If your horse was no longer rideable, what would you do?

[Eira]

Ahh thankyou

I do my best for the brute even if she doesn't appreciate it sometimes (like when she rips a £50 shoe off the day its been put on

)

You are also a fantabulous owner

And I am sooo glad Be is on the mend for you

 

[shellonabeach]

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Glad to hear she is in light work .. am sure her and Sol are twinnies !

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Same blasted foot as well isn't it!

I had her freezemarked yesterday because I wanted to ensure no idiot thought she might look useful and steal her!

 

[BobbyMondeo]

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Explain to me why this post is nasty?

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I wouldn't worry about it Puppy. This post isn't nasty and the vast majority of us agree with you 100%

We acknowledge that passing on a horse with problems to a dealer will result in a potentially miserable life for the poor horse. We don't see the world through rose tinted spectacles as some do, we understand that sometimes the best option for some horses is to be pts. It is something the kindest thing to do.

Its a shame we all don't think of our animals before ourselves. The world would be a much better place if we did.

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This is a VERY nasty post with a disgusting personal attack on a young girl. Pixxie is NOT selling Marley to a dealer. And she HAS got his best interests at heart. She is now looking for a permenant loan home for him.

This could have been said in a MUCH nicer way, you could have given her advice not just slated her in such a cruel manner.

I am disgusted that someone could be so nasty

 

[Eira]

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Glad to hear she is in light work .. am sure her and Sol are twinnies !

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Same blasted foot as well isn't it!

I had her freezemarked yesterday because I wanted to ensure no idiot thought she might look useful and steal her!

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Twins ... I tell you !!!
She is absolutely beautiful defiantly need more pictures

 

[Annie&Amy]

Although i lost my beautiful girl last year it wouldn't of ever mattered to me if i rode her or not, i loved her for her and she'd given so many people pleasure over the course of her life i never or could ever of got rid of her. It always amazes me how disposable horses seem to be to some people as though these animals have no feelings. I've always felt that if you take on a animal you have it for life through the good and the bad times (although i do understand that selling/rehoming is sometimes in the best interests of the animal) Just my opinion but that's how i feel and how i've always been with mine. Just a note that my friends mare is now 33yr and is still being ridden by children, at the moment she looks about 15yr and acts about 2yrs!!!

 

[misst]

I think it is such a contentious issue that everyone will disagree with someone.

We have an 11 yo TB field ornament who was like Sol supposed to event - many years and lots of money later his feet are shot and he will stay with us at huge exepense until he is too uncomfortable. He will not live in a field and hates other horses. This is not his fault so it is our responsibility to ensure he is cared for properly by people who love and know him. We also have my daughters elderly mare who did her proud for many many years and was loaned out when she outgrew her. She is now another field ornament who will stay as long as she needs to with us - she has truely earned her retirement.

My daughter would love another horse to compete but the budget at the moment doesn't run to that so she has bought herself a little baby (he comes in 4 weeks!!!) and will spend the next 2 or 3 years playing gently with him until he is ready to back. He is the future project but the other two will not be sidelined for him. In the meantime she has other horses she can ride and will bide her time.

Pixxie may not be as lucky as my daughter, in that my daughter has always had our emotional and financial support even though she is grown up now. Pixxie has my deepest sympathy with her problem with her horse but from her posts she should NOT sell him on - he is dangerous - and she had the "dirty" done on her, she may be young but horses have a way of making you grow up sometimes, even if it is hard at the time. My heart goes out to her having been through a PTS decision in the past but she must either keep as a field ornament or PTS. It is immoral to sell him on for his sake and that of the new owner.

 

[RussianGirl]

If any of my horses or the horses that ome through our yard proved to be unridable, unsafe or unsound, I would never sell.
IF the horse was in little to no pain, or its condition could be managed, I would keep it as a companion.
IF it was unsound or in pain, and it could not be managed, it would be the best to PTS
I would never sell a horse that I though was unsafe - it is irresponsible, can cause hurt to both pony and new owners, and causes suffering to every one who ends up with a new unmanagable pony.

personally I think that if you buy a horse, it is your responsibility to ensurethat it has the best quality of life possible, and if that means death, I have no problems with it...

