eahotson
Well-Known Member
I was devastated when I lost my old dog.
Upset about my horse getting old
- Thread starter Sealine
- Start date
TinseLeneHorse
Well-Known Member
My girl will be 26 this year and we just do gentle hacks on our own these days. We lost our reliable hacking buddy a year ago but thankfully my horse is ok going out on her own. I am really appreciating the time we are spending together doing our own thing.
I do feel on the periphery of yard life nowadays and it is hard sometimes to see other people going off on long rides or having lessons. All things I used to do. However the upside is I don't have to please anyone except myself and the pressure is off to 'perform'.
Just enjoy your horses golden years. They are very special times
I do feel on the periphery of yard life nowadays and it is hard sometimes to see other people going off on long rides or having lessons. All things I used to do. However the upside is I don't have to please anyone except myself and the pressure is off to 'perform'.
Just enjoy your horses golden years. They are very special times
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
You need better friends. My friends did whatever my old horse could do as she had to slow down.
I do the same. My friend’s horse is transitioning to barefoot and was quite footy yesterday. We had a very short hack. My horse could have gone further. But I didn’t care what she did that day.
We always kinda agree beforehand. Like today, I wanted my horse to do a long one and my friend didn’t. She asked if I was hacking and I said, yeah, but we’re going out for two hours. Friend said, oh, ok, have fun.
I do the same. My friend’s horse is transitioning to barefoot and was quite footy yesterday. We had a very short hack. My horse could have gone further. But I didn’t care what she did that day.
We always kinda agree beforehand. Like today, I wanted my horse to do a long one and my friend didn’t. She asked if I was hacking and I said, yeah, but we’re going out for two hours. Friend said, oh, ok, have fun.
LadyGascoyne
Well-Known Member
We always go at the pace of the slowest horse and rider. It really isn’t a massive imposition just to be inclusive and conscious of an older horse’s needs.
I’m sorry your ride was so unpleasant. You should be able to enjoy the time you have with your older boy, and make the most of every ride. It’s not kind of your companions.
I’m sorry your ride was so unpleasant. You should be able to enjoy the time you have with your older boy, and make the most of every ride. It’s not kind of your companions.
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
Had my lad over 20 years, he is now 30ish, retired him last year, as he has cushings and got trippy, tried boots and bute etc, but it wasnt working, neither of us were enjoying it, yes I miss the 18 years of good times, and the times we did endurance riding and he would go all day, you couldn't wear him out, did everything went anywhere and everywhere, rain shine day night, I don't begrudge his retirement, and I'm hoping he will get another summer of retirement, he's earnt it, he has got rather slow coming in and out of the field this winter, so don't know about another winter, day at a time, going to be 70 myself this year, and I always said I hoped for us to grow old together, and we have, cant really ask for more.
I am lucky that I have friends pony to ride whenever I want, means two lots of mucking out hay nets grooming etc etc, but I enjoy it, plus it's a challenge
bonding/learning etc etc with a Mare for starters.
So I understand how you feel about not being able to do the same stuff with your horse, as for feeling or being used, seems rife in the horsey world.
I am lucky that I have friends pony to ride whenever I want, means two lots of mucking out hay nets grooming etc etc, but I enjoy it, plus it's a challenge
bonding/learning etc etc with a Mare for starters.
So I understand how you feel about not being able to do the same stuff with your horse, as for feeling or being used, seems rife in the horsey world.
PeterNatt
Well-Known Member
Your friends were totally irresponsible. You are looking after your horses best interests by keeping him at a nice slow pace. Good luck!
santas_spotty_pony
Well-Known Member
It sounds like your friends were incredibly rude to do that. Most people would except they needed to do a steadier ride to account for all of the horses there and then do a quicker ride another time when you aren’t going out together.
I completely know what you are feeling though as I regularly get these feelings with my boy - he’s 25 this year and is body is starting ti change shape and he’s starting to look older. He still enjoys hacking and a bit of schooling, and although he also has arthritis he has had his hocks and his coffin joint medicated to keep him comfortable and I try my hardest to give him everything he needs although I know inevitably I cannot stop the one thing I wish I could stop - him getting older.
I completely know what you are feeling though as I regularly get these feelings with my boy - he’s 25 this year and is body is starting ti change shape and he’s starting to look older. He still enjoys hacking and a bit of schooling, and although he also has arthritis he has had his hocks and his coffin joint medicated to keep him comfortable and I try my hardest to give him everything he needs although I know inevitably I cannot stop the one thing I wish I could stop - him getting older.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
I know exactly what you mean. I was actually in a state of mourning for several months as I realised that his riding days were nearly over.
There was a bit of a hiccup but with treatment I was able to continue to ride for another 3-4 months, but it deeply upset me at the time.
