Question re.: free to good home

if you can't afford the horse, or take responsibility for it, or keep horse free from pain, or be 1000% sure where it will end up you need to PTS
There are more than enough damaged, unwanted horses around. I could have kept my boy on bute, or passed him on as a companion, but he told me it was his time. I couldn;t bear to pass him on, for him to be in pain, or end up somewhere awful so I did the kindest thing for him as a loving owner, and held him while he was PTS. It comforts me that he is no longer in pain and safe from harm. This doesn't mean I wasn't a loving owner, yes I had him killed, and yes a little bit of me grieves for him every day, but it was the right thing to do
 
It's not about having a horse 'killed' because it suits anyone, it's what is in the best interests of the horse, and sadly, many 'free' older horses do end up in a downward spiral. Indeed, we had one on our yard who was gifted as a companion as she had a hock injury. Unfortunately, the owner failed to get her branded for LOU before she went. Within three months, she was being passed through various dealers, no doubt buted, and probably passed on again and again. The original owner has recently had exactly the same occurance, and decided that, heartbreaking as it may seem, they would have the mare PTS, as they didn't want her passed around. Luckily for them, and the horse, she has gone to an excellent home as a broodmare.
I am not saying that all 'free' horses and up in this predicament, but for many, death is better than the life of dead end dealers and markets.
 
lhotse said:
It's not about having a horse 'killed' because it suits anyone, it's what is in the best interests of the horse, and sadly, many 'free' older horses do end up in a downward spiral. Indeed, we had one on our yard who was gifted as a companion as she had a hock injury. Unfortunately, the owner failed to get her branded for LOU before she went. Within three months, she was being passed through various dealers, no doubt buted, and probably passed on again and again. The original owner has recently had exactly the same occurance, and decided that, heartbreaking as it may seem, they would have the mare PTS, as they didn't want her passed around. Luckily for them, and the horse, she has gone to an excellent home as a broodmare.
I am not saying that all 'free' horses and up in this predicament, but for many, death is better than the life of dead end dealers and markets.
Click to expand...

exactly. I think it takes more courage, and selflessness to do the best thing and PTS
 
Sadly I find myself in this position. I have 3 older horses and one youngster and I have just been made redundant. I have sent the youngster for professional backing and he will then be sold, I have plans and budget to keep 2, which leaves the 20 year old. I got him at 15 and he is an absolute bugger to catch, fine to ride, but really bad to catch. I have made plans for him to be pts (although the cost is a factor it will be done if necessary) but still advertised him as a last resort, just incase.
I pretty much know I am going to be bombarded with silly questions about his suitability as a novice, and I absolutely will not let him go unless the home is 100% - but really, I cannot see that happening and when the time comes then what needs to be done, will be done (because he can be very very difficult to handle at times and i really need an easier life, with 4 children and the possibility of no job for a while) and he will be PTS. At least I will be able to forgive myself a little though because I will have tried. I really dare not talk to anyone about this as most folk cant stand talk of a healthy horse being PTS but I feel its the only option - I guess I am just trying to prove the decision is the right one.
 
i dont no what id do, i dont really want mine sat in a field almost by herself (she has horses next door but not to run around with) and out of work but i wouldnt want to put to sleep just because shes a bit old. if she was on a lot of medication i would pts but if no i would possibly put her out on loan as a companion so the other people could give her back if there was a problem or she was no longer needed. i would possibly advertise her a free to a good home incase someone local did want her as a companion but id want a contract that said it was still up to me when she was pts and if i could visit. i wouldnt want to send her to an uncertain future. people do ask for companions still so you never no.
 
And therein lies the difference between a loan contract and a gift. With a loan, you at least get to keep control over a horse, but if you offer it free, then you are no longer able to have any say, as the horse will no longer belong to you.
 
My friend found a "free to a good home" companion pony on preloved, when she viewed him she asked why he couldn't be ridden, the people giving him away said there wasn't a particular reason, just that they had too many other horses and not enough time and he hadn't been ridden in a couple of years.

He won a best competion horse/pony class a few weeks ago!
 
Good homes are out there, 2 people near me have taken on companions and although not doing a lot and yes they were free to a good home they state that they are doing a job for them and both will live their days out on their farms. And iv taken a older free to good home who has a few problems but fab pony in work and enjoying live again, and again will live his days out at
mine. Nobody can say they will not get a good home as iv seen plenty that have over the years and it's no different than selling. Iv seen a horse which was sold end up in a bad way.
 
while I agree with you, I think people hope for a home such as you have described but the actuality is very different. I DO have an older mare (22) who is in work, albeit just hacking. She will not live out (hated it) so I do have her on part livery but she is still happy and doing something. Also a big change to just sit on her and enjoy a hack as opposed to focusing on having to work the baby horse. I knew a very very long time ago that I would have her when she was old and always had to factor that in. I actually sold another horse some time ago when he hit his teens because there could have been a chance I would have ended up with 2 oldies and she took precedence. However I do not judge people who try the "free to a good home", you don't know their circumstances or what they hope will happen.
 
Unbeliever said:
What makes you so judgemental?
I'm pleased you kept your old horse; I intend the same when mine gets old. I don't agree with passing on an older horse just as you, but again, just as you I wouldn't have it killed because it suited me.
Click to expand...