 

[Halfstep]

What Meowkiss said.

 

[lizzie_liz]

My mare went lame at the age of 6 and was diagnosed with navicular syndrome. Treatment by the our vets and Animal Health Trust vets did very little for her so we claimed LOU and turned her away. We at the time thought we were going to have one large and expensive field pet for many years to come.

However after time away she came sound and is now back in work with not one days lameness since she came into work.

I was only 15 at the time and the whole process affected my school work. We did think she was going to have to be PTS and we were prepared for that. We also were not going to sell her.

With the LOU money I bought another horse who was meant to be ready to event. Turns out at age 8 he had never seen coloured fences. I fell off him on numerous occassions so instead of focusing on eventing, I focused on affliated dressage and small hunter trials, unaffliated show jumping. Although he is rideable I took the responsibilty to find an activity he could do so that I could sell him on.

No matter how old you are, when you buy a horse it is your responsibility to do what is best for the horse. You took the responsibility to buy a horse so you have to take the responsibilty to deal with any problems that may arise

 

[burtie]

Well unless the issues are temperamental, then most horses sound enough to be happy/comfortable in a field 24/7 are sound enough for light hacking, so as long as they could truley live out 24/7 then I would probably keep them, but this does not suit a lot of horses particularly in winter.

 

[SpottedCat]

If I had the money/land of my own then retirement livery. Twiggy I sold on with a full history to another HHO member and she was subsequently sold to a stud (with my blessing).

B owes me nothing and I'd love to say I would keep him on retirement, but the truth is I probably couldn't afford to do that and run another horse, so he'd be PTS.

If I had another unridable one like Twigs it would depend on the situation again - I was lucky enough to find a decent home for her, if I hadn't then she'd have been PTS, no question. I can't condemn people either way, but I would not pass on as a companion unless it was to someone I knew well and trusted.

 

[tasel]

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I disagree that selling is a moral option, given her previous posts about the horse being unschoolable by experts.


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Ok, can someone please let me know where the original thread is?

What do you mean "unschoolable by experts"??? I am just asking since my horse prior to her current injury (i.e. unridable at the moment until vet figures out what it is) was also deemed "unschoolable by experts". This included on German national rider who schooled horses up to Grand Prix level for the last 20+ years and another pofessional here in the UK.

However, I kept my horse despite all that and started schooling her myself, and yes, it can sometimes be difficult, but she behaved totally different to me than to the two experts I previously consulted. It's almost like she dicided she didn't want to be schooled by them, but didn't mind me?!? She is a quite eccentric horse though, and I think we get on because we are on the same wavelength.

It took us nearly a whole year of just groundwork for me to even contemplate getting on her... time that most professional riders/experts simply do not have, so they will easily deem a horse unschoolable if they don't fit into their timeframe of schooling!!!

Because of what we have been through, I do not necessarily trust so-called experts... so just wanted to know.

And to answer the actual thread question - I'd breed from my mare should she no longer be ridable. So, yes... she'd stay on with me.

 

[Fizzimyst]

We had a horse that was unschoolable / unriddable..........

She came to us at a riding school of all places

but kept tanking off with everyone and rearing. She dumped everyone apart from me who got on her and most people were scared of her.

Anyway, I clicked with her and learnt that if I rode like I was on a Harley she chilled a bit, she was so sensitive to the leg. She was fantastic at gymkhana and I kept her until she retired and went back to her owner as a field ornament

I wasnt a big fabulous rider, I could sit to bucks, spins and shoulder dropping. But more than that I was stupid and would give anything a go

I havent changed lol

That pony couldnt be ridden in a conventional way and over time I got used to her, she got used to me.

