Companion homes

[Feral]

Hi,

I am based in the North East and I am seriously thinking about searching for a companion home for my mare.

She has been reluctant under saddle since I purchased her as a 4 year old (she is now 5) and after huge amounts of vet investigations she was found to have tendon injuries to both front legs (which are now on the mend and she is sound) and also raised muscle enzymes which a muscle biopsy has confirmed she does have a muscle myopathy.
She is currently been walked for 30 minutes per day and is fine inhand but as soon as I get on her she is not interested and lethargic.
Happy to plod about in walk and bits of trot but this is not what I am wanting to do.

Has anyone had any success stories in finding a good companion home for their horse?
My main concern is that I do not under any circumstance want this little mare passed about and I am looking at other options for her before making a decision to pts which is upsetting me just thinking about it.
Xx

 

[conniegirl]

I have just found one for my retired lad, the only way is through friend or friends of friends.
Had the home not come available Lenny would have been PTS this week coming. He has been retired for 4 years due to soundness issues that we spent 2 years investigating and trying to fix before admitting defeat and retiring him. He is only 11

ETA he is only on loan, i would never ever sell a horse with issues!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

My experience is that you will struggle to find someone who is willing to commit to regular in hand exercise, which it sounds like she needs. Maybe a loan to hacking home might suit better? There are lots and lots of people who would love a safe steady horse to pootle about on, but not do much more with.

 

[Feral]

No, I do not want to sell her. I would need to maintain control that she would never be passed about.

She does not need walking, that has only been done for her tendon issues and I think she would live quite happily in a field.
If someone had quiet, good hacking then she would probably be happy doing some light rides out, she is still only a baby who has not got many miles on the clock so I would have to be careful who she went too.
It’s just so frustrating :-(

 

[Kaylum]

Your better putting her on loan. There are far too many people selling horses and selling them without the buyer even coming to look.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

If she's happy as a barefoot field ornament, then you might well find a companion home for her. Everyone seems to automatically go for small companions on the basis that they're eaaier/cheaper, but small non-ridden companions are a laminitis nightmare. If she could actually be quite low maintenance (and she's polite on the ground, and generally good with other horses etc) then I don't see why she wouldn't make a good companion.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Have you tried actively managing the muscle myopathy? A high dose of natural vitamin E, light daily exercise and keeping her warm tends to be the starting point for these things. If you can get her moving more willingly under saddle it will be easier to find her a light hacking loan home?

 

[Feral]

Have you tried actively managing the muscle myopathy? A high dose of natural vitamin E, light daily exercise and keeping her warm tends to be the starting point for these things. If you can get her moving more willingly under saddle it will be easier to find her a light hacking loan home?

yes I’ve tried all sorts over the summer. She does not have PSSM1 or 2 but has a form of RER or N/px which no one knows anything about on how to manage.
I am trying to get her into work again as I do think that would help but easier said than done when she gives me absolutely nothing. She does not respond to any pressure (whip or leg) so it is impossible to get her to go forward :-(

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Will she be happy as a companion? Eg, will she stay on her own in a field and stable, would she need a managed diet or be fine on good grazing? Would she require rugging, any special farriery, any quirks that might not impress potential loaners.
Def think on all her attributes on how she might be if a companion.

 

[catembi]

No help, but sympathy. One of mine is px/px & as you say, it's a total PITA. He is also n/p1 & n/p4, & the management for the different types contradict each other. V sorry that you also have a px. They are v exercise intolerant.

 

[laura_nash]

Being a companion is a job / role. Would she actually be good at it? When I went looking for my last one my requirements list was:

- No history of sweetitch, laminitis, breathing difficulties, mud fever / rainscald etc. No ongoing medication requirements.
- Already unshod and hooves in good condition with no indications or history of issues.
- Happy in or out, doesn't fence walk, used to being stabled, doesn't get stressed by changes in routine.
- Can cope with normal levels of grass and hay, not a massively good or poor doer, not a "wimp" (i.e. doesn't start shivering at a drop of rain or screaming to come in if the temperature drops a bit).
- Easy to catch and handle and generally be around including loose in the field, ok with dogs, good in traffic in hand, used to farm machinery, can be led alongside another horse.
- Well socialised with other horses generally (knows how to fit in, doesn't bully or get bullied).
- Happy to be left out alone - this was my red line requirement!

If she is likely to be good in the role, then it's certainly worth looking. Good companion homes are out there.

 

[Archangel]

I had a vacancy for a companion for my old boy and found an absolute treasure of a mare. Despite a 22 year age gap between them they have similar grazing requirements and most importantly totally adore each other. She has sweet itch so needs a lot of management during midge season (which seems to go on forever now) but I am more than happy to do that. She is worth her weight in gold.

 

[rextherobber]

I have one which is n/px, (carries the gene which means they can develop RER) and was very symptomatic, was advised that regular work is important, but firstly, address any possibility of ulcers, to which they are apparently very prone, low NSC diet, vitamin e and most important, reduce any stress triggers. And use calmers before work. This definitely makes a huge difference with mine, though obviously I cannot compete on valerian. And I am fortunate that there are no PSSM 1 or 2 to worry about!

 

[canteron]

I would consider still paying for some of her costs (say farriery and insurance) this gives you a continued connection and may help to find a good home.

 

[rextherobber]

yes I’ve tried all sorts over the summer. She does not have PSSM1 or 2 but has a form of RER or N/px which no one knows anything about on how to manage.
There are very helpful online forums - PSSM UK, Managing PSSM,RER and Muscle disease, PSSM UK for example,
Have you tested for PSSM 1&2 at CAG in Germany? I didn't think you could test for PSSM types with a muscle biopsy? To be honest, she does sound like she has PSSM, and in many cases there is much that can be done to help her, and in some cases, being out of work is the least helpful thing for them. And if she does have a progressive form, it is better to know now, surely. Apologies if you have already done the hair test/online research, but personally, I have found them invaluable

 

[sport horse]

Have you thought of loaning/giving her to a REPUTABLE embryo transfer centre as a recipient mare in their breeding programme?

 

[BBP]

Interesting that yours with RER is lethargic. Mine with RER is a very sharp, hot, forward horse. The RER generally means he can’t control his reaction to stress so easily. That said, because RER is a calcium regulation issue rather than a polysaccharide storage myopathy, I think they could be retired as a happy companion as minimising stress is the key aspect to management in my experience.

 

[Littlewills]

yes I’ve tried all sorts over the summer. She does not have PSSM1 or 2 but has a form of RER or N/px which no one knows anything about on how to manage.
I am trying to get her into work again as I do think that would help but easier said than done when she gives me absolutely nothing. She does not respond to any pressure (whip or leg) so it is impossible to get her to go forward :-(

Theres lots of people know lots of things about managing RER/PX which is classed as type 2 PSSM. Theres some good facebook groups that it would be worth you joining. But you also need to be aware that your horse will get worse as its a progressive disease and just chucking her in a field without treatment isn't going to be a suitable outcome for her.