For the last 12 months the rides were short and local, although he was still happy to have a good trot on occasions and certainly improved with exercise, but I missed going out in the trailer and exploring further afield. I just didn't think it was fair to make him work that hard and get him too tired.
There was a bit of a hiccup but with treatment I was able to continue to ride for another 3-4 months, but it deeply upset me at the time.
For the last 12 months the rides were short and local, although he was still happy to have a good trot on occasions and certainly improved with exercise, but I missed going out in the trailer and exploring further afield. I just didn't think it was fair to make him work that hard and get him too tired.
Lucky Snowball
Well-Known Member
Your friends were very mean. Sorry you had an upsetting time. Your horse is lucky to have you on side.
Bernster
Well-Known Member
Agree about talking it through ahead of time and also about not splitting from a horse part way through a ride. Whilst the ideal is a horse and rider can cope with that, it’s quite a big ask of many.
About being sad they age too fast, I also feel that way about our cat
About being sad they age too fast, I also feel that way about our cat
catembi
Well-Known Member
I know how you feel about being used. In my teens, I used to ride all the time with my friend as I had several horses/ponies (grandad was a farmer), but then I tragically lost my main horse. I was willing to share my old pony & a patent safety slow horse, take in turns to ride each horse etc but my friend dropped me like a hot rock as she didn't want to have to ride the slow horse. I was devastated over losing the horse & then I'd lost my friend as well. Then I got another horse & I don't know how she found out but she met me from the school bus which she'd never done before, with the words, 'I hear you got a new horse...'
Back on topic, my ex racer will be 20 on Feb 4th. I've had him since around his 6th birthday. He is old & stiff but we still potter. I literally cannot imagine life without him.
Back on topic, my ex racer will be 20 on Feb 4th. I've had him since around his 6th birthday. He is old & stiff but we still potter. I literally cannot imagine life without him.
Surbie
Well-Known Member
Well done for doing what's right for your horse, but I think your friends' behaviour was lousy.
I know exactly how you feel - now my horse is older and I refuse to trot for ages on hard paths/roads my friends have said that my horse is too slow and they don't want to hack with me. Which leaves me stuck as I don't have the confidence to go alone. (Am not having a pity party, we're going to walk out in hand till I feel more confident.)
Have to say the thought of losing my horse makes me feel pretty ill. He's my world.
I know exactly how you feel - now my horse is older and I refuse to trot for ages on hard paths/roads my friends have said that my horse is too slow and they don't want to hack with me. Which leaves me stuck as I don't have the confidence to go alone. (Am not having a pity party, we're going to walk out in hand till I feel more confident.)
Have to say the thought of losing my horse makes me feel pretty ill. He's my world.
TinseLeneHorse
Well-Known Member
Wish we could all go out together for a lovely slow hack on our beloved oldies
suestowford
Well-Known Member
I'm looking after a really old pony for a friend, he can't be ridden any more but he does like to go out for a walk. We wander about and look at things, and he samples the hedgerow plants. It's like watching slow tv instead an action adventure film, there can be a lot of pleasure in it. Also it does wonders for his general mobility.
I had my own pony pts a year ago. I so wish he was still here and we could go out one more time.
I had my own pony pts a year ago. I so wish he was still here and we could go out one more time.
Ratface
Well-Known Member
Old Horse is thirty in June of this year. He still thinks that he's three, and throws some extravagant shapes in the field and tows the grooms in and out, morning and evening.
His companions are all retired now, but (fingers and toes, hooves and paws crossed) and are in good health, other than his girlfriend who, at 33 this time, still hammers up the field after being turned out in the morning. Girlfriend has some occasional breathing problems in hot weather, but is treated with a Ventapulmin inhaler, which seems to work well.
I miss riding my horse, but, due to M E, I don't have the reliable balance that is necessary for me to be safe on Mr. Spook For Fun.
I've had horses, ponies and donkeys since I was two years old. I'm 78 next month.
My mother rode (sidesaddle) to hounds until her mid-eighties.
Although financially, I shall be a lot better off, I dread losing him.
Also, I'm particular about how equines should be kept, so I might not be to every livery-owner's taste.
Last horse, best horse.
His companions are all retired now, but (fingers and toes, hooves and paws crossed) and are in good health, other than his girlfriend who, at 33 this time, still hammers up the field after being turned out in the morning. Girlfriend has some occasional breathing problems in hot weather, but is treated with a Ventapulmin inhaler, which seems to work well.
I miss riding my horse, but, due to M E, I don't have the reliable balance that is necessary for me to be safe on Mr. Spook For Fun.
I've had horses, ponies and donkeys since I was two years old. I'm 78 next month.
My mother rode (sidesaddle) to hounds until her mid-eighties.
Although financially, I shall be a lot better off, I dread losing him.
Also, I'm particular about how equines should be kept, so I might not be to every livery-owner's taste.
Last horse, best horse.