How late can I leave it?

[pistolpete]

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 use of an elephant pay a little somehow?

Love your style!

 

[SO1]

As someone who is a human blood donor I would not say blood donation is an awful medical procedure.

I expect that it is not awful for most horses either. Horse kept at RVC have access to good care if anything they look a little overweight in the photos and they have shelter and good grazing and companionship.

I know someone who sent there horse there but he didn't settle he was a bit tricky to handle they did not pts she took him back and then retired him somewhere else for about 6 months and then pts. He was a young horse and she potenitially had 20 or more years of retirement livery to fund and he was not easy. She said the care at RVC was great much better than a lot of retirement yards.

Obviously not suitable for a horse that is difficult to catch as time is the essence in an emergency.

As he is a highland and rare breed you might be able to rehome through the breed society if someone has land and needs a companion or just enjoys having them around or they might be able to offer a cheap retirement option. Is he sound enough to do any in hand activity such as in hand showing?

I would say the problem maybe at 70 funding a horse if you are not working unless you have a very good pension or other income.

I am 50 this year and have a 20 year old NF who I have had for 15 years. I hope he will continue to be around for the 10 next years or even longer by which time I will be 60. If I was going to get another horse at 60 I probably would go for an older equine as there would be the risk that I would die of old age first otherwise or be unable to look after it due getting an age related health condition or struggling with costs if not working and relying on pension.

If you want to ride more could you do some riding holidays or weekends away or is that not affordable.

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.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

PP my friend is 66 this year and has just got herself a lovely rising 3 year old cob
I think most things are doable if the desire to do so is still there. Quinn looks like a sweetheart and I can understand your reticence about making his retirement shorter. It is worth bearing in mind though that horses have no concept of tomorrow and it wouldn't be a terrible thing to pts. Alot of people (myself included) make themselves unhappy due to feelings of moral duty etc but horses are too expensive and time consuming to be feeling that way....besides, life is too damned short..!!!

 

[pistolpete]

PP my friend is 66 this year and has just got herself a lovely rising 3 year old cob
I think most things are doable if the desire to do so is still there. Quinn looks like a sweetheart and I can understand your reticence about making his retirement shorter. It is worth bearing in mind though that horses have no concept of tomorrow and it wouldn't be a terrible thing to pts. Alot of people (myself included) make themselves unhappy due to feelings of moral duty etc but horses are too expensive and time consuming to be feeling that way....besides, life is too damned short..!!!

He looks cute and cuddly but he’s actually aloof and independent! I just don’t have it in me to end his life prematurely.

 

[ycbm]

He looks cute and cuddly but he’s actually aloof and independent! I just don’t have it in me to end his life prematurely.

He looks just like what a lot of people want in a companion for their good doers. I would have him put down myself rather than allow him to cause me the depression he seems to be causing you, but perhaps branding him loss of use as a big warning to help prevent him ever being passed on and loaning him out would be an option.
.

 

[pistolpete]

He looks just like what a lot of people want in a companion for their good doers. I would have him put down myself rather than allow him to cause me the depression he seems to be causing you, but perhaps branding him loss of use as a big warning to help prevent him ever being passed on and loaning him out would be an option.
.

If I knew the people well then maybe but he’s ok where he is. More than ok. He’s really happy. I couldn’t take that away from him. Yes I’m too soft. Story of my life!

 

[Birker2020]

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.

Well the OP would have to ask some questions if he was interested I guess. Subsequent posts have said horse not suitable.

I think for a young horse who potentially has many years ahead of it, it is a good option.

 

[Birker2020]

I thought you'd just got a new horse? Isn't he backed yet?


.

Sent you a PM

 

[Birker2020]

I 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.
.

I love this

 

[Widgeon]

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) ...

This is next level stuff. You're a diabolical genius - have you thought about a career in consulting to share your skills....

 

[Birker2020]

He looks cute and cuddly but he’s actually aloof and independent! I just don’t have it in me to end his life prematurely.

Good for you. I know its hard, I was faced with this with Bailey and couldn't ride her for months. I was prepared to keep her as a field ornament purely because she'd given me so much joy over the years and I loved her so much and she owed me nothing and I felt it was my duty but I was 'happy' doing that. Sadly she only got 6 months despite trying my very best for her but I couldn't have put her down simply because I couldn't ride her.

 

[I'm Dun]

As he is a highland and rare breed you might be able to rehome through the breed society if someone has land and needs a companion or just enjoys having them around or they might be able to offer a cheap retirement option. Is he sound enough to do any in hand activity such as in hand showing?

I am almost certain someone would step forward. Highland people are very passionate about the breed and will help where they can. Even if he went to a stud on cheap grass livery. They would have rough grazing so the worry about his weight wouldnt be an issue either.

This all makes me so sad, sad for the pony and especially sad for you PP. From an outside perspective, it looks like your punishing yourself. You could murder someone and get a shorter sentence

You cant have two and you may well have to fund his retirement for 20years. Keeping him going means your life is unhappy and you are going to miss out on the opportunity of owning your own horse again. And given the severity of his issues he must be in at least mild discomfort which will worsen over time.

 

[ycbm]

If I knew the people well then maybe but he’s ok where he is. More than ok. He’s really happy. I couldn’t take that away from him. Yes I’m too soft. Story of my life!

He's OK

But you're not.

Aren't you worth more?
.

 

[Birker2020]

He's OK

But you're not.

Aren't you worth more?
.

