Pony's future when I'm gone

Chianti

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What have people decided to do with their equines when they're no longer around? I have no relatives or friends who would want my pony. I've looked at Blue Cross and World Horse Welfare but as far as I can see they initially loan and visit regularly to do checks but then let the loaner have them on a permanent basis with no further checks.

Pony is only 12 now. He's a great kids/ light weight adults' pony but has the most atrocious sweet itch and is very high maintenance, costing a lot in rugs and creams and potions. I would hate the thought of him ending up with someone and being passed on because he's a pain to keep (which he is). If I hang around for another 10 years I wouldn't feel so guilty about stipulating he be put down but it seems unfair on a 12 year old who in all other ways can have a happy life.
 

be positive

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I would plan on 'hanging around' for at least another 10 years and make arrangements for someone you trust to have him pts, it is what I am planning to do when I make a new will in a few months as my circumstances will change and I have no desire to allow them to be moved on, I hope to be around for at least another 10 years but if I am not then I will not be here to feel guilty but should be at peace knowing they are not going to end up in a predicament.

It seems a harsh thing to do, even harder to put it in writing but it does secure their future with no risk of anything untoward happening.
 

On the Hoof

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My pony is 16 but she is prone to ulcers, has just been diagnosed with some arthritic changes in her spine and she can sometimes be difficult in the stable. I have made it clear to my YO and my husband that she be PTS if anything happens to me, I couldn't bear for her to be passed around.
 
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The Fuzzy Furry

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Mine go back to their breeders (we've discussed this, all are mares with decent bloodlines, breeders are all decent people) or PTS if over xyz age, infirm or requiring permanent medication. This is financed by a ring fenced account.
My DH is non horsey, my SIL has her head screwed on and is agreeable to carrying out my wishes as per my will.
I also have detail for my domestic pets too, they have guardians in place.
 

Crazy_cat_lady

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My pony is 16 but she is prone to ulcers, has just been diagnosed with some arthritic changes in her spine and she can sometimes be difficult in the stable. I have made it clear to my YO and my husband that she be PTS if anything happens to me, I couldn't bear for her to be passed around.

Mine is 21 with Cushing's and hates change so it would be unfair to move him to a new yard, my mum helps me look after him atm but she doesn't ride and wouldn't be able to afford to keep him plus its unfair to expect her to so we are both in agreement if anything happened to me he will be pts.
 

supsup

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I would pick a close (horsey) friend who shares a similar view on welfare, and leave the horse (with some money for initial upkeep) to them with the understanding that they should make whatever decision they feel is in the best interest of the horse - keep, sell or PTS. There is only so much you can control once you are gone, but I would hesitate to be too specific prescribing a particular solution because circumstances change, and you'd have to keep your will updated to reflect those changes on a regular basis. So long as it is clear you don't want the horse passed pillar to post and your friends understands this, I would hope that they'd make the decision that you would reach yourself in the same situation.
 

Shay

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You need to make provision in your will. Initially to have livery fees paid whilst probate is determined. You might need to speak to your yard owner as they will be legally responsible in the first few days - and sometimes for months. If you have the resources then most charities will agree to take responsibility in exchange for a legacy donation. I wouldn't personally go anywhere near the RSPCA - but Blue Cross, WHW or a local sanctuary will all speak to you about an appropriate donation. Also check out cinammon pets. Although more normally small animals they do take on large ones too. I've fostered for them for years and they will absolutely take care. No-one will leave an animal in the lurch of course - but if you can pledge a legacy you have a bit more say in what happens.

If you nominate a friend with an agreed legacy that can work - but you need to keep on top of that at all times in case freind moves, is not able to care for horse or you fall out. They also need to be clear that they may not be able to dispose of the horse until probate is setteled and that can be 12 months or more. Charities are more stable.
 
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planete

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My will specifies that my retired horse should be PTS if I die . My family and yard owner know and my vet has put a note to that effect on my horse's record.
 
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NinjaPony

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I’ve requested that my savings be used to fund my two ponies livery costs, to stay at their current full livery yard, until the money runs out! By then, given they are already 18 and 19, they would most likely be ready to go and I’ve approved that with my nominated person.
 
