Free to good home... at 28 years old.

I'm very sorry that this thread has upset you. I do apologise for singling your ad out.

There have been a lot of ads for old horses free to good homes recently and I always feel concerned for the ponies/horses involved. There have been some very eye opening threads on here about the risks of rehoming 'free to a good home' (Ted's Mum, a banned member on here used to take them and then sell them on, for example). Please remember that people lie especially when they can see a profit. New owners have taken 'free to good home' horses to the abattoir for the meat money and of course this has greatly upset the old owner, who thought they were doing the right thing and had found a genuine home. Maybe you can understand why this sort of ad worries me now?

I hope that you find her the perfect home. Please be careful.
 
OP i hope you find her a really nice home, whereabouts are you in the country amybe someone on here knows someone who knows someone.
 
I completely understand why people are concerned, and im grateful people are looking out for horses like mine, jusy not hapoy about how some people have slated me for it, but thankyou i will be very careful on finding her a home
 
Eurgh, makes me sick to the stomach to see ads like this. What is wrong with people!! So sad. I could understand loaning, in a way, but just heartbreaking to see that owner's don't mind losing control over elderly animals that have served them so well :(
 
"havent the time" well sorry i have an older horse who really takes no time. He gets a pat a day and a little treat now and then and brought in for farrier and vet but otherwise lives a very peaceful life in the field.
 
Well known nutter where I live nr Colchester, Essex. Takes ponies/horses that are free, then dumps then at livery yards. Long story. I became involved, and my yard owner. Had/has about 20 of them spred about. Havent trusted anyone since.
 
I'm not against people rehoming an oldie. If someone hadnt done the same with their 26 year old then we wouldnt have found the most amazing pony who gave my daughter the best year of her life and who we kept in luxury with us until she took her last breath, braking our hearts as she did. What I do dislike is people demanding that a complete stranger provides a forever home (for any horse, old or young, free or expensive) when they themselves are not even prepared to provide one.
 
^^^^^ I agree with tickety boo, I love my old lad who was free to good home on pre loved as iv already said and he WILL live his days out with me BUT he was lucky to get a good home after failed loan homes which is why he went up for free and his issues were NOT put forward so I had a right job on my hand and did believe for the first few months that I had a nut job on my hands and even contacted the knacker man but we have worked through his issues so he's one lucky pony and I love him so much due to his character that its going to break my heart when his time comes. I would take a older pony on again but I don't like the way the owner has worded such things
 
You can jump up & down, claim no-one knows your circumstances/understands blady...blady...blah but at the end of the day if a horse has given you the best years of their lives you OWE them a dignified retirement & end. Fact.
 
I love these people .... always their pride and joy, always has to go to the best of homes, always has to be looked after until their dying day ............ always a case of can't be arsed to looking after the horse themselves

I'm busy too, but my 28 yr old lives like a king
 
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I have read all of this thread, and the owners comments.

Owner of said horse, In all honesty, HOW could you re home such an OAP free to good home, regardless of whether you will 'find the right home'?

I own a 25yo, as it stands, if my circumstances ever change, I am lucky enough that she is an uncut diamond, and at this moment in time, she is fit, healthy, without any major health issues (although she does suffer from choke) BUT I could NEVER sell her, and I have only owned her for 6 years, she has given her life to us humans, although she has stood in a field for nearly 2 years, she would happily be tacked up and ridden by any rider of any ability, but I took her on, knowing her age, she is full of life (A bit too much if anything :D), but, this could change at any moment, If my circumstances were to change so dramatically, that I could not find someone to loan her, from were she currently is, where I can keep a close eye on her, then I would make the very selfish decision to have her PTS, why? Because I could not sleep at night, or worse, if anything was to happen to her, She is older than I am, she has had one hell of a life, bringing joy to so many people, and taught many children to ride whilst in my short ownership (and standing in when my big girl was lame) and she deserve's to live without neglect and being passed pillar to post with false information, and I owe it to her to ensure her life does not end in horrific circumstance.

