Gutted doesn't even cover it

[Ranyhyn]

Well OP I for one don't challenge your parents decision not to keep the horse as a happy hack if he was bought to compete. Not everyone keeps their horses as pets, I certainly don't. Unless you're in a position to take over the costs they ate absolutely right to consider putting him down.
This namby pamby attitude to horses is why we have such a glut of knackered horses filling up our charities and meaning fit and healthy horses have no place to go.
While its very sad for you, I wouldn't take much notice of the tut tutters. Unless of course they are willing to take the horse off your parents hands and pay for it to eat grass....

 

[Meowy Catkin]

BDC - the OP hasn't said whether or nor not SHE wants to keep the horse (unless I've missed it).

I've known many people -probably fluffies in your eyes- who were quite happy to do less because they wanted to keep the horse and it couldn't do the former level of work. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, just that I don't now where the OP stands on this issue.

The softest 'namby pamby' I know who keeps all her broken horses is an eventer, so not all comp horses don't get a slower pace of life/good retirement after injury or age catches up with them.

 

[Flame_]

BDC - the OP hasn't said whether or nor not SHE wants to keep the horse (unless I've missed it).

It doesn't make any difference if she's not paying for it. Its the parents decision and if they don't want to pay for an eventer that won't event, that is up to them (eta, of corse that's harsh on the op if she isn't bothered about eventing but it is essentially tough luck). I just hope that they do the right thing and either ensure over a decent period of time that the horse is comfortable and up to doing a lower level job before passing it on to one, or have it put down.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I guess I live in a strange world where people can talk to their parents, discuss the options rationally and the child's feelings are taken into account.

 

[Lolo]

BDC, nailed it. Not her money, not her choice.

We cannot afford to keep a happy hacker, and never have been able to. The only horse we will do is Reggie, and he's very special- and also owned by someone else who shares our love for him and who has a land and space! Horses cost a lot of money and if her parents don't want to shell out, she's very limited in how she can respond to that.

OP, when you go to uni you could join the riding society and get your fix that way. I think if they want to loan him that would be pretty easy- we've had our one happy hacker who broke down behind and was therefore unsuitable for anything more than gentle hacking/ occasional dressage tests out on loan for nearly 10 years now. He was unflappable and gentle, and we advertised him as such and he was gone a week later to the perfect home...

 

[Lolo]

I guess I live in a strange world where people can talk to their parents, discuss the options rationally and the child's feelings are taken into account.

I'm pretty sure this has happened: OP loves the horse, has no money to afford one with. Parents don't want OP getting a job and being distracted from studies. Parents have shelled out for an operation already on this horse. Parents are fed up of seeing OP sad and worried... Ta da. Horse must go.

I guess I live in the world where what my parents say goes, and I trust that they'll consider my opinions (they do) and always want the best for me (they do) so when they put their foot down I keep my mouth shut.

 

[putasocinit]

Going to go where PTS, who else would want a lame horse. Have you had all the lameness checked out, possibly you are doing to much with him until his fitness level is right for the work. If it is just a lameness due to arthritic changes coud he not be on bute, speak to a vet and get a full examination done, look at your management of the horse. Parents sorry have lots to say but wont.

 

[MiniMilton]

I live in a strange world where 18yrs old is an adult not a child. My parents certainly wouldn't have funded my hobbies at that age and I wouldn't expect them to. OP if you want something badly enough and work hard enough you can do it. I hope your horse is ok, if he's not, put him on grass livery (much cheaper) take the shoes off (saving more money) and work a few extra hours per week to pay for that horse completely by yourself. If you are lucky enough to have parents that will fund a hobby for you, perhaps they will buy you another horse to compete and you can put money towards his keep too.

