What do I do?

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Benjamin

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Right, this will probably turn into a total ramble but here goes.

As you may know, I have just got myself another horse. My reasons were, as Benj is now older and not as able as he used to be, the pressure is off him. So I now have a horse I can compete on and one I can hack a few times a week.

I have been offered a 'retirement' feild on the farm. It will have shelter, water, all the grass he can eat, and some company.

Now, my quibbles.
It will be out of the way, at the bottom of the farm.
The company will be that of a mare, who will be coming back into competitive work shortly, so he will be left on his own at times, but will be in sight of other horses.
All the pros weigh in FOR Benj, but the cons are against me.
Am I just being selfish, wanting him near me, where I can see him, in a stable?
I am worried that he will feel like he is being abandoned, that something might happen to him, and I won't see it, I worry that he will get too fat, and is unable to work enough to slim down.......
Am I just being silly??
Benj has DJD and a bit of a weakness in his tendon. He is currently worked 2-3 times a week, just short hacks.
I apologise, this has turned into a ramble......

I want the best for Benj......but I am worrying myself sick at the moment because I don't know what IS the best..
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If you're not ready to retire him - then don't.

I imagine given the type of horse that he is he will become obese if turnout 24/7 throughout the summer anyway.

I wouldn't be happy with him on his own, and yes, I think he will feel abandoned.

Hope that helps..
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I was going to semi retire him, still ride a couple of times a week.
I he always out 24/7 through the summer, but having him close to me means I can adjust the size of his paddock...
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Thank you for your input AmyMay, always appreciated.
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All I'd say is don't but human emotions onto your horse... they don't understand the concept of 'abandoned'. So long he's got food, shelter, water and company, as a horse, that's all he really needs!
 
Ok, so what exactly are the benefits of him going in to a 'retirement' field? Presumable he's turned out with some mates at the moment, and that works fine????

Don't see the point in altering things if they are working. Are you sure you are being offered this for your benefit, and not for the owner of the mare that is comming back in to work - but needs some TO company in the meantime??
 
You can always be creative with electric fencing in the summer to reduce his grass intake?

I presume the use of a 'retirement' field doesn't actually mean that you will have to completely retire him? He could still continue with his hacking easily enough straight from the field.

IME DJD issues are best kept under control with unrestricted movement (i.e. 24/7 turnout) anyway. I've also found that any horse turned out 24/7 and leading a simplistic life style always adapts to it fantastically and remembers how to be a 'horse' again.

Him being turned out all the time doesn't mean you can't give him a fuss and a cuddle
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I had exactly the same thoughts when I retired D due to arthritis.I thought he would feel neglected but in fact he really couldn't care less as long as he gets fed
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I thought he would like some attention but now I struggle to brush him as he'd rather be eating in the field.
I am also seriously considering putting him out 24/7 next winter as although I like him stabled his arthritis doesn't
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My boy is more than happy but you know your boy the best
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[ QUOTE ]
Ok, so what exactly are the benefits of him going in to a 'retirement' field? Presumable he's turned out with some mates at the moment, and that works fine????

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Up until last week, he had been turned out alone for almost 3 years, although horses in the feilds around him, had no mate as such.
 
I would! Its the best thing you can do for your horse if he has DJD, My old mare was turned out 24/7 when she retired. She is now 33 and fab! She has a felid & field Shelter, she's more than happy, in the summer she has a small bit fenced off in front of her field house as she been known to have laminitis, in the winter she has all the field, she has 5 pet sheep for company. I still see her twice a day, I wouldn't dream of bringing her in to a stable now for fear that she would be to stiff by the morning! as it is she takes shelter when she wants (mostly in the summer) & is always on the move so no stiffness. My 13 year old was diagnosed with arthritis of the Coffin joint last year, he's still mostly sound though a happy hack, I will have no worries about doing the same with him when he starts to get to stiff.
 
Yes turn him out, much better for horses with DJD/arthritis, and as long as he's got grass, water and company he'll be quite happy. Why would you want the hassle and expensive of stabling him when you don't have to? Agree with whoever said horses don't feel human emotions, he's not going to feel abandoned and you feeling that he'd be happier stabled is a red herring I think - you feel happier with the idea of him all snug in his box but he'd probably be happier roaming around outside!!
 
My friend's 6 year old got navicular and had to be semi-retired/turned away. She has put in a large open field with some other horses and although she found it very hard to start (not on the same yard as her current horse so she only sees him 2/3 times a week for a groom & cuddle) she is now so happy as he appears content, is a good weight and she now realises it was the best thing for him.

If he is used to be alone and doesn't stress about it then I can't see it being a problem now. You have got to do what's right for Benji even if that's not what's best for you
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However if he is happy where he is and its okay for you time and money wise then I wouldn't worry too much.
 
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I am sorry to say it but from those pictures I do think those feet are exceptionally poor. I would be worried that the horse would be lame quite frequently and would struggle to keep shoes on
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It isn't just the quality of the hoof but also the hoof/pastern angle looks pretty poor.

Remedial farriery could bring them back a long way plus better quality diet (Biotin) but if I am really hones (and I have had a horse with poor feet) I would steer clear. sorry
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