What happens to all your older horses!?

T

tigger01

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Strange question I know. But I've been looking for an older horse who might like a lovely loan home and it's proving very difficult. Perhaps I was naive in thinking there would be lots of people with older horses who would like a quieter life in their older age. What do you think?

I dont know whether I can even put this on here, but if anyone thinks they'd like to loan out their older friend, I have a fantastic (tho I say it myself!!) home to offer with loads and loads of tlc. This is a genuine request as I have recently lost my mare. Glowing references are available and 5* home.
 
I think it depends what you mean by 'older'. Most people I know still ride their twenty-somethings, using them as companion/gentle hack for their younger competition horses.

My oldie is 33 but with me for life!!
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i kept my 'oldie' until the end and would have nto had it any other way.

there may be people that want to loan out the older ones, but i think many would prefer to keep them if they have the money/facilities etc.

have you thought about veteran horse society? they have loads that are 'urgent', or possibly another rescue charity that rehomes? there are loads of horses looking for someone to love them
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Have you thought of contacting the Veteran Horse Society, I think they sometimes put oldies out on loan. Also the ILPH (or the WHW as they are now!).
ETS Oops. snap Ickelshadow!
 
We often get asked for oldies, they are sort after. I agree with above the veteran horse society is your best bet, WHW, I don't know if Redwings rehome but they do take some that WHW can't. Ask all the charities to be honest. Bransby home of rest for horses are still re-homeing. Good luck.
 
One of mine is 25 this year - but i would never send her off anywhere - her home is with me. Mind you there isnt really a loan culture here as there is in england.
 
I have kept mine, I have a 33, & a not so old 13 year old who is now only a hack, I would not want to part with him, my friend bred him & I have had him since he was 9 months old, but would let some one ride him, I get a bit board of hacking, I guess your probably not in my area though?
 
Well, I have an old girl who I absolutely adore. She has been my horse of a lifetime and I think I'd find it very difficult to loan her out now (though I have in the past). She is still rideable and should really be ridden more than she is but I wouldn't want to take any risks by loaning her out. I really just feel I owe it to her to give her the best in her later years. I also love having her around and I'd really miss her. I would happily share her but I don't think I could bear to lose 'control'.
I think people become very attached to their 'oldies' and when know they won't be around forever you become a bit more protective of them.
 
Thanks everyone. This is really interesting. I already have a 24 year old mare and an 18 year old Welsh Sec D at home, and I love them to bits but Sec D's too small for me to ride, and the mare has kissing spines. I quite agree that I wouldnt part with them. My hubby keeps saying I should start a retirement home for aged horses!!!!

I'll try the Veteran Horse Society - thanks for the tip.
 
Trouble is I think you either find the likes of the people who have posted who keep their oldies forever and don't want them out of their control (which I must admit I think I would be the same) or you get the "sell em on" types, so not really any loaning in the middle!
 
well, at 18, red isn't really an 'oldie'- but his I am his mum, and I wouldn't be sending him off anywhere, and as solvieg says, his home is with me.

same would go for solo, but at 12, isn't even a teen yet!
 
I know of a 22 year old 16h TB ex eventer that might need a new home, he is a sensitive soul and forward going, but is sound and fit, PM me if youre interetsed. He will ONLY travel in a lorry and has been retired from compettion for 8 years so wants a low key home.
 
Have you tried a wanted add? Although I would not advertise , I might have responded to a wanted add? just a thought.
 
Depends if you want one to actually ride or just as a companion i guess. We took on a 19 yr old ex-rachorse whom we'd previously had on our field after the owner had loaned him to people who basically starved him as he was toolively otherwise. He was skin and bones and horrendous rainscald but he was soon sorted after a summer on our grass! he was then loaned again but the loanees couldn't cope (again) as he was too lively for them too.

My mum then heard the owner was going to have him put down (she had the vet booked) as she couldn't afford to keep him so mum jumped in (we'd just had 2 of our very old men PTS) and said we'll have him. He's been with us ever sinceand is 24 now. He's got b*ggered tendons from racing career but was/is perfectly capable of hacking out and the only 'bad' thing he does is jog after he's cantered. we couldn't actually believe couldnt' cope he's a gentleman out on hacks realyl, is bombproof but just has that bit of spark - ideal teenagers ride in my mind and he loves jumping! He's had 4/5 years more life and is still as lively as ever, sad to think he was going to be put down.

So, to cut a long story short (too late obviously) I think there are many people who are in this situation and money wise can't afford to keep their old horse when they maybe want a new, younger one aswell but cannot sell their old horse so they opt to have them PTS (which I think is dreadful btw if that horse is fit and healthy otherwise)
 
my old girl is semi retired(18) and my 48 year old was PTS last year.
if i thought they wouldnt have quality of life(due to illness or my lack of funds) i would either loan, sell or put to sleep any of mine irrespective of age.
 
I have an oldie who is on loan to one of my liveries. He lives here and I still look after him as my livery is full care anyway. He goes out once in a while, he's totally sound and enjoys going out once in a while. Actually I let someone else ride him yesterday and the old beggar tried to run off with them -he still has a lot of spunk in those old bones!

He has been on loan to this livery for a year or so now and if she were ever to move, then I think I would let her take him with her as she adores him, BUT I wouldn't transfer his registration papers over to her as I would still want to have the ultimate decision-making rights. He will never be sold or given to anyone other than his loaner and if she decided to stop loaning him (which is highly unlikely) then he will remain in semi-retirement here with us.
 
This is really interesting - I guess we all try and do the best for our old friends. It's great to hear that everyone seems to hang on to them. But I bet there's people out there who, just like LadyT says, have them pts cos they're no longer any use. So unfair - they've served us well so they deserve the dignity of being allowed to live out their days in comfort.

Hi Angeldelight - I'm actually in Northumberland (near Newcastle) but in the middle of nowhere!!! If you see what I mean.
 
I see a lot of "light hacks" rather than older horses for loan.

Some days I would cheerfully give Domi away but I dont think anyone else would want him and his complex health problems....
 
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