Waxwing
Well-Known Member
I have posted separately about some of the issues we are experiencing with our recently purchased horse. This has lead me to some musings on the following
I worked on the assumption when we purchased our first horse last year that we would have a number of ridden years together, as we both got older the level of activity would decrease and at some point the horse would be retired. I also worked on the assumption that if the horse wasn't right for me then I well sell them to a more suitable home and this is what will be happening with horse number one.
However the issues I am currently experiencing with our newest friend meaning that I may potentially have a horse that cannot be ridden from almost the start of owning them, If he stays with me and the issues are treatable and settle that's fine , but if he is not the right horse for me I will not legitimately be able to sell on as there is no way I would want someone else to be in the position I am in at present.
When we had the vet out last week and I was informed it could potentially be very difficult to pinpoint and treat the current issues I have had to reflect on what to do next. I don't have an infinite budget to spend on tests and scans and he isn't insured as the issues were picked in the first fourteen days when he was only covered for accidental external injuries. If the underlying issues are identified and treatable and he is then rideable, and he presents broadly as he did when I tried him then that is fine. If something serious and untreatable was identified that was also gave a very clear if different potential outcome. Its the middle ground, that worries me the most; where something is underlying but isn't diagnosed and sometimes he may appear ok to ride and at others not; especially if this is accompanied by significantly increased energy levels due to lack of regular exercise. He is currently pretty sharp, which is not how he presented when I first tried him, and I feel to be confident riding him I would want him in regular work. (My vague plan had been, before the current issues were identified, was to look for a sharer - not necessarily for any financial contribution but just to keep him ticking over and hopefully for someone else to enjoy as well. )
Do I have to accept that I won't be riding again and now have a large friendly lawnmower for the next ten plus years. In this situation or similar have people made other choices. i was chatting to someone recently who had had young horse put to sleep. I am not in a situation where I have my own land so will have to pay livery.
For what its worth if he isn't rideable he will probably get at least a few years at retirement livery; I have found an option, not locally that is affordable. If family finances change in the future other options may need to be considered but he would have some time to be a horse.
I worked on the assumption when we purchased our first horse last year that we would have a number of ridden years together, as we both got older the level of activity would decrease and at some point the horse would be retired. I also worked on the assumption that if the horse wasn't right for me then I well sell them to a more suitable home and this is what will be happening with horse number one.
However the issues I am currently experiencing with our newest friend meaning that I may potentially have a horse that cannot be ridden from almost the start of owning them, If he stays with me and the issues are treatable and settle that's fine , but if he is not the right horse for me I will not legitimately be able to sell on as there is no way I would want someone else to be in the position I am in at present.
When we had the vet out last week and I was informed it could potentially be very difficult to pinpoint and treat the current issues I have had to reflect on what to do next. I don't have an infinite budget to spend on tests and scans and he isn't insured as the issues were picked in the first fourteen days when he was only covered for accidental external injuries. If the underlying issues are identified and treatable and he is then rideable, and he presents broadly as he did when I tried him then that is fine. If something serious and untreatable was identified that was also gave a very clear if different potential outcome. Its the middle ground, that worries me the most; where something is underlying but isn't diagnosed and sometimes he may appear ok to ride and at others not; especially if this is accompanied by significantly increased energy levels due to lack of regular exercise. He is currently pretty sharp, which is not how he presented when I first tried him, and I feel to be confident riding him I would want him in regular work. (My vague plan had been, before the current issues were identified, was to look for a sharer - not necessarily for any financial contribution but just to keep him ticking over and hopefully for someone else to enjoy as well. )
Do I have to accept that I won't be riding again and now have a large friendly lawnmower for the next ten plus years. In this situation or similar have people made other choices. i was chatting to someone recently who had had young horse put to sleep. I am not in a situation where I have my own land so will have to pay livery.
For what its worth if he isn't rideable he will probably get at least a few years at retirement livery; I have found an option, not locally that is affordable. If family finances change in the future other options may need to be considered but he would have some time to be a horse.
