Needing advise

mollywestern

mollywestern

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For the past three years I have had Harley on full loan. He is 17 years old. After having the back specialist out a year or two back we descovered that he had previously broken his pelvis. The back specialist suspected that he had done this injury whilst jumping. This explained a lot as the muscle on his hind was uneven and he was scared to jump when I first had him. I was told that he would benefit from being worked everyday as his legs tended to swell quite big in the stable and he would get very stiff and at the yard I stable him at the horses stay in during the winter months. Not long after this I found one of his previous owners who told me she had had him treated for hock spavins (she didn't know anything about the injury). I told the lady who owns him (she also owns the yard I keep him at) and she said to do what we had been previously advised and he would be fine. After years of hard work he has his confidence back and I compete him regularly. He's absolutely loves his job (you can see that if you look at my pictures) and I've never met such a friendly horse with such amazing manners. Recently this winter he has developed really bad mudfever, from riding in the ménage as it's boggy so at the moment I can only hack him out. He has also just developed a sarcoid on his front leg. I would like to have the vet out to see him but I don't have him insured as I don't actually own him and his owners have already told me that if I didn't have him they would have sent him for meat because they feel he is worthless to them. I would love to buy him and give him a forever home but I know he is never going to be able to compete to the level I want too and I can't afford to have two (I'm only 17 and pay for him myself). I love him too bits and couldn't bare to give him back to the owners and see him go for meat or to someone who won't look after him. I just don't know what the best thing to do is. I'd really appreciate some advise😞 sorry it's so long x
 
Could you buy him from the owners for a nominal sum (say £1) so then you can sort his future, maybe find him a permanent loan home or a sharer who will fund him and keep him where he is now? It sounds as though you have a wonderful relationship, if you were able to sort his future you could hopefully find him the sort of home you would want him to have. They will get next to nothing for meat and still have to transport him, and if they PTS at home that will cost them upwards of £200. A nominal sum to get him off their hands might go down well.
 
There is quite a lot to consider, mainly that it sounds as if the owners yard is not really the best place for this horse, no turnout, a poor school that is not usable in winter and an owner who probably just wants to get rid.

Would it be possible to move him to a more suitable yard? you would have full control and may be able to do more with him, the owners may consider signing him over to you for a token, £1 is usual, so you could do as you wish, possibly then find a loaner or sharer who could enjoy just hacking once he is unable to do as much as you want or if it comes to making the decision to pts it can be done how and when you choose.

Your age makes it far more difficult, you may want to move away, travel or as you say do more serious competing and he is holding you back as you feel responsible for his future, the sensible thing would be to walk away but that will leave you feeling guilty if they have him put down. Discuss it with your parents and the owners, make a list, always a good idea to get things down in front of you, then see what the options really are and how you can do right for both you and Harley.

Not sure how much this will help but it may give you a few ideas of where to start, good luck.
 
mollywestern said:
For the past three years I have had Harley on full loan. He is 17 years old. After having the back specialist out a year or two back we descovered that he had previously broken his pelvis. The back specialist suspected that he had done this injury whilst jumping. This explained a lot as the muscle on his hind was uneven and he was scared to jump when I first had him. I was told that he would benefit from being worked everyday as his legs tended to swell quite big in the stable and he would get very stiff and at the yard I stable him at the horses stay in during the winter months. Not long after this I found one of his previous owners who told me she had had him treated for hock spavins (she didn't know anything about the injury). I told the lady who owns him (she also owns the yard I keep him at) and she said to do what we had been previously advised and he would be fine. After years of hard work he has his confidence back and I compete him regularly. He's absolutely loves his job (you can see that if you look at my pictures) and I've never met such a friendly horse with such amazing manners. Recently this winter he has developed really bad mudfever, from riding in the ménage as it's boggy so at the moment I can only hack him out. He has also just developed a sarcoid on his front leg. I would like to have the vet out to see him but I don't have him insured as I don't actually own him and his owners have already told me that if I didn't have him they would have sent him for meat because they feel he is worthless to them. I would love to buy him and give him a forever home but I know he is never going to be able to compete to the level I want too and I can't afford to have two (I'm only 17 and pay for him myself). I love him too bits and couldn't bare to give him back to the owners and see him go for meat or to someone who won't look after him. I just don't know what the best thing to do is. I'd really appreciate some advise�� sorry it's so long x
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I understand how you feel, but please don't let your heart rule your head. You say you are 17. How will you care for him if you go to university or college? Will you parents do it all, and pay all the bills of course? This horse has a number of problems already and is 17. You are facing increasing vet bills as he ages further and you may well have to have him PTS in the not too distant future. That's £500 odd for injection and cremation. Actually, are you sure he is only 17?

Don't think I'm being heard-hearted. I've watched a number of people do exactly what you are thinking about and it generally hasn't ended well. I could write the handbook on caring for an ageing horse with medical problems. I could have been mortgage-free if I hadn't committed myself to her care instead (not that I wouldn't have of course!) But there are far worse things that could happen to this horse than being PTS. I've seen plenty of times too, sadly.
 
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