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Chianti

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I can assure you that with World Horse Welfare the horses they loan out are checked on every six months the entire time they are out on loan!

I have three horses on loan from them one of which I’ve had three years and I’m visited twice a year without fail still.

Thanks. I know they're checked when on loan but thought that they can be sold if agreed by both sides. If that happens you then have the situation where they can be passed on and on. He's really a child's pony and so many seem to just go from family to family every couple of years until you see them being advertised as 'free and ideal companion.'
 
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Dancing_Diva

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Thanks. I know they're checked when on loan but thought that they can be sold if agreed by both sides. If that happens you then have the situation where they can be passed on and on. He's really a child's pony and so many seem to just go from family to family every couple of years until you see them being advertised as 'free and ideal companion.'


Nope WHW never sell a horse to their loaners! They obtain ownership of all the horses/ponies for their entire life. I have a couple of friends who work for WHW so I know this is totally correct.

Totally know what you mean, I own four ponies because I won’t sell and have them passed from pillar to post! Two I’ve put out on full loan but would never ever sell.
 

ILuvCowparsely

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What have people decided to do with their equines when they're no longer around? I have no relatives or friends who would want my pony. I've looked at Blue Cross and World Horse Welfare but as far as I can see they initially loan and visit regularly to do checks but then let the loaner have them on a permanent basis with no further checks.

Pony is only 12 now. He's a great kids/ light weight adults' pony but has the most atrocious sweet itch and is very high maintenance, costing a lot in rugs and creams and potions. I would hate the thought of him ending up with someone and being passed on because he's a pain to keep (which he is). If I hang around for another 10 years I wouldn't feel so guilty about stipulating he be put down but it seems unfair on a 12 year old who in all other ways can have a happy life.
mine are being signed over to WHW as above WHW never sell horse bequeathed to them in wills
 
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Orangehorse

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Blue Cross inspect regularly. I know someone who has a couple of Blue Cross horses. She has just been signed over one of them, but that has been after many many years of looking after it.

I think they expect you to send some money as well as the horse!
 
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WelshD

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My husband has a list of what to do if something happens to me. Each animal is covered so he contacts the right people for help so he contacts a local smallholder about the sheep, he contacts someone specialist in the breed of our chickens etc, all of these people know they are on the list.

I had a pony with chronic sweet itch and a huge list of other allergies and the instructions he had regarding that one was to contact a local friend skilled in sweet itch management who would try and find the pony a home via the sweetitch groups on Facebook (lots on there will take on another si pony) and failing that have him PTS. I suppose you could argue that a non si experienced person would be able to manage but in my limited experience of even leaving people unattended with my pony it's clear they couldn't be trusted with a chronic case no matter how much they claimed they could be.
Sadly we lost the pony recently so the situation didn't arise.

The good thing about leaving a list of helpful people is that you can change things as circumstances change.

As an aside I did have an offer of a home for my SI pony from the Orkney isles parts of which are short of good kids ponies, the condition hardly ever flares up there. Unfortunately for mine he wasn't a good kids pony!!
 

DD

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RSPCA sign the horse/pony over to the loaner after 6 months if everything is ok re its care in rthose initial 6 months. I think that WHW keep the ownership and check the horse on a regular basis.
 

MissTyc

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I inherited the care of my friend's 4 horses when she unexpectedly died. It was very difficult. She'd set no money aside for them (I mean, she didn't know she was going to die!!!) but on top of my own three at the time, it was a LOT to process alongside the grief. Two were elderly. The 16.3hh old mare I had put down very quickly before winter hit as she was retired and a poor doer and not very happy; the other oldie was only 12hh and in good shape. I still have her, 4 years later, grazing away in my field. There was a fat fun pony that was easy to sell and I see her out and about sometimes which is nice. And a retired 7yo with back problems that I would have had put down but I know how much she loved him and so I kept him for a year before managing to find him a non-ridden home where he does agility and in-hand stuff. He's an almost 17hh pet!

It all made me realise I had to make provisions!!!!
 

