SEAMED LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO

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eventing_chick

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Was at doncaster sales 2 years ago buying a couple of TBs for myself.Unfortunatly i took pitty on a 2 yo filly which was incredibly scrawny and looked utterly terrified of its enviroment,and yes youve guessed it and mine was the only bid! Was intending to simply re train and sell on,but....she has compromised vision in one eye and is not going to be a top anything cos shes small and sway backed.
However she is the kindest sweetest thing and is brilliant with all horses,big,small,old,young,male and female.I want to find a home for her but wont risk going to slaughter by trying to sell her for a 'companion'.
Shouldn't have bought it i know!
Has anyone got a solution?
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Is keeping her and bringing her on to be sold as a riding horse at 4 or so when she has matured an option, or do you need to move her on sooner. Sounds like she could do with some stability in her environment
 
A friend did a similar thing, she gave the horse to a gypsy family, the horse is very happy & well loved; if the family can no longer keep her, she will be returned to my friend.
 
she's five and in amaing condition now.did a bit with her last year but her conformation is against her.
I also don't belive making a partaily sighted horse a riding horse is such a good idea
 
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she's five and in amaing condition now.did a bit with her last year but her conformation is against her.
I also don't belive making a partaily sighted horse a riding horse is such a good idea

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we have a riding school horse who has always struggled with his sight and last year had to have an eye remove, he is the perfect gentlemen and a complete schoolmaster and he has never had perfect site, he is occasionaly a bit bargy, but even when we got a new school he quickly adjusted
 
If the sight has always been poor the horse will have adjusted to it and there s no reason why she shouldn't make a nice hack for somebody, as long as she is temperamentally suited to it. I wouldn't breed from her though
 
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I also don't belive making a partaily sighted horse a riding horse is such a good idea

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Why ever not?! A friend of mine has a one-eyed pony and its an absolute demon in the showjumping arena. As long as she lets him see the jumps with his good eye, then he'll jump pretty much anything. Even I, who is a very nervous jumper, jumped 3ft on his back
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If the sight has always been poor the horse will have adjusted to it and there s no reason why she shouldn't make a nice hack for somebody, as long as she is temperamentally suited to it. I wouldn't breed from her though

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Unfortunatly it occured whilst shes been with me. I wouldn't breed from her anyway shes not enough quality.
 
Obviously it is hard to comment without seeing the horse, but I have been offered worse on loan and still turned them into safe riding horses. You might be best loaning her out as a companion if you are seriously worried about her future - at least you then have some control over what she is doing. My only concern about the eye would be a degenerative condition that could turn into a tumour, obviously removing the eye might be a way forward in those circumstances - but those are very specific circumstances
 
I know a blind in one eye horse who jumped round the national, one of the best jumpers I have ever sat on. Anyone who didnt know would have no idea, in any situation he was perfect. I have known quite a few partially sighted racehorses, they generally wear blinkers/cheekpieces to help even them up in a race but that is it.
Our field master also hunts a one eyed horse - her only quirk is that she will rub against a horse that stands on her blind side.
Cant see the sight being a problem if you do a bit with her and find the right home.
 
You might be able to find a great companion home for her. My horse's current companion is my 34 year old mare, whom I love to bits, but when nature eventually takes its course, I'd be looking for another companion for my gelding.

I would be perfectly happy to have a non rideable companion, as long as it was safe to be out with my gelding. I've had my mare since she was 3 & could be trusted to give another horse a 5 star permanent home. I'm sure there are other people like me or better out there? (Not me tho - am hoping my mare will last another 10 years!)
 
I hate to say this but if you truly do think she is able to be nothing but a comanion horse you either should keep her yourself, find a trusting retirement home or have her put down.

I am sorry to say the last part, but if going off to slaughter or abuse scares you it is the only way you would KNOW she came to a peaceful end.
 
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I hate to say this but if you truly do think she is able to be nothing but a comanion horse you either should keep her yourself, find a trusting retirement home or have her put down.

I am sorry to say the last part, but if going off to slaughter or abuse scares you it is the only way you would KNOW she came to a peaceful end.

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the last part i'm well aware,I have undertaken the care of this animal who is happy and well.I could never justify putting a horse to sleep who's been unfortunate in the industry its been born into.
 
Then you either need to keep her or make DARN sure you trust where she ends up for a companion.

I agree with you, and putting a healthy animal to sleep would be my LAST choice, but I would rather see that happen than what often happens to these so called "unuseable" horses.
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A sad reality, but a reality just the same.

Best of luck to you is all I can offer. I truly hope it works out for the best for you and this mare.

Have you thought or a rescue center or retirement farm? These places are usually trained and equiped to deal with horses like this. Some offer lifetime homes as well as searching for appropriate fosters or new homes. They often have a strict process when researching potiential new owners and often follow through with check ups.
The downside is that finding one may be hard. These places are often stuffed to capacity, but perhaps if you looked around and maybe even made them a donation they could take her????


I may know of one...where are you in th UK?
 
I know there are many horses out there who compete with partial sight. What exactly has she done?
Many people don't want a superstar, they want a horse to enjoy. Pleasure rides, etc.
 
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