what to do with an 18 yo?

[ducktails]

This post is actually for a friend who is going through the pain of deciding what to do best for her horse that she has had for 14 years

The horse has arthritus in the coffin joint and is sound although cannot be jumped anymore and is only really suitable as a companion/happy hack.

Now that her daughter is in school and the other half has says its ok she really wants to get a youngster to bring on as a showjumper. Problem is she cannot afford to put both in livery or the time to ride them both. So now she is faced with a what to do situation?

Obviously the horse means alot to her and she would be happy to let it go to a nice home for next to nothing but now is not the time that people are looking for extra horses. Its such a shame he is so much fun to ride! Anyone have any ideas?

 

[charlie55]

Why doesnt she look at one to half loan and compete that? Atleast till she finds the perfect home!

 

[gails]

Maybe offer him on loan as a hapy hacker, but insisit he stays at the same yard

 

[MontyandZoom]

My Monty is nearly ten years older than that and I faced the same decision.

I have a lovely girl who shares him. She pays £20 a week and rides when she likes. He gets lots of gentle exercise and she gets a horse to fuss over. Believe it or not there are alot of people who only want a horse to gently hack.

I get to do stuff with Zoom but still see my boy every day and have some help with his costs. It has been a godsend.

 

[hostess99]

I'm looking for a happy hack for a friend how big is he has she considered putting him on loan?

 

[ducktails]

She has advertised him for sale in the bargain pages but just seems to be attracting dodgy types

She would definately consider putting him on loan his 16.3hh ish chestnut and just good fun. His completly safe but could be a bit unnerving to a novice as he is forward going. I don't even think he would need to stay on the yard to be honest but sharing is probably not an option as she would have another horse to take care of and still a little kid to.

 

[Flame_]

Could she afford him in retirement livery at grass and another horse on, say, part livery somewhere with facilities? She wouldn't need time to ride or even look after the 18 year old then, its just a question of paying for it. The 18 YO also wouldn't need riding because he'd be turned away.

She'll be lucky to find a permanent home for an unsound 18 year old where she doesn't have to pay for his upkeep.

Even if she could find a loan home, he could be returned then she's still left with two horses.

This leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Its not usually a great idea to try re-homing an un-sound horse nearing retirement age that's done your friend proud for 14 years because she'd enjoy bringing on a youngster.

 

[ducktails]

Flame I see where you are coming from but I think this must be a very real dilemma to some people.. Now we all know what the worst thing to happen would be and thats what we want to avoid

But I think realistically this horse could live for another 10 years and if you do not have the land to keep him or cannot afford to pay 2 liveries it's is a situation some people come up against.

I know she would not wish anything bad on her horse but what do you do? how much is a retirement home?

 

[Flame_]

Tell me about it, I've far too many old and useless horses.

Full care grass livery - £35 a week
DIY grass livery (if she's time and can find somewhere close enough) - £45 a month.

A sharer might be a good solution, but IME many don't stick around very long, especially when the horse has soundness issues.

 

[cariad]

If it's any help, my mare has had arthritis in a coffin joint for years and she's now mid twenties and still as bolshie as they come. She doesn't jump anyway, except little logs in the way because her stifle slips out, but hacking, she powers away like she's on a mission and can spook with the best of them. She's not on any medication. I have another horse aged 18 on loan to a university who is now just showing arthritic changes, which is to be expected, but we'll put him on medication and adjust his workload accordingly so he can keep going.

So if that's all this horse has at 18, I wouldn't be too bothered. I bought my dressage schoolmaster at the age of 18 and he is now mid twenties as well (let's face it, I practically run a retirement home) but despite suspensory ligament problems he is still a brilliant hack and low level dressage. I do wonder sometimes whether we write them off too early. I mean, I have a terrible back and hip myself and all sorts of other problems, but hey, keep popping the pills and carry on! Wish someone would retire me.