Redwings - will they take a horses if you can't cope?

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tye_bo

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I can imagine with the state of the country that they are full to bursting and beyond. Are they even taking in horses if people can't cope anymore? What's their criteria anyone know?

Thanks x
 
I doubt it.

Depends on what you class as 'can't cope'. Redwings and similar are more aimed at suffering welfare cases, not owners who cannot afford to keep their animals anymore or have other problems. Probably better to judge if the horse cannot cope with it's standard of care than judge the owners inabilities.
 
I would imagine with the amount of rescues these days, it will be for the benefit of the horse, not the benefit of the owner. So if the horse is suffering then yes, maybe give them a ring.
 
I'm not sure about Redwings, but someone I know contacted the Blue Cross last year for an owner who had overhorsed themselves and horse had become difficult (to the point I advised PTS rather than sell on, though the horse was sound and had reasonable performance history). I did 6 weeks work and she improved enough to feel there was hope. They said they were taking horses at that point, I got the impression they'd take those that had a good re-homing prospect, they did charge a fee, to cover various things.

In the end I was too soft and took the horse on myself :rolleyes:

I sometimes think smaller charities may be more able to help, but some of them are are well meaning without all the necessary experience etc, but could be worth a google?
 
I know about a year ago someone local to me was forced to sell hers, she couldn't take the risk of loaning & having horse returned. It wasn't anything amazing but was a bombproof hack, could do prelim, unaffiliated 2'6 clear, local shows etc, typical first horse, about 15.2 & early teens. Rather than sell she contacted charities so she could ensure his future, & he would have been very easy to loan out straight away. Reasoning was a charity could have profited from the loan fee, rather than costing them, but none were interested.
 
I have debated whether a charity would take my oldies (if I wasn't fit/well enough to look after them) in return for a substantial donation - ie plenty for them to keep the horse and to help other horses at the same time - so say £5k/10k depending on the age of the horse and therefore how many years they might have to look after him.

If it was a couldn't cope behavious wise they may also consider taking the horse on - again in return for a substantial donation, they have the routes to rehome companions and procedures to check on them so if it isn't a 'money' can't copy it's certainly worth a call and a conversation.
 
Thanks all. Not a welfare issue, she's not suffering, my mental state is but as you've said they're not interested in if the owner can't cope. She's 20 with a tendon injury (you wouldn't know by looking at her) which means light hacking (walking) only. Not fair to sell her on I don't feel. I've found myself in the position of being a single parent and then she came back off loan to me last summer and I've been struggling ever since. It's a massive responsibility I could do without and I don't mean that to sound as blazay as it comes across but just feeling really down about it in terms of the money it's costing and the time.
 
No...they will not take her.
If you cannot keep her, and cannot sell her, the kindest thing (which many of the charities are advocating right now) is to PTS.
 
Oh I am sorry. I think you have two options - to either loan her out as a companion only (IF you can trust the loaner !) or the other is PTS. I know I'll be shot down in flames for saying PTS, but at least you know the horse will not suffer in future, it's quick, and painless. And it will give you the freedom to carry on.

Sending you hugs x
 
I agree with Joeanne & Twinkle Shy as hard a decision it is to make PTS sounds like the kindest option all around as unless you can be 100% certain if your horses future it really isn't fair taking that chance.
 
That's a sad position to be in and I really feel for you. To be honest I'd PTS, an elderly, unsound horse is very hard (impossible) to rehome these days and could you trust anyone not to do too much with her for as you've said, she looks ok. There are so many horses looking for homes at the moment, there are three advertised locally as giveaways, one is only 7 months old!

Sad as it is I'd let her go.
 
Somebody has recently set up a website with approval from horse charities called www.horses4homes.net which is a free of charge website for owners to try and find new homes for their horses due to whatever circumstances the owners find themselves in, i had a look yesterday because it's featured in the current edition of your horse magazine. If pts is not what you feel is currently the right solution this may help. I'm sorry you have such a hard decision to make:/ *hugs*xx
 
I've thought about PTS believe me I have, I think about it all the time but I'm being told by friends and family that's not fair to her to do that. She's such a sweetheart and has been such a faithful steady companion its hard for me to not disagree with them. I've also been told that a vet wouldn't PTS whilst she's not in any pain and the picture of health. I'm not sure I could live with the decision that I PTS when I could cope if my situation changed maybe or I just got on with it and sucked it up.

Long story but she's at the cheapest place possible but she has to be stabled in Winter (their rules but its the closest/cheapest place to me).
 
