Rant and opinions needed Re Rehoming companion horse

Sukistokes2 said:
This is going to sound harsh and for that I am sorry, because I really do see how painful this is for you. Your options are, if you are not able to pay for the expensive scans, to re-home as a companion, keep as your own horse or pts. I would not sell a horse as a companion only, it is too open to abuse. I would also not like to loan, although I did once but the horse was like 1/2 a mile down the road and I saw her everyday. I take it you can not keep him and afford a horse to ride and you want to ride. That is understandable, not everyone can afford to keep a retired horse. if this is the case you only real option is to put the horse to sleep. In the end that might be your only options if you can not keep him as a retired horse and do not want to look further into what is wrong with him.
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This ^^^^^ - the right thing to do for your equine friend is to pts and to then be sure that he will never be in pain again. Its too difficult to trust people not to ride the horse even when they say they won't. It costs far too much to keep a paddock mate and the majority of folk don't have that sort of money.
 
I can never understand why who 'can't afford' to keep their old/unsound horse think that someone else, with no prior emotional attachment, will be able to afford it and its meds. It really makes me cross!

If you don't want to afford to keep the horse do the responsible thing and have it PTS at home.
 
If I was looking for a companion horse, I would probably try to loan from a reputable rescue charity where I would have more chance of finding a suitable companion who has been assessed thoroughly before the re homing process started. I would be loathe to buy one from a private seller.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I can never understand why who 'can't afford' to keep their old/unsound horse think that someone else, with no prior emotional attachment, will be able to afford it and its meds. It really makes me cross!

If you don't want to afford to keep the horse do the responsible thing and have it PTS at home.
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This.

You can almost be assured that if you sell of an unsound, unridable, older horse they will end up in a bad situation, sold to someone who will abuse, neglect or even butcher them for dog food or similar.
 
If the long term owner of an old or broken horse, the person who has had all the fun from it previously, doesn't want to/ isn't prepared to, support it through retiremement, what would anyone else?

Take responsibility. Keep in retirement, or PTS with dignity.
 
OWLIE185 said:
This may also sound harsh but if one takes on a horse one should ensure that one has sufficient financial resources/reserves so that if something goes wrong with the horse it will get all the diagnostic treatment and treatment that it requires. You state that you do not have the time to pay attention to him but surely if you take on a horse you should be sufficiently committed to spend time looking after your horse during any illness or recovery period.
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Completely agree with this post - if you couldn't afford to even get a scan (not that expensive in the great scheme of things) you really shouldn't have a bought a horse. Also, are you saying if he wasn't injured you would have time for him ? What's the difference ? Injured or otherwise horses need a time commitment.

Your 'why oh why' moan about people not turning up to take your problem off your hands, makes me sick, as though YOU are the injured party !! What about your poor horse who could well be repaired with decent medical diagnosis and treatment.
I might just as easily moan 'Why oh why' do people continually stretch themselves financially for something they can't afford - and worse - don't have time for, and them try to off load the problem with no thought to the animal. Do the right thing and have him PTS and then do the right thing and stay away from horses.
 
See i would struggle to afford scans etc for both of mine if they broke at same time, but that's why they're insured for everything! (my dad is always good with a loan too)

Was there no insurance you could fall back on op?
 
Thanks for all your replies although a couple of them seem a bit harsh without knowing the full story. My horse is only 10 years old, I bought him as a 4 year old and he has only been rideable for about 2 years of that time due to developing a keratoma which had to be operated on and a very long rehabilitation afterwards before he became sound. At the time I bought him I had my own land but unfortunately had to sell this for personal reasons. I thought I would try and rehome him to give him a chance of being a pampered pet. Naive I know but I had to try. He is such a lovely friendly boy it just doesn't seem right to have him pts even though in the back of my mind I know it's probably going to happen.
My rant was not about the fact that no one wanted him but more that people get your hopes up and then don't have the courtesy to let you down gently but just waste your time and leave you waiting.
 
luckyoldme said:
ok, i don t usually post on this but its something i feel quite strongly about.
I have a 25 year old, very good nick for his age, still the odd hack out but for the most stood in the field costing me money.
While he is in the field and happy and comfortable he has a home, I have the oppertunity of a lovely youngster but i cant afford two.
Selling my first horse on isn t an option because i cant bear the thought of him ending up being abused. I personally would nt have him put down to make way for the youngster, other people might make the descision to pts and make way for the young horse. Those 2 options are the only responsible options for a horse that can t be ridden to gaurantee the horse doesn t suffer.
While I know im soft , i actually love my horse to bits, I dont think any the less of someone else who would pts in the same situation, but to me selling a horse on or giving away is not responsible in that situation.
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This is lovely, im the same. I struggle to rehome an old sofa let alone an animal. Mine stay with me to the end :)
 
Still paying for my retired mare to stay on part livery with a friend. Slightly cheaper then being at my yard but not by a great deal. Mare showed she is not happy living out. Is healthy and very happy where she is. She will be 28 this year and I stopped competing here at 16. It's been and continues to be a very expensive retirement but I bought a 13 year mare to give me competition experience and she did that. I really have had to go without but owe this mare. However, if I didn't feel I owed her that I would not be doing this as I don't have my own land and it causes a real financial impact.
 
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