What would you do???

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Christmas_Kate

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If someone offered to GIVE you a pony?

Situation is, a friend of a friend has an ex pc pony, 11hh, bay, nf type. He's 18 yo and steady as they come. 100% in the heaviest traffic, bomb proof, literally just does as he's asked and nothing more. Fabulous to handle etc etc. He is the kind of pony I thought I'd never find.

My eldest has ridden him in two lessons, and loves him to bits. They even went for a little 'hack' and both loved it.
The owner wants him to semi retire to a family, and has offered him to me. Said she will sign him over, and I can have him for keeps.

A few probs. Firstly I have heard he has an allergy to straw and hay, and is on paper bedding with haylege. I've also been told he's on some sort of medicine to ease his breathing (owner's already said he can't gallop as his wind's not right).
Secondly, he's a little arthritic, and that worries me. Is it going to cost me more in the long run in vet's bills?? We will do no more than trotting, but obviously there will be times when he will need a little pain relief.
Also I don't quite feel comfortable just being 'given' a pony. I offered her money for him and she said no way, she just wants him to be loved. If I decide to have him should I insist she takes some money? Or should I buy her a gift or donate some money to the ILPH??
 
When I was little all my ponies were old. The oldest being my 14.2hh who was 24 when I got him. Do you have the option of giving the pony back? so it is more like a loan. And this may sound selfish but thn you don't have to foot the bill if anything sound happen. He sounds a delightful pony and age isn't everything as my 14.2hh was the best horse I have had!

I would buy her a gift - just a box of chocs of something, she is probably delighted that you are taking him of her hands!
 
Sounds like he has alot to offer and would be a lovely pony for your son!If those are his only two down falls (the coughing and arthritis), then i wouldnt be put off.
Perhaps a small gift, like a nice bottle of drink(that is what my farrier gave to someone for a pony!) would be good, just as a token to make it legal!
 
His age doesnt bother me one bit. I like that in him, he has experience and really looks after the kids.
The owner has to downsize her yard as she has too many horses, and not enough time for him, and doesnt want him back.

I have never dealt with allergies or arthritis before
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so I'm just unsure of what I'm taking on. ATM I'm on a private yard, and I'm the only livery as such, so i'm on my own as far as problems go. I will be moving later in the year (before the winter) to a big livery yard, so it's just for these few months I'm a bit unsure as to what to look for, when to treat etc. Would I be mad to attempt it?
 
Arthritis isn't the end of the world. There are so many supplements like cortaflex etc on the market now a days if only mild. And with bute and danilon. My old boy has been on bute for 15 years!! And hayalge and paper bedding aren't that much more expensive. But at 11h he (hope it's a he) is only small and will soon be outgrown and then you have to think of what you are going to do then. Will you be able to keep him as a pet even on medication? My old guy is 40 soon so you might have plenty years ahead of you. I hope it all works out for you.
 
Find out from the current owner exactly how she manages his cough, if it's just paper bedding and haylage then that's not a bit deal. On the other hand if he can't live within 100 metres of any other horse on 'proper' hay and a straw bed then you might have to think again.

His arthritis may need a bit of managing, or nothing at all, just awareness, so again, ask the current owner how they manage it.

Safe trustworthy ponies are virtually impossible to find so if I were you I'd take this pony.
 
I don't think I would be put off by this at all. That is how I got my first horse. He was being "retired" from eventing, and I took him on to hack and dressage. He had arthritis in his hocks from an old injury, but it never held us back. He took a little longer to warm up, and he had cod liver oil in his feed daily, but I never had any real issue with vet bills or time off.

If you take this pony on, he may be a little more stiff when brought out of the stable, but should loosen up when walked. Sounds like she is more concerned about a good home for him than money, many people are when it comes to old ponies they have had a long time.

I dont think you'd be mad to attempt it at all. I think the pony would love to be fussed over and loved by kids and you would have a great start for the children with a pony you know and trust.
 
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Find out from the current owner exactly how she manages his cough, if it's just paper bedding and haylage then that's not a bit deal. On the other hand if he can't live within 100 metres of any other horse on 'proper' hay and a straw bed then you might have to think again.

His arthritis may need a bit of managing, or nothing at all, just awareness, so again, ask the current owner how they manage it.

Safe trustworthy ponies are virtually impossible to find so if I were you I'd take this pony.

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the yard he's on they're all on shavings or paper. At my current yard they're all on straw.....thanks, that's something i def. ned to ask.
 
I have to say I am offered free horses frequently, at least a couple every month believe it or not - I always still look at them as if I am buying them. Nothing in life is a freebie and there are often catches with them. The way I rationalise it is - would I consider buying this pony for £500? If I wouldn't, then why not? The reasons will still be the same regardless of whether you pay or don't pay.

The pony does sound very nice and I think would be a great purchase for your children......however before you decide I would ask what medication he is on for his RAO. If it is Ventipulmin or Sputulosum then I would make sure you can afford the cost of it as it is very expensive and in no time you could find that it would have been cheaper to buy a pony with little or no ailments than it was to have been given this pony free.
 
Thabnks Tia, that's what I was looking at, someone offers it for free it somehow makes it more tempting.
He is a cracking pony, and I'm looking on it asif I'm buying, plan to have vet out before I make any decisions, just to give him a once over and make sure he has nothing serious wrong. If the little fella only does another few years of plodding up and down the road I'll be happy, and would then retire him, but I don't want those few years to be tainted with vets bills and worry about his health. I have a fab vet who is quite used to my neurotic phonecalls so I trust his opinion and will ask him an estimate of medication costs after the vetting.
 
Find out as much as possable about his troubles.Then if you decide you can live with them grab him with both hands and a airtight contract signing him over to you.
 
As a parent of a 5 year old - have him! Worth their weight in gold these ponies. When your children out grow him you should easily be able to find another home through Pony Club. In the lead rein groups there are countless old crocks who are so much in demand.
I had one of the eldest, she had to have ventopulmin if she was stabled but lived out quite happily. She was very laminitic but we coped, she was worth it all as she looked after the kids! Unforunately one of her many melanomas blocked her rectum and she got colic, if only she could have soldiered on for a few more years. She was a bit arthritic, but OK living out, she didn't have any supplements, but the odd bute after a hard day.
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A agree with every one else, you just need to look into the severity of the problem. My mare was diagnosed with RAO three years ago, I changed her lifestyle and you wouldnt even know she has it . She also has arthritis, turn out and cortaflex keep it in check. If the problems are managable (perhaps he could live out 34/7) and has the right temperament snatch their hand off.
 
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A agree with every one else, you just need to look into the severity of the problem. My mare was diagnosed with RAO three years ago, I changed her lifestyle and you wouldnt even know she has it . She also has arthritis, turn out and cortaflex keep it in check. If the problems are managable (perhaps he could live out 34/7) and has the right temperament snatch their hand off.

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In the winter, at current yard, I have to use the stable at night. I will be there until september when hopefully I'll move to a yard with 24/7 t/o facilities and an indoor school for the very bad weather. So it's a case of getting through this winter.
 
snap him up like a shot, the majority of horses with either arthritis or RAO are completley managable, there are some really good supplements on the market for both problems, this sort of pony is absolute gold dust and will be an ideal schoolmaster for you children.
 
He sounds like a little corker! I would deffo snap him up. His ailments dont sound like they are too bad - they are managable and he will be cheap to keep on bedding as he is only small.

Good luck if you decide to take him on. I hope you and your son have lots of fun with him. The oldies are often the best!
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Karen
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