How well did your horse cope with retirement?

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MeganMarie

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Hey everyone,

After my boy spent some time in NEH for bilateral hindlimb lameness, he got diagnosed with significant degenerative damage to his suspensory ligaments in both hindlegs and also degenerative damage to both fetlocks. Heartbroken :(
He’s 13, and the vet said there’s nothing they can do for him and that although rest and controlled exercise may give some temporary improvement, he’s attempted to rehab other horses with similar problems to him and it has not worked, so he’s certain he won’t be able to return to exercise, other than light hacking - he said he’s best retired & signed him off for loss of use.

He was a showjumper, used to being in full work. So I was wondering for any of you, who have had to retire your horses (especially those on the younger end of the spectrum), how well did they cope and adapt with the change? He’s a bit of a precious boy, not the hardiest so i’m a bit worried with how he’ll cope being a field ornament/light hacker.
Any experiences?
thanks
 
I had a similar situation. My 13 yr pampered Trak/Hann, who didn't like mud or rain dveleoped a number of conditions caused by him being too wild in the field. I do dressage & hacking and his conditions are normally seen in racehorses & horses jumping big tracks caused by over flexion on the fetlocks. I keep my horses at home but he was getting increasingly upset by other horses going out being ridden and I don't have enough land to give him good grazing 24x7 all year round so the winter would be worse.
He has gone to a retirement facility where he is out 24x7 with 4 other horses in about 20+ acres - all geldings, mostly his sort of age, and all unshod.
He has changed into a chilled out laid back horse and has never been fatter or hairier than he is now. I can't believe how well he is doing - he is rugged but only since December and they do get plenty of hay.
My experience shows if you can give them the right environment they will adjust but every horse is different. I would much rather have him stabled at night but then you get the manic galloping when they get turned out and for my horse that could cause fatal injury. Good luck!
 
Mine took a while, he used to shriek if the others got ridden (he has s pony companion and wasn't alone) he'd tear round like a lunatic and I thought it was never going to work.
I'm not sure how long it took but first I'd go brush him while others rode, then progressed to be just being round (poo picking or whatever)
Now he barely looks up and is perfectly chilled.
 
I retired my last one as a 12 year old as I got tired fighting the lameness and multiple other issues. She had to be stabled at night as she'd had laminitis and was a delicate flower. She was retired for 10 years and was as happy as Larry being spoilt rotten. I think there are a few that don't cope but generally as long as they get attention and are loved they're happy. Some people thought I was mad keeping her as a pet but she was my friend and I just enjoyed being with her. I used to tell people to think of her as a very large guinea pig.
 
MeganMarie said:
Hey everyone,

After my boy spent some time in NEH for bilateral hindlimb lameness, he got diagnosed with significant degenerative damage to his suspensory ligaments in both hindlegs and also degenerative damage to both fetlocks. Heartbroken :(
He’s 13, and the vet said there’s nothing they can do for him and that although rest and controlled exercise may give some temporary improvement, he’s attempted to rehab other horses with similar problems to him and it has not worked, so he’s certain he won’t be able to return to exercise, other than light hacking - he said he’s best retired & signed him off for loss of use.

He was a showjumper, used to being in full work. So I was wondering for any of you, who have had to retire your horses (especially those on the younger end of the spectrum), how well did they cope and adapt with the change? He’s a bit of a precious boy, not the hardiest so i’m a bit worried with how he’ll cope being a field ornament/light hacker.
Any experiences?
thanks
Click to expand...

My boy had to retire age 16 due to tendon sheath injury keep breaking down, I did give him 6 months off and now just walking him up the road once a week, and left his tendon boots off in the field to help the tendon strengthen up without support, but put them on when icy or snowy or really wet. He thrives on work and has gone a little depressed in himself, so he copes with retirement but only because he has too. I might start doing in hand things around the yard in the spring to keep him happy.
 
My lovely mare retired at 20 (but a very youthful and mischievous 20!)
She was used to being busy, out at clinics and shows often and enjoyed being out and about. she was still improving in her schooling up to the end of her ridden career and was qualified for regionals with the best scores she'd ever had. Unfortunately repeated wild episodes in the field were resulting in major soft tissue injuries and I wasn't able to keep her sound :(
She's retired with an old buddy to a big field and is absolutely LOVING it. She's feral and hairy, living out with a rug on and is just happy getting up to no good. When she canters across the field I can see she is sound - i think being out and pottering about 24/ 7 is good for her. I could probably whip her out of the field and go for a hack if I wanted to but tbh she owes me nothing now so there's no need.
 
