What to do with golden oldie - companion loan or PTS?

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Fifty Bales of Hay

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I have a beautiful 15hh gelding, who is the easiest going pony you could meet. He really is no trouble at all. I have had him a long time, he is rising 20yo but was retired from competition (dressage and WHP) when he was 14yo and only hacked since. He isn't really sound enough to ride any longer but is OK pootling round the field, coming into his stable etc.

If I had more land I would simply retire him and put him out to grass, perhaps with another similar. But I haven't and I am going to struggle to keep him as I bought another this summer to ride, as I'd not ridden for over a year and this very suitable pony came on the market.

Sending away to a retirement livery is not an option my husband would support sadly.

Either I make the tough decision to PTS or I have to find him another home, perhaps as a companion (on loan I will not sell him or give him away). Do you think there might be a possibility of finding him a loan home, or are there simply too many ponies/horses looking for homes like this, that it's probably not even worth trying?
 
I'm very sorry to be writing this, but I think you would struggle to find him a home. I think kids ponies (small so theoretically cheap to keep) would have a better chance of being rehomed as a companion, given their only role is to provide company to another horse, and a small and cheap to keep pony would do that just as well as a bigger horse.

That's not to say don't try (I would say don't try if you were talking about selling, but since it would be a loan you've got a bit more control). But what would you do if he came back from a loan home in 6 months time? Then you'd have the same decision to make. You don't say that he is on medication for his soundness issues, which is a plus. I've seen horses advertised as companions that need ongoing medication- hmm.
 
This is such a tricky one and I feel for you having to make this decision. It will be easy for outsiders to come in and say pts, its for the best blah blah blah ... But this horse has been with you a long time and this kind of decision is far from easy.

If it were me I would set myself a period of time to find the right companion loan home and have an ironclad agreement in place with regular visits to ensure he is doing well but I would stick to my deadline and if a suitable home wasnt found within a period of time I would then make the brave decision to pts to secure his future knowing he has had a wonderful life with you and gone out of this world never having known any sorrow or pain only love and security :)

Good luck x
 
Companion home, he sounds ideal. The trouble with ponies I find, is that during the summer they need restricted grazing, but a bigger type can be turned out with a horse that does not need those restrictions, ie. TBs. If I wanted a companion I would certainly be looking for this sort. Good luck OP and don't give up.
 
No harm i advertising as a companion and see who comes along,key for loans like this is keep him local so you can check him often - even if it's just drive past and see him over the fence
If nobody suiable responds you only rally have one choice.

I agree with above, little live on fresh air ponies are bad companions for horses so he could be ideal for someone
 
God I couldn't put to sleep a healthy horse or pony that had served me well. Fair enough if unsound or in pain or expensive. I consider this when buying a horse and that's one of the reasons if I was selling, I would always sell by age 11 or 12 or make the decision to keep for good including a retirement. After all, people keep pets, often spend a fortune on them.

If you can't keep him at home, then livery? How much does basic grass livery and checking him once a day or even paying another livery to do him cost? Or livery in summer only and back home to yours in winter? I know several people who have retired horses who pay full livery for them because they don't want pts on their conscience. A retired older horse can be very rewarding in what they teach you about animals that can no longer work, there is still value in keeping them.
 
I would try my hardest to find a companion home for him :) If youve exhausted every avenue to try and find him a suitable home then that when I would consider PTS. Like the otheres have said, would you not find somewehre that you could just have him on grass livery??
 
hollybear said:
Me neither, would feel that I owed him a good retirement, hope you can find a solution OP, other that PTS.
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Yep, I agree its the least I owe mine. Not throwing them away like rubbish because they got a bit broke and can't live up to our expectations. Fair enough if they are in pain or dangerous, but not when they have given you their best over the years. I'd keep as a companion even if it meant not riding until circumstances changed, I think it's part and parcel of the responsibility of owning any animal.
 
