What would you do with this mare?

Daisychain

Daisychain

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I have a lovely mare who is 16hh and 19 this year, she bred me a lovely foal last year and has had 4 in total, she was a super eventer in her day and is by the top event sire Tudorville.

I am undecided in what to do, i am very fond of her she owes me nothing and has done me proud. I havent really got the facilities to keep her long term, and i either need to get her a home as a broodmare or equally she is lovely to ride, but would only really be a light hack these days.

Or do i give her a lovely summer and have her pts... This is something i really don't want to do, but ultimately i need to be responsible, i couldnt sleep at night if i thought she was in the wrong hands.

Suggestions, thankyou!
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As nikkiportia said - why can't you keep her?!!!

Is she sick or badly injured? If not, whywould you consider having her PTS??! I am very confused. Is that becauise she's 'no use' to you anymore?

Christ, my horse will be 19 this year and I am looking forward to more competing as I have done for the last 14 years. I would not consider having him PTS just because I no longer had use for him.

I don't get people who think having a horse PTS is a more 'responsible' option than maybe loaning to someone else - why is it always assumed noone else would be capable of looking after a horse as well as you? It's quite an arrogant view really.
 
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I don't get people who think having a horse PTS is a more 'responsible' option than maybe loaning to someone else - why is it always assumed noone else would be capable of looking after a horse as well as you? It's quite an arrogant view really.

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If you pts the horse is happy, settled, well cared for and content - then dead.

If you loan out, the horse might be happy settled, well cared for and content for longer, but it also might not. It might be miserable, unsettled, poorly cared for and better off dead.

OP, look for a trustworthy loan home, but don't be naive and give her to just anyone.
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Otherwise she's had a nice life, it wouldn't be terrible to pts.
 
I think you need to re read my post?

I have 4 horses, i already have one horse with navicular which i am keeping because i couldnt bear to have him pts.

She has to live out, which i don't think is a good option long term as she is a tb.

Of course i would like to find her a home, but with all the horror stories of iresponsible people i am very wary.

Your situation is completely different to mine, you have no right to judge me, i am trying to do the best thing.
 
If you dont have the facilities to keep her now can I ask what has changed? Did you used to keep her somewhere else that did have the facilities for her? The point I am making is how did you manage to keep her prior to her becoming old?

If she was mine Id keep her and give her the retirement she deserves. If I was no longer interested in riding her then I would look for someone who wanted to use her as a light hack but I wouldnt let her move to another yard, she would remain with me still keeping an eye on her.
 
You shouldn't rule out loans. We have had a number of ours out on loan over the years, esp the oldies that we have not wanted to sell to secure their future in old age. Our former broodmare spent the last 10 years of her life in a hacking home who then kept her when she couldn't be ridden and she was looked after very well. So, it can work if you are careful and at 19yo she should have many years of useful life left, albeit as a hack or companion if her competing days are behind her.
 
Daisy, she will live out absolutely fine so dont worry about that at all. My TBs live outside and are very healthy girls. I think youll find that it is much healthier anyway to have older horses outside.
 
I think you are worrying about nothing
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She will be fine outside. If she was very old then I could understand your concerns but she really isnt that old. Dont wish her life away.
 
You have to do what is best for your situation, but to pts is final, if she is on loan you can keep a close eye on her and get her back if necessary.
 
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If you pts the horse is happy, settled, well cared for and content - then dead.

If you loan out, the horse might be happy settled, well cared for and content for longer, but it also might not. It might be miserable, unsettled, poorly cared for and better off dead.

OP, look for a trustworthy loan home, but don't be naive and give her to just anyone.
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Otherwise she's had a nice life, it wouldn't be terrible to pts.

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This is what I was going to say, just with much better wording!
Whichever decison you make, you know your horse best so it will be the right decision for your horse.
 
actually yes, thats a good idea, perhaps when the spring comes i will try and find a nice loan home, do you think there will be enough demand from responsible people rather than people who just want a freebie!
 
