Retirement livery - thoughts?

Box_Of_Frogs

Box_Of_Frogs

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My 15.3hh veteran is currently on a normal, busy livery yard. He's nearly 30, very low in the pecking order, has trashed lungs from summer pollen RAO, Cushings (controlled on 2 x Prascend per day) and has only 1 eye. The herd of up to 16 big horses changes regularly and he's always at risk of not seeing a challenge coming from a new uppity youngster. In addition, his "free range" time has to be severely curtailed because the busier the yard is, the more unsafe it is for him to not be able to see another horse lunging at him over a wall. I have just accidentally stumbled upon what looks like a superb retirement livery home, small yard, natural horsemanship style, max 5 retirees, stable herd, live out in sheltered fields most of the time, brought in part of the day if owners request, ad lib haylage in field all winter if necessary, pecking order not a problem but clearly no "free range". It's an hour's drive away and after the 1st few weeks I'd go fortnightly or monthly. Can turn up unannounced whenever I like. Very knowledgeable YO. Space per horse more important than "cramming them in". Would this be too big a change for a 28 yr old very set in his ways and a total sweetie? I'm going to need surgery shortly (nothing dramatic) and will be hors de combat for at least 6 weeks so this seems a good time to take the plunge if I'm actually going to take it! What do people think? Experiences? NB this is the same horse that I recently asked about pts even though no quality of life health issues. Had reached the conclusion that he would have 1 last summer but with this retirement livery surprisingly cheap and taking into account feed, bedding etc it would actually be cheaper than current DIY and far more suitable for a horse his age. In addition, I've just found a wonderful loan home for my 21yr old cob so the £££ side has eased enough to consider this as an alternative option. I would stress that despite all his health issues, he is fine - just needing a quieter life I think. I'm torn between not disturbing him (been at current yard 6 happy years) or providing a home where pts wouldn't need to be considered for £££ reasons. Going to look at the yard in a couple of weeks. I'm wary of things that sound too good to be true! Thanks peeps.
 
If you look at the yard and it seems fine i'd definitely move. A quieter smaller herd sounds like it would suit him more. Sounds like a perfect retirement setup.
 
Sounds like a much better option for him. Old horses can get bullied in big herds - and the new place sounds lovely. They are very adaptable so I'm sure he'd cope ok with a move. I'd say do it before your op as it will help him to settle if you can still see him a few times a week when he first moves.
 
I moved mine at 35 and although being a very bad traveller all his life he coped well, his journey was about 2 hr from a loan home back to me as I felt he wasn't getting the attention he deserved at the end. Best thing I ever did. It sounds like the retirement yard would be perfect for your horse. I'd seriously look into it.
 
I moved mine to a livery yard (after nearly 10 years in a field behind my house) when she was in her late 20s. She went on hunger strike for a week or so then settled in brilliantly. Until this week she was living out (with feed / haylage) in a huge field of retired horses. She's 32 this year & wasn't coping with the weather so has just come in & will be stabled for a few weeks to put on some weight. I thought she'd be really stressed at the change but she seems happy & content watching all the bustle on the main yard (and seems to appreciate the 'all you can eat' room service she's getting).
 
Go for it ... my friend send her horse to a retirement livery a few months back and he's settled in really well ... he went with his brother so happy horses :D
 
We took an oldie for friends, we run a natural herd, max of 6. A former international show jumper he had never lived out. He came in the spring, hoping for a couple of months in the sunshine. He stayed nearly 4 years before we called it a day.
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Sounds like it could be perfect for him - or could sound too good to be true if its also that cheap. If it was me I'd visit several times, including an unannounced visit and ask to speak to existing and past clients plus farrier, vet etc. before taking the plunge.

If you did decide to make the move I'd also want to drop in a couple of times a week at first (again sometimes unannounced) to provide a familiar face for him and ensure he was settling in well and that the promised standard of care was being delivered.
 
It definitely sounds a better place for both you and your horse. Is it possible to check things out with other livery owners? Definitely visit a few times unannounced. I think you'll get a gut feel about the place when you do visit. Do they organise the farrier or is this something you will still arrange?; Do your farrier and vet still cover the new yard, and if so, have they any comments to make about it?
 
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