I would definitely try down the companion route. If the horse was ill/injured/was deteriorating condition then I would lean towards PTS. However, he sounds fab for someone who just need company for another horse. Try and see how you get on :)
 
cheeryplatypus said:
Yep, I agree its the least I owe mine. Not throwing them away like rubbish because they got a bit broke and can't live up to our expectations. Fair enough if they are in pain or dangerous, but not when they have given you their best over the years. I'd keep as a companion even if it meant not riding until circumstances changed, I think it's part and parcel of the responsibility of owning any animal.
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this.
 
AMP said:
I am not "throwing him away like rubbish" - gosh some people know how to make you feel bad when you're already feeling bad don't they!!!!!!

Thank you for the helpful first posts.
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Quite. Some people really amaze me at how forthright they are with their opinions when they are not faced with the situation themselves.

I would look at a companion home, he does sound an ideal size/temperament, as long as he doesn't have too many medical requirements due to his unsoundness. I would be full loaning personally, you don't want him being passed on as sound etc etc and end up god knows where.

If not, there are much worse fates for a horse than being PTS surrounded by people that love them in a happy home.

Good luck :)
 
Ask around, a good companion is just as valuable as any other horse. Good to catch, easy to handle, will stay happily at home while other horse is out, won't kick the other horse or bully them. Doesn't have big health issues. All this is required in the "perfect" companion and it isn't always THAT easy. I know you don't want to pay retirement livery, but maybe sweeten the deal by offering to cover tetnus jab, dentist.
Don't forget the loan contract! And go to visit.
The very last thing you want is to find a "good home" and then the pony disappears and has been sold somewhere.
 
AMP said:
I am not "throwing him away like rubbish" - gosh some people know how to make you feel bad when you're already feeling bad don't they!!!!!!

Thank you for the helpful first posts.
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Please ignore those morons and don't let them upset you. They should be ashamed of themselves!

Horses aren't like your pet cat, dog etc They are very large expensive animals and you have to think practically about there long term care and how to manage it. After all you cant give him a comfy sofa in the lounge to live out his days! You have the horses best interests at heart by wanting to secure his future and that can be in the way of loan home or PTS. No one should judge you for keeping the options safe and secure for your boy who you clearly love very much.
 
AMP said:
I am not "throwing him away like rubbish" - gosh some people know how to make you feel bad when you're already feeling bad don't they!!!!!!

Thank you for the helpful first posts.
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The things some people are accused of on here amaze me. You are clearly thinking ahead and are considering all options. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to keep their old chum at home in retirement. I was lucky enough to be able to do so with my old girl, but that was because we kept her at home with free hay and straw, so only had to pay for farrier and feed. You're not even selling him- since you can't keep him yourself I don't see how you are expected to do any better for him than what you are trying!

Good luck trying to find him a home- hopefully you'll find a rich version of me (If I could afford to I'd take him!)
 
If I may add some practical advice about loaning your horse.
There are many people out there that wish to loan a companion horse so given some time you should find someone locally.
Unfortunately many horses disapear while on loan (however reputable the loaner may appear to have been).
Before loaning your horse out have it Freezemarked so that it can be easily identified by anyone. (Microchipping is a total waste of time).
Ensure that you get sight of the original Passport, Driving Licence and Rates Bill of the person loaning the horse and photocopy them.
Use the BHS Loan Agreament as a template but then ammend it to your requirements and ask a specialist equine solicitor toi check it out. Then produce 2 copies both of which should be signed and dated by both parties with a signature from a witness.
Be realistic and be aware that a loan horse can end up being returned at any time (despite what is stated in the contract).
 
Advertise. Someone on Facebook asked the same question, hers a 16.2 mare. I pointed out along with a few others that some people as previously mentioned prefer a larger companion who can be kept "as a horse" my tb wouldn't accept a little pony as company and was only settled with a horse over 14.2! ( he is a special one!) there are lots of horses like him though and this lady on fb had many enquiries.
Alternatively and tbh I'm not sure this is my best suggestion as I did/ am doing it and I'm not very happy about it, the horses are though.
Can you leave livery and find a cheap field to rent? I paid £160 at my livery yard so keeping my retired horse and a riding horse would have been absolutely impossible. I found a field for £100 and have over time added stables etc. I miss livery yards but my retired horse is with me and happy and I am content knowing he's safe.
 
