Giving up yard.

[MilosDad]

Merely one for discussion. I'm giving up my yard and cutting back to one horse due to time constraints (I work 70 hour weeks) and cost (credit crunch) so I can concentrate on competing.
My Dartmoors will go back to the dartmoor pony society but my daughter's horse is 26 has ring bone, Cushings and she never rides him. I dont think I have a choice but to euthanase him which seems brutal but, I believe, responsible.
The difficulty arises over the two ponies, what happens if they can't go back? In this climate where does responsibility get overtaken by conscience?

Food for thought I think!

 

[blood_magik]

not 100% sure how loaning feom these places works but if they're loaned to you then surely the dartmoor society is responsible for finding them new homes as they are owner's?

 

[blood_magik]

can't edit on my phone - just wanted to say that unless your daughters horse has a guaranteed future then perhaps the kindest thing is, as you've said, to euthanise.


also to add to the previous post: you may feel horrible. about sending them back but I think the society would rather have people tell them that they're struggling financially than end up not being able to afford to keep the ponies.

most of us assumed that we would be able to afford to keep our animals but thats not always the case unfortunately these days.

 

[Brandy]

I'm not sure about the Dartmoors - if they can;t go back you could look into conservation grazing - there are a group of 42 Dartmoor hill ponies which graze common land in West Norfolk, and are managed by the Norfolk Woldlife trust. Exmoors are also commonly used for this, so well worth looking into.

I think its the responsible thing to do re your daughters horse. I have moved yards and cuts massive horse keeping costs recently, in order to avoid this situation - I was in DIY livery at £25 per week per horse, and now keep 3 at grass for £30 per week (also, remarkably, have the use to 2 stables if I want - I dont; want, as this saves a fortune on bedding andhay, and time in mucking out!!)

I have a 30 yr old and 24 yr old so the thought crosses my mind every so often as to what I would do if my circumstances changed.