What would you do?

[spotty_pony]

Sorry to post again so soon after but just after some opinions really on what you would do in below situation.

So I keep my horse at home and there is just the two of them (mine and my friends) as sadly I have lost the other to this year. I have got to go for a hernia operation in the near future which is obviously going to put me out of action for a little while.

I ride my friends horse for her and she isn’t keen on the horse having the time off and so he is considering sending him somewhere temporarily on livery for some schooling.

Unfortunately this leaves my boy on his own. He is semi retired and I am toying with the idea of what I should do with him whilst I’m recovering.

I have a few options I could send him somewhere on livery for a couple of weeks but I don’t really know any in the area and I’m always really cautious about sending him to an unknown yard as he can be a bit stressy and He’s used to me looking after him. He has been on yards before but I am not sure if it will stress me out more not knowing how he is getting on in a new place. We only moved here last December and so I don’t know anybody that locally that could help really.

Second option is keep him here and friend said she will feed him and has offered to exercise him for me (she doesn’t ride her own horse herself because she isn’t confident enough with him yet). He would be on his own though but there are the neighbours horses in the field next door that cannot go out of sight so he should be ok as he has been turned out alone before. He is still out 24/7 and did stable completely alone at night over the summer for a week when he was on box rest so if hers came in at all and he had to come in, He could be in by himself and cope but I doubt they will unless weather really bad as they are both non ridden. I could speak to neighbour and explain the situation and communicate with her. I am leaning towards this a bit at moment as although I cannot see him from the house, neighbour will be able to and it’s keeping his routine and not unsettling him again.

The person may meet my friend at a venue with a school anyway and he may not go away after all which would work better but I obviously can’t tell her what to do. Just voicing it out loud really so feel free to ignore but I can’t bare the thought of him being away and stressed.

 

[Clodagh]

I think speak to the neighbour and keep him at home.

 

[PurBee]

I’d go for 2nd option - its the least change for him, and if he’s got some neighbours horses to see, and has your friend interact with him, and has been alone before without going nuts, option 2 sounds ideal.

If it doesnt work out you’ll soon know and can re-assess to have him either with neighbours horses for a week?…or if needs must, transfer to livery…as a last resort, as that is change on all fronts.

Good luck with the OP and sending pre-emptive speedy recovery wishes!

 

[spotty_pony]

I’d go for 2nd option - its the least change for him, and if he’s got some neighbours horses to see, and has your friend interact with him, and has been alone before without going nuts, option 2 sounds ideal.

If it doesnt work out you’ll soon know and can re-assess to have him either with neighbours horses for a week?…or if needs must, transfer to livery…as a last resort, as that is change on all fronts.

Good luck with the OP and sending pre-emptive speedy recovery wishes!

Yes he may shout a bit to start with but isn’t one to go absolutely crazy - it’s more noise. I was just feeling sad as he lost the other two this year and he may think he has now lost his only friend too but I am not sure horses think like that and it’s only temporary anyway. If worst comes to worst neighbour may be allowed to put her big horse in with mine (house belongs to my friend so ultimately her decision) or if not I could take him there for a couple of weeks maybe and pay neighbour. I think once you have had them at home the idea of livery again is a scary thought! I am hoping I won’t be too bad anyway but won’t know until it’s done how sore I am.

 

[PurBee]

Yes he may shout a bit to start with but isn’t one to go absolutely crazy - it’s more noise. I was just feeling sad as he lost the other two this year and he may think he has now lost his only friend too but I am not sure horses think like that and it’s only temporary anyway. If worst comes to worst neighbour may be allowed to put her big horse in with mine (house belongs to my friend so ultimately her decision) or if not I could take him there for a couple of weeks maybe and pay neighbour. I think once you have had them at home the idea of livery again is a scary thought! I am hoping I won’t be too bad anyway but won’t know until it’s done how sore I am.

Its nice to have those fall back options at home, whereas if you went to livery he could freak at the whole change completely as he wouldnt even see you initially, and then your only option if livery fails is back home anyway.

I’ve known a couple of people who had hernia ops, and the first few days were tender, so do be careful, but one work chap was back at work really quite quickly, we were all amazed. But really dont lift anything over a couple of kg’s that require core strength….try to be strict with yourself with that.…you’ll heal quicker if you dont use the surrounding muscles. You might find you can potter about slowly after a couple/three days but yard chores, wheelbarrows etc wouldnt be wise at all, but you might find you can visit your lone horse, just so he sees you and is comforted knowing youre there.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Keep at home. Will you be able to catch in, feed etc if necessary? A friend of mine bought land, took her 2 horses off our yard and has very quickly acquired 2 shitlands and her old loan pony. At least hers have company when she's riding one!

