Retirement Livery - success stories!!

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0310Star

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Hi Everyone,

I've not posted on here in a while but I am looking for some advice.
Around 8 months ago I had to retire my mare, she is only 19 but she let me know when she was ready, and the decision has worked out well with a much happier horse. I decided that I should maybe consider retirement livery, firstly for her to go back to being a horse to see out her final years (we're currently on a big yard), and secondly because I am struggling with time to do much with her so it seemed to be a win win.

I viewed one about 15 minutes away (Worsenden Farm, Kent) and it was lovely, exactly what I thought a retirement livery should be, and I put us on the waiting list.
Now my brain is going into overdrive... I am thinking - should I keep her where she is? Would I be abandoning her putting her there? Would she feel abandoned? Will they care for her as good as I do?

So could I please have some success stories, and also any thoughts on retirement livery.

Thank you in advance :)
 
0310Star, almost every livery owner I've had of the horses that have come to my care have had the same concerns.

I won't lie, in the 27 horses we've had come here, 20 of which are still here...there has been one that took a little while to adjust to the herd lifestyle. He was fine through it, just didn't get straight in with the herd, he'd never really known how to be a horse before. His owner is now so happy that he took the chance as his favourite old bot is now happier than he's ever known him.

Trust your gut instinct on the yard and the people running it, but as far as your horse is concerned, try not to worry about how he'll cope...he will. They don't do nothing either. If it's a good yard with large fields, he'll be very busy every day with the herd, following the daily routine, constantly walking, playing, snoozing, grazing. The herd here have a far better social life than I have, lol.

If you have any specific questions, ask away. I have a horse here from Kent, have one here whose owners live in the US now...choose the right yard over the right distance from you and as I said, trust your gut.
 
Thank you so much GG, That's really helpful. I guess my main worry is distance. Worsenden is the only one within about an hour of where we live I think and I do want her close if I can help it so I can gradually distance myself, rather than putting her far away and regretting it! Basically all of my worries are about myself and my feelings rather than my horse I think lol

Since being retired she has changed a lot, and I think being in a herd would really suit her. The owners really do seem to know what they're doing, and they adjust it to each horse so some get stabled in winter, some stay in barns etc which is good.

I don't know what is holding me back, I feel quite guilty about the whole thing to be honest!
 
A lot of owners feel guilty but really...the guilt would be more justified if we kept them in a tight routine when they were no longer doing anything. I'll be posting an update on the herd here later this evening...I'll let you know when it's up. Not advertising...we're full anyway, but it's such a lovely thing to spend my days watching happy horses just be horses.
 
Brill, thank you! I'm wondering if I should go and view some more places just to give myself an over all idea and see which I like best, my only worry is her being too far from home. I want to be able to visit whenever I want without a massive drive.
Do your owners visit very often?
 
I was going to recommend GG..!
I personally know her and her partner, they have a fab set up there...all her horses in her care are like family to her... and it's a super pretty quiet part of Gloucester .. you couldn't go wrong with GG.
 
ROMANY 1959 said:
I was going to recommend GG..!
I personally know her and her partner, they have a fab set up there...all her horses in her care are like family to her... and it's a super pretty quiet part of Gloucester .. you couldn't go wrong with GG.
Click to expand...

Ah, thank you. Lovely of you to say. We actually now have a space coming up, lol. Sad though as it means Sid is going home...but very happy for him that he's come good and can be ridden again.

Just posted the herd update x
 
Hi, can't comment on good/bad places for retirement, but as for success stories i can tell you my old riding school successfully sent four to a place somewhere near me (up north and a LONG time ago). All the ponies took to it really well, though two did go together. Occasionally we saw photos as the school owner sometimes went for a visit, hope this helps :-)
 
Herd horses. They just get on with things. I don't know what else to say really. I meant to post videos in my first reply, but was on my phone so not easy to do.

Um, I take an extremely laid back approach to it all here. I have learned over the years that sometimes, the more we humans try to control horsey situations, the more we can inhibit their natural social behaviours. Without doubt, every new owner here has been petrified of watching their horse enter a large established herd, but it's never an issue because I have a set procedure for introduction and it is to make sure a new horse arrives with at least 4 hours of good daylight left, the herd are off at the far end of whichever massive field they are in and the owner trusts me. Now, on that last point, I have literally had people grab me and hide their face in me, hold my hand, bury their face in their hands etc. It's all perfectly natural, but importantly, they listen to me and stay quiet.

So, I walk the new horse or the owner does if they want to, into the field. Walk them in a little way, let them go and there's a process that happens, without fail, every time. Herd don't notice, too busy eating/grooming/snoozing. New horse just sees a shiote load of grass and huge open space and has a moment of prancy trotting with tail in the air. This is accompanied by snorts or neighs, which alerts the herd. The herd all canter over, the new horse canters to them. The herd envelop the new horse, totally surrounding it so that the owner and I usually can't even see it. The owner has an internal panic attack, no doubt thinking about how long it will take their vet to get there, what the costs will be for fixing a broken leg etc...but the herd are just busy sniffing new horses arse, while new horse is no doubt thinking OH MY GOD, THEY'RE EVERYWHERE...SO MANY BUMS TO SMELL and then one of the herd, usually either Sid, Binks or George will take off. This is when the new horse presumably thinks "YAY...I'M A WILD MUSTANG, THIS IS MY CALLING IN LIFE, WATCH ME, I'M A FRIKKIN STALLION" (actual gender is irrelevant here).

