Help Needed Finding a 'Retirement' Home

Flibble

Flibble

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Gloucestershire
www.annamason-art.co.uk
It looks as if my Horse is not going to recover from his Suspensory Ligament injury so how do I retire him.

He's at a Livery Yard and has been stabled for the last 12 years (he's 16).

He is Cleveland Bay Cross and a good doer with perfect manners and would probably hack out if it was only in walk.

He's good with Vets Farriers small children dogs and loads himself.

So Help..... What do I do ??
 
You need to be very careful when looking for a retirement home - the article below explains why:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/article.php?aid=47818

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I heard there is a guy in Amersham that will help you out..... he takes these sort of horses in.

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GT that is sooooooooooo WRONG!!!!
 
Are you attempting to find someone to take him on so you don't have to pay for him or are you looking for retirement livery?
 
In an ideal world it will be someone to take him on.

If I have to go for Retirement Livery thats all that will be left as I have just been made redundant.

IF I cant find him the right home then I will have to go on paying his keep and give up Riding. A bit of a shame as I paint horses for a living now I havent got the day job!
 
I understand that everyone has different opinions on situations like this, but my 8 year old mare was retired about 3 months ago due to severe kissing spines.

I can not afford another horse while I have her so I will not be able to ride again. There is no way I would even consider not keeping her. She has a home for life with me as she has been my best friend for the past 5 years and I feel I owe her that at least.

I struggle to understand people that want to get rid as soon as they find out their horse cannot be ridden. I'm gutted that Lottie can't be ridden again, she was bought to event, but that's life and it is something I have to get on with.

I might be shot down for this but it is my opinion.
 
my horse is on retirement livery and i've gone 2yrs without riding because i'd never get rid of him. i've just had a payrise and can now think about affording another one, but it will push me to the limits of my budget each month. i dont care though, i would never ever ever get rid of Dan. He costs £150 a month full livery - they book the farrier, hold him to be trimmed, feed him, check him twice daily, rug if needed, change rugs if needed, do any vet care needed and all hay and hard feed is included - it's £120 a month in summer too. I go and see him and spend time grooming him at weekends. I wouldn't loan him out - too much of a risk.
 
Sorry to hear about your horse
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Just retired my boy at 13 due to joint problem
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He's been stabled at night for last I don't know how many years. I am keeping his routine the same but I have taken his back shoes off and he doesn't do any work now, he just eat, sleeps and poo's
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He looks alot like a woolly mammoth and has kept his weight on this year, it's great
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My point is valid - I would put my horse down if they could not be ridden. Nothing wrong with it, atleast you know they do not fall into the wrong hands. 10 good years is better then and calling it is a day is better than running the risk, and being past from pilar to post.
 
It is very Difficult.
My Previous horse a mare fractured a pedal bone and went off to be a brood mare for seven years locally I met all her foals and when she had finished that career she was rehomed with a friend who has still got her at the grand old age of 25.

Geldings are harder and I would not send my boy off just anywhere which is why I am requesting Help and opinions.
I dont intend making a quick decision on where he goes but my current livery costs about £350 a month!!

He is not going anywhere until spring it would not be fair.
 
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In an ideal world it will be someone to take him on.

If I have to go for Retirement Livery thats all that will be left as I have just been made redundant.

IF I cant find him the right home then I will have to go on paying his keep and give up Riding. A bit of a shame as I paint horses for a living now I havent got the day job!

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I think that this is the dilema that many owners find themselves in either eventually through old age or forced retirement. And one that needs to be considered very carefully when actually buying a horse. If you have a friend that is looking for a companion and is willing to let you keep their horse with them for free, then brilliant. But how realistic is this?

There are too many horror stories out there about people advertising for companions - only for the owner to discover sometime later that it was a ruse for getting and selling on 'retired' horses.

I was in your position very recently - and have to say that I opted to my mare to sleep. It may be a harsh decision in some people's eyes - but it was one I felt I made in the best interests of the horse and myself.

Of course you could always continue to keep him at his current livery yard, and 'cadge' rides off friends - there's always something that needs exercising.....
 
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