Retiring them young...

I had to retire a 5 year old due to neurological problems and oter bits. Found the best retirement yard ever- there was nothing more they could want there, but unfortunately had to have him pts as he couldn't cope with doing nothing, he liked to work and despite twice daily handling was turning wild and dangerous so it was the best thing for him and us in the end. I'm glad I tried it as like so many others I know, he might have taken to it and lived there forever! Good luck with yours, hope whatever way you decide to go goes well!!
 
I had to retire my horse at 15, he did his tendon in a big way messing about in the field (DDFT core lesion). He had surgery etc. but they said he would never compete again and I'd be lucky if he was rideable. He is rideable but only very gently, as in walk and a little trot and tiny canter. I don't risk more as his tendon in obviously much weaker - if he gallops about in the field then the next day he can be pretty sore, hence I keep his riding so gentle so really he's pretty much retired bar the odd plod to keep him sane. He doesn't like being retired, he really enjoyed being worked and competed so it is very sad but at 15 I dont feel nearly as bad as if he'd been younger, he's had a good career at least. He's still happy enough and certainly not depressed as such, he just has to get used to a slower pace of life. I do worry though that because he's a very active horse in general (he likes to play in the field) so if he were to reinjure the tendon, well I'm really terrified that we'd have to call it a day, I dont think I could put him through a year of rehab that we did this first time round. Dreading that day.
 
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I retired my 12 year old in august following a diagnosis of severe kissing spines, excessive boney growths in her stifle and spondoloyis. She is out 24/7 with other retired mares. Despite being sharp and a complete workaholic she has settled well and seems happy. I've always struggled to keep weight on her in the winter due to stressing in the stable and field, and I was worried she would turn into a hatrack without tons of hard food shovelled into her but needn't have worried. They get a double handful of happy hoof once a day and some hay and she looks better than she's ever done.
 
My 12 yr old retired November 2011. I never thought he'd cope with doing nothing but wasn't going to pts on that basis so gave it a go. Sometimes I do worry he's not happy but generally he's fairly content grazing with his friend. I don't leave him out 24/7 as he does get bored with that and I just don't have the land available to do that so he has the same routine as when he was ridden minus the riding!
 
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