AMP said:
I am not "throwing him away like rubbish" - gosh some people know how to make you feel bad when you're already feeling bad don't they!!!!!!

Thank you for the helpful first posts.
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I cannot understand why people take this attitude, to me you sound a caring owner who is being realistic about what you can afford. It is not kind to keep an extra one and be struggling with time and finances.

No matter what anyone else advises, it is your call you are being responsible and not adding to the mounting problem of animals that cannot be ridden.

20 is a good age, not so long as go it was unusual to see many 20plus horses.
 
I have to agree that a horse for me is for life. I can only afford to keep one, so if anything ever happens to my boy and he is no longer rideable, I wont ride until the time has come for him to pass over rainbow bridge. Its that simple in my eyes I am afraid. I wouldn't replace him if I couldn't keep them both.

He does sound like the type of horse that would make a great companion though, so definitely worth advertising.
 
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HaffiesRock said:
I have to agree that a horse for me is for life. I can only afford to keep one, so if anything ever happens to my boy and he is no longer rideable, I wont ride until the time has come for him to pass over rainbow bridge. Its that simple in my eyes I am afraid. I wouldn't replace him if I couldn't keep them both.

He does sound like the type of horse that would make a great companion though, so definitely worth advertising.
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As above
 
If it's purely financial that you can't keep two then i'd try and find a loan home (i agree there are definately people that want an easy companion) and if that wasn't possible i'd sell the other horse and keep the old one. I wouldn't put the older horse down just so you can carry on riding if thats the case. You can always try and find a free/cheap share for that. Why did you buy a second horse if you knew you couldn't keep two or has something changed recently?
 
HaffiesRock said:
I have to agree that a horse for me is for life. I can only afford to keep one, so if anything ever happens to my boy and he is no longer rideable, I wont ride until the time has come for him to pass over rainbow bridge. Its that simple in my eyes I am afraid. I wouldn't replace him if I couldn't keep them both.
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But this is not the case with the OP so I don't see how this is relevant.
 
HaffiesRock said:
I have to agree that a horse for me is for life. I can only afford to keep one, so if anything ever happens to my boy and he is no longer rideable, I wont ride until the time has come for him to pass over rainbow bridge. Its that simple in my eyes I am afraid. I wouldn't replace him if I couldn't keep them both.

He does sound like the type of horse that would make a great companion though, so definitely worth advertising.
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I retired my girlie this year - she's 15. I cannot afford another so she'll be with me until the end, and I haven't ridden for over a year now ( don't think 6 x 10 minute pootles in 18 months counts as riding - just to see if she was sound), after she's gone I do not know as I would want another as it will break my heart.
I know I am a sentimentalist, but it sounds like you'll do the best for your old boy.
 
I think it is a common perception that when someone asks rehome or put to sleep they don't want the horse anymore. If they did they wouldn't be asking.

Could you consider getting a sharer for your new horse so the money could go towards keeping the old one?
 
GinaGem said:
If it's purely financial that you can't keep two then i'd try and find a loan home (i agree there are definately people that want an easy companion) and if that wasn't possible i'd sell the other horse and keep the old one. I wouldn't put the older horse down just so you can carry on riding if thats the case. You can always try and find a free/cheap share for that. Why did you buy a second horse if you knew you couldn't keep two or has something changed recently?
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^ this.

I assume OP('s family) has other horses too as her new one will need equine company and sounds to be kept on her land? Perhaps some of those could have sharers to support the oldie?
 
The one thing you've got going is that your old chap IS 15.1. Were I looking for a companion horse I would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER consider a small pony. Enchanting they may be, but we have two in the field just now (they're two of my liveries) and I just thank god they're not mine. They are always on starvation, have to be on special paddocks, are like quicksilver, and are the biggest opportunists it has been my misfortune to meet (though I do love them inspite!). I would never keep my mare alone, so if I was to stop having liveries I'd be looking for an old TB or something of that ilk.

And if I feel like that, perhaps other would-be companion seekers might also. But sadly there are far too many horses looking for retirement homes right now, and people are getting very choosy. As someone else asked, could you not find a sharer for your new horse, and fund the old one that way?
 
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