Older hacking horses looking for homes

[BBP]

Right now I have a rising 3yo who needs to start seeing the world in the next year. Our old reliable hacking horse is now showing his age and isn’t going to be up for long adventures. And our mare who is the youngsters main companion has had some injury issues that have led to some anxiety which we are working through. So she isn’t the best hacking influence at the moment. Facing the loss of BBP (which I can’t bring myself to talk about) and the impending need to balance our group I think what we ideally need is someone that is sane and sensible, likes to get out hacking, pretty bombproof but doesn’t need to be able to go fast (just walk fast as baby horse has a massive stride) or do any jumping or have to be ridden every day, could ideally pony from it. We can managed those with EMS or needing restricted grazing. Older but not so old that they can’t cope with a boisterous youngster. Not too big and not too heavy (I’m not a cob person generally) 14-15hh ideally. Probably a gelding. We keep our horses forever so it has to be a nice person to be around and grow old with us.

Do these horses exist, perhaps those retiring from proper work and wanting a lovely hacking retirement home? and what would you expect to pay?

 

[splashgirl45]

the retired polo ponies would fit your bill I think. They come up quite often on Facebook, usually between 15 and 15.2 hands . Might be worth contacting some local polo clubs

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

One of my liveries got a lovely old boy of 18 who's been an ex-racer and a hunt horse in his day, and he's an absolute darling, absolutely brilliant in all traffic and she's already taken him on one fun-ride and has another planned for the Spring.

He does need a little bit of TLC now he's older, and can't do what he used to do, but does have a damn good try the silly old fool!

Yes there are horses out there like this. My livery didn't pay anything for him, he came from someone she already knew and had used him to hunt with, and she said that one day she'd hunted him and he just didn't have the fire in his belly for it anymore and she knew it was time to retire him so he was just turned away.

 

[BBP]

the retired polo ponies would fit your bill I think. They come up quite often on Facebook, usually between 15 and 15.2 hands . Might be worth contacting some local polo clubs

That’s a great suggestion. My type and they will also be used to a bit of ponying won’t they.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

That’s a great suggestion. My type and they will also be used to a bit of ponying won’t they.

^^^ All I would say is be aware that these can come with a good few physical issues. Have had two come to my yard, brought by separate liveries. Both had to be PTS within the year because of various issues that were not fixable. These ponies were basically "broken". The owners both invested a great deal of love, affection, and veterinary expertise (and expense) into them but sadly there was nothing anyone could do.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Depending on where you are and if you would be happy to manage creaky joints (mostly by being careful and feeding his supplements) I may have a gelding who would suit. 15hh Connie that won't stay sound in hard work but fine for a pootle on a hack. Ponied my mare off him many times and he isn't fussed by traffic (or new forest ponies ). Would only want to loan though, not sell.

 

[splashgirl45]

Yes they will be used to ponying, agree some will be broken but for what you want I would class that as semi retirement , if you wanted to do lots of cantering and jumping a retired polo pony would possibly not cope physically

 

[BBP]

Depending on where you are and if you would be happy to manage creaky joints (mostly by being careful and feeding his supplements) I may have a gelding who would suit. 15hh Connie that won't stay sound in hard work but fine for a pootle on a hack. Ponied my mare off him many times and he isn't fussed by traffic (or new forest ponies ). Would only want to loan though, not sell.

That’s very kind of you to mention him. The other apart from BBP are all connies or part-breds so he would fit right in! He sounds a lot like our old man, who is a hacking legend and will at times jog dance and bounce his way round but has recently decided that half an hour is about his limit at the moment. I’m a little way from the New Forest sadly.

 

[SEL]

I was going to suggest a polo pony too but check out the state of the lumps and bumps before parting with even the smallest amount of cash. My old YO used to get loads in who had stopped playing professionally for his kids to play polocrosse.

Eyesight on the mallet side can often be an issue too (being whacked.....)

I used to enjoy riding them and those that went into private homes really opened up with some TLC

 

[MereChristmas]

I know you're a distance away but try Hopton Rehoming and Rehab in South East Shropshire. They have a variety of ponies and horses. The good thing is if you don’t want to keep the horse forever you can send it back knowing it will be cared for in it’s old age.
edited to add… they may know of something suitable even if they don’t have it on site

 

[SantaVera]

I know you're a distance away but try Hopton Rehoming and Rehab in South East Shropshire. They have a variety of ponies and horses. The good thing is if you don’t want to keep the horse forever you can send it back knowing it will be cared for in it’s old age.
edited to add… they may know of something suitable even if they don’t have it on site

I second this, they are a great charity and usualkly have a few older ones looking for hacking homes, take a look on their web site but also give them a ring as they have only a small selection on the web site.

 

[PeterNatt]

I would try and find one locally that people know it's true character and history. Ask local instructors, vets, pony clubs and put an wanted advert in your local feed merchant.
I was gifted a fabulous 15 year old Welsh Section D cob at age 15 and she was ridden each day until she was 29. An absolute gem that could be ridden by anyone.
(Used to belong to a lady with a centrally located London property and the horse was 100% bomb/spook proof).