Its not as straight forward as that though.

 

[ycbm]

Its not as straight forward as that though.

For a horse which PP says she has no emotional connection with and who wants no emotional connection with her? It is for me. I'd loan him or more likely PTS.

On top of that, I agree with I'm Dun that he is carrying an injury which is unlikely to be pain free.
.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think PP has made it clear that for now loaning or PTS isn't an option she feels is for her, whilst her horse is happy and well.

Of course, if the situation or feelings change, there is no shame or blame in that PP ?

 

[Birker2020]

I think PP has made it clear that for now loaning or PTS isn't an option she feels is for her, whilst her horse is happy and well.

That's exactly what I thought too.

PP maybe an assessment by the vet to see if the horse is in pain and then to medicate with bute if necessary. I'm sure you will do best by him whatever you decide to do. Its very hard when you are a one horse owner on livery and you are in the position you have found yourself in.

 

[Ratface]

Birker2020, I wholly agree with your advice above.
I would never dream of keeping an animal alive that was in unameliorated pain. If the vet can provide adequate pain relief, and check that on a regular basis, that's a good plan for both you and your pony.
I believe that a painless end is the last kindness we can give our companion animals.

 

[stangs]

For the record, PP, I think it's brilliant that you're giving him such a good life. That doesn't make you 'soft' (not that being soft is a bad thing); that makes you a lovely caring owner. And I hope you can find some joy in seeing him enjoy his lifestyle. Though I do disagree with ycbm's post that a human's happiness is always more important than a horse's.

If you do decide to loan him - and it's known for a fact that he's not in discomfort due to his injury - maybe you could get involved with the Blue Cross? I know of one unrideable horse whose owner did that to find him a good, reliable loan home He's now a very happy companion with a home for life.

 

[pistolpete]

That's exactly what I thought too.

PP maybe an assessment by the vet to see if the horse is in pain and then to medicate with bute if necessary. I'm sure you will do best by him whatever you decide to do. Its very hard when you are a one horse owner on livery and you are in the position you have found yourself in.

Vet has said he’s happy that no imminent decisions required. He was last assessed a year ago and apart from a few sticky days when winter started he looks surprisingly sound. Physio regularly too.

 

[Birker2020]

Vet has said he’s happy that no imminent decisions required. He was last assessed a year ago and apart from a few sticky days when winter started he looks surprisingly sound. Physio regularly too.

That's brilliant then. I'm glad he's ok.

 

[pistolpete]

For the record, PP, I think it's brilliant that you're giving him such a good life. That doesn't make you 'soft' (not that being soft is a bad thing); that makes you a lovely caring owner. And I hope you can find some joy in seeing him enjoy his lifestyle. Though I do disagree with ycbm's post that a human's happiness is always more important than a horse's.

If you do decide to loan him - and it's known for a fact that he's not in discomfort due to his injury - maybe you could get involved with the Blue Cross? I know of one unrideable horse whose owner did that to find him a good, reliable loan home He's now a very happy companion with a home for life.

Thank you for your kindness. I do get pleasure in seeing him looking happy. I see him every day sometimes two or three times. His field is near my house. Could be a lot worse.

 

[paddy555]

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.

if your pony is happy there is no way I would PTS just so that I could have another.
However I don't get the above.
You could be dead in 5 years, 10 years or any length of time. Any of us could be. We cannot look into the future and say when I'm 70 I will be able to get a horse. If you can afford it then I would just go for it and get another. Possibly a relatively cheap to look after model. I cannot see the point in being dead for a long time and missing out.
If you can't afford it then fair enough but if you can why not. I totally support my partner in what he wants and I expect him to totally support me provided we can afford it.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

He looks cute and cuddly but he’s actually aloof and independent! I just don’t have it in me to end his life prematurely.

My apologies, I have reread the thread and seen he's not necessarily in pain...I had assumed he was. I can understand how you feel...perhaps a companion home could be ideal?? You sound like a lovely owner and he's a lucky boy x

Good for you. I know its hard, I was faced with this with Bailey and couldn't ride her for months. I was prepared to keep her as a field ornament purely because she'd given me so much joy over the years and I loved her so much and she owed me nothing and I felt it was my duty but I was 'happy' doing that. Sadly she only got 6 months despite trying my very best for her but I couldn't have put her down simply because I couldn't ride her.

I'm confused, did you have a mare called Bailey too..?? I thought your old Bailey was a boy

 

[I'm Dun]

My apologies, I have reread the thread and seen he's not necessarily in pain...I had assumed he was. I can understand how you feel...perhaps a companion home could be ideal?? You sound like a lovely owner and he's a lucky boy x



I'm confused, did you have a mare called Bailey too..?? I thought your old Bailey was a boy

Yes Bailey was a boy, and birker has had lots of different user names. Its common knowledge but she still refers to Bailey as a mare which is absolutely bonkers and part of the reason half the forum has her on ignore, the rest of the reason will be apparent as soon as she reads this and launches an attack on me claiming shes being bullied.

 

[paddy555]

Yes Bailey was a boy, and birker has had lots of different user names. Its common knowledge but she still refers to Bailey as a mare which is absolutely bonkers and part of the reason half the forum has her on ignore, the rest of the reason will be apparent as soon as she reads this and launches an attack on me claiming shes being bullied.

come now I'm Dun, as I said on another thread we simply don't know how Bailey wished to identify on that day either as a mare or a gelding. Let us be respectful of gender identity rights.