Whilst I appreciate circumstances change, I cannot accept, such an elderly horse being given to any tom dick or harry, it doesn't matter just how careful you are, you will never know where she ends up (just read some of the many horror stories over the net)

People lie, cheat, deceive to line their pockets!
Please Owner, take responsibility for your OAP!
 
Poor little guy. I have a "useless" pony, purely because he has terrible heart problems and strange phobias from being neglected. However he loves children and has been fantastic with my 5yr old. I have a duty of care towards this guy as much, if not more so due to his outlook and health problems, therefore ads like this make my blood boil.

It could be a teen struggling to cope with little to no help from anyone on the other hand... Either way, I wish him all the luck in the world and hope some kind individual rescues him!
 
The latest email newsletter from horses for homes deals with just this subject and sums it up perfectly: "
20% of the horses listed with the rehoming charity Horses4Homes are companion horses and ponies, animals that for a variety of reasons cannot, or owners believe, should not be ridden for a variety of reasons, be them behavioural or health. The % of horses and ponies that were rehomed by the charity last year which could not be ridden and were rehomed purely to be companions to other horses was just 6%. Of these companion animals 58% were ponies.

“Sadly many owners find it very difficult to justify the cost of keeping a horse or pony that cannot be ridden and there is very little demand for unrideable horses and ponies. Horses are living longer and we seem to live in a disposable society; when animals no longer serve their purpose we try to rehome them. That said the majority of horse owners own horses to ride them and with the rising cost of livery coupled with the recent economic crisis, it is very difficult for many to justify the cost of keeping an unrideable horse for what could be many years indeed.” Remarks Rebecca Evans, Rehoming Manager for the charity.

"I believe many owners realise that the likelihood of finding a 5* home for their unrideable equine is very small. Deep down I think many owners are trying to face the reality that if they are not in a position to continue to care for the horse their only realistic option is to reduce their own cost of living in order to afford the cost of the horse or have the horse humanely put to sleep at home, safe in the knowledge it has come to no harm."

The charity would urge owners not to offer companion horses, or any other horses, “free to a good home”. By using the listing and application process offered by the charity as well as the support offered by the team at Horses4Homes there is no safer way to rehome these horses or indeed to acquire a companion horse that is honestly described by its owner who wants the best for that horse and is rehoming for genuine reasons. Horses in their prime or younger that can no longer be ridden are particularly vulnerable to being picked up by unscrupulous dealers only to be buted up and sold on as ridden animals who will undoubtedly enter a spiral of neglect moving from pillar to post until someone saves him or he meets a bitter end.

Horses4Homes is passionate about helping any owner to rehome their horse whether it be rideable or not so long as the owners subscribe to the charity's terms of honestly and accurately describing their horses. Large horses above 16hands which are Thoroughbreds or Warmblood types are almost impossible to find homes for. There are also an abundance of unbroken, unrideable Shetland ponies which require restricted grazing and are also not easy to find homes for. Horses which can be a light hack, are good in traffic but cannot do a great deal of work are still rehomeable and the charity has been very successful in rehoming horses of this nature to riders who simply want to enjoy the countryside on horseback at a slow pace once or twice a week on a horse that is uncomplicated in almost every way. The charity has rehomed a number of horses over the age of 20 that fit this criteria.

There is a demand for companion horses and ponies but that demand is small. Those unrideable horses which have the greatest chance of finding a suitable, long term home are those which do not require medication for any health issues, are easy to manage in terms of behaviour and temperament, mix well with other horses and do not have anxiety issues if left on their own whilst its companion is taken out of the field and ridden.
20% of the horses listed with the rehoming charity Horses4Homes are companion horses and ponies, animals that for a variety of reasons cannot, or owners believe, should not be ridden for a variety of reasons, be them behavioural or health. The % of horses and ponies that were rehomed by the charity last year which could not be ridden and were rehomed purely to be companions to other horses was just 6%. Of these companion animals 58% were ponies.

