Heartbroken and in desperate need of help

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Hovis_and_SidsMum

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We're just back from the vets with sidney and the news isn't good. In fact its the worse possible. We've had the straws we were grasping at ripped out of our hands.
He's no better at all so the vets have said we're out of options. Our beautiful boy will have to be retired or put to sleep as he will not be ridden again.
If we had our own land there would be no contest - he'd see out his days with us. He is so affectionate and loves being around people so would be quite happy pottling about his field with horsey friends and having cuddles.
But we don't have our own land and we simply can't afford to keep him where he is and him not be rideable. Hubby is heartbroken - i don't think either of us have stopped crying since we were told at lunchtime.
As a last desperate roll of the dice we're looking into charities / retirement homes to see if we can find anywhere we can afford to send him.
Do any of you know of anywhere we can try? We're in Lincoln but we'll go anywhere to find him the right home.
He's been through so much, he's the love of my life and I can't just give up on him. Any help anyone can give in pointing us to someone who could help would be gratefully appreciated.
 
I’m sorry I can’t help but just wanted to send hugs as I really feel for you and your husband!
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Im sorry to hear your news. If you lived over here; you could keep him with our 9 horses. we have 25 hectacres.

I hope you can re home in.
 
Does Henryhorn have retirement horses? I think you have to pay though, sorry not much help what awful news
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I would have thought demand for a 17.2hh companion is rather limited unfortunately.

Keeping him in retirement at your current yard shouldn't be any more expensive than keeping him now. Sadly it's probably your choice between this or destroying him - unless you can persuade one of the already very overloaded charities to take him on.
 
Loan him out as a companion? Advertise him on local websites and in local papers? It seems such a shame to have to put to sleep
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I really hope you can find somewhere for him.
**Hugs coming your way**
Izzi xx
 
I think you will be surprised that there will be potential homes out there for him. We took on a 22yo horse (and his donkey pal) from the Blue Cross many years ago, we could still ride him but only for a couple of years as his check ligaments started going and he'd trip so wasn't safe. He lived to the ripe old age of 36 and he was a looney but lovely in his own way (!). He wasn't huge but was a big 15.2/15.3hh we guessed CB x TB type.

Don't give up, if he's happy and well himself there's no reason why he can't be rehomed. Sadly I am not able to myself but that's mainly cos we have a nasty bully of a pony and it's too stressful (for me!) introducing new ones. Not to mention my mum would despair! Still, contact what charities you can see what they can do, i think there are more out than people reckon. If he was old I'd suggest the kindest option is to PTS but it seems such a shame if he's young and otherwise healthy and happy.
 
Gah, my heart breaks for you, i'm so sorry to hear this.
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Sadly I cannot think of anywhere but if I do I will let you know.
 
I feel for you. I tried a few years ago to find a home for our horse with navicular/shivers.......no one wants a horse 16.1 hh horse that needs remedial shoeing that cant be ridden...charities are only interested in mistreated horses.......in the end the decision was made for us as he underwent a character change from the low grade pain I think, and started biting ( us and other horses) ...and he was PTS. Hoping you find a home. My aim on retirement is to find a house with a bit of land for my daughters has beens!

Ali
 
I'm so sorry. If it's any consolation, if he is pts he won't anticipate it. You will be heartbroken, he won't be aware of a thing. It is up to you of course, but it is the only certain way of taking control of his future. Sometimes the hardest decision is the kindest. Huge hugs to you.
 
Why do you have to get rid of him? If you care as much as you say should riding really be the issue here?
I dont mean to sound nasty- sorry if i do, its just i think too many people palm their old horse off when it becomes unrideable or cant preform to the desired standard anymore.
I spent about 6 months trawling through internet ads and was horrified at the amount of elderly horses being "rehomed" Do we not owe something to the animals who give us the best years of their life.. Sorry like i said i don't mean to sound horrible, its just something i feel strongly about
 
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Why do you have to get rid of him? If you care as much as you say should riding really be the issue here?
I dont mean to sound nasty- sorry if i do, its just i think too many people palm their old horse off when it becomes unrideable or cant preform to the desired standard anymore.
I spent about 6 months trawling through internet ads and was horrified at the amount of elderly horses being "rehomed" Do we not owe something to the animals who give us the best years of their life.. Sorry like i said i don't mean to sound horrible, its just something i feel strongly about

[/ QUOTE ]

In response to your post, alot of people can only afford to keep one horse. To keep one that cannot be ridden is a very expensive pet. Hence why older horses are often moved on.

Back to OP, what is wrong with him? DOes he have an illness or just something that makes him unrideable.
I know its hard, but you need to ask yourself, if he goes somewhere as a companion what will his quality of life be like?
Perhaps try the BlueCross? Maybe also Redwings, although they primairily deal in welfare cases you may get lucky!
 
I am sorry to hear that the prognosis isn't good, and I may be going against the grain here (I haven't read any of the other posts).

Would Sidney be field sound on medication? From your earlier posts I gather that he is on full livery and both horses are costing you a fortune and your life has become very stressful recently and it's all becoming too much?

If he will be happy being kept as a pet then perhaps you could move both horses to a DIY livery yard where the outgoings would be less and you would still be able to look after him yourselves?

I am in a similar position to you in that I have two horses, one of which is still ok for hacking, but the other (Ruey) is kept field sound on 1 sachet of Danilon a day. I don't have my own land but they are kept on DIY and are kept like a couple of princes.

Ruey lives the life of Riley. If Sidney would be happy on a reasonable dosage of medication and you feel he would still enjoy life out in the field, being pampered etc. then it is still in your power to give him a life.

To have a horse put down just because he cannot be ridden any more goes against the grain with me, especially as you and your husband love him so much.

To have a horse put down just because he can no longer be ridden may be a viable reason or some people, but if the horse has a reasonable chance of a happy life until he can no longer be medicated then I would not be able to sleep at nights if he were mine.

It's not the end of the world if a horse cannot be ridden, as long as he is kept happy and stimulated in other ways. Please don't feel you are being forced into making a hasty decision because of your current cirumstances.

If Sidney will be comfortable on field rest and/or medication then it is not the end of the world. It's just a question of finding an environment that is suitable for him where you will have the ultimate say on how he is kept.

I hope I haven't got the wrong end of the stick here, but I know from your previous posts how much you and your husband love Sidney and I am sure it would crucify you to cut his life short if it doesn't have to be this way.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
 
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I dont mean to sound nasty- sorry if i do, its just i think too many people palm their old horse off when it becomes unrideable or cant preform to the desired standard anymore.


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Because people don't have the money or facilities to keep a horse that can't be ridden, or the courage to have it pts. I hate seeing old horses (20+) being rehomed after years of faithful service, but this is a different scenario.
 
Have just reread my post and realise that I sound like a broken record!

Don't despair. If you really want to keep Sidney then you will find a way. It is always darkest before dawn........
 
No practical help I'm afraid but just to say that brought tears to my eyes and my heart goes out to you all at this time. I do really really hope you can find somewhere for Sidney xxxxx
 
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