What if.......companion homes?

[Annagain]

Some of you might remember my issues with my horse and his random lameness for which we can't really find a reason despite lots of vet visits x-rays etc.
I think I've jinxed his recovery by posting that it was going well and I thought he was going to be ok. Yesterday he was clearly not right - but with different symptoms again, just felt very short for a few strides every so often, he was bearing weight evenly but would just suddenly take short strides for a bout 5 strides and then be ok again. Was fine in short bursts of trot (all he's supposed to be doing at the moment) He's going back to vet next week but I'm 99% sure it's going to be bad news.
So what next? I could afford two in the short term but we're supposed to be moving house next years and will be mortgaged up to our eyeballs. I've been there with just a retired horse before but he was 25, Archie's only 13. The two years I had my old boy in retirement were hell for me with nothing to ride, although I adored him. I adore Arch as well but the thought of at least another 10 years of owning a horse but not riding id too much. He's perfectly sound and happy in the field so I could never have him pts just because he's not useful any more. The best way out of a bad situation would be to find him a loan home as a companion where I could keep in touch. Do people want 16.2 horses as companions?
In some ways he's ideal. He's a darling to handle, gets on with all horses, doesn't have a nasty bone in his body, never puts on too much weight in summer or loses much in winter, would be happier out but tolerates being in overnight happily but I'm worried his size will put people off?

I would be happy to keep his insurance going so that he's covered for vets fees (other than front feet and one v.small melanoma that hasn't been a problem at all in the 5 years I've had him). Would that help?

Does anybody have any advice?

 

[AmyMay]

I think this is always an incredibly difficult position to be in. My own personal view is that unless you know someone (or the contact is through a friend who you trust) I would probably not loan the horse out.

Having given this a lot of thought myself earlier in the summer - the conclussion I came to was that unless I could find someone recommended to me, the horse would be put down.

Two things to consider: Loan homes are just that - and the horse can come sailing back with little or no warning. Horses (can) vanish when loaned out as companions.....

 

[rascal]

It is never easy owning horses!
Some people do have big horses as companions, it really is worth a try, if he is happy in the field. If you do loan him out i would get him freeze marked if he isnt already.

 

[Annagain]

Thanks, hadn't thought of that, he isn't as he's grey and I didn't want him done on his shoulder - vanity! He is micrchipped though.

I am praying he will be at least hackable. I would still want to do more, but could at least then hopefully find someone to have him on loan at my yard and keep an eye on him. I know he could come back at a moment's notice but I'd cope short term until I could sort something out and at least I wouldn't have to worry about there being room for him. He's a fab hack and could suit anybody from a confident novice to a decent rider who only wants to hack. His only fault is he can be a bit strong in company, but if he's in front it's not an issue.

 

[ladyt25]

I think it is possible to find a companion home for the bigger horse certainly if they are fairly easy to do and don't require special treatment (ie medication, special shoeing etc). We took on a 19 yo TB as his owner had run out of options after several loan homes has failed (he's a typical joggy TB!). She was going to have him PTS.

We ad previously had him short term after a loaner had let him get into an appalling state, he came to us to put weight on and get healthy again. Therefore we did know him. Coincidentally when his owner had reacehd the last option we had just lost our old donkey and an old pony which left us witha 35 yo horse at home pining for his elderly pals. We thought taking this other oldie on would be an ideal companion for him.

6 years later we still have him and it does feel good to know we haqve givne him another 6 years of life he wouldn't have had. He was/is rideable but doesn't get taken out much as we have our other horses but he's been very easy to keep and is a very happy little soul! I guess it was just a case of right place at the right time as far as his owner was concerned.

So, I guess my point is, don't rule it out but it is probably best finding places through word of mouth.