When I was 18 I was in college, I worked every spare minute in the yard where I kept my 2 horses in return for their keep. I also did pub promotions at night to pay for shoes vet etc. Perhaps moving to a yard where you can work off your livery bill might be something to consider. Good luck

 

[ClassicG&T]

Going to go where PTS, who else would want a lame horse. Have you had all the lameness checked out, possibly you are doing to much with him until his fitness level is right for the work. If it is just a lameness due to arthritic changes coud he not be on bute, speak to a vet and get a full examination done, look at your management of the horse. Parents sorry have lots to say but wont.

Yeah all lameness was addressed prior to opp but vet coming back out on Friday. I'm following what vet said to do with regards to riding etc and he is doing very little, any less and he'd be not ridden at all.

 

[charlie76]

We have a horse that was eventing at novice level. he had his hind suspensories operated on but like yours he is still not right.
he isnt crippled but not sound enough to do any more than light work/hacking.
i am in the fortunate situation that i have my own yard so he can stay here and do the odd bit when he is ok.
however, if this horse was on livery then there is no way we would consider keeping him, he would either be re homed to some one we trust or pts. we would not be in a financial situation to keep him as a pet.
he wont stay out 24/7 as he paces and paws at the gate if you leave him so this isnt an option.
of course in an ideal world we would keep all the broken ones forever but most people situations are far from ideal.

 

[Lolo]

When I was 18 I was in college, I worked every spare minute in the yard where I kept my 2 horses in return for their keep. I also did pub promotions at night to pay for shoes vet etc. Perhaps moving to a yard where you can work off your livery bill might be something to consider. Good luck

My sister also started contributing to the cost of her horse when she was in college.

However, the OP might be more like me. I left the house at 6:45am for 6th form, and didn't return til 6:30pm at the earliest. I would then have at least 2 hours of homework to do each night, and over the weekends would be doing 4 hours a day if I wasn't in school for a match/ rehearsal/ concert/ extra classes... There's no way on earth I could have kept a job without having a nervous breakdown as well.

 

[ClassicG&T]

I'm flat out as it is. Can't love livery yard as no other yard around here, and he won't live out as the situation with grass livery is poor and yard owner is inflexible. Can't take shoes off as he has poor feet and gets v foot sore.
Already getting up at 5:45 to see him in the morning and straight from school. Then working most evenings 5-10 so can't do more hours plus working weekends. I'm already paying for shoes, physio, feed etc but bank account is always empty due to paying some running cost so can't even save. I'm having to cram school work into frees at school.

 

[pipper]

Well OP I for one don't challenge your parents decision not to keep the horse as a happy hack if he was bought to compete. Not everyone keeps their horses as pets, I certainly don't. Unless you're in a position to take over the costs they ate absolutely right to consider putting him down.
This namby pamby attitude to horses is why we have such a glut of knackered horses filling up our charities and meaning fit and healthy horses have no place to go.
While its very sad for you, I wouldn't take much notice of the tut tutters. Unless of course they are willing to take the horse off your parents hands and pay for it to eat grass....

Well Said!

 

[Clodagh]

I'm flat out as it is. Can't love livery yard as no other yard around here, and he won't live out as the situation with grass livery is poor and yard owner is inflexible. Can't take shoes off as he has poor feet and gets v foot sore.
Already getting up at 5:45 to see him in the morning and straight from school. Then working most evenings 5-10 so can't do more hours plus working weekends. I'm already paying for shoes, physio, feed etc but bank account is always empty due to paying some running cost so can't even save. I'm having to cram school work into frees at school.

TBH I would have him put down. I don't keep horses as pets either, they have to do a job. It is harsh but they are too expensive and time consuming to have as ornaments, IMO. Go to uni, join the riding club and compete that way, a girl I know had a great time doing that and I hope my son is going to now.

 

[Ranyhyn]

If you can't do it - you can't do it. Not everyone is the same and simply because someone did something doesn't mean someone else can (or should) do the same.
Quite simply, you do not have to work yourself into the ground in order to keep your horse as a hack. You're a young lady with the whole of your life ahead of you to kill yourself working (and believe you probably will unless you're lucky) You sound like you're doing enough already! There is no rule that says you are horrible if you can't or wont put 100% hard work into saving a horse who will only be 10% what you wanted.

