Some advice please, dont know what to do.

[Limpet]

Hey all,

first of all, im not a newbie, i have actually got another account but as i could easily be identified by people i know i wanted to make another to get your advice on something.

This is a long story so please bare with me!

Back in January, my yard picked up a couple of TB's that we thought were given to us. I fell in love with one straight away, he was a star and so when my YO offered him to me, i said yes.
It turns out, they werent being given to us but on loan (without a contract) so when i contacted the person we got them from, i asked for a contract to be sent ASAP.
I didnt receive one, so i asked again when i sent an update, i still havent received one or got any response.

Now i love this horse, ive paid quite a bit of money for him already getting him everything he needs. He's had his teeth done and has now had to be shod all round. He also has his fair share of issues, one we knew of when we got him.

He has been bar fired and has a swollen fetlock. We were told it only heats up in hard work (as in racing work), it has flared up a couple of times now even though he is in barely any work at all. He also starts out uneven on his hind quarters and lacks alot of muscle tone, i have recently been informed by a reliable source that he also broke his pelvis in his previous home. (we were not told)

Now my YO and others at the yard think i should send him back as i am paying alot of money and barely getting any enjoyment out of him riding wise. I know he cannot take me to where i want to go which is Aff Dressage and many instructors have said i should be 'prepared to say goodbye at a young age'. He is only seven

I love him to pieces but i am torn, if he didnt have these injuries, he is everything i was looking for. It has been two years since i sold my pony and i hadnt found anything to replace her so i spent the money elsewhere.

He is in barely any work, he does a little work in the school or goes for a walking hack because he goes lame on this hard ground. he struggles doing alot of work in the school, the strain on his poor injured body is obvious.

I worry what will happen to him if i send him back, i cant give away too much but he is from a racing yard. when we got him he had just been in a field.
I said to my YO, i would rather wait and have him PTS then send him back but then again, he is not my horse

So anyone, any thoughts or opinions?

and congrats if you got this far, glass of wine?

 

[splashgirl45]

what a horrible situation you are in, he is very lucky to have found someone who loves him even though he cant do the job you want...i cannot offer any advice but agree with your idea of keeping him and pts at the right time rather than sending him back. i know this is not the practical solution but understand your feelings as they would be the same as mine....hugs for you!!!! and very good luck in what you decide,it wont be easy....

 

[Jess Hoss]

My heart goes out to you. Too many people have such a disposable attitude to horses. . . . .My advice would be to talk to a vet. I know this is yet more expense for you, but you need to get a proper diagnosis & prognosis/management strategy. If nothing else it will put your mind at ease if you have to make big decisions - returning him - knowing you have done all you can. I'd take a look at the linda tellington jones stuff though. TTEAM touch & groundwork. Beneficial, challenging & fun. I swear by my spines & shihatsu woman ! But this sounds serious, so get the vet's opinion - don't be swayed by fellow yardies.
Good luck poppet x

 

[chancing]

Sorry to hear of this it must be heartbraking. I would personally (if you can afford to) retire him in to the field and get something else either on loan or to buy and then you know where he is and that he is ok and being looked after.

OR I would PTS purely and simply because if you cant afford the above option and unless you can get an amazing home for him where you can be guaranteed he will be looked after properly then chances are he will end up somewhere that he will be neglected. Sorry to be negative but you read and see and hear of so many horses now that are dumped and left to die my mare was one of these before I rescued her.

I hope this helps a little but whatever you decide best of luck and love to your pony well horse
x

 

[BlizzardBudd]

i feel sorry for you. said horse is very lucky to find someone who loves him and if you think that he is going to be better off with you, and you can afford his upkeep then i think you should go with your heart. my heart goes out to you!

 

[sbradshaw]

Follow what your heart is telling you. Horses are expensive either way, and only you will know what is right to do. Possibly save and get some vet advice if things go downhill, or new problems arise but seems like your doing what is right at the moment.! Good luck. Horrible situation.. poor you. xx

 

[Limpet]

Hi guys, first of all i would like to say thankyou for your replies. Im really grateful.

Sadly, i made the hard decision today to send my poor boy back. He has been in barely any work and today, he was even worse and didnt come sound.
I was in tears as i dismounted as i new i could not put anymore money into him and he wasnt comfortable. I called the people we got him from and although they said PTS, to make sure i get no grief as i have no contract, i have to send him back.
It is all a very messy situation and these people are not making it easy. I have to pay out yet again, for the vet to come and basically write a report to say that he is in good condition although unable to be ridden due to his lameness so that i am covered.

He is going back on thursday and i am in bits, trying to type this through tears. If the circumstances allowed i would have him PTS here where he is happy but it seems it isnt possible (i cant go into details).

Tomorrow i will spend most of the day with him in his field and give him a good groom and nice big dinner. Im not sure whether i am going to go with him on the journey back, i will be there to load him but i feel if i went to the yard he came from, its not going to be pretty.

So thankyou all, i didnt expect to come to a decision so soon but i have put so much time, patience and money into him and it hasnt worked.

 

[Pottermouse]

Really Really feel for you. but you have made the right decision. I would be terrified of PTS, if they wont give you a contract to loan him, they wont give a written PTS authorisation to you, although they would probably jump at the chance of you paying for it and not them. It wold leave you wide open for claims and accusations. Find yourself something else to love and treasure the good memories you have. I hope they do the right thing. They obviously don't want him, it may end up they are calling yr bluff & you get him in the end.

 

[Rose Folly]

I know you have very little time left, but would WHW or some charity be able to advise you, and give him some protectio? My guess is he'll be doped up and sold on.

And - I think you definitely should go with him back to his former owners. Take a stout-hearted friend with you if you can't face it on your own. You owe it to the horse. are you sure you can't get something in writing to say he can be PTS where he is now?