“Sadly many owners find it very difficult to justify the cost of keeping a horse or pony that cannot be ridden and there is very little demand for unrideable horses and ponies. Horses are living longer and we seem to live in a disposable society; when animals no longer serve their purpose we try to rehome them. That said the majority of horse owners own horses to ride them and with the rising cost of livery coupled with the recent economic crisis, it is very difficult for many to justify the cost of keeping an unrideable horse for what could be many years indeed.” Remarks Rebecca Evans, Rehoming Manager for the charity.

"I believe many owners realise that the likelihood of finding a 5* home for their unrideable equine is very small. Deep down I think many owners are trying to face the reality that if they are not in a position to continue to care for the horse their only realistic option is to reduce their own cost of living in order to afford the cost of the horse or have the horse humanely put to sleep at home, safe in the knowledge it has come to no harm."

The charity would urge owners not to offer companion horses, or any other horses, “free to a good home”. By using the listing and application process offered by the charity as well as the support offered by the team at Horses4Homes there is no safer way to rehome these horses or indeed to acquire a companion horse that is honestly described by its owner who wants the best for that horse and is rehoming for genuine reasons. Horses in their prime or younger that can no longer be ridden are particularly vulnerable to being picked up by unscrupulous dealers only to be buted up and sold on as ridden animals who will undoubtedly enter a spiral of neglect moving from pillar to post until someone saves him or he meets a bitter end.

Horses4Homes is passionate about helping any owner to rehome their horse whether it be rideable or not so long as the owners subscribe to the charity's terms of honestly and accurately describing their horses. Large horses above 16hands which are Thoroughbreds or Warmblood types are almost impossible to find homes for. There are also an abundance of unbroken, unrideable Shetland ponies which require restricted grazing and are also not easy to find homes for. Horses which can be a light hack, are good in traffic but cannot do a great deal of work are still rehomeable and the charity has been very successful in rehoming horses of this nature to riders who simply want to enjoy the countryside on horseback at a slow pace once or twice a week on a horse that is uncomplicated in almost every way. The charity has rehomed a number of horses over the age of 20 that fit this criteria.

There is a demand for companion horses and ponies but that demand is small. Those unrideable horses which have the greatest chance of finding a suitable, long term home are those which do not require medication for any health issues, are easy to manage in terms of behaviour and temperament, mix well with other horses and do not have anxiety issues if left on their own whilst its companion is taken out of the field and ridden."
Apologies if the quote is repeated; am on my phone so can only read a cou
 
The latest email newsletter from horses for homes deals with just this subject and sums it up perfectly: "
20% of the horses listed with the rehoming charity Horses4Homes are companion horses and ponies, animals that for a variety of reasons cannot, or owners believe, should not be ridden for a variety of reasons, be them behavioural or health. The % of horses and ponies that were rehomed by the charity last year which could not be ridden and were rehomed purely to be companions to other horses was just 6%. Of these companion animals 58% were ponies.

“Sadly many owners find it very difficult to justify the cost of keeping a horse or pony that cannot be ridden and there is very little demand for unrideable horses and ponies. Horses are living longer and we seem to live in a disposable society; when animals no longer serve their purpose we try to rehome them. That said the majority of horse owners own horses to ride them and with the rising cost of livery coupled with the recent economic crisis, it is very difficult for many to justify the cost of keeping an unrideable horse for what could be many years indeed.” Remarks Rebecca Evans, Rehoming Manager for the charity.

"I believe many owners realise that the likelihood of finding a 5* home for their unrideable equine is very small. Deep down I think many owners are trying to face the reality that if they are not in a position to continue to care for the horse their only realistic option is to reduce their own cost of living in order to afford the cost of the horse or have the horse humanely put to sleep at home, safe in the knowledge it has come to no harm."

The charity would urge owners not to offer companion horses, or any other horses, “free to a good home”. By using the listing and application process offered by the charity as well as the support offered by the team at Horses4Homes there is no safer way to rehome these horses or indeed to acquire a companion horse that is honestly described by its owner who wants the best for that horse and is rehoming for genuine reasons. Horses in their prime or younger that can no longer be ridden are particularly vulnerable to being picked up by unscrupulous dealers only to be buted up and sold on as ridden animals who will undoubtedly enter a spiral of neglect moving from pillar to post until someone saves him or he meets a bitter end.