However, if you DO want to keep this horse, over every thing else - of course there are ways of doing it. But I feel from your posts you have enough on your plate and want to enjoy a horse who can fulfill your dreams. There's no shame in that. Good luck ClassicG&T.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

MM - I'd forgotten that the OP was 18.

Ahh well, if all the options are considered and the best thing is to PTS or rehome to a genuine home with his medical history laid bare, then that is the right thing to do.

 

[ClassicG&T]

If you can't do it - you can't do it. Not everyone is the same and simply because someone did something doesn't mean someone else can (or should) do the same.
Quite simply, you do not have to work yourself into the ground in order to keep your horse as a hack. You're a young lady with the whole of your life ahead of you to kill yourself working (and believe you probably will unless you're lucky) You sound like you're doing enough already! There is no rule that says you are horrible if you can't or wont put 100% hard work into saving a horse who will only be 10% what you wanted.

However, if you DO want to keep this horse, over every thing else - of course there are ways of doing it. But I feel from your posts you have enough on your plate and want to enjoy a horse who can fulfill your dreams. There's no shame in that. Good luck ClassicG&T.

Aww thanks

 

[MiniMilton]

Fingers crossed this new lameness is just a minor blip on his road to full recovery. Don't despair until the vet had fully assessed him

 

[YorksG]

OP have I understood correctly, that your horse is 5 years old and has been lame, intermitantly, since it was 3 and a half and has been evented? If after university, you decide to get another, I would suggest tat you give some serious thought to the management of it, particularly if you buy another youngster.

 

[ropa]

Don't give up hope yet. Maybe the vet will bring better news when they see him. If he could hack then I am sure he will make someone a very happy hacker. What about considering a sharer for him that would pay for the costs? You could also have a really good look around and try to find grass livery which is really cheap. Most yards don't advertise grass livery but if you ring around 30 yards i am sure you will probably find something for less than £100 pm which may be doable especially if you have a sharer to help with costs. I did the same and found a few. Takes time and some good google research but you will be surprised what you can find. Aim for yards which are in the sticks and are likely to have lots of grazing. Hope that helps. Hang in their kiddo. X

 

[Moomin1]

OP have I understood correctly, that your horse is 5 years old and has been lame, intermitantly, since it was 3 and a half and has been evented? If after university, you decide to get another, I would suggest tat you give some serious thought to the management of it, particularly if you buy another youngster.

This is the 2nd time I have agreed with you. I must be unwell! :-O

OP, why can you not just say to your parents that you are completely happy hacking him without eventing? I still don't get it?

Or are your parents actually just glory hunters who aren't interested in seeing you happy hack?

 

[abracadabra]

OP have I understood correctly, that your horse is 5 years old and has been lame, intermitantly, since it was 3 and a half and has been evented? If after university, you decide to get another, I would suggest tat you give some serious thought to the management of it, particularly if you buy another youngster.

Assuming (maybe wrongly) that OP means the horse is (was) destined to be an eventer, rather than is out doing already.

 

[AmyMay]

Or are your parents actually just glory hunters who aren't interested in seeing you happy hack?

Ooooo below the belt, and rather nasty.

 

[Moomin1]

Ooooo below the belt, and rather nasty.

No not at all, that is how OP has made it out. She says she is devastated that she is not going to be able to keep her horse which gives her so much pleasure. She says that her parents aren't willing to because they bought the horse for her to event with, not to 'happy hack'. OP seems to make out she would be happy to keep her horse even just to happy hack, but it is out of her control.

Now tell me something, if OP's parents could afford said horse when it was a budding eventer, then how can they not now be prepared to afford it now it's just a happy hacker, despite OP wanting to keep the horse? The parents sound like the ones who want the horse to be an eventer, whereas OP sounds like she is just desperate to keep her horse.

Sorry. Just how it reads to me. May be wrong.

