer your question, but instead skirts around it.

Can't we focus on someone that needs our help instead of someone who doesn't want to listen. Loads of people have said they will take the horse off her, so why does she not show any interest in this option. If I had a horse in her situation I would be grateful for any interest shown and the horse would be on its way to its new home by now.

Bonny you are impossible to please my gal.
 
There is a win win solution here.

Bonny, PM the people who have said that they might be interested in him, exchange mobile numbers and have a chat, if any of them sound like they might be able to cope with him, invite them over to meet him. Ask them to bring proof of ID and references. If they cope with him loan him to them for a year.

If it works out sell him for £1 after a year and you have got rid of him to a decent home where is future is as secure as possible and you can say hand on heart that you have done your best by him.

If it doesn't work shoot him as originally planned, but again hand on heart you can say you tried.

I don't have a problem with PTS horses with an uncertain and difficult future but I just don't think this horse is one of those. He could have a useful future. Lots of horses aren't ideal for their job and are a bit difficult but still have happy lives. The ex-racer I used to share died of old age in her field after many years in an experienced and caring home after she was virtually given away because she was useless. She wasn't the best hack and wasn't easy to handle but she did the job and was enjoyed by her owner, even in her later years when she was retired and kept as a companion to their lead rein pony. Your boy could have that sort of life.
 
Thanks for the suggestion Katt but the problem with loaning is that the chances are he would come back and I'm really not in the position to do that. Like I say he's already been away and been returned and his issues are alot worse now. He's also not suitable as a companion, he dosen't get on well with other horses. There's been alot of people jumping on me for starting this thread and I'm wishing I'd never posted in the first place now but it is a genuine problem not just for this horse but for alot like him and there's no easy answer.
 
Have you thought of speaking to the local hunt? They might know of someone looking for a hunter who wouldn't mind the odd quirk.
 
For this horse there is an easy answer. If you were prepared to shoot him when you started the thread and you don't want to give him to Martlin (who has the facilities and the experience to deal with him unlike at least one of the others who thinks they could cope) then just book him in to have him shot.

Then you have two courses of action re this forum. Either post to say you've taken the decision and he is now in a better place and take the flak from those who believe you were wrong to do so or don't come back unless you've abandoned your current username and started up as a new member and say nothing further of it.
 
bonny said:
Thanks for the suggestion Katt but the problem with loaning is that the chances are he would come back and I'm really not in the position to do that. Like I say he's already been away and been returned and his issues are alot worse now. He's also not suitable as a companion, he dosen't get on well with other horses. There's been alot of people jumping on me for starting this thread and I'm wishing I'd never posted in the first place now but it is a genuine problem not just for this horse but for alot like him and there's no easy answer.
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I don't understand why you don't give him to martlin if you want him to find a good home?

I know the problems with tb's i have one myself who isn't exactly easy, but there are lots of people out there who are experienced riders and handlers who don't want a plod and want something more exciting.
 
Bonny, can you just point out to us all exactly what this horse's problems are? TBH I think its difficult to give good advice until the list of problems are shown. If he is dangerous then the best course of action could be pts. But if it is vices, habits etc then there are people that would love him. Why did you take the horse on in the first place? What was it about him that drew you to him?
Putting a horse to sleep is not an easy option, and you would have to live with the feeling that you decided to end his life because you found him too much, when there are so obviously other options.
I bought a horse a while ago that we found too much, and he seemed to have many problems, and yes if I am honest I did have the thought that it would be easier to just have him pts. But we didnt, we found a new rider for him and it was working out just fine until we were all involved in an accident and then we had to make the decision to pts, because of his injuries. Hardest decision I have had to make.
I cant help but notice you seem to only be responding to people that are saying what you want to hear, but please respond to this, and just give us the details of what problems tou feel he has.
Best wishes.
 
Benson, I certainly don't think pts is an easy option or easy to live with if you go down that route. I've had to have horses destroyed in the past and had horses die after accidents but I also think it's part of having horses that somethimes you have to make that decision.
Horses will live along time and if people have the facilities and money to keep them in retirement then that's fine but I'm not in that situation. Saying that I do have an old, aggressive pony that will never leave us, I would never find a suitable home for him and despite his grumbiness he's very much loved.
This is a very large, middle aged tb who was bred to race and has done for many years. He's not suitable as a hacking horse, not an easy horse to handle or keep and I genuinely can't see what else he could do. In the wrong hands he would be a nightmare. I wish now we hadn't had him back, but we did and it's now a problem where he goes. I'm getting critised for wondering what is the best course of action and maybe someone will turn up who wants him but I can't see why apart from the chance of having a free horse.
 
bonny said:
I'm getting critised for wondering what is the best course of action and maybe someone will turn up who wants him but I can't see why apart from the chance of having a free horse.
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No, you're being criticised for ignoring plenty of good and helpful suggestions. Someone has turned up who wants him - martlin. And not for the chance of having a free horse, as she's offered to pay.
 
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