My mare semi retired/rehabbed from 12 to 16 and then was fully retired. She's 22 now. She's loved being retired but does still like to be part of the yard and routine and in the middle of things.
 
Mine is just bored and only lives for food!

He evented to a decent level but had to retire at 15 due to injury. He is fine although loves the attention when he gets a brush etc but literally has just turned into such a pig as thats all he lives for! I am very tempted to get him hacking again but he's not really a 'happy hacker' so not sure if its worth it!
 
MeganMarie, I'm so sorry about the poor prognosis that your vet has given your horse.

My TB has had a lot of tendon injuries over the years and is now semi-retired. He is 24 on a lovely full livery yard and is turned out with only 'his' mare and he adores her. They are turned out and brought in together. Recently I've gone through an awfully busy period at work so haven't been able to go to the yard as often as I used to after he recovered from an injury. He's fully sound now but all I'll ask of him is to go for a 45min - 1hour lazy hack (only at walk) about 4 times a week, which will be on hard surface and within the boundaries of the yard. However, before I can do that, for my own peace of mind I'm going to long rein him again for at least a month before I get on board. (And by saying a month, I don't mean 30/31 days. I'm hoping to get back into a routine where I can go up to the yard twice during the week and Saturdays and Sundays.)

ETA: I know from past experience that once I do start working him again (if you call it working), his mare will call him when he leaves her sight and he'll more often than not call back to her. However they both very soon realise that there's no need to cause such a fuss as he'll always come back to her after a short period of being away.
 
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I've had one that adored it. And one semi retired who was very happy downsizing to family pony from being event pony. And my daughter's much loved pony who hated and was miserable being retired.

None of them were left in a field , they still had time in their stable every day and were fed and groomed as usual.
 
Been there as well. I have two retired relatively young due to unsoundness - sticky stifle in both thanks to their mutual sire. One was 15 (now 19) and the other only 10. I would still be riding both otherwise.

They live out 24/7 in a big paddock with plenty to see, dinner arrives promptly every night, they get daily scratches and rubs and the farrier calls regularly. Neither are big on the grooming thing or being covered and enjoy a permanent state of unkemptness which may or may not involve lots of mud depending on the weather. Tail trims are also necessary to stop them dragging on the ground.

My approaching with a halter is still regarded slightly suspiciously just in case the vet or the slightly remembered work thing might be on the agenda. I am watched until the "other" horse is safely caught instead.

I've not received any complaints about the life. Unless dinner is late.
 
Not one of mine - but it has been interesting watching my YOs horse retire. He was in hard work and competing at a high level but just couldn't be kept sound. He was used to being hand-grazed several times each day but not turned out. At first he was a nightmare in a very small paddock in the yard - careering round and at risk of catastrophic damage to old injuries. He was only turned out for 15-30 minutes at a time to start with. However, after a couple of weeks of anxiety all round he got used to being out and began to settle down. He then progressed to a larger paddock and to increasing periods of being out. Four months on he is a great woolly, muddy bear, out all day in a paddock remote from the stables, relaxed and happy. He now complains by kicking the stable door if he is in too long! It has been great to see him given the time, careful management and love to make sure he continues to enjoy life after a busy ridden career.
 
My boy had to retire aged seven. He's just about the happiest horse you could meet, and he was one of those equines who has a great work ethic. I'm sure he'd have been equally content to keep being ridden regularly, but he certainly doesn't think 24/7 turnout with his friends is any hardship!
 
Due to injury, my tb became a light hacking horse at age 11. Then due to various reasons fully retired aged 15. He hasn't been ridden for the last 2 years and is as happy as Larry. He worked hard as a racehorse from age 2 and then in dressage and show jumping from 5 to 11. He was a very willing worker and really enjoyed his job. I worried about him retiring, but it turned out fine. He is on full care at a busy horse centre and I go and hand walk him and just spend time with him grooming etc about 3 times a week. I am very fond of him so if he hadn't settled in so well to retirement I would have had to consider the sad alternative. Thankfully he is thriving. I would just wait and see how your horse goes and give it a bit of time. I wish you all the best, it is really tough retiring a young horse.
 
Had to retire my then 8 year old last year and he is quite enjoying it! But then he has always lived out in the summer and harstanding / stable combo in the winter so all that changed for him was he stopped being ridden 5x a week.
 
