Retirement Home

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giveusaclue

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Looks like I might be moving abroad next year for good. My 25 year old gelding (16.3 Irish) is too old to be shipped abroad in my opinion - I don't think it would be fair on him - so I now need to find him a retirment home. Because I will not be around to check on him it is really important that he is kept somewhere reliable where he would be cared for as if he were their own and they would be happy to keep in contact with me to let me know how he is. He would need stabling - quite arthirtic so currently is mainly stabled with some turnout when the ground is suitable.

Most of my friends live in London so it would help to have somewhere not too far from there so I can bribe people to visit him from time to time but I realise that proximity to London adds cost so this might not be practicle.

Any suggestions?
 
At age 25, your horse does not have many years left. If you are moving abroad, the kindest and most honourable thing you could do for him, is to arrange for him to be PTS, in a controlled and peaceful way. If you move abroad, you are postponing the inevitable and passing the responsibility to strangers to deal with which is not fair on your horse, or your friends.
 
There are places that do retirement livery; you would still have to pay for him but no doubt friends could visit him and check him. I had a place in mind for my boy if ever the need arose, though no plans at present; the number is at work so wouldn't be able to get it for you til Tues night. It wasn't local to London though, somewhere Devon based I think. I think there are places advertise in H&H.
 
I would go look at a few retirement liveries. I think Henryhorn on here runs one?

I go against the grain with the idea that at age 25 your horse 'does not have many years left'
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We have had a horse live to the grand of 36 - perfectly happily, out 24/7, and currently have one who is rising 26 - I wouldn't dream of having him pts, he is a picture of health.

I would also think that being out 24/7 is the best option for him, being stabled only exacerbates the symptoms of arthritis ime.

I would look into retirement livery for him in the knowledge that he can live out his days out having his jollies with other horses, and when his times comes, he will have someone experienced in these matters to deal with him. Plus you can visit him when you come back
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I can't believe people are taking it upon themselves to tell her to put the horse down? She's quite clearly not looking to bung it off to a sanctuary, but is willing to pay for the horse to go to a nice retirement livery place.
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The internet and horse press are full of endless stories of old horses being passed into caring homes, only to find they go missing, get sold on etc etc. If you are not around to check on your old horse, then the most honourable thing to do for him, is to make sure he ends his life in a decent way. I am sorry if that sounds heartless, but our horses rely on us to make the right decision for them.
 
We retired our old mare down to a lovely place in Wales - where she lived happily for 10 years before she was put down. I would have on hesitation in recommending it - but we paid £50 a week year round (for stabling at night, and all feed/hay/care etc) - so it is a long term finincial commitment.
 
I agree with Tinselface just cos your horse is 25, it doesn't mean it needs putting to sleep. I know of an old horse that is 40 and quite happily enjoying life!

My horse is being semi retired possibly fully retired at the age of only 11, so i did look in retirement homes, but found it incredibly expensive for places with a stable which is what my boy would need, generally about the same as full livery. The grass livery places were more like £25 a week.

I've decided to keep him with me, but only because my situation allows me to.
 
Sorry, if my horse was happy and healthy then I wouldn't dream of having him PTS if I could find an alternative place for him to live out his days. There are a fair few retirement places out there seemingly, varying in price and facilities:-

http://www.pony-donkey-goat-retirement.co.uk/

http://www.horseretirementlivery.co.uk/

http://www.nrf-horseretirement.com/

http://www.retirement-livery.co.uk/id2.html

http://www.forest-stables.co.uk/retirement.htm

http://www.horseretirementhome.co.uk/

http://www.equinetranquility.co.uk/
 
Thank you LadyT for suggestions and any and all others gratefully received.

To clarify I am looking for a retirement livery. I do understand what people mean about potentially giving up my responsiblilty for him and I am guilt ridden by the prospect but, as others have said, he may be 25 but I believe, in his head, he thinks he is still 5. He still regularly carts me round the school at a pace that isn't becoming in a pensioner! I feel like I am in an impossible situation. I am having to move away (not my choice - family stuff) and, at his age, I can't imagine anyone else wanting him. He doesn't jump any more and needs to do a lot of work in walk and most people aren't interested. For me, he has looked after me for the last 12 years - since I returned to riding as an adult and I love him like one of my kids and, if I could take him with me I would, regardless of cost. I just don't think he would cope with the journey.

So, while I am worried sick about him ending up in the wrong hands (yes I have read a lot of the horror stories which is why I came to H&H for advise) I also don't think that my circumstances should mean that his life has to end. The way he is now he could live another 10 year given the chance. Surely there must be somewhere out there than can offer him a happy retirement with quality care are a reasonable price?
 
I'm sure you will find somewhere really great for him, there are good people out there, who would look after him as if their own. I can think of one place I've considered but not viewed myself I'll PM you the details.

Many older (esp good and well loved) horses, can find purposes in life after riding, my boy is looking after two weanlings and is loving his new job as being 'Pops'.

Good luck in your search, it sounds like you have given yourself pleanty of time to sort it out. Also good luck with the move...I hope you're going somewhere warmer!
 
My advice to you is to get your horse both Freezemarked and Microchipped now so that it can always be identified and also keep some of it's mane/tail for DNA identification. Also make sure that your horse is registered on the National Equestrian Database. (NED).

Please also be aware that there is always the possibility that a retirement home can close for whatever reasons so it is important that you as the owner can be found and the horse identified. Keep the Frezemark company, Microchip company and NED updated on any change of address.
 