Chianti

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My husband has a list of what to do if something happens to me. Each animal is covered so he contacts the right people for help so he contacts a local smallholder about the sheep, he contacts someone specialist in the breed of our chickens etc, all of these people know they are on the list.

I had a pony with chronic sweet itch and a huge list of other allergies and the instructions he had regarding that one was to contact a local friend skilled in sweet itch management who would try and find the pony a home via the sweetitch groups on Facebook (lots on there will take on another si pony) and failing that have him PTS. I suppose you could argue that a non si experienced person would be able to manage but in my limited experience of even leaving people unattended with my pony it's clear they couldn't be trusted with a chronic case no matter how much they claimed they could be.
Sadly we lost the pony recently so the situation didn't arise.

The good thing about leaving a list of helpful people is that you can change things as circumstances change.

As an aside I did have an offer of a home for my SI pony from the Orkney isles parts of which are short of good kids ponies, the condition hardly ever flares up there. Unfortunately for mine he wasn't a good kids pony!!


Thanks for the reply. If I ever want to put him out on loan I'll try the Orkneys! I thought they had masses of midges in Scotland or are they the non SI type? I find the condition very challenging and it's very difficult to get people to understand that the reason his SI isn't that obvious is because I spend my life - and a lot of money - trying to keep it that way. Left for a week he'd be rubbed raw.
 

Chianti

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Nope WHW never sell a horse to their loaners! They obtain ownership of all the horses/ponies for their entire life. I have a couple of friends who work for WHW so I know this is totally correct.

Totally know what you mean, I own four ponies because I won’t sell and have them passed from pillar to post! Two I’ve put out on full loan but would never ever sell.

Thanks - I've emailed WHW for more information.
 

Chianti

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My will specifies that my retired horse should be PTS if I die . My family and yard owner know and my vet has put a note to that effect on my horse's record.


My last horse was retired - and had been for years - so she would have been PTS. The pony is only 12 and could have years of life but I don't want to have to go and haunt someone for not keeping his SI rug and fly masks clean! I'd quite like to rest in peace.
 

windand rain

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I have just bought a yearling it would be unreasonable to have her PTS as I am already 65 I do plan to keep going just for her but should I die before her retirement (which could be likely) OH or kids will do what is best for her future meantime we will make every attempt to make sure she is capable of doing anything a new owner would wish for eg loading well, easy to handle, clip, on roads, and eventually to hack out alone and in company sensibly it is all I can do to secure her a good future. If she proves not to be the perfect pony to sell or become injured or ill she too will be PTS same applies to OHs welshie if no one in the family wants to carry on she too is a good prospect to sell or again if not suited will be PTS the dangerous one will be PTS the old girl likely wont outlive me but if she does the kids have known her since she was a baby, have good jobs, and could decide her future for whats left of it and can PTS if in her interest. There is a bank account there for them to use to pay the knackerman to shoot them if needed. I hate the injection but I wont know anyway so it is up to them
 

Mrs G

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This is something that has been a concern to me ever since my husband died suddenly last year. It never really crossed my mind before but now I'm aware just how fragile life is and that nothing is guaranteed. I have left instructions that can easily be found and told a couple of horsey friends my wishes for my horse should he out-live me.
 

FFAQ

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My husband and a few trusted horsey friends have instructions regarding my 3 - sell, loan or pts as you see fit. I am returning the 'favour' for a few friends. Hopefully it won't come to it for any of us for a long time!
 

Auslander

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One of my friends has agreed to take Alf if anything happens to me. She will either continue to keep him going, or PTS -whatever she feels is the right thing to do, both for him, and for her. I totally trust her judgement, and know he will be safe and happy with her, if she doesn't PTS
 

Gleeful Imp

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I have 2 friends who will take on my mare and youngster (with financial provision in my will) but if they can no longer care for them (or ensure proper care through being loaned out) they are to be PTS. My old boy would be PTS, but as this looks like his last summer I am hoping to outlive him. But I have realised I have no provision for the cats!
 

AFB

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A friend has a couple of Blue Cross horses and had annual checks for the best part of 10 years. I've lost touch since so don't know if anything has changed, but they certainly weren't handed over and they were quite particular.
 
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