What to do with a horse you cant ride

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nat88

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Idea's welcome! My friend has a horse that she cant ride due to the fact that he is a bit on the dangerous side, I mean its fine if you dont mind ending up under a car, but not very safe, he is worse if you take him off roads on to fields. Nice horse good to handle but you cant pick up its back feet, its in its early teens and is very weird at times. It is turned out every day and has company, but it does have a go at its 'friend' who goes and eats in a section of the field that it cant get to him in. Basically what happens then is horse goes demented and runs up and down the electric tape for hours. My friend is reaching the end of her tether, she isnt sure if its kinder to put him down as she has been told that he will always pace up and down and the problems as to why it cant be ridden are not really able to be sorted out. Do you think that anyone would want to keep a horse like this? I mean is she the only person that would try to put up with constant agro from something that gives you nothing but heartache or are there others that would try and take on a horse like this. Oh and to make it worse, its got it's n**s on, so that probably doesnt help either, but she has been told it wont make any difference if he is gelded this late anyway.
 
I would have a full assessment from a vet - blood tests etc etc and also discuss the possibility of gelding!
She obviously cannot sell the horse in this state and in order to make it even slightly sellable it will require financial investment. The animal's welfare should always come first.
 
Ditto. Bullet. If it's that dangerous, she is putting herself, and others at risk. It is not fair to other people, or the horse, to pass it on. Also, the less he is handled, the worse he will get.
 
I'm presuming all pain related reasons for it have been searched extensively...in which case,sorry,but same as above, PTS.

Why was it kept entire to start with??
 
I would also pts.

You say that the problems that mean it can't be ridden are not really able to be sorted out. So basically he would need to go as a companion and with his apparent issues and the fact that he is a stallion, well no one is going to want him so if your friend has really had enough then pts is the only feasible option.
 
How long has she had him?

Why anyone would keep a horse with this temperament entire is beyond me. Gelding becomes more dangerous the older they get but maybe worth a try. From the info you've given though I would say yes PTS.
 
OK well I have been in a very similar situation to your friend.
I have a horse who was dangerous/aggressive etc. Everyone from Vets to trainers etc said i shoud have put her down due to the fact that she couldnt deal with handling/being ridden. She also suffered severely from seperation anxiety and could not be stabled. Everyone said she was a lost cause.

However, I morally thought it was wrong to put her down as she was a healthy horse who loved people and was affectionate, she loved grooming and would stand still for hours without a headcollar for the farrier(we couldnt put a headcollar on so this was a miracle!) she was turned out for several years with others and lead a happy relaxed life.
A few months ago I had a thought- after this time off it would be possible to do things with her?

I am very happy to say that not only is she now catchable, she is going for walks alone (dealing with te seperation anxiety) and has been reintroduced to lunging. I am hoping to ride her in the future but I am taking the whole process very slow.
No one can believe what has happened to her, I firmly believe that it is my gentle approach and the fact that I am the first human she can truely trust who gives her lots of time to adjust to each new thing I ask of her. Clicker training has been a big part of this process too.
Oh and my horse is 15!

Even though many people will say that your friends horse should be PTS, I want to let you know that there is hope! She should listen to her instinct with this decision... perhaps given patience and time the situation can totally change.
This is much longer than I planned...
Please PM me if you want more advice. I am happy to helpif I can!
 
Depends really on how much time and trouble anyone wants to spend on a horse like this.

Firstly, he's got to be gelded, it may then take a year or so for the hormonal influences to be reduced, on the other hand it may alter a lot sooner.

His behaviour has become a deep rooted pattern in his everyday life and needs channelling.

If it was me I'd go right back to basics with him and start loads of groundwork, and bring him on at his own pace.

First though I'd get him cut.
 
akashapachamama said:
OK well I have been in a very similar situation to your friend.
I have a horse who was dangerous/aggressive etc. Everyone from Vets to trainers etc said i shoud have put her down due to the fact that she couldnt deal with handling/being ridden. She also suffered severely from seperation anxiety and could not be stabled. Everyone said she was a lost cause.

However, I morally thought it was wrong to put her down as she was a healthy horse who loved people and was affectionate, she loved grooming and would stand still for hours without a headcollar for the farrier(we couldnt put a headcollar on so this was a miracle!) she was turned out for several years with others and lead a happy relaxed life.
A few months ago I had a thought- after this time off it would be possible to do things with her?

I am very happy to say that not only is she now catchable, she is going for walks alone (dealing with te seperation anxiety) and has been reintroduced to lunging. I am hoping to ride her in the future but I am taking the whole process very slow.
No one can believe what has happened to her, I firmly believe that it is my gentle approach and the fact that I am the first human she can truely trust who gives her lots of time to adjust to each new thing I ask of her. Clicker training has been a big part of this process too.
Oh and my horse is 15!

Even though many people will say that your friends horse should be PTS, I want to let you know that there is hope! She should listen to her instinct with this decision... perhaps given patience and time the situation can totally change.
This is much longer than I planned...
Please PM me if you want more advice. I am happy to helpif I can!
Click to expand...

Totally agree.
 
AndySpooner said:
Depends really on how much time and trouble anyone wants to spend on a horse like this.

Firstly, he's got to be gelded, it may then take a year or so for the hormonal influences to be reduced, on the other hand it may alter a lot sooner.

His behaviour has become a deep rooted pattern in his everyday life and needs channelling.

If it was me I'd go right back to basics with him and start loads of groundwork, and bring him on at his own pace.

First though I'd get him cut.
Click to expand...

Exactly this!!! Geld him, give him time, and do LOTS of groundwork.......
 