There are lots of people that would love a nice horse in their field to look at and look after!!!

My grandad for instance, before I had Tiger he did that he loved horses didn't ride but loved them, so he used to let people with horses like your keep them in his field he used to go and brush them and love them, sit up there with them, he would wake up really early and go and walk the dog through an apple orchard and pick some fresh apples and take them back for the horses!!! He loved them so much <3

He now has Tiger over his house as I can hack from his and he loves having him, treats him like royalty bless him!!!

There are plently of people out there like my grandad who love horses and would love to have one just to look after and love!!!

xxxx
 
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As nikkiportia said - why can't you keep her?!!!

Is she sick or badly injured? If not, whywould you consider having her PTS??! I am very confused. Is that becauise she's 'no use' to you anymore?

Christ, my horse will be 19 this year and I am looking forward to more competing as I have done for the last 14 years. I would not consider having him PTS just because I no longer had use for him.

I don't get people who think having a horse PTS is a more 'responsible' option than maybe loaning to someone else - why is it always assumed noone else would be capable of looking after a horse as well as you? It's quite an arrogant view really.

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AGree with this... Im sure, the mare could go to another home
either on loan, or given to someone to a permanent home.
 
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There are lots of people that would love a nice horse in their field to look at and look after!!!

My grandad for instance, before I had Tiger he did that he loved horses didn't ride but loved them, so he used to let people with horses like your keep them in his field he used to go and brush them and love them, sit up there with them, he would wake up really early and go and walk the dog through an apple orchard and pick some fresh apples and take them back for the horses!!! He loved them so much <3

He now has Tiger over his house as I can hack from his and he loves having him, treats him like royalty bless him!!!

There are plently of people out there like my grandad who love horses and would love to have one just to look after and love!!!

xxxx

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Yes, my mum is exactly the same, she has looked after my retired horses over the years too. Although she has never ridden. But enjoys spending time with an older trustworthy horse to groom and love. Your mare sounds lovely and Im sure that you will have no problem finding her a home.
 
[ QUOTE ]
There are lots of people that would love a nice horse in their field to look at and look after!!!

My grandad for instance, before I had Tiger he did that he loved horses didn't ride but loved them, so he used to let people with horses like your keep them in his field he used to go and brush them and love them, sit up there with them, he would wake up really early and go and walk the dog through an apple orchard and pick some fresh apples and take them back for the horses!!! He loved them so much <3

He now has Tiger over his house as I can hack from his and he loves having him, treats him like royalty bless him!!!

There are plently of people out there like my grandad who love horses and would love to have one just to look after and love!!!

xxxx

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Elizabeth, my 18 YO daughter is very like this. Despite being a competent rider she really has decided that she just wants to have a small herd of veterans to tend to and ocassionally hack out on. So there are people who keep horses well not just for competitions and riding, but for the love of horses.
 
I would certainly advertise her for loan, to stay at your current yard. My first horse was a loan and she was 19 at the time, and I was 25. I learned so much from her and her owner, who had other horses at the same yard. I loaned her for 5 years, paying most of her bills, until I moved house and bought a horse of my own.
If it hadn't have been for my old loan mare I would never have had the knowledge or confidence to get a horse of my own.
If you are willing to take the time to show somebody how to care for your veteran, maybe you could find an adult like I was, who isn't yet ready for ownership and needs a schoolmistress to 'learn the ropes' of horse care. that way you ensure your mare will be well cared for and happy.
I know several people who have entered into horse ownership this way - I'm sure there are many people on this forum who have done the same.
 
Personally I would long term loan then give or sell later on, not sure id make them stay at the yard shes on as alot of people taking on these horses have their own land or rent land so its cheaper to fund our addiction lol
 
I am not judging as such just that having a healthy horse PTS is not a viable option to me - if you;'said the horse has medical/temperament issues etc etc then that's a different matter but it doesn't sound like this.

Of course you hear horror stories about loans - the normal, happy stories don't make such shocking reading!

