When they can't compete anymore....

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Rambo

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I guess like many on here, i am an amateur, one horse (well two...but i just borrow the other from OH occasionally
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) competitor who keeps their horse on (v.expensive !) livery at a yard nearby. We don't have any land of our own, and with my job i spend about 14 hours a day 'at work' so DIY livery really isn't an option....

Soooo....when your horse can't compete anymore, for whatever reason...what do you do ?

For those who don't know, my horse (and best mate) has been on a downward spiral for about 9 months now. He has recently been diagnosed with a form of COPD which manifests itself in varying degrees and severities of coughing. Things have deteriorated at an alarming pace this winter to the point where he almost can't be ridden at anything faster than a walk without getting coughing fits. Vets have said there's no cure....we've changed stable management, feed, put him on all sorts of different supplements and drugs to try and relieve the problem...but nothing is making much difference. He's not old....will be 12 this spring....and is very bright in himself and keen to be out doing a 'job' but obviously i can't compete him if he's coughing every few minutes under work. He's also the sweetest natured horse you will ever find.

I've decided to give it 6 months to see if there's any change but assuming the worst happens and i have to retire him...what are my options
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He's not really a horse that could be chucked in a field 24/7....could probably live out in the warmer months...but generally is a bit oif a typical comp horse....likes his stable and his creature comforts...and of course human company.

Answers on a postcard please....
 
So sorry to hear this.
I've had a similar dilemma with mine who threw the towel in jumping over the summer and I just didn't know what I'd do with her. Hates dressage and v sharp to hack. Luckily for me she turned out to have something that could be treated/managed and is starting to compete again.
Maybe he could still manage the summer shows? Perhaps he'd be more inclined to live out during the summer months and the cough reduce? And basically just have to tick over in the winter. I don't know about you but I wouldn't have been able to do any winter shows even if Jen had been fully fit anyway because of the crap weather.
It might be worth a scout round for cheaper livery options or if he is to semi retired - possibly a sharer who might contribute to the cost?
 
i would be tempted to try him out 24/7 as his COPD sounds so bad.

many horses will surprise you with how well they cope if they are well rugged, have enough to eat and aren't standing knee deep in mud.
 
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i would be tempted to try him out 24/7 as his COPD sounds so bad.

many horses will surprise you with how well they cope if they are well rugged, have enough to eat and aren't standing knee deep in mud.

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Ditto that!! My old 14.2 had COPD, couldn't cope at all being stabled, but thrived living out. Living out doesn't mean a horse can't still have it's creature comforts and still lots of human company
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I'ts easy to think theoretically about what you would do in this situation, in theory I would have Sienna PTS if she was going to be a field ornament for years, as she would hate it. In reality I think it would be an impossible decision to make.
In your case I would definitely give your boy 6 months in a field first. The horses which seem to take best to a 24/7 lifestyle are big competition horses in my experience - the ones which want to come in and live a life of luxury are the hairy cobs and natives.
Is there anyone who could have him on grass livery, especially if the field is at the top of a hill and isn't near too many allergens - woods, rape etc.
 
I have been in a similar situation to you recently. My horse has been retired as he is no longer up to being ridden and competed. Possibly will be able to do light work through the summer months. I too keep him on very expensive livery. I decided to start looking for another, thinking it would take me quite some time as I had specific requirements, however lucky for me my new boy came along quite quickly!

I toyed with moving yards, what to do etc etc, my boy isn't the type to live out during the winter months, he would rather be pts. He is so happy at the present yard and they have been so accomodating of his new needs that I couldn't bear to move him.
The plan is that he will live out through the spring/ summer/ autumn with two other retired boys and just come in over night during the winter. Yes at the moment the cost is ludicrous, the two boys cost me more than my mortgage every month, but they are happy and I am happy. When you average the cost out over the year with him being stabled for perhaps 4 months and then living out the rest it's not so bad.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far...it's comforting to know you're not the only one who's going/been through this.

In terms of him competing in the summer months...I don't think that will happen as it's tended to be the summer when he's been at his worst...until recently.

Our yard is very much run under 'competition' ways. There isn't masses of turnout and there certainly isn't any such thing as 'grass livery' so a move of yard would almost certainly be required. Thing is, we have the two on livery there and they are best buddies...have been field mates since we've had them both...so nearly 4 years now. I don't want to split them up so where one goes the other must follow.

Siennamum, I completely understand where you are coming from. I used to think I was tough skinned...but I couldn't have him pts...it would destroy me
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I guess I was wondering if there are such places as horse retirement homes ? Obviously I'm not looking for a free home...just somewhere that can provide a basic level of care everyday, good grazing and a roof over his head when necessary...without the need to pay out a full livery price.
 
I would definitely try him out 24/7 before totally giving up. Also he may struggle to work on surfaces if theyre at all dusty? So maybe outdoor shows, on grass would be the way forward.
I'd try to find a yard which does grass livery or rent a field- it's suprisingly easy to ride them from the field- if you have the 2 horses and a companion pony.
 