She would trot off as soon as you put your foot in the stirrup and being that it was a spanking trot you had to me quick, couldnt check her with the rein since she'd go up in the air, but I learnt to gel with her. And as a result I can mount a horse bloody quickly

It wasnt ideal, we wasnt going to win any ridden classes, but I loved her, we had so much fun together and I got a kick out of being the only one who could ride her

I'd like to say I would keep my horses forever, things change though and depending on the horses I had, maybe I would look for a sharer or a loan home where I could keep a close eye on them. I dont tend to sell anything on though, I am a collecter

 

[ihatework]

One of mine I have literally taken the decision to fully retire this week, he is only 13.

He will be turned out in a nice big field with a small group. While he is field sound and happy in retirement then that is how he will stay.

If there comes a point where my finances don't allow me to keep him as a pet, he gets lamer or he is generally unhappy retired then he will be shot.

 

[destiny11]

One of my horses was diagnosed with the very beginnings of DJD as a five year old. She is sound at the moment, I can ride her, hacking etc. but I will never jump her.

I know that one day it will probably get worse to the point she cannot be ridden anymore. Luckily I have another horse as well so she would become a companion to that one. She will never be passed on or sold. She will be with me for as long as she is happy and when the day comes that she isn't or god forbid my circumstances changed then I would do right by her

 

[tabithakat64]

I'd keep mine, recently it looked as though my boy may end up being unrideable and I wouldn't part with him. I'm too heavy to ride the little ginger one and no-one wants to ride her so she is semi-retired, again I wouldn't get rid just because I can't ride her.
If they were in constant pain or miserable I would have them PTS.
I think I'm probably very different to others as when I buy a horse, I intend to keep it until the end of it's days.

 

[lilym]

They would go onto grass livery for a happy retirement, just like my old AA mare did, when the time comes they are no longer comfortable or happy they are PTS at home.

 

[Booboos]

I have had to retire two horses. One was elderly, with navicular and melanomas and we kept him retired for 5 years alond with a companion loan pony until both of them were too poorly to continue so they were PTS together. The other was a young horse, unriddable because of double stifle OCD (had two years of op and rehab but was still crippled), we tried him in a field for 5 months but he was extremely unhappy, kept breaking out, running around, etc. and had to be PTS as he was just too young and too lively to not be doing a job (but too lame to ride him in all good conscience)

However, I am very lucky in that I keep mine at home so one extra horse at grass does not cost that much. I think that someone who cannot afford to keep a retired horse should look for a loan home and if that is not possible consider PTS, especially if there is a chance that a sale will lead to a worse home and another one after that.

 

[burtondog]

If my horse Tucker broke I'd be happy to keep him on retirement livery somewhere nearby so long as he was comfortable.

If my previous horse had broken I'd have had him PTS because he wasn't the easiest horse at the best of times and was a pain to handle when out of work.

 

[millitiger]

my old boy would live the life of luxury until too uncomfortable and then be PTS.

the 2 girls i *may* breed from if not broken down lameness.

if so, all 3 younger horses would be PTS... they are 3, 4 and 5yros and too young imo to be turned into field ornaments so i would PTS... never sell

 

[pricklyflower]

I currently have 3 horses and before christmas I was horse hunting for another, one that I could ride but now I have had to put that on hold.

I have an 18 year old cob with ringbone who is happy to be an expensive lawnmower and maybe go for the odd hack down the beach once a week, he was my mum's horse and my mum passed away in April this year, I cannot get rid of him or have him PTS just because I want another horse. I just hope my attachment with him/mum doesn't cloud my judgement when it is his time.

I also have a cob, who I could ride if I wish to but I don't like riding him, he gets ridden by my friend who helps out with the jobs in return. I wouldn't sell him because he is dangerous to handle, he will attack in the field with his teeth and front legs, I WILL NOT pass him on to someone else as he will either end up on a meat lorry or seriously injure someone, I could not do that to him or another person. If my circumstances change and I did have to get rid of him, he would be PTS.

I also have a 12.2hh pony which belongs to my daugther, I can't ride her as I'm about 10 stone too heavy lol.

So, my search for a horse came to a conclusion once my mum passed away and I had to take on her horse instead of a new one, I will not get rid of one of my existing horses just so I can ride.

