Ex-Military Horses

Q

q105

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On the advice of one of the regulars here, I am posting to get some more information on rehoming an ex-service horse.

I have now made an application to rehome one that I ride regularly, and I wondered if anyone has had any experience that they would like to share....either here or PM.

I am really after further details on the application process, because there is a waiting list etc, but any further information would be great.

Many thanks

Q
 
I didn't know it was possible to rehome an ex-military horse. I thought they would be retired off somewhere "official". I would imagine they would have seen and done just about anything.
 
I have one that didn't quite cut it, he went in as a 4 year old and wasn't suitable for the job intended so he went back to the DAC and was used to teach riding i believe. he wasn't suitable for that either so was sold on. i got him third hand so to speak.
 
As far as I recall there is no official 'retirement home' for military horses although I believe the police ones, and occasionally military too, sometimes go to somewhere like WHW for loaning out/proper retirement. And of course sometimes service personnel take on favourites.

Obviously if you like a particular horse then there isn't necessarily a lot of logic about taking them on. In general though positives would be bomb proofing and negatives would be the amount of trotting on roads they will have have done (i.e. daily).

Pictures when you get your horse home please!
 
Thanks for the posts so far guys......

I will absolutely be photo happy if I get this boy, I daren't get excited just yet.....I don't have a clue how long I have to wait to find out if I have a shot, or even if they will let me know if he's going to someone else!

The military horses are generally all retired and rehomed. The forces don't have the money to keep them on after their job is done. They arent sold as such (donations) but homes are seriously vetted. Or are supposed to be!

Being in the Army myself is supposed to be a positive if asking to rehome an animal (dogs retired from the veterinary corps are also rehomed, except the attack dogs), but I'm too attached already and need to stay realistic. Three other people have asked to have him, and they may have homes just as good as mine.....

Fingers crossed......
 
my yard is near te militairy equine place in melton Mowbray & several girls on the yard have bought ex-militairy horses [ many of the girls on the yard have worked as grooms there ] - i would have to say that the horses thay have bought could not be described as either bombproof or issue free
 
I've got one, a grey ex trumpeters mare. My husband is in the Army and we rehomed her after a base and the saddle club were closing. She had been at the saddle club for about 18 months after being withdrawn from duties in London for behavioural reasons. Personel from the base came to see where we live and how she would be kept. I was told there would be regular inspections but have never had one and i have had her 8 years. She is fantastic and i trust her completly. She is 19 now and only a light hack, road work in London gave her bad feet and artrirtic legs but she has been and is a wonderful horse. Have you applied to the defence school in Melton Mowbray?
 
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