Oh dear. Why did she get him? Project that went wrong? I think the fact that he has been kept entire would have a lot to do with the frustration and behaviour he exerts. I think having him gelded is important, and should have been done the day your friend got him.

With my horse, who is a big 17.2, 9yr old ex-racehorse retired due to unsoundness I do lots of groundwork with him to keep his mind active, and it reminds him who's boss (me :)). Join-up, structered games, etc. Things he has to think about. I can not lunge my horse, and all of the excersies I do have to be low impact on his joints and back.
However, mine isn't dangerously demented, like this one sounds, so I don't know if I'd want to put myself at risk, and your horse may not be remotely interested in listening to your commands anyway?

I think if I had a very dangerous horse, who was unrideable, dangerous to handle on the ground, and tormented his field mates, and appeared to be stressed in the field without a field mate, and if the vets agreed that there was no hope, then I would humanely pts, and not feel bad for doing so.
 
GELD HIM! It's not too late at all - I know someone whose horse was gelded very late, and had previously been used as a teaser! He had his quirks, quite understandable under the circumstances, but he was a lovely horse!
 
MadisonBelle said:
Exactly this!!! Geld him, give him time, and do LOTS of groundwork.......
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I think every horse deserves a chance, so I would get him gelded ASAP, then go right back to basics and try to get through to him. However, you will need to be prepared to put in a lot of time and have lots of patience. As has been said before, it will take a long time for his hormones to settle to start off, before you even begin groundwork.

After all that, if nothing more is working and nothing is physically wrong, then PTS.
 
SusannaF said:
Knackers OFF. Even if the vet has to use a gun to tranq him ;)
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Agreed - OFF WITH THE GOOLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 months to let the hormones adjust then a more specialist environment, with single turnout with a walkway between each paddock and a fixed routine than runs like clockwork.
Reevaluate in spring, starting with intense groundwork.:)
Horse'll be a different being:)
 
There are a few things i'd do. but it does depend on how much your friend wants to try keep the horse and if they have the money to try sort it out.

If was my horse...
Firstly I'd get him gelded then have everything checked Teeth, back and saddle, Feet, Eyes (have known some change behaviour as developed blindness in one eye) even if done recently!
If still no better i'd take him to some one such as Richard Maxwell to help show me how to handle him as it could also be down to handler letting him get away with too much.
If all that fails to show any improvement over a max of 4 month period then i'd have him PTS.
 
Your friend needs to do whatever is appropriate for her in her personal circumstances - taking into account the horse's behaviour, financial considerations and amount of time she has.

That may be PTS, that may be geld and turn away, it may be something else.

If she is a true friend of yours, you'll help her in exploring the options, but leave it to her to make the decision for herself - then support her - whatever it may be.

If "other people" disagree with the decision, then will those "other people" take over full responsibility for the horse so its future is their resposibility and decision?
 
TBH I cannot see what gelding him is going to do, his problems sound far deeper rooted. And its going to take a damn sight longer than 2 months for the hormones to settle.
He sounds like he is going (or already gone) stir crazy.
One thing that has sprung to mind.....is he turned out with mares in sight? If so, and you are turning him out with company, you are pretty much guarenteed that he is going to attack and bully the companion animal.
If there was no reason to keep the boy entire, he should have been gelded from the word go.
Unless his quality of life can be improved I too would suggest PTS, for his sake as well as those around him.
 
He's probably a lovely horse, BUT an entire like this isn't going to be happy unless he's, ur hum, doing his job, which is covering mares! Why the hell hasn't he had his pockets picked? To be brutally honest, unless a horse is intended for stud purposes there is no excuse for not having it gelded; and this is an example of what goes wrong when stallions are kept frustrated and unhappy.

TBH you have to weigh the costs (and risks) of gelding against the cost of knackering/meat price; and make your decision based on that, unless you have a very wide pocket (plus sentimental heart) and are prepared for the risk of throwing good money after bad on re-schooling - which may or may not be effective. Everything might go swimmingly and you'll have a lovely horse, OR you may still have a horse that is basically unrideable at the end of it all and you'll still have to make a difficult decision.

Personally, I'd get an expert out to have a look at him and take their advice. Your expert should also take account of YOUR riding ability/experience in dealing with a difficult horse and whether you could deal with it or not.

I wonder whether Michael Peace would take him? This will cost you an arm and a leg, BUT if you are committed to keeping this horse it might be an option. Or you could try an IH practitioner. But whoever you approach, it's highly likely that they would first say geld it and then see what happens.
 
AndySpooner said:
Depends really on how much time and trouble anyone wants to spend on a horse like this.

Firstly, he's got to be gelded, it may then take a year or so for the hormonal influences to be reduced, on the other hand it may alter a lot sooner.

His behaviour has become a deep rooted pattern in his everyday life and needs channelling.

If it was me I'd go right back to basics with him and start loads of groundwork, and bring him on at his own pace.

First though I'd get him cut.
Click to expand...

I agree with the above.

Who has told her the riding issues cannot be fixed, what does he do to be 'dangerous' and what was she doing before and after the incident, how often was he ridden, how long has she had him, what have the previous owners said?

I don't deem it fair to put down a healthy animal but feel that there's not enough information given to be able to provide further advice and on that basis, I would also recommend getting an expert out, if not already done so.

If your friend would like to, she can PM me with any questions.
 
We are assuming then that the 'owner' has the money to geld this mature horse.

It will cost an awful lot of money............
 
amymay said:
We are assuming then that the 'owner' has the money to geld this mature horse.

It will cost an awful lot of money............
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This is true, but the cost of keeping horses is always prohibitive and if you consider the financial implications when expressing opinions on threads such as this the answer would always be 'get rid'.

I always take the view that the cash is there if folk are asking for advice.
 
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