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I guess I was wondering if there are such places as horse retirement homes ? Obviously I'm not looking for a free home...just somewhere that can provide a basic level of care everyday, good grazing and a roof over his head when necessary...without the need to pay out a full livery price.

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Doesn't Henryhorn do this?
 
Kev, sorry to hear of your problems. If it turns out that you have to retire him then I can recommend.
http://www.maplefarmliveries.co.uk/
I'm not sure what people consider to be cheap or expensive, it's not cheap but the horses are well cared for. I have my first horse there, he is the 17.3 palomino on the services page. He was a horse that loved people (& still does) but he loves being out with his retired buddies to the extent that if he has to come in for whatever reason they all come in! Since being out he has actually put weight on (I think that he used to stress at competitions) & his feet are much stronger.
I hope that you find a solution.
 
Hi Steve.

Thanks for the link...looks exactly like the sort of place I'd be looking for...and in the right sort of area too
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As for cost, well I guess that depends on the tariff you're on
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Basic grass livery sounds very reasonable...elite care is more in line with what I am paying at the moment
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Can I ask what sort of tariff your old boy is on as I guess he and Bo would be similar types. Do they mix and match tariff's...for instance if a horse can only live out in the spring and summer months would they allow grass livery tariff for those months with a higher tariff if the hore needed to come in in the extreme cold orwet months ?

Out of interest, how often do you see your retired horse now ?

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I'm really sorry to hear this
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To echo what others say about living out, sometimes just being away from all the aggravants for a period of time really really helps. They cope amazingly well too after a period of adjustment. I know it is difficult regarding the yard and having another horse there. Have you spoken to the YO's about it? They might have a solution that you haven't considered regarding turnout and I'm sure that they would 'think outside the box' in order to keep you as a livery rather than lose you and both horses. Don't write him off just yet though..... you may find that a complete change of lifestyle really helps him
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Look around and do sound out your current YO she might be able to recommend somewhere or come up with an option to suit you.
Mac 16.3 advanced dressage horse now lives out 24x7 with his best buddy and has blossemed, gone from grumpy horse that was hard to keep weight on , to a very friendly and cuddly chap who now has to go on the occasional diet!
I was luck I talked to my YO and she cut me a deal on the price for Mac as I'd be having a new horse on full livery with her.
 
Just wanted to say Im really sorry K to hear this. Poor Bo
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I agree with others, just try him out in a field 24/7.
Horses are funny things and they do adjust quite well to an outdoor environment
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This is the stuff of nightmares really. I was working long hours in a London Bank with two horses on full livery when one went intermittently lame and then properly lame due to collapsed contracted heels and the only way of keeping him sound was to keep heart bars on him, these weren't the holy grail as they came off in the field, so in order for him to live a comfortable ' horse' life I retired him but wasn't prepared to pay £750 a month for a retired horse. So I left London bought some land in the country and totally relocated, not the answer for everyone tbh.

In your situation and for me I would see how the winter months go, if he really cannot be out / cope then I would have to consider PTS but horses do adapt and maybe the outdoors life will help his COPD. I wouldn't worry about the other bits as a field kept horse can still have human company and be spoilt even if they do like their home comforts.

My thoughts are to obviously change to a cheaper livery option either grass livery or companion livery, they don't need too much maintenance as long as there is someone to pop their head over the gate a couple of times a day. The nub of it though is whether he can physically cope with his COPD and for me this would determine what course of action i'd take.
 
Appreciate that DIY isn't an option for you but I have had retired horse at a "cheaper" yard and competition horse at a yard with the facilities I need for him. Yard where old boy was offer 24/7 turn out with a huge barn during the winter (although my boy was actually on DIY in/out) but that sort of arrangement may suit yours. There is at least one 20 plus TB that lives out all year round on that basis.
 
I have a livery (and friend) who has a horse who has cronic COPD and was EXACTLY like yours. The vets told her she'd never improve and would prob never be riddden again............well she's not coughed in 2 years since she's been here.

She's on Easibed, she found this was the only bedding that kept the cough at bay. She was on haylage, but weight gain means she's now on soaked hay
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Our barn has a VERY high roof, plus has Yorkshire boarding and the doors are open from 6am-9pm. All the vets that come say this set up makes a huge difference!

We actualy have 2 cronic COPD liveries both not coughing at all, no symptoms with 5 hours of T/O in winter (24/7 in summer) and this management.

As I said both go out 24/7 in summer so I would def go down the 24/7 route first...........he'll soon get used to it. Good Luck!
 
One of my friends had a pony with terrible COPD (pollen related) - she could only really ride in walk - her circumstances changed and she moved to a yard in a different area near the sea and had her pony out 24/7 - she has not had a breathing problem since.

Your horse may not need to be retired - it may be that if he could move to a different area perhaps on loan and live out he could return to full health and an active lifestyle.
 