 

[YorksG]

This is the 2nd time I have agreed with you. I must be unwell! :-O

OP, why can you not just say to your parents that you are completely happy hacking him without eventing? I still don't get it?

Or are your parents actually just glory hunters who aren't interested in seeing you happy hack?

I think we must both be unwell, as yet again I am agreeing with you!

 

[Elsbells]

Why's everybody wanting to beat up(metaphorically) some young kid who is unable to mentally, physically and financially, go against her parents wishes even if she wanted to?

If the horse can only hack, then what's wrong with it going to a hacking home where it'll be valued and wanted? I for one thank god every day for my stunning little mare that came my way only because she'd chucked in the SJ towel and unwanted by her semi pro SJ owner. Its not the end of the world, it's only change.

 

[Moomin1]

Why's everybody wanting to beat up(metaphorically) some young kid who is unable to mentally, physically and financially, go against her parents wishes even if she wanted to?

If the horse can only hack, then what's wrong with it going to a hacking home where it'll be valued and wanted? I for one thank god every day for my stunning little mare that came my way only because she'd chucked in the SJ towel and unwanted by her semi pro SJ owner. Its not the end of the world, it's only change.

Don't be ridiculous - nobody is 'beating up' OP about it. They are merely asking why, given the way she describes her predicament, she cannot simply have a nice chat with her parents (who wanted her horse to give her fun) and tell them that she is more than happy to just hack, and wants so much to keep her horse despite it being unfit for it's intended purpose.

One of two things strikes me. Either OP's parents' ARE glory hunters and pushy upon OP to compete or nothing (which actually doesn't ring quite true with me, because surely they would pts, or sell, and then get OP another competition horse), or OP isn't quite telling the full truth here, and she actually DOES still want to compete, and isn't happy with just a happy hacker, but feels guilty at getting rid of said horse and replacing.

Or maybe I am just cynical.

 

[Elsbells]

One of two things strikes me. Either OP's parents' ARE glory hunters and pushy upon OP to compete or nothing (which actually doesn't ring quite true with me, because surely they would pts, or sell, and then get OP another competition horse), or OP isn't quite telling the full truth here, and she actually DOES still want to compete, and isn't happy with just a happy hacker, but feels guilty at getting rid of said horse and replacing.

Or maybe I am just cynical.

I've read all the post and this does seem to be the case. Either way, she and the horse need to move on for everyone's sake.

 

[YorksG]

Why's everybody wanting to beat up(metaphorically) some young kid who is unable to mentally, physically and financially, go against her parents wishes even if she wanted to?

If the horse can only hack, then what's wrong with it going to a hacking home where it'll be valued and wanted? I for one thank god every day for my stunning little mare that came my way only because she'd chucked in the SJ towel and unwanted by her semi pro SJ owner. Its not the end of the world, it's only change.

No-one is beating anyone up, but hopefully she will take some things to think about from this thread, such as that horses are living beings, if you ask too much of them physically, when they are young and in this case, not ready for the work they are asked to do, then they will break down. That if you want to be involved in a sport, or pastime, that involves another living being, that you will have to be responsible for it. The message the OP is getting from her parents appears to be, that if the animal cannot do what THEY want it do, perhaps because of the demands made of it previously, their child must say goodbye to it, even if she wants to keep it to hack and have as a companion. A very sad situation and one which does not fit with my moral code, but obviously does fit with the OP's parents world view.

 

[Moomin1]

No-one is beating anyone up, but hopefully she will take some things to think about from this thread, such as that horses are living beings, if you ask too much of them physically, when they are young and in this case, not ready for the work they are asked to do, then they will break down. That if you want to be involved in a sport, or pastime, that involves another living being, that you will have to be responsible for it. The message the OP is getting from her parents appears to be, that if the animal cannot do what THEY want it do, perhaps because of the demands made of it previously, their child must say goodbye to it, even if she wants to keep it to hack and have as a companion. A very sad situation and one which does not fit with my moral code, but obviously does fit with the OP's parents world view.

Couldn't be better said.