 

[MrsMozart]

Maybe in this instance, i.e. Pixxie and Marley, as she cannot pay for the horse's keep, she might have to move him on - their might be outside pressures. I don't know if this is the case in this instance, it is a hypothesis only.

For example, hubby would rather LL go: I can keep LL because I pay for him. Hubby thinks that if we gave full disclosure, then someone else could do at least as well with LL - he doesn't understand the pitfalls of the horse world. He does ask why I think I'm the only one who would take good care of LL.

My musings.

 

[Fenton]

Do none of you ever sell your horses then? And I don't mean elderly or unsound ones. I know when I buy a new horse I do not see it as a permanent arrangement. I am still young and like to buy horses which need schooling and bringing on, and then sell them on after a year or two before I take on another project. Of course I get very attached to my horses, but I do not think I am being irresponsible in buying a horse but not planning on keeping it forever.

I understand that selling on a lame or elderly horse or pony is a completely different issue, but out of interest do most of you buy a horse and intend to keep it forever?

 

[3Beasties]

I have 3 horses, 2 of which will never be sold. 1 is a pony I have had since she was a foal and the other was my first 'proper' horse. They are ages 11 and 14.

The other one I have is a 10 month old fillie which I was brought for my birthday this year, I have no intentions of keeping her 'forever' as she was brought for me to work with and eventually sell on. My friends think this heartless but Ho Hum!

ETA - If foalie was to become dangerous/un-rideable/un-sound then my plans would have to change.

 

[alsxx]

When I buy a horse I buy it for life, bit like all our other pets really...and I currently have two, both of which are field ornaments.

My section B gelding is now 18 and we have had him in the family since he was 2. He's got plenty of life left in him, and is sound, but I cant find a capable child to ride him, so its easier to keep him with me where I know what happens to him rather than loan him out for him to dump children on the floor!

Then my other one, rising 6 year old mare who I've had since a foal, last august went lame with DJD and a tendon sheath injury. She is still slightly lame, so has now been turned away at grass for a year, bit of a fingers crossed really. But with her, as long as she is field sound, she will have a home.

I am very lucky in that I can always fall back on my parents who have a field next to the house, so they can always go and live 'at home' if need be.

 

[catembi]

My old mare is 36. My grandad bought her as a 3 yo from the farmer next to his farm. As far as I'm concerned, I've had a lot of fun on her over the years, and so have her previous sharers, & she owes me nothing. While she seems to be happy & enjoying her life, I am more than willing to pay for her upkeep. If and when she starts looking fed up with life, I will pts.

Maybe it's easier for me as my 2 live at home so Jenny doesn't really cost me much, plus I actively need a companion for Adrian and the selling option is totally ruled out...can't see anyone wanting a 36 yo Cushings pony who is field sound... Not sure what I'd do if Adrian couldn't be ridden, which is the real question here...

If he was happy, I think I'd keep him and buy something else, in the knowledge that we'd be back down to 2 when Nature eventually takes its course with Jenny.

 

[Booboos]

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Do none of you ever sell your horses then?

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I've sold a competition horse that I did not get on with, but primarily because I found him too dull for me rather than because he had a problem. He had BD points up to medium, safe hack and could jump so he was really easy to sell and went to a good home. Because he was so good at so many things I thought I could find him a good home and I did, so I was happy to sell him.

 

[martlin]

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Do none of you ever sell your horses then?

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Well, one has to make a living somehow

I have only 1 forever horse - all the others are dealing stock.

 

[Ranyhyn]

With my horse I would be treading a fine line, he needs work to keep his aggression manageable, if it came to the point where I could no longer handle him safely, I'd only have one option.

I would keep him as a pet until then. He is my forever horse. Wouldn't have done that with the othersd though - they would have been sold as companions.

 

[destiny11]

Yes, I sold the mother of my youngster after 11 years ownership, she has gone to a home where she is loved and is being used to her full potential, shows etc. I just would never sell on a horse that has health issues or cannot be ridden anymore.