Horses4Homes is passionate about helping any owner to rehome their horse whether it be rideable or not so long as the owners subscribe to the charity's terms of honestly and accurately describing their horses. Large horses above 16hands which are Thoroughbreds or Warmblood types are almost impossible to find homes for. There are also an abundance of unbroken, unrideable Shetland ponies which require restricted grazing and are also not easy to find homes for. Horses which can be a light hack, are good in traffic but cannot do a great deal of work are still rehomeable and the charity has been very successful in rehoming horses of this nature to riders who simply want to enjoy the countryside on horseback at a slow pace once or twice a week on a horse that is uncomplicated in almost every way. The charity has rehomed a number of horses over the age of 20 that fit this criteria.

There is a demand for companion horses and ponies but that demand is small. Those unrideable horses which have the greatest chance of finding a suitable, long term home are those which do not require medication for any health issues, are easy to manage in terms of behaviour and temperament, mix well with other horses and do not have anxiety issues if left on their own whilst its companion is taken out of the field and ridden.
20% of the horses listed with the rehoming charity Horses4Homes are companion horses and ponies, animals that for a variety of reasons cannot, or owners believe, should not be ridden for a variety of reasons, be them behavioural or health. The % of horses and ponies that were rehomed by the charity last year which could not be ridden and were rehomed purely to be companions to other horses was just 6%. Of these companion animals 58% were ponies.

“Sadly many owners find it very difficult to justify the cost of keeping a horse or pony that cannot be ridden and there is very little demand for unrideable horses and ponies. Horses are living longer and we seem to live in a disposable society; when animals no longer serve their purpose we try to rehome them. That said the majority of horse owners own horses to ride them and with the rising cost of livery coupled with the recent economic crisis, it is very difficult for many to justify the cost of keeping an unrideable horse for what could be many years indeed.” Remarks Rebecca Evans, Rehoming Manager for the charity.

"I believe many owners realise that the likelihood of finding a 5* home for their unrideable equine is very small. Deep down I think many owners are trying to face the reality that if they are not in a position to continue to care for the horse their only realistic option is to reduce their own cost of living in order to afford the cost of the horse or have the horse humanely put to sleep at home, safe in the knowledge it has come to no harm."

The charity would urge owners not to offer companion horses, or any other horses, “free to a good home”. By using the listing and application process offered by the charity as well as the support offered by the team at Horses4Homes there is no safer way to rehome these horses or indeed to acquire a companion horse that is honestly described by its owner who wants the best for that horse and is rehoming for genuine reasons. Horses in their prime or younger that can no longer be ridden are particularly vulnerable to being picked up by unscrupulous dealers only to be buted up and sold on as ridden animals who will undoubtedly enter a spiral of neglect moving from pillar to post until someone saves him or he meets a bitter end.

Horses4Homes is passionate about helping any owner to rehome their horse whether it be rideable or not so long as the owners subscribe to the charity's terms of honestly and accurately describing their horses. Large horses above 16hands which are Thoroughbreds or Warmblood types are almost impossible to find homes for. There are also an abundance of unbroken, unrideable Shetland ponies which require restricted grazing and are also not easy to find homes for. Horses which can be a light hack, are good in traffic but cannot do a great deal of work are still rehomeable and the charity has been very successful in rehoming horses of this nature to riders who simply want to enjoy the countryside on horseback at a slow pace once or twice a week on a horse that is uncomplicated in almost every way. The charity has rehomed a number of horses over the age of 20 that fit this criteria.

