Out for the rest of the season - what would you do?

[olderthanshelooks]

I broke both my wrists when my normally quiet old girl spooked, bolted through some trees and I came off.

Anyway been back to have proper casts put on today and been given the devastating news that I can't ride for 6 months. This means I'm now out for the rest of the season.

It leaves me with 2 horses that I now don't know what to do with. An 11 yr old TB who is just coming back into work after injury. And my 19 yr old Sec. D who lives for her hunting and get's harder each summer to keep going until the next season. I've got a feeling if she misses this season then she won't hunt again. She is also my first horse so quite precious about her!

What would you do? Turn horses away for the winter or offer them to a trusted person until I'm able to ride again?

 

[Goldenstar]

Thats awful news ,I would probally turn away the one that wasinjured but try to find someone to keep the older girl going .
hope it's not too sore just remember every day that passes is a day nearer to being fixed.

 

[fuzzle]

Poor you!!! hope you get better soon!!!!

i broke my legs 9months out and i know where your coming from, seems such a long time but hey time is the best healer and 6 months wil fly by,
do what you think is best, if you have a good trustworthy friend then let them ride if not give them the winter off and maybe in spring get them both back into work and you could always do some fun rides x country and look forward hopefully having a good spring and summer with them!!!!!!

stay positive and i wish you all the best!!

 

[JenHunt]

is there a young person who could keep your old girl going (under your supervision)? perhaps even take her for a few days hunting?

and I agree with Goldenstar, perhaps turn the TB away, a bit longer off will do no harm in most cases, and it's easier to find someone to keep one horse going than 2...

hope you're mending quickly!

 

[olderthanshelooks]

Thank you for your kind words, I think the shock of it all has kicked in and I'm a little bit emotional today!!

I have someone in mind who might be keen to take on the TB I know she was going to start the search for a new horse and she also had the full brother for a time last year, so she might be grateful of having something to ride while she searches for the right one.

As for the old girl, I have a friend who I was going to pay to ride her at weekends whilst we thought I was just going to be out of action for 12 weeks, to keep her fit in time for xmas hunting. She can't ride during the week. But now that it's 6 months I'm not sure she can commit to every weekend for that length of time. I would also be more than happy to let her hunt her, but friend has never hunted and I'm not sure she would go without me!

Do you think it would do more harm than good to turn the old girl away, or do you think that would be the start of a downward slope to old age?!

 

[chestnut cob]

Do you think it would do more harm than good to turn the old girl away, or do you think that would be the start of a downward slope to old age?!

I have a nearly-18yo who struggles if I give him time off. He needs to be kept ticking over otherwise he gets very stiff (he has arthritis). I did 8 days hunting with him last season then gave him a month off after. He looked worse after his month off than he did after Closing Meet so I wouldn't personally want to give any length of time off again. If you can find someone to even just hack your older girl a couple of times a week, I think that's better than nothing.

Hope you're on the mend very soon.

 

[L&M]

I would defo be trying to keep the old girl in work, even if not hunting.

I have a 17yr old with wind issues - as long as he hunts weekly he stays wind fit, but if he has a break, say for a few weeks of snow, he struggles when hunting resumes.

I have a sharer for him who is fab and hacks him out at least 2 x's a week, then I try to fit in a couple of faster sessions. We keep him in work all yr round and try to do fun rides etc over the summer to keep him fit.

He lives for his hunting, and when the day comes that he can no longer do it, I will likely pts.

Have you spoken to your hunt sec as may know of somone, or alternatively the local PC?

Good luck and feel for you....

 

[olderthanshelooks]

He lives for his hunting, and when the day comes that he can no longer do it, I will likely pts.

Have you spoken to your hunt sec as may know of somone,

My old girl lives for her hunting I feel the same for you, when the time comes that she has to retire will prob do the same. She would never make a companion!!

She hunted every week last season, wasn't sure she would cope but came back to life as soon as the season started! She is also a bit arthritic just has 1/2 satchet of bute each day during the winter and she goes all day as doesn't seem to feel it the next day either.

She does struggle with the heat in the summer and she doesn't jump!

I am the hunt sec!!!

Will just have to hope my friend riding her at the weekends is enough and maybe as time goes on I will be able to convince her to go hunting and get someone to babysit her for the day

 

[L&M]

Well, if you just happen to live on the welsh/shrops borders I will take her for you....

Hugs x

 

[olderthanshelooks]

Unfortunately I'm down in Devon!

 

[Littlelegs]

Could you find someone to hunt the old girl? I'm planning on taking my child 'proper' off lr hunting this season, for which I'm borrowing a friends very calm 14hh sec d, because something I can watch my child from is far more suitable than some nutter or youngster. I would gladly keep a seasoned sensible hunter in work over winter for free for the chance to hunt it. Could you perhaps have a word with local pc see if there's anyone similar near you?

 

[tractor]

Where are you in devon? friends of mine moved down that way in the summer - man is huntsman at the west somerset, his wife is brilliant with older horses, especially if they hunt! If you think they might be able to help then feel free to contact me and I'll point you in their direction! xx

 

[olderthanshelooks]

i'm east devon country. thanks for the kind suggestion but i would want her to stay at home and be hunted in our country where i can keep an eye. would happily let the tb go else where but a bit precious about the old girl, first horse and all that!