Should I get another one?

[Expo]

My lovely, sensible cob "Bob" has been diagnosed with DSLD. I'm gutted!! He has managed to rupture a branch of his near fore suspensory and the vet tells me it's unlikely to mend at his age (23) and so I have retired him. I'm very much a happy hacker type rider with no competitive ambition, don't want to jump or race about, but I am missing my little wanders around the countryside and woods. Bob seems happy in his retirement and he is welcome to live out his life as a field ornament at the yard where he lives currently, turned out in the company of another retired oldie. I would want to stay at my present yard. It's close to my home, the people and YO are brilliant and I generally love it there, so moving to a cheaper place isn't an option.

So, the big question is - do I get another horse?

On the one hand, I can just about afford it, it would be great to have something I can ride as and when I want to, the yard has a space available (very unusual - people rarely leave), I'm retired so have time to tend to the needs of two horses, and it would keep me in touch with the social side of horse ownership - being part of the yard "gang" etc.

On the other hand, I'm pushing 70 with a dodgy back and creaking hips, we're going into winter - never a great time to have two to look after, I would probably need to get new saddlery, rugs etc for horse 2 with all the expense that entails, actually finding something suitable for a sensible price might be a challenge, and Mr E would strongly disapprove (he thinks I spent too much time and money on horses already!).

My head is telling me to get a grip and stop being such an idiot; my heart is telling me to go for it. I know many of you lovely lot are multi horse owners. Please either convince me to go for it, or talk me out of it. WWYD - All opinions welcome - thank you.

 

[paddi22]

could you get a loan or share on a horse that someone is might want to wind down in work?

 

[paddy555]

I am not far off your age. I think you would be far better off accepting you are old, most likely wouldn't be able to cope and should save your money and move into old age. In fact I don't understand why someone of your age would even think of another horse. You could end up like this chap.

I have 8 BTW which `I do more or less alone. I'm not moving into old age quietly.

 

[Antw23uk]

Go for it. Im an enabler, lol! I expect the same response when i ask this question please

 

[Expo]

I am not far off your age. I think you would be far better off accepting you are old, most likely wouldn't be able to cope and should save your money and move into old age. In fact I don't understand why someone of your age would even think of another horse. You could end up like this chap.

I have 8 BTW which `I do more or less alone. I'm not moving into old age quietly.

.... thanks for sharing that. I'm inspired ....

 

[PurBee]

Great idea to part loan or share. Is there anyone already at your yard who is looking for some winter help? Then you’ll get to know if you can manage 2 horses, without the full commitment of ownership.

@paddy555 that video about ken was wonderful! Really inspiring ?

 

[splashgirl45]

why not look for a loan horse that you could give back in the future if looking after 2 is too much. then you havent spent a load of money buying so should have enough to maybe get a little bit of paid help on the winter , i gave my loan horse back to her owner when i was 73 as found the heavy work in the winter too much but didnt have the money to pay for any help, if i could have had that help during the winter i would still have her..

 

[paddy555]

Great idea to part loan or share. Is there anyone already at your yard who is looking for some winter help? Then you’ll get to know if you can manage 2 horses, without the full commitment of ownership.

@paddy555 that video about ken was wonderful! Really inspiring ?

I love that video. He seems such a nice man with a very sweet horse. If I can get to that age my last horse should just about be retired.

 

[luckyoldme]

Oh god yes.

 

[Pippin and Poppy]

Riding for me is very much about the relationship I have with my own equines. I would not want to share someone else's horse or pony and I very rarely let others ride my ponies.
If we couldn't keep our own ponies I wouldn't ride - and didn't for 20 years!
My goal is to be still riding at 90.
If your heart is saying go for it - go for it!

 

[paddi22]

often with loans though you would have the horse 100% to yourself with very little owner interference apart from maybe the odd check to see if you were both happy. I have an older lad out on loan and his loaner absolutely adores him, her work level suits him better. I leave them alone to do their thing and I love seeing the bond they have and how much they enjoy each other.

 

[splashgirl45]

i had my loan horse for 2 years and the owner only visited once and apart from wanting her back checked twice a year the owner made no stipulations as to care etc. the owner was as upset as me when i gave up as she was home bred and owner wanted her to have one to one relationship and hack rather than be in the field retired. one of her friends lost their horse so my loan horse has gone there with the same sort of lifestyle that she had with me. lovely for the horse ,not me though

 

[Expo]

Thanks for the replies. There is a possible loan situation at my yard, but the horse involved, though lovely, is an ex-eventer and I'm concerned he may be a bit too much for me (not that I've tried him though). He's owned by a lady with 2 small children and a very busy work life on top, so she may be open to a share arrangement where I hack him a couple of times during the week so he's kept in work, and she can ride at weekends. I haven't asked the question yet - still exploring options. Another option is a horse currently in the ownership of a friend. Again, he's a nice gelding who has competed at a fairly high-level, but is now 15 and owner wants to get something younger to bring on. She wouldn't be open to a loan situation in case I wanted to give up and she had to have him back.

So a couple of possibilities. I think, in my heart, I want another Bob, if such a thing exists. A nice steady cob with a sensible head on his shoulders. Not sure I'll ever find one though ....

