Ideas/Help needed...

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MissDeMeena

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An old friend of mum and dads, who doesn't ride anymore (she'd be about 65).. she used to hunt alot/whip-in.. her old hunter 'Will' is VERY dear to her, he'd be about 24yrs old now.. he has spent his retirement out in a field, but said friend is starting to think the time has come to have him PTS, her reasons being, that he's out in a field doing nothing, and she never goes to see him anymore (field owner checks him everyday/night)..
However, he is still in rude health, could be someones hack or even still hunted! he's sounds as a pound etc!
But, even at the age of 24, he's still not 'anyones' ride.
Her dilema is this, should she have a healthy horse, that is 24, PTS.. or is there another option??..
 
Hard one. If he is not happy just to stand in the field, but won't be happy with any old person on him, finding him a home with someone who can ride him may stress him out.
If there is someone local that can ride him, but he can stay at home then he'll probably like the work.
 
Could she not put hhim on loan to a capable rider or as a companion?
Be a shame to PTS if he's fit and healthy
Alternatively How about the blood bank? I've heard horses have a good life there. Not sure if there is an upper age limit but there is a minimum height so would depend how big he is.
 
My friend took an ex-advanced eventer on aged 28. He had been put out to grass for 5+ years and thy responded to an ad she put in a local paper for a horse to ride. We went and had a look at him and he was a gem, again not anyone's ride as he was pretty sharp. She got him fit and had two seasons doing riding club stuff and hacking with him and he thrived on it. Now aged 31 he is happily pottering around the field as he has stiffend up but still broncs like a good 'un!!
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I show-jumped (albeit at a low level) my mare till she was 27.
24 is no age at all as long as he is sound and there is bound to be someone that would enjoy him and give him a job again.
 
Thats a tricky one. My old hunter is 26- done my mum, dad and myself and a very goos whips horse was she. Because we have the space she will always have a home with us- if I was forced she would not be parted with for pastures new, not at her age. Although she has mellowed in her old age she is very much a hunter, and will never be a mugs ride, so should I ever have to come to the crunch I would have her PTS having knowing that she ended her life happily with me.
 
What a dilemma! A sensible lady to be thinking about the situation though. My own personal opinion(in bold to highlight is only my opinion and everyone is entitled to them
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) is that unless she can find a home for the old boy where it is not going to cause stress to either horse or owner (herself) then that is an option. But with that option I believe are the risks of it not working out etc. I think I would really take the opinion that the old boy has had a good life and that the kindest thing for him (although in good health) would be to have him put to sleep. He has then not suffered in his old age and has always been looked after to keep him happy.

I know many find this a disgusting thought and it's not one that I suggest lightly. But from the point of view of the horse unless a good/reliable etc retirement home can be found I feel that horses who are of an old age and are no longer ridden by their owner, regardless of their good health, should be put to sleep and not passed from owner to owner.

Unrelated but of a similar vein I feel, I recently saw an ad in a local tack shop for a horse that had been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease and the owner was selling him for £500 because they could no longer care for him!!!!
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I don't know the details but feel this is irresponsible.
 
It's finding the right person tho!!
He's not a worrier/tricky to look after horse! but he is fairly spooky to ride, (there's a monster behind every tree)..

Ok, so next question, does anyone know of anyone in the SW area (nearer to Exmoor the better) that wants a hack/hunter!!
To be looked after and spoilt within an inch of his life haha, as he really is her pride and joy!
 
Well, that was kinda everyones thinking!
Ok, he's a healthy horse, but he is 24, and hade a lovely life, so it might be the easier/kinder thing to do!

tis a tuff one!!
 
I'd rather know that I'd given my old man (23 at present) the best life I possibly could and see him end his life in good health and in a happy state of mind.

We were in a similar situation a year or so ago and had to make a discision on my mum's horse. An old family friend was looking for a horse and he is with her and being riden still (22) but if she wasn't about we would have had him PTS although it would have hurt us all we discussed it and agreed that we wouldn't want him to be paased from pillar to post.
 
if he was mine i would worry bout putting him out on loan (i have one quite similar and i have to say i would proberly consider having him pts before i rehome him, it would be kinder for him-but he is a nutter with loads of problems so he will stay with me till he dies
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) but finding someone to hack him may work as at least he will have a purpose, (i still hack mine regulary) but this person obviously must be caperble of riding sharp ex competition horse
hope this helps
 
Thanks for all your replies!!
Not being my horse, thank god i don't have to make the decsion!
I said i'd put up the post to give her some ideas! which it has!
Thanks again
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I said maybe an add in the local tack shop, asking for a rider, but he must stay in his present home, that way he is still getting taken out, but the owner can still keep an eye on him!!
If no one comes forward, i expect she'll have him PTS.
 
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