They all look like they are about to absolutely tank it off into the distance, but the reality is that they may reach a somewhat subdued cross country canter. It's all about showing off you see...being the fastest just means you go further away from the action. The cantering last about 1 minute, followed by some snorty trotting, by which time, at least half of the herd are already bored and grazing again, leaving the young/deluded ones to it. The trotting and snorting lasts approximately another minute, there is a little more sniffing of bums, the herd leaders (there are a few) all give some ears from a distance...they like to posture but can never actually be arsed to do anything involving energy and lets face it, they just cantered and trotted and lost 2 minutes of grazing/snoozing time, so they must get on back to it. This is when new friendships are formed. The colts Bert and Ernie let the new horse know that they are there for them if needed (obviously they are not around if a mare comes here). Then the lower ranking herd members go and say hello quietly, shield the new horse from the rest of the herd even though there is no need and they kind of show the new horse the ropes. They take new horse to the water, go for a gentle wander, have a roll and then graze.

It's pretty much like clockwork. I have quite a few new horse introduction videos on my facebook so PM me if you want to add me on there.

Otherwise, here are a bunch of videos.

Important thing for me about keeping horses in herds is that each horse is taken out regularly and down to the yard for an individual pamper. Hoof picking/kevin bacon application is done daily along with checks in the field, but the regular individual yard visits are crucially important in my opinion. It means that, should any horse be in need of emergency vet treatment at any time, or to be on box rest as one of them is now (because he's a giant wuss), I know that they will not a/be a danger to me or themselves by stressing and ******** about on the way to the yard, potentially worsening any injury and b/ won't be stressed about being away from the herd when they are down there. I also only have three rules on owners visiting. 1/ No children in the herd unless I am there. 2/ No food to be taken in to the herd (I do it, but I know them) and 3/ Owners do not have to give notice but mustn't come outside of daylight hours. This is important...I think owners should be able to see their horse at any time and be happy in their mind that the care here is always the same, regardless of whether people are visiting or not. The daylight hours thing is just because if you walk into the herd at night and they don't all know you, you'll end up in the pitch black (zero light pollution) with up to 20 horses galloping around and right past you, freaking out and trust me, it's no fun. They know me now and they wouldn't run in to anyone, but it could easily be the stuff of nightmares for some people.

Herds are a law unto themselves. I have learned more about horses in the past 3 years than I had in the 33 before that. No question. They do their thing and I learn from it. Above all, they're happy. I've ever been so satisfied with life as I am now...knowing that the bunch of reprobates on the hill are happy little campers. Means I cry like a baby when any of them leave, but while they are here, they are just an extension of the family, as they are to Dan as well. Not sure George is that pleased about that though, he gets very jealous of me giving the others attention. He'll leave me to see to them and fuss them, but if I am with him...noone else is allowed near me and the faces he pulls to make sure of that are nothing short of hilarious.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaFzY_SIYBY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffK6ign9bOE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zolob-N_cxA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4GKlOgxkxU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiBvRIrHm-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amCbFE4HTsU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ8XuoQum7I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mx0Hnuy9nE
 
Sorry, I've just seen this reply. Your videos are fantastic - exactly what I want for my mare! Worsenden is very much like that which is what I like, I want her out of the 'ridden horse routine' and just left alone to be a horse and enjoy her retirement.

Since looking around at retirement liveries, it has really made me think that I would love to have the land to run a retirement livery... What nicer way than to watch older horses enjoy their twilight years in a big herd mooching around all day long!
 
0310Star said:
Sorry, I've just seen this reply. Your videos are fantastic - exactly what I want for my mare! Worsenden is very much like that which is what I like, I want her out of the 'ridden horse routine' and just left alone to be a horse and enjoy her retirement.

Since looking around at retirement liveries, it has really made me think that I would love to have the land to run a retirement livery... What nicer way than to watch older horses enjoy their twilight years in a big herd mooching around all day long!
Click to expand...

It's pure bliss. That said, it's very hard work, both physically and emotionally. The horses here all feel like mine. I am usually the person with the horses in their last moments when that time comes and it is my pleasure and privilege to be trusted with that but it does break my heart every time. Having injured horses here with owners hoping for miracles and being able to bring them right and able to work again is the most wonderful feeling...but it breaks my heart then to see them leave, even though I'm thrilled they have a future. It's like saying goodbye to a very best friend every time.
You get to know them on such a deep level as just a horse. Not as a riding horse or a yard horse...but as a horse. You know the root of them and feel things with them. It's possible to notice the tiniest changes in them from 200 yards away and know that something isn't right. The trust they have in me will never fail to floor me. I feel more like a horse than a human when I am with them as they treat me as one of theirs, in a good way. They seek me out, bicker over who gets to spend time with me so pull faces at each other if one is with me and another walks over. They know they all get their time though and mostly just wait patiently for me to get to them.
They tolerate me well when I need to pick out feet or lead them into wind or rain. They look after me if there's a new horse around and shield me from any perceived danger.