There is a demand for companion horses and ponies but that demand is small. Those unrideable horses which have the greatest chance of finding a suitable, long term home are those which do not require medication for any health issues, are easy to manage in terms of behaviour and temperament, mix well with other horses and do not have anxiety issues if left on their own whilst its companion is taken out of the field and ridden."
Apologies if the quote is repeated; am on my phone so can only read a couple of paragraphs at a time.
Good luck to this oldie; having recently taken on a 20 yo 17hh ISH who ended up in a bad place ( I had a history with her and thought she deserved so much better) I feel very strongly. She was bought 'unseen' as hadn't seen her for 6 months-arrived at 491kg and feet a mess. Don't care if I never get to ride her again-she'll end her days being loved and cared for.
 
unicornystar said:
But of course....at around £400 to destroy or PTS....it's easier to pass that cost on isn't it! I am pretty sure most of the horses that deserve a peaceful ending and their future guaranteed simply get passed on as people dont want to pay! I could hardly afford it either but I knew it had to be done!

GRRRRRR people who do this really annoy me, it is so irresponsible and cruel for the horse....
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Not necessarily that much - I paid £100 last week for the hunt to PTS a pony and that was a suggested donation rather than a 'fixed' price IYSWIM. What's a £100, just a few weeks livery really...
 
You owe it to your girl to do the best by her. I appreciate i dont know your personal circumstances but please do the right thing and pts, could you live with yourself if she fell into the wrong hands?? It only cost me £150 in total for pts and removal, the man was extremely understanding and discrete, made me feel so much better about doing the right thing and it was over quicker than i could blink. PM me and i will pass on his number if you want it.
 
There is a girl here who takes any ftgh horses promising the life of Riley, has a lovely yard with a few lovely well cared for horses that she competes (and is getting the ftgh as a compainion for them)

They go on the trailer and are driven straight to the meat man.
 
I beg you OP not to do this. Please give her a packet of polo's, a load of apples and carrots and many hugs and kisses and have her PTS. You may not have the time but I am sure anyone can have the money, even if you bung it on a 0% credit card that can be paid off in installments, or a bank loan or an overdraft. Ring your local hunt pack and discuss the options with them.

Many riders won't baulk at spending hundreds of pounds on a lovely pair of boots but it's infuriating when many baulk at the same price or considerably less for having a beloved animal PTS.
 
FrostyFeet said:
Crikey-sorry! Just read back; apologies again for multiple quotes 😳
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Dunlin said:
I beg you OP not to do this. Please give her a packet of polo's, a load of apples and carrots and many hugs and kisses and have her PTS. You may not have the time but I am sure anyone can have the money, even if you bung it on a 0% credit card that can be paid off in installments, or a bank loan or an overdraft. Ring your local hunt pack and discuss the options with them.

Many riders won't baulk at spending hundreds of pounds on a lovely pair of boots but it's infuriating when many baulk at the same price or considerably less for having a beloved animal PTS.
Click to expand...

There is always retirement livery. My friend has two who are broken and not rideable. It's not that expensive either. Better than free to good home.
 
Many years ago (20+) I bought a Shetland pony for my daughter, who obviously outgrew her and moved onto bigger things relatively quickly. I still have that pony. I don't have lots of time because of work and family commitments but the day I bought this pony she became a priority, so I MAKE time for her. She's now approaching 30 and there is absolutely no way on Earth I could ever consider giving her away. When she leaves me it will be because her time has come, not because she is disposable. Poor pony is all that I can say. We all have problems, that's life, but as a horse owner you should damn well face up to your responsibilities and do what's right for the pony, not for you. Selfish!!
 
I have a 25 year old pony. She isn't a cheap pony. She costs me a fair bit to keep her happy & healthy. She also does require quite a bit of looking after.
With her I have 3 horses in total (1 retired ex-eventer, the pony. & my current eventer) I'd love another horse to run alongside my event horse & some days it seems lunacy spending all this time & money when I only have the one rideable horse.
However I know that if I took on another competition horse I just wouldn't have the time to keep my retired ones to the standard they require & DESERVE! So I don't. I would never palm them off to somebody else because they have given me the best years of their life so I owe it to them. They won't be PTS yet because they are happy & healthy.
Old horses aren't something disposable. Make time for your horse. Treat her well & when the time comes give her a dignified end!
 
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