Im sitting here in tears

It sounds like you have thought about it and if he is in good health then why not give him a nice retirement. If you have the facilities and the time. Like you say if he's not then PTS is the kindest option. Just remember you are then taking on the decision to have him PTS yourself in the not so distant future. Let us know what you decide.
 
I think if you were posting this in February or March you'd probably get a different response as the horse would potentially have a lovely spring/summer out at grass.

Instead, he would be heading into a cold hard winter 'on his last legs'. Unless you visit him and find he is in good health then I think the kindest thing to do would be to let him go now. You said yourself you fully expect him not to survive the winter- not much of a 'fun' retirement then really?

Another thing I think you need to fully consider is the financial side of things- are you happy to take on that side of his care, particularly given that he is likely to need a great deal of veterinary attention potentially? Not cheap, not to mention the cost of all the feed, rugs, supplements etc he'll need.

Good luck whatever you decide.
 
it's best for him.

he's worked hard for many years and deserves to go with dignity in familiar surroundings.

some ex-woring animals just DONT do retirement and consider his age..he will most likely have health issues which wont get any easier....
 
I think we have to be careful not to project human emotion onto horses and end up leading with out hearts rather than our heads. No doubt it makes us feel better to think of old horses wrapped up warmly in their stables or grazing quietly but the reality is quite different - horses thrive on routine and many thrive on their work. It can take a hell of a lot of adjustment to go from one extreme to another and if his time is as limited as things seem to indicate, it may well cause more stress in the long term than to let him go peacefully in familiar surroundings.
 
'on his last legs' yet only just stopped going out trekking for hours each day? Those don't quite match up IMO. Have a look at him, if he does look on his last legs then PTS may be the kindest option, but if it is the case that he can still do light work as I think you said the vet indicated, or would be happy living his last days relaxing in a field, I'd take him. I have a retired pony who loved working and competing, and now she does nothing but eat and get a good groom she's actually never been happier. I hope it all works out for the best one way or the other
 
QR

Maybe the reason he is being PTS and not rehomed is because then they can guarantee his future. How many times do we hear of horses/ponies being sold/loaned in good faith as companions and then disappearing?
 
I dont think you can tell if he will take to retirement or not unless you give it a try. Hopefully 'last legs' in this scenario means not up to hard work. I think it all depends on how bad he is, but I do applaud you for your consideration and for trying to give him some quality time.
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imo if he is old but healthy see if you could retire him for them especially if you have the room, however if he is old a "frail" then maybe its time to let him go. i would never let a healthy horse be put down tho never its not fair on them, if they rae healthy and happy. be prepared for winter tho, we have to send becky our 24yr old companion back to her owners as she has arthritis and i don't want to risk having her out in the cold with no stable for her
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love that horse
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I agree that you should go and have a look at the horse and see if you reckon he would benefit from retirement/light work.
If not I think you should say your goodbyes and let him go.
In my experience of riding schools (and I worked for a few) they looked after their horses better than many privately owned horses, their horses have herd company, regular, supervised work, and 24/7 attention. Responsible owners, IMHO, will ensure they put horses to sleep rather than sell them to an uncertain future. But then I think private owners should either retire horses themselves or put them to sleep rather than passing them on.
Hope it works out for you and the horse, Cobland. Let me know if you want to rescue any of mine, especially now winter rain and cold is coming
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S
 
This is a hard one. I had my old pony put down 2 years ago when I felt her quality of life had deteriorated, she could have had another couple of months but was struggling to get up etc due to arthritis. I would always rather pts an old animal and know its ending. I think it all depends on this horses actual condition. Have a look at him and then make a decision. If he is still in work, and is in okay condition, and as you haven't far to travel him, then I think you could consider taking him. However if he appears in poor condition, and in anyway infirm I hate to say it but I think the kindest thing would be for him to be put down in familiar surroundings. Good luck, just try and keep the horses best interests in mind at all times.
 
I think you have thought about it carefully and are doing the right thing to give him a chance of retirement if he is in good enough health.

I hope all goes well and you manage to bring him home and give him a happy retirement. xx
 
i'd try and help him out too

after all, he may turn out to love his retirment

best of luck, and thankyou for cheering me up
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i think you're doing a wonderful thing
 
Come on, you know you're right, bring him home. Really, you'll soon know if he's unhappy or just not taking to retirement. Like people - some horses love it. They find a new field companion and laze about enjoying their last years. My old mare was like that. She'd worked hard, but we stopped riding her when her bad eyesight made it unrealistic. She was a bit stiff in the legs, but in the field she wasn't bothered. She found a gelding to help her 'see', and generally put on weight and enjoyed life. When her problems (mainly of being parted from her friend, and winter coming on) became too much, she was put to sleep, just outside the field, and the huntsman said how good she looked. Didn't help me, but I still think I was right. Sorry, didn't mean to ramble. Take the old boy and see how he goes.
 
I think you should take him home too! Poor chap - I think it's a bit mean to just say PTS and not even give him a chance at retirement
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I agree, some horses should be put out of their misery, but I'm sure you will do the right thing if he turns out to be suffering or doesn't enjoy retirement
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I have a TB mare at home who is only 13 but can only be used as a light hack. I'm sure plenty of peeps (no-one in mind!) would be keen to PTS as she is no specific use, but she is happy chilling in the field so why not leave her be?
 
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tried to buy him many times.

They get their horses pts rather that let them retire in good homes

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is he actually for sale now, or do they want to pts?
 
Just to say (have pm'ed this as I feel strongly about it) I think you should definetly give this horse a retirement - it would be a wonderful thing to do. He's had a long, hardworking life and dosn't deserve to be PTS.
It wouldn't be cruel to take him on and give him some one to one attention and love - who could fault that, he'd love it and lap it up.

You may find he has a new lease of life after a break - and don't forget he can still be lightly worked/hacked out so he wouldn't get bored. You could even walk him in hand if need be.
 
I can see both sides to this. I run a trekking centre and retired a pony well into her 30s last year, she is fit and healthy but slightly arthritic. I loaned her as a companion to a perfect home 2 miles away but she must have been unhappy as she kept escaping and appearing back home, sometimes bringing her valuable conpanion with her. Therefore this didn't work out so this year I have had her back and she has been companion to my youngster and is very happy. I am starting to worry about having to feed her all winter now and although I am far too soft to do this the sensible option would be to have her pts now after a happy summer. However OH especially would never allow this and has said that he will pay for her feed (believe it when I see it) I would also be hated by every pony loving child (and adult) on mull. So Millie is not going anywhere until she has to.
 
If this horse is unlikely to last more than a few months, then IMHO it would be nothing short of cruel to take him out of his familiar surroundings. Horses have no concept of retirement, they are creatures of habit. He is with people and horse he knows well, if what you say is true then by the time he has settled in with you, it will be time to get him PTS! It is not cruel to have a horse put down when it is old, it is often far more cruel to lengthen a horse's life beyond what nature intended. As for the costs, you will be unable to get veterinary cover for him, so be aware that this could be a very expensive sentimental journey. I can honestly see where you are coming from, but I think you need to ask yourself if you are doing this for the horse, or for you.
 
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