 

[YorkshireLady]

I think you can find the cob and also you are probably willing to look at some older than other people might as well. I do think that looking about at loans is also an option for you? I certainly wouldn't though say no dont' do it.....

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My lovely, sensible cob "Bob" has been diagnosed with DSLD. I'm gutted!! He has managed to rupture a branch of his near fore suspensory and the vet tells me it's unlikely to mend at his age (23) and so I have retired him. I'm very much a happy hacker type rider with no competitive ambition, don't want to jump or race about, but I am missing my little wanders around the countryside and woods. Bob seems happy in his retirement and he is welcome to live out his life as a field ornament at the yard where he lives currently, turned out in the company of another retired oldie. I would want to stay at my present yard. It's close to my home, the people and YO are brilliant and I generally love it there, so moving to a cheaper place isn't an option.

So, the big question is - do I get another horse?

On the one hand, I can just about afford it, it would be great to have something I can ride as and when I want to, the yard has a space available (very unusual - people rarely leave), I'm retired so have time to tend to the needs of two horses, and it would keep me in touch with the social side of horse ownership - being part of the yard "gang" etc.

On the other hand, I'm pushing 70 with a dodgy back and creaking hips, we're going into winter - never a great time to have two to look after, I would probably need to get new saddlery, rugs etc for horse 2 with all the expense that entails, actually finding something suitable for a sensible price might be a challenge, and Mr E would strongly disapprove (he thinks I spent too much time and money on horses already!).

My head is telling me to get a grip and stop being such an idiot; my heart is telling me to go for it. I know many of you lovely lot are multi horse owners. Please either convince me to go for it, or talk me out of it. WWYD - All opinions welcome - thank you.

So, the big question is - do I get another horse?

Silly question on here. Yes of course get another if you can afford it why not, you need a riding horse

 

[ycbm]

My lovely, sensible cob "Bob" has been diagnosed with DSLD. I'm gutted!! He has managed to rupture a branch of his near fore suspensory and the vet tells me it's unlikely to mend at his age (23) and so I have retired him. I'm very much a happy hacker type rider with no competitive ambition, don't want to jump or race about, but I am missing my little wanders around the countryside and woods. Bob seems happy in his retirement and he is welcome to live out his life as a field ornament at the yard where he lives currently, turned out in the company of another retired oldie. I would want to stay at my present yard. It's close to my home, the people and YO are brilliant and I generally love it there, so moving to a cheaper place isn't an option.

So, the big question is - do I get another horse?

On the one hand, I can just about afford it, it would be great to have something I can ride as and when I want to, the yard has a space available (very unusual - people rarely leave), I'm retired so have time to tend to the needs of two horses, and it would keep me in touch with the social side of horse ownership - being part of the yard "gang" etc.

On the other hand, I'm pushing 70 with a dodgy back and creaking hips, we're going into winter - never a great time to have two to look after, I would probably need to get new saddlery, rugs etc for horse 2 with all the expense that entails, actually finding something suitable for a sensible price might be a challenge, and Mr E would strongly disapprove (he thinks I spent too much time and money on horses already!).

My head is telling me to get a grip and stop being such an idiot; my heart is telling me to go for it. I know many of you lovely lot are multi horse owners. Please either convince me to go for it, or talk me out of it. WWYD - All opinions welcome - thank you.

Lord yes! I'm 63 and just backed a 3 year old who I hope I'll be riding in 20 years time when I'm 83 and he's an old man of 23 and my other will be 26. Go for it.
.

 

[Highflinger]

I would get another - life is too short to miss out on at least a few more years riding. As others have said perhaps get someone to share but if you own you get to set the rules.
Good luck

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Do it! We’re not going to say no, are we?! We’re enablers. There’s a lovely old boy up for re-homing at my yard that would suit me brilliantly if I were looking. Do it!

 

[Meoldmucka]

Imagine years and years from now, lying on your death bed. Do you regret not getting another one? A wise teacher once told me "never be a spectator, because the day when you can no longer take part will come soon enough"

 

[PSD]

Do it. Life’s too short

 

[catembi]

Yes, crack on! I am hoping to carry on til the day I die. You don't give up riding because you're old; you get old because you give up riding...

 

[Expo]

Thank you for the encouragement everyone. Of course, if you ask a room full of horse loving folk if you should buy a horse, they're all going to say "yes" any they. My none horsey pals are a little more pragmatic in their views and are trying to talk me out of it, for many, very sensible, reasons. I'll consider the matter over the next few days.

And then, of course, I've got to find this mythical beasty ... which is a whole other thread!

I can feel a meaningful discussion with my other half coming on any time soon.

 

[mariew]

The queen still rides and she is 95? Go for it. Also I think the more active we stay when we get old, the more of a chance we have to stay fitter longer rather than slowly shrink into oblivion. As long as we are lucky with our health. Maybe go for something in its early teens that needs a bit of a quieter life?

 

[paddy555]

. Of course, if you ask a room full of horse loving folk if you should buy a horse, they're all going to say "yes" any they.

that is because they are very wise.

 

[tda]

I've no experience of that injury, but is there a chance that your cob might come right, enough to hack out again, after a period of rest ?
If not then look for a loan ?