Horses you own that you can't ride...

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tasel

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Ok, so going on from my last post - what do you do when you have a young horse (in this case a mare) who is 5 years old. Unfortunately, she injured herself so that the chances of recovery for riding purposes are quite slim.

And you do not have your own paddock, by the way (that would be too easy otherwise).

So, what would you do? Particularly interested in the experience of those who have been in this situation before.
 
apart from the broodmare option that was discussed yesterday

Have you thought of sending her somewhere on retirement livery?
 
Personally, I tried and find somewhere she could be a companion horse, providing shes sane. Sorry, I must have missed your last post and sorry your in this position
 
Galaxy23 - yes, looking into that option right now. Problem is finding a place that is actually good and that won't close down in the next few years. Anyone know one in the Oxfordshire area, let me know... Also, she is quite young and might upset the older horses???

Benjy1 - Thanks for your thoughts. As above, she is only 5 and full of life. That's the problem really... that might be a bit difficult? Thing is, if I had a paddock and another horse, she'd be fine as a companion horse for me//my other horse - but I would be taking the risk/responsibility there rather than someone else which I assume would be the case were she a companion horse...
 
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pm HenryHorn. She does it and has been for a while and I don't think she's shutting up shop any time soon.... She also breeds Sports Horses, so won't care about a younger horse.

She's west country way though, not local to you I'm afraid.
 
Not always an option (certainly not the cheapest option!), but mine has been on grass livery with Thoroughlybred1 for about a year. She can't be at home because everyone else comes in through the winter, and she can't be stabled, and can't be left out alone, so she's had a lovely year stuffing her face and costing me money!
Now that I'm in the position to have her back home, she'll be coming back next week, and no longer costing me money!
She was the first horse I bought with my own money, and I swore to her the day I got her that she'd never ever be sold on. She's so special to me that £15 a week is worth it to keep her happy.So many people have told me to shoot her as she is basically useless and can be incredibly quirky, but she's my friend and I felt I owed it to her to keep her even though she can't be ridden/used as a broodmare/companion/anything remotely useful!
Good luck!
 
Starzaan - I think we are in a similar situation. First horse, the promise... the only difference is that where I live, grass livery can cost about £50 a week!!! For £15, I'd gladly do it!!! Where do you live?
 
Gloucestershire is where she is (near to home) but I'm living at work 45 mins away in Oxfordshire, near Chipping Norton.
I'm opening a yard in September and will be charging £15 a week grass livery, would she like to come and live with my mare? PM me if you're interested! Also, if you're looking for something in the mean time, my mare is coming home next week, so there'll be a space in Bourton on the water for one more... would you like me to ask around for some grass livery for you? Round where we are I've never been quoted more than £20 a week for grass livery! OOH! And just had a thought for somewhere FAB for her to go for the summer.....at £15 a week...
PM me before I explode!
 
We have a mare that we currently cant ride, bringing her back into work v slowly after 6 months off after ks. If she never recovered to riding standard (which isnt looking likely atm but if it did...) then we would keep her, as shes more than happy eating grass in her field. We'd probably have to get a companion as she does stress like mad without one (and eventually my youngster would be out eventing with me), but she'd be happy. HOWEVER - if they were really unhappy just being stuck in a field, even as a companion, I'd pts. dont like the idea of a blood donor although i realise thats my own ignorance. xxxx
 
It may take a bit of time to find the right home but why not advertise her as a companion -but mention you are still will still pay costs (farrier, food, etc) and therefore can still keep a keen interest in her welfare.

If you are FLEIXBLE on what you can offer it might throw up an interesting option, or it might not, but you have very little to loose!!

For example, when I had my first horse and was looking for a companion, I would have been so happy if I had found somebody who would have lent me their horse, paid a few maintenance bill and perhaps looked after (& ride?) my horse so that we could go away, that would have been the most perfect arrangement.

Good luck.
 
I retired one of mine at 5yo with an incurable foot problem. I kept him as a companion and he recently died aged 29. I don't have my own land but rent space on a private yard at a very reasonable rate.
 
i might be facing similar decisions next yr if my horse doesn't come sound. He's just turned 8 and i already have a 24yr old who is very healthy but not quite 100% sound so only copes with light hacking, but might go on for yrs yet. I just cant keep 2 horses doing nothing and not have anything to ride :( Plus, the thought of keeping the youngster on restricted grazing that's available at my yard for the next 20yrs is not good. I cant afford 3 of them though. I dont think he'd make a great companion and i'm scared of loaning him out in case something awful happens. I just dont know what I'll do :(
 
billy2 - I think you're going to give my OH a heart attack!!! I told him that, and he was like :o

star - I feel for you. I do hope my mare would miraculously recover. But I'm hoping that since she is a mare she may have some use yet. Though the current idea is to probably put her on grass livery when I find a space and then get a loan horse for a year or so. Once you do DIY/rent field... the costs of having two horses instead of one isn't actually that much. But you have to be lucky to find one such place!!!
 
I bought a young cob filly 10 years ago and we had loads of fun in SJ, Dressage, hunting, everything really...

Then she went lame at the end of 2008 and after rest it didn't get any better and actually brought on Laminitis :( she had a year off but when I tired her again this year she is still showing up short on the injured leg.

I have just come to the conclusion that she is now my lady of leisure!! Although I am lucky 'cos I ride my mums Arab if I didn't have him to ride I really don't know what I'd do Well I don't think there would be anything I could do to be honest :(
 
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