Ive had to retire several young due to a variety of injuries. The geldings all coped fine, although they tended to get a bit sillier in the field, which was not ideal.

I had one mare who seemed to really struggle and just lost her zest for life so she was put to sleep.
 
MeganMarie said:
Hey everyone,

After my boy spent some time in NEH for bilateral hindlimb lameness, he got diagnosed with significant degenerative damage to his suspensory ligaments in both hindlegs and also degenerative damage to both fetlocks. Heartbroken :(
He’s 13, and the vet said there’s nothing they can do for him and that although rest and controlled exercise may give some temporary improvement, he’s attempted to rehab other horses with similar problems to him and it has not worked, so he’s certain he won’t be able to return to exercise, other than light hacking - he said he’s best retired & signed him off for loss of use.

He was a showjumper, used to being in full work. So I was wondering for any of you, who have had to retire your horses (especially those on the younger end of the spectrum), how well did they cope and adapt with the change? He’s a bit of a precious boy, not the hardiest so i’m a bit worried with how he’ll cope being a field ornament/light hacker.
Any experiences?
thanks
Click to expand...

My old girl was semi retired from work when she was 16 (now coming 23), she was an advanced dressage horse who had spent her early years eventing/SJ at a high level also. She suffered from hind suspensory damage with her fetlocks sinking. My vet (top performance vet) actually advised that she should not be retired completely and that she must hack at least 3 times a week to keep the strength elsewhere in her hindquarters so that her suspensory ligaments were supported. My girl would have hated becoming a field ornament, she loves to work and be ridden, so we hacked for 6-9 months building up to an occasional short session on a surface. Long story short, I was able to keep in her work for the next 5 years, still mainly hacking but was able to jump occasionally and lightly school a couple of times a week (I never pushed for anything new but stayed within her comfort zone - she still showed off her tempi changes etc every now and again and the odd 90cm/1m fence pop ;D). She suffered from some other injuries in her hocks 2 years ago but again hacking saved the day and she still loves to blast round the countryside and have an occasionally play in the school.

I guess what I am trying to say is mine would have hated retirement and still managed an active life with careful management regardless of the degenerative nature of her injuries and I would have lost her long ago had she not retained some physical strength from staying in some form of work.
 
I’ve had 2 younger teenagers retire.
Both competition horses used to being stables / clipped / pampered.
One in particular particularly wussy about wet weather.

Both retired to 24/7 turnout like pigs in muck. The wussy one has been rugless all this winter, obese & without a hint of a shiver - she would be a quivering wreck if caught in a summer shower without a rug before!
 
Hi Megan, so sorry to hear you're having to retire your lovely boy its devastating. But honestly - devastating as it is for us, for them it can be the biggest present we can give them - the chance to be a horse. Not many horses get a chance to fully retire and be a horse, freak accidents etc...

My advanced dressage horse (in my photo) is happily retired now 15, but 13 like yours at time of retirement.

He was fit, healthy, and going like a dream, we had high hopes for PSG and he genuinely thrived on work and going out competing.

To cut a very long story short, I decided to give him a holiday during which he became dangerously ill and we nearly lost him. During his recovery period he then had a tragic accident in the field which ended his career.

I was worried at first how well he'd take to retirement as like i said he thrived on work and loved going out and competing. He was a trouble maker for a couple of weeks (once he was feeling better and up to full health) as he was still relatively fit and had energy to burn off despite changing his feed to a convalescent / no work diet - however you should see him now!

2 years on and my horse who didn't particularly enjoy more than a few hours out a day is now out a whole day over winter, 24/7 in the summer. He's hairy, a bit chubby, and as happy as larry - the difference is astonishing. I am lucky that he lives in a group with my 3 other lovely boys so he has playmates and a huge field with loads of space to run, and plenty of grass to eat. He's certainly adapted to living a more natural life (despite liking his mod cons a bit too much and enjoying his stable and lots of grooms and still requires a rug) and he's a super happy, well mannered and charming horse.

I do take him to some in-hand shows over summer because he really does love a party and gets SO excited when he hears the truck - he's mortified when I load up one of the others to go compete!

If you want to have a chat let me know - I remember feeling the same as you and I was so worried my "princess" boy wouldn't cope - I can hand on heart say he's never been happier. xx
 
Mine was ridden 5-6 times a week and was retired at 12 with arthritis. We has tried 3 treatments and one op but none worked and she wasn't happy being ridden anymore. She has taken to it like a Duck out of water and apart from the odd bute is thriving and loving life. She is out 24/7 with 2 other Horses. She can be stressy so I picked a field with 2 companions that were both fully retired so that none would leave the field.