Just had another idea, there are now horse retirement places where you pay money (don't know when and how often) and your horse lives out rest of its days in beautiful surroundings with other similar horses. Don't know if this would be a possibility, i think there is one in Wales. Remember somebody on another horse site posting something about having been to visit their horse who lives in Wales.
 
Redwings I can't comment on, but for the Blue Cross at the moment it has to be a welfare case.

They do understand if you are struggling, but will advise attempts to rehome privately, or loan, or if apprpriate,PTS .

Financial difficulty isnt enough, as they are having to take on so many properly neglected horses and just dont have the room
 
Yes there are various horse retirement livery places, as with any livery I would imagine you'd have to pay weekly or monthly, But if you are in a financial situation to afford this, it is an option. Just remember to check her often as with any 'loan' arrangement.
 
Sorry EllieB, I missed your post(s). I've looked at the retirement places and I can't afford them. I don't think it's fair to sell/loan her with her age/health issues - I'd only let her go as a companion/light hack to someone I knew and all those avenues are long exhausted.

The fact is that she could live another 15 or so years and I don't know if I can do this for another 15 years.
 
tye_bo said:
I've thought about PTS believe me I have, I think about it all the time but I'm being told by friends and family that's not fair to her to do that. She's such a sweetheart and has been such a faithful steady companion its hard for me to not disagree with them. I've also been told that a vet wouldn't PTS whilst she's not in any pain and the picture of health. I'm not sure I could live with the decision that I PTS when I could cope if my situation changed maybe or I just got on with it and sucked it up.

Long story but she's at the cheapest place possible but she has to be stabled in Winter (their rules but its the closest/cheapest place to me).
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It's all good and fine them having their opinions but they aren't actually spending the time caring or paying for her so IMHO they don't get a say in her future. Remember that bit!

If she could live out there is a retirement livery in Suffolk that is only £30pw all in.

http://www.lydiaharvey.co.uk/index.htm?subj=Retirement+Livery

Is that affordable or something you might consider?

If not, PTS is very far from the worst thing that can happen to horse...

PS if your vet is being awkward, hunts and knackers don't ask any questions.
 
Could you advertise her as a companion loan?
I tried calling a few charities some time ago re my horse. Basically they said he's not welfare and I told the truth that I will not let him suffer etc Hes well fed and has his basic needs all looked after but I am seriously struggling to keep an unrideable horse.
(Not that it makes a difference to me that he's unrideable just that I could find a sharer if he was healthy so would help with the cost)
I feel for you. Hope you sort something out x
 
I would only let her go as a companion loan to someone I knew/friend of a friend. I've heard too many horror stories and have my own loan horror story to let her to to a stranger. As I say I've exhausted that option already as no-one I know wants an old horse.

The RDA didn't want her with her injury. Their horses have to take quite a bit of weight and have to be able to trot etc.

Bloodbanks I've never heard of but done a quick search on here and it's not an option I'd feel comfortable with.

£30 pw is more than I pay now and I'm struggling. I couldn't commit to that every week forever.

Not asked my vet but I've been told they won't just put them down.

Thanks all for your suggestions anyway.
 
navaho said:
Have you thought about getting in touch with the VHS? They are lovely to speak to & very helpful. They actually said to me alot of owners are now choosing to have their horses PTS instead of rehoming them, which, as awful as it sounds was quite nice to hear.
http://www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk/
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Thanks Navaho, not heard of them thank you will check out the link. There's not a lot anyone can say or do to help though. I kind of hoped Redwings might have been an option. Off to bed now to try and sleep on it a bit.
 
Sorry you're in such a horrid situation. As far as I'm aware, vets will PTS without much questioning -certainly in a situation where it could become a welfare issue. In these situations I think we all search for a happy outcome, but the truth is many many horses are standing in fields at the moment in very poor condition, because there actually isn't an easy solution. And it is easy for those not paying the bills to be judgemental, but when asked to find a solution they rarely can. Fwiw, I have a retired 20yo TB mare who had a slight lameness issue 2yrs ago and is not the easiest to handle. If my circumstances changed she would be PTS, no question.
Good luck with whatever you decide :)
 
tye_bo said:
Thanks Navaho, not heard of them thank you will check out the link. There's not a lot anyone can say or do to help though. I kind of hoped Redwings might have been an option. Off to bed now to try and sleep on it a bit.
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No worries, its a horrible situation for you. Speak to them & im sure they will help if they can, they do have a good reputation & they specialise in older horses. The only other people i could suggest that you get in touch with is EMW, perhaps they might be able to help as well, they seem to take on alot of older animals.
http://www.equinemarketwatch.org.uk/
 
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