We took on a 19 yo TB, can be ridden (the story's longer but i won't go into details) anyway, he lives out 24/7 always has done with us and he is happy as larry with his pals. He is now 26 and doing very well.

I think the PTS option just came across as quite shocking in the circumstances you described. I think you would find a loan home without problems.
 
a very good friend of mine has a 32 year old mare who she has had since a four year old and she lives out all summer and comes in for the winter and then goes back out again but she's out for ten hours a day and is like a spring chicken at the moment i say you loan her out as pts isnt exactly fair to a happy horse
 
I think definitely loan her to a nice home where she will be cherished, they do exist. Just take your time, visit their yard, trust your instincts and get reference (YO, trainer, previous loan or whatever)

I'm a serial loaner and its nothing to do with money, I took on a 27 year old connemara as a companion and she had 5 lovely years before she died of old age. She was an adorable fiesty old thing

Then the bay in my siggy came on loan. 2 years later the owner realised we were hopelessly bonded and sold her to me. She is a gorgeous mare and I am just sad that ringbone has cut short our riding

And finally the grey in my siggy came on loan as companion about 8 years ago. I'd say he is pretty happy with life and wants for nothing

I didn't know any of the owners before, but I would say its been a success for all concerned

So all I'm trying to say is there are loan homes out there that can work really well

Just wish one of my 2 were rideable
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Thankyou everyone, i think i will try and find her a nice home via permanant loan, i do love her dearly but as i have so many it is getting difficult to cope with them all, and find enough quality time for them. I will advertise her in the spring, as she hasnt been ridden for a while and see what response i get.
 
Just to throw my two cents in.....I got Monty on half loan at first when he was 24! He is a tb and has to live out and it was the best thing I ever did
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He has had five wonderful years with me (three of which he was officially mine) and when I rode him last week, he still tried to do a spook and spin and ditch me!

If she is a nice ride, there will be plenty of people who would love to take her on. Just take your time and I'm sure you will find a nice loan home for her.
 
maybe try contacting the veteran horse society? she would fit exactly into what they offer?

and another who agrees a TB can live out - obviously rugged and fed which from the sound of your post, I am sure you would do. As long as she was prepped properly she should be fine - we had a very elderly TB living out and the provision his owner made was to ensure he went into winter with an extra layer of fat, kept feed/forage and rugging and he would come out looking as good as those who had been stabled.
 
Firstly no reason why a veteran TB can't live out, especially if she is happy to do so now. As she gets older she may need extra rugs and feed but should be fine out. I looked at a veteran TB to loan a few years ago, he lived out all year. He was team chasing all winter and I went to see him with a view to having him for six months over summer to do some dressage and fun stuff with him. He was a former Grade A showjumper who had gone stale for showjumping but still had bags to offer. Sadly the owner later decided she couldn't part with him so it didn't work out.

Older horses are best kept mobile, both through regular appropriate riding and through turnout. If they love their job it will keep her young longer.

I am certain that given time and patience you could find her a super loan home (I know a few people with long term loan horses that are getting on brilliantly). If she has no soundness issues no reason why she couldn't be a fab school master but if she is genuinely only suitable as a hack then there are lots of these homes too. Just vet the potential loaner carefully and do spot checks once she is in her new home.
 
I know of some lovely aged TBs who actually fared better living out than in.
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Is it possible to sell or loan out one of your others? Seems a shame to PTS when she has served you so well and is healthy.

Other than what has already been suggested, whatt about finding a sharer? Contribute to bills, you could let them have a bargain - i.e. full ridden use of the horse - in return for help with jobs and some contribution towards her keep.
 
If she's fine living out now, keep her as she is. If she starts to struggle through the winters, and extra rugs/feed aren't helping, then that's the time to consider PTS. I know a few TB's who happily live out. Just wish mine would!!

If you can find a sharer/loaner who you are 100% certain she would fit in with, then go for it - but I wouldn't try to loan her as a companion. Sadly, it's the companion horses who tend to end up in trouble
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If she can be ridden, this is probably a really good option
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