So sorry you are going through this.
 
My welsh a retired at 10 due to arthritis, we tried 24/7 turnout but he was unhappy and miserable being out. What works best for him is being treated the same as my ridden pony, they both live on a nice yard, out in the day in a herd, in late afternoon/night in a nice warm stable. He gets groomed, fussed, clipped (bad skin, wouldn't otherwise recommend it!), warm rugs, treats, and when I have time I walk him inhand. In the past he's done inhand showing as he loves a party, and I longrein him over obstacles etc for variety. He likes to be part of the yard atmosphere, and wouldn't be happy left alone.

What I will say, is that he's now been retired nearly 8 years and he is happy as larry and full of life-retiring was definitely the best decision for him, and having been to a few yards now, the best situation is where he has a huge field to run around in and friends. Really sorry you're having to deal with this, it's gutting to retire them so young and full of promise, but IME horses are very happy being left to be horses.
 
My id mare retired at 16 she hunted for 11 seasons hardly ever missed a meet. Now I think she is the happiest she's ever been . Lives out 24/7 ,which she did anyway with her mate, she is fat & very hairy and very happy to wave off my gelding as he goes off hunting.
 
Mine loved it. He is out in a large field with a couple of friends. He also comes in throughout the day for food and to have a fuss made of him.
 
Turned mine away for over a year and a half on the same yard and he hated it. Would stand by the gate, not eat, lost weight, jumped out, got picked on by more dominant horses of the herd. He came sound and back into work like a totally different horse, thriving on attention and routine. Unfortunately we are facing the possibility of full retirement due to multiple other issues and this time I will look for a specific herd that doesn't alter throughout the day and see if that keeps him happier, if not then I will not force him.
 
I have a 28yo mare who I had to retire aged 12 due to several joint issues that popped up one after the other, over the course of a year. She liked her stable, loved her ridden work and wasn't a fan of mud/winter in the field. She is now the opposite - hates being in and is a mud monster! If you find the right place for retirement (i.e. plenty of space and company in the same boat) then the likelihood of him settling into retirement is quite high.
 
Like a duck to water. He was only 8 and is very happy. He gets treated the same as the others so is in at night. The only problem I’ve had is that he still needs shoeing in front as can’t cope without.
 
My now deceased TB was retired at 23 and lived to 28, he'd always had a busy life and had competed for most of it. I kept him in the same routine as he wouldn't have been happy being out 24/7 and he was very content. He still got groomed and fussed over. He was still a silly hooligan but I don't think he missed being ridden one little bit. When he was pts I got my sect A companion pony from a friend. He's 9, can be ridden on and off the lead rein but I don't have a rider for him. TBH, he's also happy as larry, he gets looked after, loves my horse but most importantly is happy in the field on his own when I take my horse away for training. I think we sometimes over estimate their desire for work, when what they actually want is to be well cared for and to have interaction with other horses andalso with humans, if that's what they have been used to. So sorry that you have to retire your horse at such a young age. I have no issue with anyone in this situation making the decision to pts if that is what is best for the owner, we can't all manage to keep retired horses going for years.
 
I wonder if it is easier for a younger horse to adjust to it? My 25yr old pony was still hunting and doing endurance and had to stop suddenly due to injury. Vet said due to her age it was unlikely she would ever recover enough to be rideable again. She has been an absolute nightmare to handle not even jogging but flat out trotting sideways when being led, trying to gallop through gateways and just miserable as sin. I am super lucky that she has surprised the vet and recovered enough to be ridden lightly. The change is her is so much better. She is so happy to go out for short rides again ears pricked and then much nicer to lead and handle. I think after 20 plus years of work she probably won't be content left in a small individual paddock which is what we have here.
 
I think they are usually ok given the right environment and company especially if younger so although they might be a bit wonky they haven't acquired other heatlh issues. I always thought mine would love somewhere like _GG_'s set up where he could run with a gang of boys and just be a horse. As it is he is still hacking and (at 25) has far too many health things that aren't major but need managing for that sort of set up to suit him so he has to put up with his girlfriend still ;)... he does miss having boy company as he definitely got better interaction with them when we were on livery!

I think also if they are younger they can suit being a nanny for fields of babies, I see this get suggested a lot for older horses and have to say it makes me uneasy as I think it is a big ask of them and not what a lot need in their twlight years (obviously your boy is not that old!)
 
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