I have 2 horses on retirement livery in Cheshire. My advice would be to find a well established yard with long standing customers, and ask about their attitude when things go wrong. For a number of reasons, when my cob's arthritis goes downhill, or if he has colic etc it will be time to PTS as I don't want him to suffer, but the YM at my yard would be more inclined to do anything to keep him going. However, we've sorted it and its a fab place.
PM if you'd like details but its a long way from London.
 
Please note I was not saying any of those places were ones to try I was merely giving an example that after a quick google it was very easy to find several places.

Obviously you would want to check out any place you were sending your horse to and if possible speak to people who have had/have their horses there as well.
 
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Also you have to consider the current economic climate... there are few retirement homes left that have room/finances to take on another horse.

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Retirement homes cost - and you pay through the nose for the privilege . They are not charitible organisations......



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I was thinking about starting a retirement livery as have my old boy (37yo) and have the land. I seem to attract old horses and ponies as up until June this year I had never had a horse under the age of 15. Over the years I have had a 45yo, 25yo, 22yo and 24yo.

After doing some research they do vary in price, it seems to range from £40-£70 in my area - South Central.

Good luck in your search, it really is a mindfield.
 
I will definately be visiting any places I consider - I just find that some places put on a good show to sell themselves but the reality is slightly different - a bit like normal livery yards - and it is quite hard to see beneath the surface to know what the truth is. In the circumstances I really need to get it right first time. I don't think I am unreasonable or particularly precious - just anxious that what I see is what I get and that he will be well cared for and happy.

Hadn't thought of the issue of being in agreement with the YM on how to deal with changes eg if he gets sick or arthritis gets worse - thanks for the tip Gleeful Imp. And details of your Cheshire place gratefully received.

I've had a few other suggestions on PM which is great and any others people can think of - please send my way. While I said I preferred something near London that was my ideal but I would rather a wonderful yard in the far reaches of Cornwall than something less good in the Home Counties.
 
Where is he kept now? Is it possible they'd keep him for you? As you already must be pleased with the place it might be worth seeing as it's an option? They know your horse already to?
My chaps fully retired at the same place he was when he was on ful livery, he's happy there and now out 24/7 with twice daily checks in a herd with the other retired horses. Cost is similar to those mentioned on this post.
However they didn't offer til I asked if it would be possible.
Just a thought.
 
My yard deals exclusively with retired due to old age or retired due to illness. All of my oldies are stabled and turned out daily. All are rugged, groomed every day, feet done, teeth checked/done twice a year, wormed 4 times a year with relevant wormer, shod/trimmed.annual jabs and blood tests done.Their feed is done on an individual basis and the vet is always a phonecall away. I treat all of my OAPs with respect and dignity as I do their owners. All salt lickc, minerals, cider vin et all are free-I pay for those. I charge 350 euros a month-blacksmith, vet and medicines are extra. Im sure that there are yards where the elderly horse will be looked after like mine are. I have a horse here who is on 'trial'-hes been here 8 years now
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Im not advertising-I live in Italy, a wee bit too far away to be of any use
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The yard he is at is great and I will have that conversation but I don't think it would be the right place for him once I am gone. He is currently at a very busy riding school that also takes some liveries. He was on the school when I bought him and so has lived there for many years so, in theory, it would be a good option as they know him and he is very settled there. However I find that I need to be around a bit to make sure he gets the attention he needs - particularly on the weekends and holidays because they are so busy that they can sometimes forget about him, it is very expensive being in London and has very little turn out. I have talked it over on the qt with friends who are on the staff and they think it would be best to put him at a proper retirement yard.
 
The right retirement home is out there, we cared for a 27yr old man while his owner worked abroad for a year, gave regular updates and photos, gave the old man a young companion so he wasn't alone when we went hacking with ours, walked him out once a day and he was content, made a beeline for our garden and apple tree everytime he was on the yard, started losing body weight and condition, despite the vet saying he was fine, owner returned and had a hard decision to make, old man was pts quietly with his friends around him at the end of summer. I enjoyed looking after him, but being someone else's a huge responsibility, I lost more sleep over that horse, than I did my kids
 
I would really recommend Surrey grazing that offers retirement and resting grazing. Horses get checked daily and price includes haylage and feet trimmed. The lady who runs it is extremely knowledagble and most of her clients are abroad so she sends regular pictures. However your horse would have to live out but the grass is amazing and it never gets wet. Horses live as a herd but if not able to cope some are split into a smaller herd. Its £250 PCM and the best care is given. I cant recommend enough. good luck x
 
stencilface said:
I would go look at a few retirement liveries. I think Henryhorn on here runs one?

I go against the grain with the idea that at age 25 your horse 'does not have many years left'
mad.gif
We have had a horse live to the grand of 36 - perfectly happily, out 24/7, and currently have one who is rising 26 - I wouldn't dream of having him pts, he is a picture of health.

I would also think that being out 24/7 is the best option for him, being stabled only exacerbates the symptoms of arthritis ime.

I would look into retirement livery for him in the knowledge that he can live out his days out having his jollies with other horses, and when his times comes, he will have someone experienced in these matters to deal with him. Plus you can visit him when you come back
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This
 
In Cornwall. Good merry farm retirement livery. Used to work there and the horses live like royalty. 24/7 turnout or big stables as required by horses needs. Highly recommend
 
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