RIP Danny, and advice about current yard situation

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Gemsie

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Hi there everyone,

Firstly I wanted to share with you all about the sad loss of my old retired gelding Danny last weekend. He has been with me for 22 years and was in his early 30s, he had a wonderful long life and lovely long 8 year retirement living in the lap of luxury, but sadly his artritus had worsend and moved into his neck and spine and I made the decision to pts before he deteriorated, I really noticed that in the last 2 weeks he seemed to age so rapidly and became noticably wobbly and so the very very sad decision was made.

The yard is just not the same without him and I am really devastated that he is gone.

He brought me so much joy in our time together and I learnt so much from him, he was a devil at times and I would never want another like him but I would not change a thing.

I hope he knows how much I loved him, I will never forget all our happy times.

The loss of my boy also brings about an issue with my current horse, who is a 7yr old warmblood.

I keep my horses at my mum and dads house, and we do have a shetland who acts as company, however in the spring and summer we really have to restrict his turnout time (lami prevention) and I am really worried that my mare will be very lonely out in the field for hours at a time on her own...

She has been coping very well this week, but longer term I am not sure if she will be happy, and also I think its a bit unfair for her to be out on her own so much (she is quite a stressy type who loves horsey company).

I cant really cope with the idea of having another horse on the yard at the moment but I really am aware that longer term I will need to get her a friend ...

I am thinking there is probably no shortage of people seeking a 5* retirement home for an older or non ridden horse but I am really struggling to even think about it at the moment as i completely have not come to terms with the loss of my boy.

Do you think my horse will be ok on her own for a while or should I be looking to get a friend for her?

Thanks all, sorry for the waffling...

Gem
 
Sorry to hear about Danny, R.I.P x

Maybe try thinking about getting something totally different, like goats or sheep or even an alpaca if you cant face another horse on the yard.

Otherwise if your worrying I would contact rescue centres/ask around for an old horse/pony who really deserves a retirement home and a bit of TLC.
 
Thank you, a couple of people have suggested sheep or goats but I have never looked after one so dont really know whats involved in terms of care - perhaps I will have a read up into this.

I suppose if they respect electric fencing and are happy in a stable at night it might be quite nice!

I am not really sure what my mare would think if she had a sheep or a goat as a friend but I guess it wont take her long to get used to them?

I would imagine they need quite a careful introduction - I wouldnt want her to kick them or anything??
 
If you do decide that eventually you are ready for another equine companion, please think about taking one from a charity. Not only would you be helping the horse you took by giving it a forever home, but you'd be freeing up a place at that charity for another horse in need of help.

If or when you feel ready, of course.

Sorry to hear about Danny, it sounds like he had a great old life with you though.
 
Firstly, i am very sorry to hear about your old horse but sounds like he had a great life. We have a few oldies so I know i will have to face the same decision at some point and it's never easy. However, if you can afford and are thinking about a companion for your mare then i would definitely look to a charity to rehome a horse from them. The horse won't necessarily be old or even unrideable but I do think really horss need horses as companions (unless there really is no alternative and then anything's better than nothing). I tell you it's a good feeling rescuing a horse who may not have had the best care in life. We had a blue cross horse for 14 year (he was 22 when we got him!) and he was a great character. We rode him for a couple of years I think until he started finding it a bit difficult and basically he was then just retired and lived the life of riley!
 
Am I been thick or not, but as you already have a little Shetland, why get another horse (expensive), goats (escape artists), sheep (know nothing about) when all you have to do is fence off a small area in the field with obviously shelter and water and pop your little chap in. :)
 
What about rehoming from the blue cross or such? They have lots of younger, non ridden companions looking for loving homes, you pretty much get a pick of sizes so not limited to small ponies! A friend of mine got a lovely 15hh gelding to act as a companion, he's no trouble at all, and if her situation ever changed she's secure in the knowledge he can go back to the blue cross.
 
Eeyore.1 said:
Am I been thick or not, but as you already have a little Shetland, why get another horse (expensive), goats (escape artists), sheep (know nothing about) when all you have to do is fence off a small area in the field with obviously shelter and water and pop your little chap in. :)
Click to expand...

This was my first thought too.

