Cushings/very elderly ponies/livery. What would you say?

[poiuytrewq]

Any thoughts or advice here please before I go and offer something that’s just not going to work or become really hard work.

Very briefly. My neighbours had an old Welsh A mare who I looked after whilst they were away.
They are really lovely and care a lot about her but not the most clued up.
She was kept alone and I always felt really sad for the poor little thing.
FF to now, they moved out a year ago to renovate the house and took her to live with friends and other horses. I thought this would be nicer for her but have missed her!

I’ve just had a message to say they need to fine alternative plans for her as she is getting too difficult for the lady caring for her to medicate, this I can imagine she was always very hard to catch. So can’t be given her medication.

She has asked if I could have her here, realistically I’m not sure I can. Although I could possibly fence off an area where she can’t be seen by my horses (geldings) and put my old pony in with her, they would both be on the same medication so I could feed in the field maybe.
Or I could suggest she gos back to her own paddock (which will have too much grass having been rested a year, I can’t see in because of high hedges)
Mine could go with her (for free) I could take over the day to day care from their land.
I’m not sure of mine is really too old and set in his ways to move, maybe Bubbles (far grey escapee) could be her companion either here or there.

I’d love to help for her sake, I don’t think she has long left in all honestly.
I’ve not replied yet because I know I’m really good at volunteering and then thinking, wish I hadn’t said that.
I mean I’m really happy to have/look after her bug I don’t want it to wind my horses up which I suspect it would.

Help!!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have had her here in the past for the odd over night or weekend but not turned out with mine and I made sure she never had any contact because I felt it would be worse for her then going back alone

 

[AmyMay]

Two old ponies in their dotage together? Win, win I’d say. But buy her (for £1) so you have total control.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I don't really understand the problem. Your geldings must know when she is around even if they can't see her. Your only difficulty will be actually persuading her to take the tablet, I imagine.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Can you get their field topped, put your oldie in as companion, then spend a bit of time working on the catching for medication so that neighbours can assist? Would it be too much of an inconvenience if you were doing all the caring and management? I wouldn't worry about a mare being seen or turned out with geldings. After the first half hour they usually work out that the mare is the boss!

 

[meleeka]

I don’t really follow what the problem is potentially? Is it that you don’t want to put her in with your geldings or alongside? Two oldies together with the same needs sounds perfect, but of course you need to consider what happens when one of them goes.

I took on an ancient Welsh A mare and she was the loveliest character. She just fitted in and was never sick or sorry (apart from cushings meds) until the day she was PTS with colic. I still miss her cheerful face

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ah ok. I have neglected to mention or explain properly!
Daughter had a mare here short term one summer and it was horrific. The one gelding wouldn’t let the other horses near her or us or the gate, water, hay and so on!
He just spent his whole day stressed and herding them round.

When I’ve had her here I’ve made sure she is one side of the road and they are the other.

I can’t/don’t want to buy her, I feel like she’s potentially a walking vets bill and I’m not in a position to have the costs of another.
The owners however are admirable at actually listening.
I once turned up to look after her and instantly messaged asking if they had heard of cushings, they said no and I sent a link. The vet was there doing bloods the following morning.
Same with other health concerns I’ve had so
It’s best for them to retain ownership I feel, even the prascend I have two on it already. I can’t really afford a third.

I’d be happy to send one of mine to their field but even topped it would be too much for either of my little ones.
Then I worry about the upheaval for the older, he’d be the best but isn’t 32 too old for a change of home and friends.

 

[AmyMay]

Then just say no.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Then just say no.

The sensible part of me thinks that, however I have always had a soft spot for this little girl and I don’t think it’s in her interests to end up somewhere new again.
I just need to try and think of a way to make it work with out upsetting mine who are quite happy atm.


What do people think about moving mine?

One potential maybe is to fence off a bit here, away from my boys, let her and my old pony there so he is still at home where he knows and maybe come winter move back to her paddock together when he’s palled up with her

I love the idea of being able to give her a nice last however long she has.
I’ve not seen her in a year but the owners say she’s skinny and she was light before she left so to be able to give her a bit of tlc

 

[EnduroRider]

Can she come to you, fenced off with your oldie as needed. In return you can use their field for grazing your others for a portion of the year to save your own land?