 

[spotty_pony]

Its nice to have those fall back options at home, whereas if you went to livery he could freak at the whole change completely as he wouldnt even see you initially, and then your only option if livery fails is back home anyway.

I’ve known a couple of people who had hernia ops, and the first few days were tender, so do be careful, but one work chap was back at work really quite quickly, we were all amazed. But really dont lift anything over a couple of kg’s that require core strength….try to be strict with yourself with that.…you’ll heal quicker if you dont use the surrounding muscles. You might find you can potter about slowly after a couple/three days but yard chores, wheelbarrows etc wouldnt be wise at all, but you might find you can visit your lone horse, just so he sees you and is comforted knowing youre there.

I will be keeping him company as soon as I am able to! And that’s reassuring to hear!

 

[spotty_pony]

Keep at home. Will you be able to catch in, feed etc if necessary? A friend of mine bought land, took her 2 horses off our yard and has very quickly acquired 2 shitlands and her old loan pony. At least hers have company when she's riding one!

oh yes I will be able to as soon as I can get out and walk I will be straight outside!

 

[meleeka]

Keep him where he is. It’s likely to be less upsetting than moving him to a strange place. If he can see others easily he’ll probably be fine.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Can you keep him where he is and borrow a pony on loan for him? That would be my choice if possible.

 

[spotty_pony]

Can you keep him where he is and borrow a pony on loan for him? That would be my choice if possible.

Can’t really borrow one because I won’t be in a fit state to be able to look after it so taking on mode won’t work sadly. Then got the added difficulty of two to muck out etc if they do have to come in at night.

 

[sunnyone]

I'd try and keep him at home with the neighbour, or a freelancer, doing whatever but I'd also have all the horse's vaccinations and paperwork up to date and to hand just in case he does have to go off to livery suddenly. You don't want to find they won't take him because you have mislaid his certs.

 

[Antw23uk]

Second option, think of it as individual turnout and 'use' the neighbours as the companions. I've done it loads of times and it works well with the sane and sorted ones and saves you having to move or go through the faff!

Your friend sounds a bit 'strange' she doesnt ride her own horse but wants him kept in work but will ride your horse ..... thats a bit strange isnt it?

 

[spotty_pony]

I'd try and keep him at home with the neighbour, or a freelancer, doing whatever but I'd also have all the horse's vaccinations and paperwork up to date and to hand just in case he does have to go off to livery suddenly. You don't want to find they won't take him because you have mislaid his certs.

Yep, luckily he’s all up to date!

 

[spotty_pony]

Second option, think of it as individual turnout and 'use' the neighbours as the companions. I've done it loads of times and it works well with the sane and sorted ones and saves you having to move or go through the faff!

Your friend sounds a bit 'strange' she doesnt ride her own horse but wants him kept in work but will ride your horse ..... thats a bit strange isnt it?

It’s a long story but her horse knocked her confidence and so I ride him mostly, she does ride him out but only in company and we don’t have an arena yet. I’ve been letting her ride my boy a bit to gain her confidence. Not that strange really - there are plenty of people like this out there.

 

[SusieT]

I would consider saying to friend look I'm in a bit of difficulty here, and I need someone on site who is prepared to take the odd short period of me not being in action in my field. You may find she realises that she has it good with you and actually maybe moving isn't the best option. And get a diy companion in before your op on condition they check your horse too if you are 'off'. I'd be disappointed friend wasn't helping out more in my hour of need if genuinely a friend.

 

[snowangel5]

I hope that the operation goes well for you

 

[spotty_pony]

I would consider saying to friend look I'm in a bit of difficulty here, and I need someone on site who is prepared to take the odd short period of me not being in action in my field. You may find she realises that she has it good with you and actually maybe moving isn't the best option. And get a diy companion in before your op on condition they check your horse too if you are 'off'. I'd be disappointed friend wasn't helping out more in my hour of need if genuinely a friend.

oh she is genuinely a friend, our relationship is more mother/daughter tbh. She will help me when it comes to it, she hasn’t even said she is definitely sending him away yet (hasn’t mentioned it again since).

 

[the_sophies]

None of my business but I think it's a bit crap that your friend is going to cause all of this upheaval just so that her horse can stay in work for a couple of weeks. Is she planning on entering the Olympics?

 

[spotty_pony]

None of my business but I think it's a bit crap that your friend is going to cause all of this upheaval just so that her horse can stay in work for a couple of weeks. Is she planning on entering the Olympics?

you’re right - it IS none of your business and comments like that are really not constructive nor helpful. I wasn’t asking for opinions on whether people agreed with it or not, I was asking what people would do in that situation. Thank you.

 

[the_sophies]

I'm sorry if I offended you and I hope your operation goes well. I too would keep him where he is