Selling Unsound horses

[ycbm]

But we are a throwaway culture in general nowadays, and sadly, that applies to animals.

In horse owning, this has been moving in the reverse direction. When I first started keeping horses 40 years ago, few people would ever consider retiring a horse. They weren't pets, they were working animals. And when they couldn't work, the hunt was called.
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[CanteringCarrot]

In horse owning, this has been moving in the reverse direction. When I first started keeping horses 40 years ago, few people would ever consider retiring a horse. They weren't pets, they were working animals. And when they couldn't work, the hunt was called.
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I'm glad that's been your experience.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Honestly I see more horses kept going beyond what is acceptable than PTS for selfish/need a new riding horse reasons.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Although selling the unsound horse is clearly a sidestep to get out of taking any responsibility... either caring for it or facing up to PTS.

 

[splashgirl45]

the trouble is that so many horse owners these days can only see what they want and cant face PTS so its easier to sell or give away an old or unsound horse so they dont have to think about them anymore. i dont have a problem if someone doesnt want to keep a horse in retirement so PTS, but i do have a problem with someone letting a horse go to an unknown future just because they want something to ride. if the horse is able to be a light hack and is sound its not so bad as long as the home is vetted. its not something i could ever do but i have never sold a horse even the one who was unsuitable and scared me, i kept her in luxury until she was PTS when cushings was not able to be controlled....

 

[bouncing_ball]

Plus, a vet won't put down a horse that can still get around, eat, and be somewhat lively. At least here. So in that case, some go to slaughter, some go on the classified ads. Neither is "right"

A vet in UK would put down an unrideable but not actively in pain resting in the field horse.

 

[ycbm]

A vet in UK would put down an unrideable but not actively in pain resting in the field horse.

Some will, not all, but if they won't there are lots of knacker men who will.
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[honetpot]

I have a pony in my field that was given away as a field companion. Less than three weeks later it's got another companion home, a friend of the friend, about three weeks after that its on FB for sale as a ridden pony, not a huge price for the ponies breeding but still being advertised for sale. The horse world is now a very small place, so this advert was soon spotted, but what makes people do this? Why say one thing, do another for a relatively small of money, and a lot of bad feeling, which is then talked about on social media by people you know?
You never know what people will do, unfortunately, and thinking that all these older animals or ones with problems are going to end up in long term homes is living in fairy land. People want a horse or pony for a reason, I have loaned enough out to know that most, as soon as the animal is of no use to them want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

 

[SOS]

I sold my horse that had torn his DDFT. After his rehab and he was semi back in work and I put him out on loan - so I could monitor his soundness and so someone could enjoy him as a hack, advert was honest - and they begged to buy him within a few months before he was fully rehabbed, sound but not in full work. So I sold with full disclosure of the issue and written on the receipt that the horse will most likely re injure if exposed to high levels of work again. I don’t lose a minutes sleep over it, horse is happy and owners are very happy to have a nice hack.

This idea horses deserve a retirement is lovely and if you have your own land and endless money it can work well. I had my pony for 11 years after he stopped being ridden by us, he was loaned various times but I always said if he needed extra help he’d be PTS. Cruel eh? I see it as it’s a pony that has lived his entire life out on grass, not worrying about his next meal. As he became older and lost lots of teeth it became likely he’d need stabling, on grass chaff and mashes if I wanted to keep him going. I PTS as soon as this became the case. It wouldn’t be a happy life for him to go hungry between meals, rather than being able to eat whenever he wants.

On a very basic level horses care about the main things needed to survive, food and pain/the ability to run if needed. Companionship, shelter etc. are all preferred but not essential to life. They don’t care or have the ability to look forward to seeing in next summer or what the grass will be like next spring. Animals live in the moment. Often owners are waiting until the day it becomes ‘too much’ for the horse. Personally I prefer their last living days not to be in pain if possible. We are so lucky we can humanely euthanise.

Back to the thread, I’ve sold a previously injured horse. I would PTS mine if I couldn’t afford retirement, I’ve not been in the situation but perhaps I would do it to afford another ridden horse. It’s not acceptable to sell unsound horses, but it’s also not acceptable to keep them like that!

 

[Kaylum]

If someone is selling a much loved sound horse they should be asking you more questions than you ask them. They should also be very selective as to whom they sell to. If they are selling a much loved unsound horse for riding you may see a massive difference in their attitude and they might put the pressure on. I have seen some terrible posts on fb advertising for sound horses for cash and sameday collection. So get the horse buted up and sell it but this is how some dealers operate.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Some will, not all, but if they won't there are lots of knacker men who will.
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Agree I’ve typically used a knackerman.

Main point is a reply to poster who said vets won’t put down an unrideble but not in pain Horse, meaning owner might have to sell or give away if circumstances or choice mean unable to keep them.

IMO in the U.K. thats not true and it is always possible to secure the future of an unrideable horse via PTS through vet or knackerman if owner unable or unwilling to keep in retirement.