 

[ihatework]

If you are going to say yes then I’d section off an area and have the 2 little ones together. Charge owners sufficiently for the extra faff of looking after.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve just messaged back to ask about their own field situation. Mr P seems to think the fencing has been removed for the building work and I know for sure they have lost the roof of the field shelter.
If it’s going to be all reinstated then yes, possibly my 2 big horses could go eat it down at some point, or some sheep.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I don't really understand the problem. Your geldings must know when she is around even if they can't see her. Your only difficulty will be actually persuading her to take the tablet, I imagine.

I never had any problem getting her to take the pill. I suspect as she’s loose in a group of ponies that’s the problem. It may also be the reason she’s dropped weight. She is by far the oldest and smallest in the group and having spent the previous years alone never had to worry about being pushed off hay or feed. She would have her tablet in a bucket of chaff and wander to and from picking at it.

 

[meleeka]

When I took mine on I said she could come as a trial and if she fitted in she could stay. Could you say something similar? A bit of upheaval for her could be worth it and if not, you’ve tried.

I had mine for 4 years after I thought she’d last a year at most and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

 

[Honey08]

I’d ask them to send her on grass livery to you. Don’t move your oldie. Then they pay for all her medicines and vets visits.

 

[JoannaC]

I'd put your oldie in with her, my section A came back to me at 28 and it was a three hour trip and he settled in no problem. Could you section her field so they aren't getting too much at a time.

 

[suestowford]

I have recently introduced two oldies together, it's given them both a new lease of life. Because they are both arthritic they get tired at the same time so they are perfect companions. One had been living alone, the other had lost his companion, so they were both a bit sad. Now they are living their best lives again, it's really lovely.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m going to take a wander up there now. The builders will have gone so it’s all locked up but the farm fields back onto it and I need to walk the dogs so will head that way and have a look.
Another thought I had was the bigger of my fields across the rd from the yard is probably *I think big enough to have my two horses all year round. Then the smaller this side maybe all 3 little ponies could use.
That might work or the two geldings could end up scrapping, I’m which case I guess I just put one back with the horses

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’d ask them to send her on grass livery to you. Don’t move your oldie. Then they pay for all her medicines and vets visits.

I think that’s what they are asking really.
In a roundabout way.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mr P is going to be absolutely thrilled
We spent yesterday evening refencing the top of the other field so my littlest pony stopped escaping… looking like we did the wrong field

 

[Tarragon]

I think it sounds like a lovely arrangement for you all, people and ponies.
I just pop the tablet straight into my ponies mouth, between the cheek and the teeth. It had got really hard to make him take it in his feed!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Really oddly someone has literally just asked if I’d loan the younger of my two as a lead rein pony.
Might be all change!
I would, it’s only a local loan and at the size he is he will soon be outgrown and back again. He is Mr P’s favourite ever though so I just bluffed it off with an “yes I’ll keep an ear open for one” as I’m stood with one in my hand

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I’d take her on and put the two oldies in together. Charge a small fee which would go towards your own costs. It might be chaos at first but they will settle. We’ll need photos

 

[poiuytrewq]

So it looks like she’s coming!
Unfortunately the proposed bit of field, away from my horses has had a bit of nitrogen spun on it.
Not at all ideal, we did it to try and thicken it up and provide somewhere with decent coverage for me to ride out there over the spring/summer with out it being rock hard.

I need to fence it off, I plan to keep half to ride on, it’s the only bit I use anyway really.

They have said their fencing is fine but the shelter is pretty damaged (I did get a bit scared hacking past once and the roof was literally about to take off!)
However it’s a very structurally solid building so very repairable. They are willing to sort that as and when, then we will alternate between here and there as needed.
I just worry about mine becoming bare and then them just being stood in mud all winter.

They have asked what I’ll charge. I have absolutely no idea as this wasn’t on my radar at all.
I’ll supply hay, feed poo pick and all the regular care.
I’m going to just ask them to pay trimming/teeth worming etc, I guess to me as I’ll sort it all alongside my own anyway.

They could come into my turnout pen and shelter in awful weather or hot weather/get out of flies etc.

I can go and collect her, think it’s only about 45 minutes away.

I am a little concerned about what state she will be in.

 

[AmyMay]

Oh, brilliant news.

Photo are obviously obligatory

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh, brilliant news.

Photo are obviously obligatory

Obviously!
Not sure when it will happen just yet.
I’ll need more tiny rugs and stuff

 

[Dam1]

You're a very kind person
and she's a lucky pony. X

 

[poiuytrewq]

You're a very kind person
and she's a lucky pony. X

I’m lucky really, it’s not often you wish to look after someone else’s pony and then get the opportunity.