Local horsey FB group - finding it hard to sit on my hands!!

[Mithras]

That disgusts me. I have always taken on horses with a view that they are with me for life. Unfortunately for me, this means I don't have a riding horse of my own right now, but I would never put one to sleep or give it away, just so I could afford a shiny new one.

You will read on here that pts is kinder for such horses than rehoming - as if the horse would rather be dead than alive! Obviously if the worse happens then that might be the case, but as an owner, if you buy an older, more experienced horse, its only basic human decency to plan ahead. If I was going to sell a horse, I do so before the age of 12, because I think they're harder to rehome safely beyond that age, unless they're very talented. Otherwise, its a committment to look after them for the rest of their natural lives.

And tbh, the people that I've heard doing this are the ones in a financial position to support a retired horse and another one to ride, but are just too mean to do so.

Its like those people you read about who have a dog and then abandon it when they get a new puppy. Dreadful, dreadful people with poor values.

I read on here endless criticism of the racing industry, but support for pts healthy horses that can no longer be ridden. The sheer hypocracy is breathtaking.

 

[marmalade76]

I always find it ironic how people criticise the racing industry for its wastage, yet I see so many adverts like this locally for ex-riding club standard horses, now unable to ridden due to injury or old age, yet for sale/free as companions. I don't even agree with pts healthy but unsound horses, I think if you buy an animal you should do so in the expectation that you may have to look after it in retirement. Its the attitude of throwing animals away like rubbish when they no longer do your job. One woman I was at a yard at got a new young horse one day and then had her old horse pts the next, although she was out competing on it 3 weeks previously.

Something similar happened at my yard, someone had their 19 yo hunter put down at the end of the season and replaced him with a youngster within a week. She claims he had a bad back but he hadn't seen a vet or back person. I think she found the right replacement and that was what decided the time of his demise. He had been out hunting only a couple of weeks before

 

[Kat]

Most people looking for a companion will go for a small pony for obvious reasons. However, if I were in that position and needed a companion for my TB, then I would go for another TB because he needs lots of grass/haylage and keeping him with a small pony, with the risk of laminitis would be problematic. I already have that situation in that my Cushings mare has to be restricted during the day and can only go out with him at night. If, on the other hand I was looking for a companion for her, then I would go for a small pony and then they could both have company whilst they are being restricted. So there ARE companion homes available for larger horses, so long as they are easy and uncomplicated to manage.

Personally though, if I were ever in the situation where I could no longer keep my horses, and they could not be rehomed with people I knew well, then I would PTS as my mare is 18 and has Cushings and a shoulder injury, and my boy is recovering from KS. He is only ten and looks fab, but unless I can rehab him successfully, he has no ridden future.

Good point, there are some decent companion homes out there, but you have to be sooooooo careful. I agree that small ponies aren't always the best companions either, I recently suggested a retired TB or similar to a friend as she has too much grass and a horse who isn't really a good doer, she went with a welsh pony instead and now has to manage restricting grazing

 

[Littlelegs]

Yes, occasionally they do get nice homes, & putting the horse on permanent loan to someone you either know well or has an excellent reputation locally & recommended by people you trust is a good option. But if you have to start advertising on Facebook to unknown third parties to rehome you are taking a massive risk. No way I'd gamble with my horses happiness to avoid responsibility.

 

[Mithras]

Something similar happened at my yard, someone had their 19 yo hunter put down at the end of the season and replaced him with a youngster within a week. She claims he had a bad back but he hadn't seen a vet or back person. I think she found the right replacement and that was what decided the time of his demise. He had been out hunting only a couple of weeks before

Exactly the same story at my yard, except the horse was only 15.

 

[marmalade76]

Yes, occasionally they do get nice homes, & putting the horse on permanent loan to someone you either know well or has an excellent reputation locally & recommended by people you trust is a good option. But if you have to start advertising on Facebook to unknown third parties to rehome you are taking a massive risk. No way I'd gamble with my horses happiness to avoid responsibility.

Totally agree.

Re. the hunter I mentioned above, the owner had actually had a couple of people (I presume they were local and she knew them personally) offer him a home.

 

[Littlelegs]

And agree entirely re getting your oldie pts to replace with a new model. Personally I'd love my 23yr old to be around another 20 years, even if she retires tomorrow.

 

[marmalade76]

The latest from the same FB group, someone wants an eventer for £2K

WANTED - Im looking for a horse on short term loan (3 months) with view to buy (max £2k). Preferably gelding but wouldnt say no to a mare if she was right. 16.0hh-16.2hh (no bigger as wont fit in my lorry). Would like a TB or horse of similar build. MUST be good to clip/load/travel/shoe/traffic and must definately be good to CATCH!! Must be clean limbed with no vices. A good allrounder that has potential to event. 5-10yrs but would consider younger horse if ex racer. Appreciate my budget isnt massive but a 5* loving, experienced home awaits where horse will have a fun and varied life. Please PM me if you have something that maybe suitable. Thanks

 

[tinap]

I saw another one on a local fb page - a lass showing off an Arab that had come to her for rebacking & schooling before going up for loan - had been "out of work for a year" - think they meant retired - the horse was 20

 

[Puppy]

It's completely beyond me how people can just 'throw away' their horses like this.

My dear mare had to retire aged 8; I'm currently loaning a companion from a friend so that she isn't alone when I ride my boy. Even in retirement she gives me so much pleasure, just from spending time with her. The thought of passing her on to someone else makes me feel almost teary.

 

[SaffronWelshDragon]

Some absolutely shocking stories on here, I too have bought my girls knowing they had a home for life with me and my sister. At first I totally agreed with the 'who would want a TB as a companion, just get a Welsh A', but having read the comments it makes total sense I have a similar problem, my retired Welsh A has dodgy teeth and isn't allowed hay, just loads of simple systems soaked stuff in the winter. She is paired with our 8 year old shetland who is the complete opposite and needs restricted grazing. My Welsh D and my sis' NF are together, and the NF would be better with the Welsh A as both getting on a bit with teeth problems. Argh!

 

[Mithras]

It's completely beyond me how people can just 'throw away' their horses like this.

My dear mare had to retire aged 8; I'm currently loaning a companion from a friend so that she isn't alone when I ride my boy. Even in retirement she gives me so much pleasure, just from spending time with her. The thought of passing her on to someone else makes me feel almost teary.

Its quite odd really. Since doing well with your horse depends so much on the partnership you have with them, it seems counter-productive to have the mindset of getting rid of them when they're no longer any use to you.