criso
Coming over here & taking your jobs since 1900
Had a quick look and my local one has says ideally weighs at least 550kg and gelding or mare that hasn't had a foal so a smaller chunky horse might be suitable.
How late can I leave it?
- Thread starter pistolpete
- Start date
Had a quick look and my local one has says ideally weighs at least 550kg and gelding or mare that hasn't had a foal so a smaller chunky horse might be suitable.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Ah I feel for you. Hope your seven year old brings you much joy.I too have a retired highland (suspensory injury in fore, plus undiagnosed stifle problem), but he'll be 23 in May. I just took a deep breath and got another one ... it's a bit of a push financially, but I'm not ready to hang up my boots just yet, so I went for it. My new one is 7 (not another highland), I'm 68 ... it's never too late. But I share your issue with your highland. Mine is just about field sound, and happy enough pottering about most of the time, and then has intermittent bouts of severe, and clearly very painful, hind lameness due to the stifle problem requiring hefty doses of pain killers and days of box rest to get him back on three legs. At some point I know I'm going to have to call it a day with him. It will certainly be more comfortable financially to just go back to having one, but I'm reluctant to let that be a consideration in the big decision, so I just get on with it. It's a tough one. Reading the answers here with interest.
Cutgrass
Well-Known Member
This is surely just washing your hands of having an unrideable horse pts yourself though? Who knows how long they will be productive at the blood bank for. Presumably the blood banks buy cheaply and pts without too much thought once a horse has done the job. I'd think it kinder for a pony to be pts in comfortable surroundings sooner rather than enduring a move, various medical procedures and then potentially being sent off to an abbatoir or similar.
criso
Coming over here & taking your jobs since 1900
I just know the one at my local vet hospital and it's a much nicer life than alot of horses have. The fields they are on look alot better than the many of the retirement options available in the area and they live in a herd. They don't have multiple medical procedures, just blood taken when needed by hospital patients.
They don't buy cheaply, they have a long waiting list of people wanting to donate and they wouldnt be sent off to an abbatoir but pts onsite though being a teaching hospital they might be used afterwards as a teaching aid for the vet students. I don't know that, just thinking it could be a possibility.
A 15 year old horse may well have to put up with several moves as owner's needs change or local facilities change, we're not talking about an elderly horse here that it wouldn't be right to move but a relatively young one that can't be ridden.
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Cutgrass
Well-Known Member
Totally appreciate that a 15 yo horse isn't old and may go through several moves anyway at that age, and my example is definitely the more negative end of the spectrum, but my point really was that decisions about Quinn's future would be out of @pistolpete's hands.
Having blood taken is a medical procedure and not all horses will be happy with that. The idea that a horse's life will be good if it's passed on to an organisation with altruistic aims is a nice but naive one. Our local RDA ponies supposedly have a 'nice' life but in reality suffer from the lack of an owner. I won't go into too much detail, but minor medical conditions have gone untreated and the group has economised by spending less on the ponies as it had no other costs it can cut.
Having blood taken is a medical procedure and not all horses will be happy with that. The idea that a horse's life will be good if it's passed on to an organisation with altruistic aims is a nice but naive one. Our local RDA ponies supposedly have a 'nice' life but in reality suffer from the lack of an owner. I won't go into too much detail, but minor medical conditions have gone untreated and the group has economised by spending less on the ponies as it had no other costs it can cut.
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
I had to unexpectedly retire my mare after she caught Lymes disease. But at 70 and a whole lifetime of horses no way was I ready to retire from riding myself. I treated myself to a stunning big 17.3 horse of a lifetime for my 70 birthday.
. I had a fantastic year with him and then had a stupid yard accident, managed to knock myself out, damage my lower back and both hips. Hips were probably already on the way out but landing flat on my back just finished them off.
I was not able to look after him and ride him obviously, so his previous owner very kindly took him back to look after him until I was able for him again. Unfortunately COVID slowed all ops down and still only one hip fixed 18 months on. Also realize I really will never be quite mobile or nimble enough for him again, so I made the difficult decision to sell him back to his previous owner.
Other hip should be done in a couple of weeks, and hopefully if I don't need a back op, late summer I will be looking for a new smaller, less sturdy type to get riding again. I will be 73 and have no intention of giving up God willing! ?
Luckily I have plenty of room here at home to keep as many as I like, but I do appreciate it is very different if you are on livery. Very difficult decision for you, but I think the suggestion to maybe try for a part share is a good option. Just don,'t give up, you have years of happy riding still ahead of you.
. I had a fantastic year with him and then had a stupid yard accident, managed to knock myself out, damage my lower back and both hips. Hips were probably already on the way out but landing flat on my back just finished them off.
I was not able to look after him and ride him obviously, so his previous owner very kindly took him back to look after him until I was able for him again. Unfortunately COVID slowed all ops down and still only one hip fixed 18 months on. Also realize I really will never be quite mobile or nimble enough for him again, so I made the difficult decision to sell him back to his previous owner.
Other hip should be done in a couple of weeks, and hopefully if I don't need a back op, late summer I will be looking for a new smaller, less sturdy type to get riding again. I will be 73 and have no intention of giving up God willing! ?
Luckily I have plenty of room here at home to keep as many as I like, but I do appreciate it is very different if you are on livery. Very difficult decision for you, but I think the suggestion to maybe try for a part share is a good option. Just don,'t give up, you have years of happy riding still ahead of you.
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Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
Would you refuse a blood donation for your horse if it was needed?
Christmascinnamoncookie
Fais pas chier!
I thought you'd just got a new horse? Isn't he backed yet?
