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Ranyhyn

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As most of you will know, I have had issues with Ed recently. The final one (and maybe possibly the reason for the others) was finding out that his old injury means he shouldn't be schooling in the way I was/wan't to be, which was exactly what I was doing with him when he had his dicky fit.

He's been passed for hunting, hunter trials, hacking etc but sadly after 2 years of ownership I am actually really keen to be pulled apart, get schooling, dressage etc so no matter which way I look at it, he's not right for me.

I'd made my mind up to retire him, I have always vowed he could stay with me, however some people at livery have said that he's got plenty more miles in him (he has) and that I should think about selling him reasonably for hunting or hunter trials.

I just don't know what to do, I am more than happy to keep him here and retire him but he's never been happy to sit in the field doing nothing day after day. He loves his work and lives to hunt but I know when you sell a horse you can't be sure the person who buys him will listen to what you've said re: riding.

I'm not a great fan of loaning TBH so I doubt I'd consider that unless it was to someone known to me.

Any thoughts?
 
As you say you don't think he would be happy being a field ornament, I think you have to consider getting a sharer/loaner in. Maybe keep them at the present yard so you can keep an eye on him? It may take longer to get someone but would give you piece of mind and keep him happy.
 
you could try loaning but specify that he has to be kept at the current yard so you can keep an eye on him quite a few people do this from looking at for loan adverts
 
Sorry to read this Kitty.

Difficult decision to make, but if he likes work and is still capable of certain things then perhaps think about selling him. My daughters older gentleman could have gone on to event a little with my younger daughter, but it probably wouldst have been fair on him. He wasnt activity advertised, but someone asked us if we knew of a horses that would suit them, he fitted the bill. Kept him for 6 months while they full made up their minds and prepared to buy him. He went on to have a fantasic life and prefect home for him, so it can happen, but might take sometime.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
It's not unusual for shares/loans to be advertised 'to stay at present yard'. It's got to be worth a try - I bet there's loads of people who would be happy to have a horse that shouldn't be 'schooled' but can be hacked/hunted. If I was looking to loan/share that would be my ideal horse - I'm not a fan of the school and would rather be out in the big wide world.
 
I say sell. He's not particularly old [is he?] and if you sell then he can carry on doing what he loves and you won't have the financial burden of keeping him and can go on to get another horse.

I actually think you shouldn't worry too much about selling him to someone who wants to school. If a horse can no longer jump due to an injury, then I think it is more likely that somebody would try and risk that.

However I think you would easily find a home with someone that wants to hack, hunt and do hunter trials etc. The lack of schooling will only limit someone who really wants to do dressage, and there are plenty of people who aren't bothered!
 
It's just a hard decision, suppose I could loan with a view at present yard - then once I was happy people weren't looking for a cheap horse to then do whatever they liked on, I could let him go for a small fee.

I love him to death and couldn't bare if I let someone ride him who'd only try to make him do the things he can't BUT I do feel he's got a whole lot more life in him yet, he's fit as a flea now, trim and ready to go hunter trialling with someone.
 
Thanks Spiral. I have a tendancy to over-fret with my animals! I think its born by the fact after my ex and I split up they were all I had and now I'm like some precious fart all over them all the time lol Aaaanyway..

No he's not old and would be fantastic for giving someone confidence XC/HT or hunting. He's a really handy jumper - proper "get to the other side" type. I have never even twice considered putting him over anything and I'm relatively new to jumping.

Well maybe I'll pop some ads up and get talking to people and see what they think, at least I'm happy for him to stay and retire, so if worst comes to worst and no-one wants him then he can stay with me, the old fool :)
 
You definitely can't underestimate the value of a real confidence giving jumper - for so many people having a horse that they can trust to hack, hunt, go to hunter trials, sponsored rides etc is absolutely more than enough.

I'm sure you'll find him the perfect home :)
 
You might not like this but it is the way I see things...

Ed is either lame or sound. The injury has either healed or it hasn't. If it has healed and he is sound, what you might do to help avoid him re-injuring is to stop jumping and doing demanding work. Hacking and riding in an arena on a decent surface doing prelim/novice level dressage type schooling should not present a problem if he's sound.

If he's not sound and the injury has not healed, he shouldn't be jumping, shouldn't be hunting, shouldn't really be doing any riding at all, and certainly shouldn't be sold. He should be retired or pts.

Have you looked at him on the lunge on a firm surface to see if he is sore in his feet? Has the vet said this injury is now causing Ed discomfort? Have you had any lessons on Ed to try and work through the schooling issues, bearing in mind they might just be typical schooling issues?

To me retiring him would be what happened if he were lame. If he's not lame, try getting some help getting him to operate again.
 
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