Hi - I just inherited my Dad's horse. Have no idea what i am doing. Looking for assitance. She is 15.3, 23 years old and he's unable to look after her

Jessie the Horse said:
Where do i start. Have her in a professional livery yard, but thats all i've got at the moment.

thx
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Find out the yard contact details and arrange to meet with the Yard Owner/Yard Manager to discuss the situation.

Is your dad/are you able to continue paying for full livery (that means all of the care is provided by the yard)? Is the horse in good health?
 
TPO said:
Find out the yard contact details and arrange to meet with the Yard Owner/Yard Manager to discuss the situation.

Is your dad/are you able to continue paying for full livery (that means all of the care is provided by the yard)? Is the horse in good health?
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Already arranged. I haven't worked out the details of what I will be paying as yet or what should be included.
 
Are the livery yard prepared to provide full care 365 days a year? If so the best solution is probably just to pay them for full care. Explain to them that you need support and a bit of handhold. If they are decent they will be fine with that although may charge a bit extra. If they can't do this then you may need to investigate retirement livery.

Is your Dad able to have input into his horse's care even if he can't do the physical care? If so that's what needs to happen. If not it might be a bit more tricky.

If the horse has significant veterinary issues then you may need to consider whether appropriate care is possible and if not discuss euthanasia but hopefully Dad and the yard manager can help you consider whether this is an issue.
 
Kat said:
Are the livery yard prepared to provide full care 365 days a year? If so the best solution is probably just to pay them for full care. Explain to them that you need support and a bit of handhold. If they are decent they will be fine with that although may charge a bit extra. If they can't do this then you may need to investigate retirement livery.

Is your Dad able to have input into his horse's care even if he can't do the physical care? If so that's what needs to happen. If not it might be a bit more tricky.

If the horse has significant veterinary issues then you may need to consider whether appropriate care is possible and if not discuss euthanasia but hopefully Dad and the yard manager can help you consider whether this is an issue.
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Euthanasia for a healthy horse ? Um. I think I've come to the wrong place.
 
bonny said:
Why not provide a few more details and then you should get some helpful answers ?
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As I said it's my dad's horse. Not mine. I don't really have a lot of details except her age and height. Her condition is good for her age. My question is really to understand where to start with the horse. I am new to this.
 
How has the horse been managed before going into livery? Living out full time in company? Kept alone? Stabled some of the time and turned out the rest? Another routine?

Does she have ongoing health issues that you know of such as Cushing's or arthritis that she ought to be taking medication for?

Are you horsey?
 
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Tiddlypom said:
How has the horse been managed before going into livery? Living out full time in company? Kept alone? Stabled some of the time and turned out the rest? Another routine?

Does she have ongoing health issues that you know of such as Cushing's or arthritis that she ought to be taking medication for?
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She's been left in a paddock on her own since her companion died a few years back. She doesn't have any health issues that I am aware of except maybe she needs the farrier for her feet (unshod and hooves cracked and broken at edges) there is a farrier at the yard so that is easier.
She has been ridden in the past but not for a long time.
 
Jessie the Horse said:
She's been left in a paddock on her own since her companion died a few years back. She doesn't have any health issues that I am aware of except maybe she needs the farrier for her feet (unshod and hooves cracked and broken at edges) there is a farrier at the yard so that is easier. Also she is put in a stable when it's cold or too wet.
She has been ridden in the past but not for a long time.
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The elephant in the room is cost. Will Dad still be paying? Livery can range from about £20 pw to have the horse living out in a shared field and you do all the work, to the horse being stabled and worked, fed accordingly etc, which will cost well in excess of £100 pw.

You will find that many here have a pragmatic view of pts, having seen varies examples of elderly horses being sold on, abandoned, uncared for. Or going for meat. Better that someone kindly puts a horse down than any of those scenerios.
 
Spotherisk said:
The elephant in the room is cost. Will Dad still be paying? Livery can range from about £20 pw to have the horse living out in a shared field and you do all the work, to the horse being stabled and worked, fed accordingly etc, which will cost well in excess of £100 pw.

You will find that many here have a pragmatic view of pts, having seen varies examples of elderly horses being sold on, abandoned, uncared for. Or going for meat. Better that someone kindly puts a horse down than any of those scenerios.
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PTS ?
 
Tiddlypom said:
How has the horse been managed before going into livery? Living out full time in company? Kept alone? Stabled some of the time and turned out the rest? Another routine?

Does she have ongoing health issues that you know of such as Cushing's or arthritis that she ought to be taking medication for?

Are you horsey?
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I grew up around horses but ironically never looked after one myself.
 
Do you know who your Dad's vet was? There aren't many in each town so a bit of phoning round will soon tell you. Explain the situation to them & get her previous medical history if you can.
If you have no idea what vaccines & wormers she's had I'd arrange a vet visit & get her a full M.O.T. . The yard will put you in touch with their vet. He'll be able to tell you if she seems to have any immediate health issues, worm her & he will probably start her vaccinations from scratch if you don't know what she's had recently. My vet does teeth also but if yours doesn't I'd get a dentist to check her too. Ask the vet if she's the right weight. If she's used to being in a paddock all the time she'll be happiest in a place where she can still be outside most of the time - what is your livery's policy on turnout?
 
She's had tetanus and flu up to date and was wormed last night.
Will get teeth checked. I think her weight is good. I've known this horse for a long time. She's not over / under weight afaik but will get their opinion thanks.
 
Jessie the Horse said:
Euthanasia for a healthy horse ? Um. I think I've come to the wrong place.
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You may think its harsh, but keeping an elderly, even healthy horse is expensive, just like old people they need more maintenance and any small problems picked up quickly before they progress. It's a responsibility with no fixed end, and at some point having it PTS may be in either in the horses best interests, or the most financially variable option. Lots of members on here have old horses and it comes to everyone, so perhaps we are just a bit more realistic about the prognosis and pitfalls of keeping an elderly horse.
I would look for a retirement livery space, where they are used to maintenance care for older horses, it will not be as expensive as full livery, and as they care for animals who often have health issues they can probably give you an idea how good the animals is for its age/type
If your dad has been forgetful, it will probably need worming, farrier and a vet check, just to make sure things have been done. Getting the right sort of livery where she can have company, turnout, and fodder and feed depending on her condition, is perhaps the best thing. I would try and get things sorted before the weather changes, and once it gets wet, it will be a lot harder to find a space.
Sorry to hear about your dad, I know you want to do the best for the horse, like your dad would do.
 
Sorry to hear about your Dad and it's a lovely thing to want to step up and be involved in a family horse.

I think full retirement livery sounds like it'll be the best solution, at least at the beginning whilst you find your feet and then you might decide to take on more care. They will be used to looking after more elderly horses and should be able to advise you on further care.

Where abouts (roughly) are you in the country? Perhaps someone will be able to recommend a yard for you.

Please don't be offended by the suggestion of PTS, elderly horses are often a lot of money, time and experience to manage to ensure they are not in pain. I can appreciate that is possibly a lot to take in but PTS can be the final kindness, not something to be feared. But, it sounds like she's in good health so not something to worry about just yet.

Wishing you all the best of luck - for your Dad's health and looking after his mare.
 
luckyoldme said:
What would you like to do? Would you like to be physically involved in her care.
Personally I can't think of anything better than to have the time and money to devote to a horse like this. She might just be the best thing that ever happened to you.
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What LOM said! Go and spend some time with her, she has a lot of history ? she may just help you through any difficulties you may have, dementia is not easy ?
 
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