In a dilemma

[buggit]

I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthrits in just about every joint and now have to make a heart rending decision, I have two lovely geldings, both 16.2 WBX both 13 years old. One is a real steady eddie and is totally bombproof but on the ground is a bit clumsy and doesnt always know where his feet/body are- had him a year and am very fond the other is a total twit unpredictable but a real angel to handle in the stable and have had him three years and I love every bone in his body. One needs to go as I cant continue to muck out etc and cant afford to put both on full livery - but which one?? At the moment I can still ride and so the steady eddie is the obvious choice but once I cant ride the other would be easier to keep as a 'pet'
Terrified of loaning as you hear so many scary stories
Really dont know what to do

 

[hollykb]

What a terrible dilemma to have

I suppose it depends how long you think you can ride for, if not too long then would you regret selling your boy you've had for longer? Or if you think you'll be able to ride for a good while yet then the steady one would seem better as you may regret not having something to ride for the time you can? I don't know, very very difficult, don't envy you at all. Though there are decent loan homes out there, some people really do have everything a horse needs, money, knowledge, time, affection, and just not the lump sum to get their own. Just need to vet any potential homes, or loan one of them from your yard so you can keep an eye on them? Then you can still go fuss them every day!

 

[0ldmare]

Poor you, what a truly horrible thing to happen.

For what its worth I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. The feeling I get from your post is that the naughty to ride but nice to handle gelding perhaps has the edge in your affections. So I would say keep him and loan the other boy. He would be easy to loan. That way you could keep involved with him and, if your circumstances change, (and who knows it could change, medical science is always moving forward!) you could have him back.

But its just my opinion and I really feel for you having to make this decision

 

[Dubsie]

Could you get 1 or 2 sharers, for 1 or both, who could contribute so you could do livery or do the mucking out of both so you don't have to? Then you could hang on to both for longer.