Retired my boy today...

[Sarah W]

It's ridiculously hot here in Portugal at the moment so I took Daan out for his 20 minute amble early but he didn't 'feel' right. My YO was watching his hind legs and caught up with me as I was leaving to say that's it time to stop riding him.

Although I'm upset (selfishly - I liked our little walks out) she's right, he is very wobbly on his pins and deserves, hopefully, a long and happy retirement. I'll be taking him out in hand for that enormous buffet that is the wasted roadside grass (!).

No real point in posting, just that he is my first horse in 47 years of longing and I'd hoped we would have had a few adventures together before this time came.

On the up side I can now be an indulgent 'granny'!

 

[Trish C]

Awwwww but you can still have adventures together in hand, and fair play for making the decision.

Will you get another horse?

 

[RuthnMeg]

Happy Retirement to horsey and enjoy being groom granny!! I am sure your horse will be grateful of your decision, and will happily munch that wasted grass!!

 

[Sarah W]

Awwwww but you can still have adventures together in hand, and fair play for making the decision.

Will you get another horse?

Oh yes! I'm on the look out for a happy hacker, there appear to be lots here but 'calm and safe' in Portuguese translates to 'as long as you have been glued into the seat since you were 4 years old'!

 

[TheEquineOak]

I bet he got the flags out

Have a look on the interweb and see if there are any activities you can do with your newly retired maybe he could still manage the odd plod every now and then

Best wishes to you both

 

[nikkimariet]

Aww bless, sounds like you are doing the right thing. Good luck with searching for your next one!

 

[Snowysadude]

Bless him but I'm sure your doing the right thing for him . Hope he enjoys his retirement and little walks!

 

[Trish C]

Oh yes! I'm on the look out for a happy hacker, there appear to be lots here but 'calm and safe' in Portuguese translates to 'as long as you have been glued into the seat since you were 4 years old'!

I bet, we were on tour in Portugal for a couple of weeks once, and on a free day a couple of us decided to go to a riding place... janey the horses were pure lunatics!

Also I've had translation problems with Portugese before - on same tour we all struggled loads with language barrier. So I was delighted when we got on the bus one night and the seat numbers were in English. Not a bright moment for me

Best of luck with your search anyways, hope you find your perfect horse!

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Hugs hun. At least you can still go for walks and mooch along together.

 

[Sarah W]

Thanks for all the kind comments. I'll pass them all on in the morning with lots of polos....

 

[Echo Bravo]

Just hide your sarnies when you take him out for a graze

 

[mytwofriends]

You know you've made the right decision and I bet your horse will be thankful! I'm pretty sure I'll have the same decision to make this year some time and, like you, whilst I know I'll be sad not to ride my boy, I'll love indulging him and giving him the happiest, most spoilt life he deserves after what he's done for me

Here's to a happy retirement for your boy, and mine when the time comes too!

 

[misst]

Lucky boy It is a sad decision but if you know it is time it will feel good as well. Best wishes for a very long and happy retirement.