Well said I am amazed people keep pets till their old then say out with the old in with the new

The only one taking my animals is the lord above when its their time or if i die they are gifted into to horse welfare in my will



Being a fostered for CPL I was annoyed and angry when a lovely old cat come into my care the owners had just got a puppy and the poor old 10 year old cat which they had since a kitten was scared of it and was traumatized so you know what they did???? they got rid of the cat they had had the cat since kitten


that made my blood boil.

unless your circumstances change like loosing a job or marriage breakup.

there is no reason why you cant put horse on retirement livery its what its there for . gets me why someone can have a horse so long do so much then dis-guard it to make way for a younger one I will never put ANY of my horses on free loan and def not away from here to many disappear on loan.

Diamond here i bought as a 15 month old filly now she has turned 23


she has uveitis now- asthma and a touch of arthritis due to a kick when she was young the flexi joint keeps her sound her enhayler keeps her asthma OK
and the vet keeps her eye in check ( so far)

she is ridden - schooled -and lunged 5-6 days a week, so far this year she has done 3 sponsored rides two being 10 miles and 11 miles and an 8 mile one with jumps which she did 3/4 of them

once you retire a horse i have seen to many seize up or die one retired at 17 was pts at 18 seized

obviously depends on the horses health but i for one believe in keeping them in work for as long as poss

and we have 2 liveries also in work one being 29 the other 21 so must be something in it
 
Last edited:
Phoebe said:
Sadly I find myself in this position. I have 3 older horses and one youngster and I have just been made redundant. I have sent the youngster for professional backing and he will then be sold, I have plans and budget to keep 2, which leaves the 20 year old. I got him at 15 and he is an absolute bugger to catch, fine to ride, but really bad to catch. I have made plans for him to be pts (although the cost is a factor it will be done if necessary) but still advertised him as a last resort, just incase.
I pretty much know I am going to be bombarded with silly questions about his suitability as a novice, and I absolutely will not let him go unless the home is 100% - but really, I cannot see that happening and when the time comes then what needs to be done, will be done (because he can be very very difficult to handle at times and i really need an easier life, with 4 children and the possibility of no job for a while) and he will be PTS. At least I will be able to forgive myself a little though because I will have tried. I really dare not talk to anyone about this as most folk cant stand talk of a healthy horse being PTS but I feel its the only option - I guess I am just trying to prove the decision is the right one.
Click to expand...


Don't feel guilty you are doing the right thing by your horse; how much easier would it be to put a free to good home advert in.
 
To paint a black picture there are ''sharks' out there who will take your 'free to good home' horse and sell it on or send it to abattoir. Far better to plan ''the end'' yourself.
 
Cuffey said:
To paint a black picture there are ''sharks' out there who will take your 'free to good home' horse and sell it on or send it to abattoir. Far better to plan ''the end'' yourself.
Click to expand...


VERY TRUE


I know one case a lady had two ponies she learn t to ride on as a kid free to good home he went straight to abattoir

another on loan she checked up on her coloured no one in by call

called a again nothing went to yard met wife she said oh he took it to abattoir last week :mad:

both these cases were on H&H and newspaper few years back
 
diamond_light said:
VERY TRUE


I know one case a lady had two ponies she learn t to ride on as a kid free to good home he went straight to abattoir

another on loan she checked up on her coloured no one in by call

called a again nothing went to yard met wife she said oh he took it to abattoir last week :mad:

both these cases were on H&H and newspaper few years back
Click to expand...

I personally don't see the problem there.
Owner did the responsible thing. Owner no longer had a use for the ponies and rather than giving them away to an uncertain future, she had them PTS.
And had a clear conscience knowing their fate.
 
M_G said:
I personally don't see the problem there.
Owner did the responsible thing. Owner no longer had a use for the ponies and rather than giving them away to an uncertain future, she had them PTS.
And had a clear conscience knowing their fate.
Click to expand...


sorry my computer went faulty and froze didnt save the whole post her is whats missing

a guy came up to yard and wanted them for his kids after spending time in afternoon with him she agreed he could have them on loan to him
she found out from picking them up from her he went to abattoir
 
Jackson said:
If a horse can't be ridden or has been retired due to a managable condition or just out of choice, then I guess it has little money value. Just because of this doesn't mean that it can't have a happy, relaxed last few years as a companion or 'lawnmower'. Obviously it is up to the owner to make sure that the horse is placed in a suitable home where it will recieve all of the necissary care... If the horse is not in pain, I don't see why it should be pts, there could be many reasons why the original owner is no longer able to keep the horse.
Click to expand...


^^^^^^^My thought exactly :)
 
irish_only said:
I saw this too and my immediate thought was to get as many people as possible to ring up and ask them why they are passing the buck.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree with this. I would at worst pay for a retirement home. Some people have no conscience. 16hh+ horse will never be cheap to feed. Most seek smaller companions.
 
What gives people the right to think they should ring and ask them why they are passing the buck??? Nobodys bussiness but theirs and as iv said, I know companions who have got fab homes near me and iv taken on a oldie who will see his days out with me so people are willing to take on companions, yes you do get dodgy people but hopefully the owners will do their homework as they did when I took my old girl on and there's nothing to say they won't. I send reg pics off mine who is now back in work and loving it. People are to quick to judge on here sometimes. A local horse was sold for a fair bit off money and ended up in a rescue home due to the way he was treated and now the org owner has him back on loan from the rescue center and that should off been the perfect home or at least sounded like it. So to me I doesn't matter if a horse is free or sold it's what home it gets that matters and yes a old big horse can get a good home iv seen it happen
 
It's so very easy to judge people, taking the moral high ground but should you when cruelty isn't involved & you know nothing about their motives & circumstances ???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top