Ethics

[Esmae]

I am in a bit of a quandary. Would you ride a horse of 27 years old that had been out of work for a long time? Horse is sound and in good order, but over weight, and vet has given cautious but clean bill of health. I'm fairly sure what I am going to do but interested in other views.

 

[AmyMay]

Nope

 

[doodle]

Nope

 

[shortstuff99]

Guess it would depend on how long the horse had been out of work for and what you are wanting to do. My old mare was still out SJ at 27 and loved it.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

No!
It's different riding a horse which has been in continuous work into old age but when they have been out of work, their muscles get soft and they change shape. |It will take forever to get even a hint of topline back to support the saddle in an oldie that has been out of work for some time.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'd maybe take her out for walks in hand and see how she got on. I would be very cautious about doing more and would make sure I was listening very closely to the horse and not my own wishes...

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

No!
It's different riding a horse which has been in continuous work into old age but when they have been out of work, their muscles get soft and they change shape. |It will take forever to get even a hint of topline back to support the saddle in an oldie that has been out of work for some time.

This.
If the horse had stayed in work it might be different but I don't think it's entirely fair to bring a 27 year old out of retirement.

 

[ForeverBroke_]

I don't think I would either. Agree with others, if the horse had been in consistent work it might be different, but I would probably be inclined to leave her be.

 

[Esmae]

Pretty much my own thoughts. The only plus would be to help shed some weight but that can be sorted in other ways. Horse has been out of work for several years as things stand. Old people should be allowed to retire.

 

[shortstuff99]

Is it not your horse?

 

[Esmae]

Is it not your horse?

No, I have it on loan as companion but owner would like me to ride it. At this age I don't think it's fair but was prepared to take vet's advice. Vet was more concerned about me than the horse (not sure why LOL ) Owner hasn't ridden it for a few years now.

 

[PapaverFollis]

ha! Does the vet know the horse? Perhaps she knows why it stopped being ridden!

Take her for hand walks to help shift the weight perhaps?

 

[Cortez]

Nope. I'd leave the old dear out to enjoy life as a retiree.

 

[Esmae]

ha! Does the vet know the horse? Perhaps she knows why it stopped being ridden!

Take her for hand walks to help shift the weight perhaps?

No vet had never seen it before. I know why it hasn't been ridden and is no fault of the horse.

 

[Tarragon]

Enjoy taking her out for walks together would perhaps be better for her.

 

[deb_l222]

No, I would leave her be and let her continue her retirement. If she's got to 27 years old and she's a bit porky, I wouldn't worry too much about that either. Losing a few pounds isn't suddenly going to add several years onto her life.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m in a similar situation, mine actually only retired recently but is the size of a house.
I can walk in hand or long rein him but it seems to do very little, he used to have to be in quite a lot of work to look good weight wise.
Whilst I’m being as careful as I can ie, no hard feed, soaked hay, standing in for the day etc I’ve almost decided a happy fat retirement is nicer for him than if I forced him back into work or got really strict about him and prolonged a more miserable existence.

 

[Tarragon]

I’ve almost decided a happy fat retirement is nicer for him than if I forced him back into work or got really strict about him and prolonged a more miserable existence.

I agree with this. A longer retirement but one spent feeling hungry, or forever muzzled or standing in, for most of it can't be much of a life. I would prefer a shorter and fatter one! Providing that you are managing the welfare correctly of course.

 

[zandp]

I'm about to bring my 26 year old back into hacking work - will be walking in hand for weeks first and then walking hacks only for weeks followed by trotting every now and then a bit of canter. and that mostly in fields -I'm lucky the yard we're on has a lot of off road hacking. Winter we'll be hacking at weekends mainly I think. I've tried to retire her a few times now and she's quite obviously not ready so I'm just going to keep her hacking with no schooling instead of letting her eat grass.

 

[Winters100]

Could you lead him off another horse to get some movement without having to carry a rider?

 

[eahotson]

I’m in a similar situation, mine actually only retired recently but is the size of a house.
I can walk in hand or long rein him but it seems to do very little, he used to have to be in quite a lot of work to look good weight wise.
Whilst I’m being as careful as I can ie, no hard feed, soaked hay, standing in for the day etc I’ve almost decided a happy fat retirement is nicer for him than if I forced him back into work or got really strict about him and prolonged a more miserable existence.

I so agree.Its quality as well as quantity.

 

[ycbm]

No. I'd let the horse get fat and put it down with its happy belly full when it couldn't cope any longer.
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