Depends if he's on any meds. Give the nearest Rvc a nudge. If he's in any kind of pain, tho, I think I'd pts. Incredibly hard decision to make, but I'm glad I did it, I couldn't see him suffer. I have no idea if your boy is suffering, but a stifle in bits doesn't sound good.
criso
Coming over here & taking your jobs since 1900
If horses didn't get "passed on" to veterinary hospitals, then our horses wouldn't get life saving blood transfusion and taking blood is not hugely invasive however a horse that minded wouldn't be taken on, it's one of the strict criteria and they are in a position to pick and choose.
Several people on this thread suggested rehoming as a companion. I would be much more worried about that as even with the best intentions, circumstances change and the horse might be moved on. A horse with mild lameness and relatively young could be buted and sold on as a ridden horse. So I suggested an alternative where that couldn't happen.
I would certainly send any of my horses there if they were suitable. I actually kept my retired one on livery because I selfishly wanted to see him more often than occasionally however he spent alot of time in horsepital, loved vets and arguably would have been happier out 24/7 in a mud free field.
ETA link to the one near me. https://thehorse.com/156039/behind-the-scenes-with-blood-donor-horses/
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pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Thanks for suggestions. Rightly or wrongly I feel very responsible about his future. While he is well I’d like him to live as nice a life as I can. He’s currently on seven acres with three pals. Minimal handling and daily hay. He wouldn’t tolerate the veterinary treatments at the blood bank. His first owner couldn’t catch him for 12 weeks he’s quite feral at times. Appreciate the suggestions though.
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
It sounds as though you are giving him a very nice life, and prioritising his needs and comfort- he is a lucky pony. I hope that you are able to enjoy another when the time is right.
Cutgrass
Well-Known Member
No. Why do you ask?
What I would do is pts a pony with a condition like poor op's highland has rather than sending them to live at a blood bank as I wouldn't be able to guarantee their quality of life or care. That's easy for me to say as of course Quinn's not my horse. I can see why it feels like an impossible decision and the op feels stuck.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
That’s very kind of you. I hope so too. The gorgeous Connie I’m riding one day a week reminds me it’s still my favourite thing on the planet!
Cutgrass
Well-Known Member
I do feel for you. Do you think you'd feel as unsure about this situation if your partner was supportive?
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
I have a Connie who makes me feel like that too, long may it last!
MotherOfChickens
MotherDucker
While I don’t think the blood banks are a bad life for a horse, they aren’t all that either and the system doesn’t suit all horses. And I am speaking from direct experience of one over period of a few years.
op I think you are admirable and hope another pony gets as lucky some day.
op I think you are admirable and hope another pony gets as lucky some day.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Thank you. I think I’m still getting over losing my warmblood who I lost in 2020. The horse in my picture. He was super special. Waiting for him to send me my next.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
No because if he said go for it I’d be on a mission to find something. He’s not worth fighting at the moment but it may come to that sadly.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Good ones are amazing horses. Pony nimbleness quick brains but comfortable and oh so friendly this chap. Love him!
paddy555
Well-Known Member
totally agree. It must be very hard for the old dears to struggle from their bath chairs to their zimmer frames as they try to look after a horse.
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
You've probably thought if this already but could you increase your share days with him? He sounds delightful!
Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
So you expect blood to be available for your horse, should it be needed? But also think it's not acceptable to send a horse to the bloodbank?
That doesn't make any sense at all.
OP has since said he wouldn't tolerate the vet treatments, so obviously it's not an option- but if no-one sent field sound horses to the bloodbank, there'd be no blood when needed...
Cutgrass
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's unacceptable to send a horse to the blood bank. And of course blood must come from somewhere. What I have said is that I wouldn't do it in these circumstances and it doesn't sound like it would suit the op as she feels a real duty of care to her horse. I'm sure it works for some but can't see how it's fair on the horse in a situation where its owner is considering pts but can't face it. Does that make sense?
Cutgrass
Well-Known Member
I wonder whether it's worth sitting down and discussing with him? He may not be aware how much of a toll all this is taking on you.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
I’d love to. He has another sharer as well sadly.
Ratface
Well-Known Member
I'm 77, and my horse is 30. We're both arrogant, peevish gits. Depending on the weather and my nerve, we go out about three times a week. Horse is a senseless speed-freak, so am I. However, as I'm the one who pays his 5* hotel bill, I have to negotiate the pace, so that I am less likely to die in transit. So far, it's worked out OK.
Vet, farrier, dentist, breeder and YO/YM say he's well enough in body and mind to enjoy and benefit from our our little outings.
I've had him 10 years. When his health, or attitude changes, I will provide whatever is in his best interests, including being pts.
Vet, farrier, dentist, breeder and YO/YM say he's well enough in body and mind to enjoy and benefit from our our little outings.
I've had him 10 years. When his health, or attitude changes, I will provide whatever is in his best interests, including being pts.
Melody Grey
Well-Known Member
Always worth mentioning that to the owner- you never know when circumstances may change?
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Agree. I have said I need another one at some point. It’s like the elephant in the room!
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
She calls me if other sharer is busy which is fab.
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
Could you could think about using the elephant wisely? When my pony needed two weeks off, I used the opportunity to help my OH really appreciate the freedom me having a horse gives him (he sometimes makes noises about the horse).
I made lots of lists for DIY jobs, I came with him to buy the stuff, I tried to 'help' do the DIY jobs and in between went browsing/shopping for house things together - we wasted so much time in IKEA! I tried to instigate chats whilst the football was on (I think I asked him to explain the rules too) ...
When pony got the nod to return back to work OH offered to come out on foot with me for the first ride & then shoved me out the door the next day and told me there was no hurry ? Could the use of a strategical elephant pay a little somehow?
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