The work sounds idyllic, but it is back breaking, never ending and your own horses always come last.
It is satisfying and soul enriching but there are days when I could happily jump on a plane to Outer Mongolia and there are days when when my heart breaks so hard, I don't think it will recover.

I love them, all of them. I accept that some will leave on all fours but most, eventually, will leave on the floor of a trailer. People think I'm good with that side of it because I don't show much emotion, but when an owner has made that decision, for the weeks sometimes between the decision and the deed, I feel an immense amount of guilt and sadness every time I am with them. I cry every visit to the field, knowing what's coming but trying to give them a super special last few weeks and days. I cry when their body is gone and they're no longer up in the field. I just don't show it in front of owners because it's their horse and I should not encroach on their grief. I don't do it in front of the people shooting or injecting the horse...or those collecting the carcass...their job is hard enough.

The good is good enough for me to make the hard stuff worth it, but the hard side is far far more difficult than I could have ever imagined.

So...if it's something you ever get the chance to do and you think you can cope...no matter the work, you'll feel hugely privileged. Just go in with your eyes open. Xx
 
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_GG_, those videos are lovely!
I get nervous every time I leave my dog in kennels, but deep down I know that he is delighted to be there: he gets to have fun with friends, is cared for and fed and the people there are experienced.
I'm sure it's just our nerves and as long as the kennels/livery yard are well-managed, one needn't worry!
 
_GG_ said:
It's pure bliss. That said, it's very hard work, both physically and emotionally. The horses here all feel like mine. I am usually the person with the horses in their last moments when that time comes and it is my pleasure and privilege to be trusted with that but it does break my heart every time. Having injured horses here with owners hoping for miracles and being able to bring them right and able to work again is the most wonderful feeling...but it breaks my heart then to see them leave, even though I'm thrilled they have a future. It's like saying goodbye to a very best friend every time.
You get to know them on such a deep level as just a horse. Not as a riding horse or a yard horse...but as a horse. You know the root of them and feel things with them. It's possible to notice the tiniest changes in them from 200 yards away and know that something isn't right. The trust they have in me will never fail to floor me. I feel more like a horse than a human when I am with them as they treat me as one of theirs, in a good way. They seek me out, bicker over who gets to spend time with me so pull faces at each other if one is with me and another walks over. They know they all get their time though and mostly just wait patiently for me to get to them.
They tolerate me well when I need to pick out feet or lead them into wind or rain. They look after me if there's a new horse around and shield me from any perceived danger.

The work sounds idyllic, but it is back breaking, never ending and your own horses always come last.
It is satisfying and soul enriching but there are days when I could happily jump on a plane to Outer Mongolia and there are days when when my heart breaks so hard, I don't think it will recover.

I love them, all of them. I accept that some will leave on all fours but most, eventually, will leave on the floor of a trailer. People think I'm good with that side of it because I don't show much emotion, but when an owner has made that decision, for the weeks sometimes between the decision and the deed, I feel an immense amount of guilt and sadness every time I am with them. I cry every visit to the field, knowing what's coming but trying to give them a super special last few weeks and days. I cry when their body is gone and they're no longer up in the field. I just don't show it in front of owners because it's their horse and I should not encroach on their grief. I don't do it in front of the people shooting or injecting the horse...or those collecting the carcass...their job is hard enough.

The good is good enough for me to make the hard stuff worth it, but the hard side is far far more difficult than I could have ever imagined.

So...if it's something you ever get the chance to do and you think you can cope...no matter the work, you'll feel hugely privileged. Just go in with your eyes open. Xx
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Bless you, when you put it like that I guess it is probably the harder, emotionally, kind of livery yard to have but then as you say you get huge satisfaction also from being so close to them all.
I think I am going to go with the option of retirement livery. I think my mare would love it and I think it would really suit her to be a horse again. I think keeping her with me would be for my own selfish reasons in all honesty.
 
0310Star said:
Bless you, when you put it like that I guess it is probably the harder, emotionally, kind of livery yard to have but then as you say you get huge satisfaction also from being so close to them all.
I think I am going to go with the option of retirement livery. I think my mare would love it and I think it would really suit her to be a horse again. I think keeping her with me would be for my own selfish reasons in all honesty.
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It is worth it. If you ever do it...do a good job and you'll never have to advertise. I had someone ask this morning for livery again after having a horse here previously and that's the best kind of compliment.

Yes, it's really hard on a lot of owners I think...but the horses just love it. X
 
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