Sending horse to retirement livery

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Tacobell

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Hi All,

i have a 12 year old ex-competition horse that has sadly been retired for a year already due to injury (ddft tear and navicular). I have kept him alongside my other competition horse at a normal commercial livery yard and i think i have a found a lovely retirement livery for him, but just need that final push to confirm it is the right move for him.
On our current yard, we have individual turnout so he is not out with others, although next to others, they come in at night in the winter and out 24/7 in the summer. However in the wetter months, sometimes only get an hour or two of turnout a day. im just starting to feel that he does not have much of a "life". However, im also struggling with the emotional side of it where i feel like im "giving up on him" but sending him away as i always love seeing his face of the stable door.
The retirement livery is 30 mins away, group of 5 horses, field shelters in the summer fields and a large barn and hardstanding attached to their winter field with ad-lib haylage . (what's not to like!?) . please can you reassure me that this is best for him to go to more of natural way of living, with friends etc and that your ex-comp horses have adjusted well to this new way of life?

thank you!
 
We were in a similar situation when we made the decision to cease any further treatment and retire coblet early this year after his unsuccessful surgery to his annular ligaments. We moved coblet off his traditional livery yard (individual turnout, stabled overnight Oct-Mar) and send him for the summer to live out on grass livery at a friends with her 3 geldings. Last month we even went a step further and now rent 4 acres of grazing of our own with no stable at all but plenty of natural shelter and he lives out 24/7 with a gelding pal (and imminently possibly our newbie!) and will do for the winter or as long as he is comfortable enough. We made a decision to prioritise quality over quantity of life for him now. He's still "our best boy" very much loved but getting more woolly, and feral by the day but very happy and relaxed living exactly as a horse should. I think you know its the right thing to do.
 
It does sound lovely, and it would be à wonderful way for him to live. But I understand your hesitation. I considered it for our retired horse when he was looking like he had COPD. But he’s the sweetest, friendliest horse and has lived at our house for 18 years. It felt sad to be sending him away. As it happened, the COPD seemed to disappear so we didn’t need to.
 
While a decision to make it's not irreversible. Give it a go, what is there to lose. Yes you could have to go on a waiting list for a space on your yard if you / he didn't like the retirement but that wouldn't take too long.

2-3 hours turn out for months at a time when he's not doing anything else to keep him occupied would definitely make me want to change things for his welfare.
 
We sent ours away 2.5 years ago - he’s 3 hours away but we wanted somewhere with a more temperate climate for him. He’s full of life. You’d never know just by glancing at him that he has any issues.

I do feel guilty but the YO sends regular videos and updates (doing things in the field he really shouldn’t!). The move has kept him field sound since although he will never be sound to ride.
 
Honey08 said:
It does sound lovely, and it would be à wonderful way for him to live. But I understand your hesitation. I considered it for our retired horse when he was looking like he had COPD. But he’s the sweetest, friendliest horse and has lived at our house for 18 years. It felt sad to be sending him away. As it happened, the COPD seemed to disappear so we didn’t need to.
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I think there is a huge difference between a retired horse living in your set-up at home and a retired competition horse living alongside butnot with others. Imho that would only be worth the upheaval if the COPD had an environmental cause
 
I think that sounds like a sensible plan, maybe pop in for the odd unannounced visit while he’s settling?

My vet dislikes retirement livery, and tbh I’m not 100% convinced on it either. I’d be worried that the horses weren’t having feet picked and checked daily, coat fluffing after some heavy rain, etc. I understand why retirement livery can provide a better quality of life in some circumstances though, I’m just overcautious.
 
HaplessHorse said:
I think that sounds like a sensible plan, maybe pop in for the odd unannounced visit while he’s settling?

My vet dislikes retirement livery, and tbh I’m not 100% convinced on it either. I’d be worried that the horses weren’t having feet picked and checked daily, coat fluffing after some heavy rain, etc. I understand why retirement livery can provide a better quality of life in some circumstances though, I’m just overcautious.
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My horse(s) have been in what is in effect a retirement livery and that’s also my main concern. Not much individual attention which means some issues suddenly creep up on you when they could have been caught much earlier.
 
So long as they are checked everyday. You definitely dont want them just turned out and away you go. They still need feet, teeth, vet checks etc doing. We still exercise all our retired ones in hand everyday to keep them moving.
 
My beautiful girl (17) retired this year and knew it was for the best but worried how she would cope. She is loving life! Her new job is that of ‘being a horse’. In a retirement field with 3 others. Initially herd dynamics began (she is not at all dominant) and within a few weeks all settled and everyone happy. She has sussed that when we go into field to see her to ‘walk away’ from the others - we think it’s because she doesn’t want to share her treats /scratches /rubs and our chats. Loves her farrier visits and is checked twice daily. For as long as she is happy that is where she shall stay.
 
Even a great yard id still try and visit weekly you know them best to pick up on any small niggles etc. I wouldn't want to keep a horse on that little turnout especially out of work.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I think there is a huge difference between a retired horse living in your set-up at home and a retired competition horse living alongside butnot with others. Imho that would only be worth the upheaval if the COPD had an environmental cause
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Yes of course there is. But we thought at the time that living out 24/7 might be better for his respiratory system. And we had a companion with lami that couldn’t be out much. So we’re looking at options. As it happens the track livery I was looking at doesn’t seem to like big horses!

I meant I understand the wrench at the thought of not seeing their face.
 
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