Sorry to hear about Danny, sounds like you did the right thing for him. hope you're okay x
 
I am sorry to hear about Danny, he sounds a bit like the Old Appy, I miss her still but would not have another like her! (although if someone could find a way to return her, in good health I would have her back in an instant)You will never replace Danny, but I think it would be a wonderful tribute to him to give another horse a home. All that you learned from him can be use to give a horse in need the care and attention it needs
 
I would make use of your Shetland !
Even if it means mowing the grass each week or so to keep it down.
Also, a lot of tiny company ponies don't get enough exercise so by lunging the Shettie a couple of times a week will also help manage the Lami risk.
Another horse could bring more problems so I would try and manage what you already have to work with.

R.I.P Danny.... You did a fantastic job keeping him to such a good age :)
x
 
Gem firstly im so so sorry about your loss of a horse that - after 22 yrs - you loved and cared for just well hugs to you .

now can i say breath and take step back then look to future - you sound like you can give a home for life to a horse so chat to charities talk to them what you can offer in way of care and the obvious love - be it rideable or not - they are crying out for people just to help them and give a horse or pony a loved cared for life :) xxxx
 
ok i think you should try with just the shetty to start but rather than fence a small pen, if you have enough fence run the a tract round the whole field or 1-2 sides this will increase the exercise.

if you still think another companion would be good, then i second the charity approach or you put an advert up for a livery (retired) and then they would be self funding:)
 
Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your comments.

I think I need to take a bit of time to think the situation over.

I perhaps should have explained the situation with the little shetland a bit better, he is out in a very small electric fenced area - but even with electric on, he can at times just take it upon himself to barge straight through it onto areas which are nice and lush and green - hence it being easier (and preventing him from getting lami) to keep him in during the mornings in particular.

He has even been known to be halfway through the electic fence (which is in good condition and well powered) getting shocks and he just stands eating without a care in the world - I have been shocked numerous times trying to retrieve him from this predicament - I think he is just a toughie who cares more about filling his face then a shock from the fence.

Its not possible to post and rail him sections of paddock as I when I rotate the grazing I would have to move the post and rail each time and he has been know to charge at it head on and just go through it (adorable little chap!).

I think I will take a bit of time to consider it, but its looking for me like the most likely outcome would be that I speak to some charities and offer a lovely oldie a loving home.

I only really have time to ride one horse a day outside of work, and am a sucker for an oldie seeking a happy home.

I will keep you updated should I decide to go down this route, its just all a bit soon for me at the moment,

Thanks again for all of your comments.

Gem
 
Good luck with your search, we had a pony who had no respect for electric fence so we put up 3 strands, 1 of which was very low that it hit the legs and nose if they tried to either graze through or break through - ponies are such houdinis. :confused:
 
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your old horse, must be very hard. I hope you can find a solution to give your mare some company, the suggestions of a smaller animal I think are a great idea, good luck x
 
Gemsie said:
Hi there everyone,

Firstly I wanted to share with you all about the sad loss of my old retired gelding Danny last weekend. He has been with me for 22 years and was in his early 30s, he had a wonderful long life and lovely long 8 year retirement living in the lap of luxury, but sadly his artritus had worsend and moved into his neck and spine and I made the decision to pts before he deteriorated, I really noticed that in the last 2 weeks he seemed to age so rapidly and became noticably wobbly and so the very very sad decision was made.

The yard is just not the same without him and I am really devastated that he is gone.

He brought me so much joy in our time together and I learnt so much from him, he was a devil at times and I would never want another like him but I would not change a thing.

I hope he knows how much I loved him, I will never forget all our happy times.

The loss of my boy also brings about an issue with my current horse, who is a 7yr old warmblood.

I keep my horses at my mum and dads house, and we do have a shetland who acts as company, however in the spring and summer we really have to restrict his turnout time (lami prevention) and I am really worried that my mare will be very lonely out in the field for hours at a time on her own...

She has been coping very well this week, but longer term I am not sure if she will be happy, and also I think its a bit unfair for her to be out on her own so much (she is quite a stressy type who loves horsey company).

I cant really cope with the idea of having another horse on the yard at the moment but I really am aware that longer term I will need to get her a friend ...

I am thinking there is probably no shortage of people seeking a 5* retirement home for an older or non ridden horse but I am really struggling to even think about it at the moment as i completely have not come to terms with the loss of my boy.

Do you think my horse will be ok on her own for a while or should I be looking to get a friend for her?

Thanks all, sorry for the waffling...

Gem
Click to expand...

Can't you make a tiny paddock with electric fencing for your shettie inside your mare's field? That way they would both be happier.
 
Sorry, just read why you can't do this. Couldyou get an electric fence intended to keep out rabbits? They are around £70 and are 50 m long. Enoughfor a small pen for your naughty pony.
 
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