Pet or bought to do a "job"?

I made a very similar thread recently :)

My first pony I still have, had her for 8 years now and she is not a pet but a much loved friend and family member. It's looking like she may not come back to work after recent issues, at best a gentle hacker! But that is fine, she will stay regardless.
Kali has been bought to do a job...fill my original mares boots! If she can't do the job she will be sadly moved on. If she stays about though, competes well etc etc then she will earn 'pet' status and have a good retirement :)
 
Well they're not part of a business so they must be pets. They are more use really than the dogs and a lot more use than the one remaining cat, who never caught a mouse in his life! The two riding horses have a job to do, which is to help us to relax after a hard day/week at work, the youngsters are learning to be able to do exactly the same, although of course the day to day care of, and interaction with, them all is also part of our relaxation, they make us smile all the time.
We buy them intending to keep them for life, choosing carefully to make sure that they are able to do what we want and have the temperament that we are looking for. We have kept some into a long and happy retirement, others for a short retirement and still others have been pts because of illness in what should have been their prime.
Now retirement isn't a problem because they are at home but we did keep our first horse into retirement at livery and another one had become an unridden companion because of health problems before we moved to our own place.
I have no problem at all with other people who decide to sell their horse for whatever reason, so long as the horse is sound and young enough to have a useful life in another home, What I do object to is those who try to pass on their unwanted broken horses, or those who have served them well for years but have become too old to continue. Those owners should take responsibility and if they really can't keep them, pts. But please don't say 'I can't afford to keep Dobbin', when what you mean is 'I can't afford to keep Dobbin in retirement and have another riding horse'. Be honest about your motives and do the responsible thing.
 
Pets :)
I don't consider being ridden as their job...just a form of exercise for them and a bit of fun for me. I havent ridden regularly for years now but as long as I am able, the horse n ponies will stay
 
Mine was bought to do a job (carrying me for a miniscule amount of time each day in return for which he gets absolutely every need met and plenty of attention).

I bought him at age 6, and have to keep a horse on part livery because of my job. It would not be realistic for me to commit to any horse for life when I cannot guarantee what the next twenty plus years might hold, nor would I realistically pay out what will probably equate to an average of £80 plus per week for a large pet indefinitely. He'll get a retirement with me if he's been with me long enough (but not if that retirement looks like it will be decades long) and if ever I need to sell him on because of changes to my circumstances or desires I will. If he isn't suitable to be passed on for any reason he would be put down.

None of this means I don't love him. But riding is what I love, I can only afford one, and horses don't care if their retirement is ten years at the end of a long successful ridden career, or a week long after becoming unrideable in early life. All they care about is being fed, having equine company and reasonable surroundings (grazing and shelter). They probably appreciate a bit of mental stimulation and human company but it isn't going to bother them all that much.

It doesn't matter to my horse that he's there to do a "job" because he gets exactly the same care and attention as he would as if he were a "pet" - the difference only exists in my mind, not his.
 
If they are not contributing financially to their own upkeep - through winnings, working in a riding school, starring in movies or whatever - then I would possibly classify them as 'pets' :)

The same logic could also be applied to teenagers :)

PS I bought mine as a riding horse, have loved riding her for the past 12 years - however she is approaching retirement and I shall continue to enjoy her company and look after her when she can no longer be ridden. She shall never be sold or passed on -just pts peacefully whenever I feel that her time has come.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top