Interesting....although Bo was moved onto Easibed last year (we actually suspected it was CAUSING the problem for a while so have since moved him onto shredded paper. He's been moved to a larger more airy box with two windows and also has a chain across his door to maximise airflow. He's had haylege and soaked hay...even soaked haylege....but none has made a difference.
 
A bit of a curved ball here.....
Have they made any changes to the area surrounding the yard in the last year? Different crops? Pesticides/Herbicides? Pollution?

Just wondering whether something has triggered this in the first place?
 
I would try him out 24/7 i have had 3 horses at my yard who were 11yo been stabled all their lives never really went out who know all live out very happily i do thiink you need to start in about May though so they get happy and fat through the summer x

I even had gadget out in November - he coped fine x
 
Rambo we do this sort of retirement livery at my mums yard so it is out there. We have two fields of oldies or crookies, and they are cared for on a retirement full time livery basis. I think it is affordable they get rugged checked and fed twice daily atm with hay and sheltered village paddocks, they can be held for vet/farrier etc on arrangement and in the summer they are fly sprayed, fly rugged etc what ever is required really....

If COPD is anythign like asthma eg it can sort of come and go in degrees of severity then maybe a change in location would be good for him, maybe some sea air, or a nice exposed windy hill paddock full of fresh air?....
 
Hi Chloe_GHE,

COPD is a bit like Asthma certainly...and a bit like emphacaema...and a bit like hayfever ! It is triggered by certain allergens and surroundings do make a big difference hence everyone suggesting changes to stable management routines. As for the sea air...we already have that as we are based in Bexhill-on-Sea...but nice idea
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Icestationzebra...we've only been at the current yard for about 2 years so can't really answer as to what mighthave changed crop wise...but the closest neighbours are all set to pasture anyway
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mine was a mare with an injury so she had time off, a foal and now does hacking out and veteran shows, so i suppose shes semi retired....
most COPD horses do ok with hacking work and living out, with any feed/hay soaked.
 
I'm sorry he has deteriorated so quickly. My nearly 20 year old gelding was diagnosed with COPD before I got him at 10 years old, and its been fairly easy to manage for the past 10 years. He evented the whole time. But he did need to live out 24/7, otherwise his breathing was bad.

The past 2 years were the best for his breathing actually, he lived out 24/7 on pasture which allowed me to eliminate hay from his diet during the show season, and I just avoided dusty rings and warmups, and on humid days went hacking instead of schooling, and he got Clenbuterol before a show, which is legal here, not sure about there. I never found any supplements or drugs to help other than that. He actually upgraded to Novice at 19 last fall. Its definitely not impossible but it depends on the horse, and the management.

Mine are both on 24/7 turnout, the older one is a hardy guy, but my other one is a wimpy TB who loves his warm rugs. I just make sure they stay warm and have shelter and hay and they do fine even in the Canadian winters. I worry the other will develop breathing problems, he is sensitive to dust and bad hay, so I like him out all the time as well, better for their lungs.

Good luck.
 
COPD is certainly a stable-associated illness so T/O really would be the best option. (unless he has SPAOD aswell - summer pasture assosciated obstructive disease) in which case T/O is going to make things worse. I have a kissing spine horse who I turned out in december (2 days before the snow!) as we were running out of money keeping him stabled when he wasn't in work - he had a blanket clip, but is happy as larry now- he has 3 or 4 rugs on at anytime
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, has a field shelter with huge straw bed, gets fed twice a day and feet picked out - I have never seen him so relaxed. He's with 3 other horses who are in similar situations - they all have a separate fields and shelter but are all next to each other. There are people around twice a day and he gets carrots etc, so still feels loved. Myabe you could find a similar situation somewhere - I found mine by word of mouth. Good luck.
 
Is there anywhere you could move that did 24/7 turn out?
I know you said he wouldn't cope but..... my previous horse Higgs was a comp horse who competed at dressage and was only ever turned out for a couple of hours a day if that. When I had him and we turned him out in the field he just stood there and didn't know what to do
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It took a couple of months but in the end he loved going out in the field and was quite happy out 24/7 in the summer, only coming in at night in the winter because of the ground
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Sadly I lost him to GS
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Could it be worth giving it a go with Bo and seeing how he goes?
 
Chuck him out 24/7 you will almost certainly be surprised!

I had to make the decision to retire Dan last year as I just couldn't keep him sound whilst in work. He is more than field sound though. I couldn't afford to keep him on part livery as essentially a pet so he got turned out 24/7, I have also now moved yards but left him at old yard as new yard didn't offer grass livery.

Well I was worried how he would cope being a big dumbblood
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especially as he previously has never had a long coat (in winter previously if rugged appropriately (one HW!) you didn't even need to clip him!) but left him in hands of trusty YO to see what happened with the belief if he couldn't cope then I would have to make a harder decision.

Well lets just say he is now very fat very fluffy and very happy living out with 3 other retirees being checked once a day, and held for farrier etc when required. He is even now barefoot (never thought that would happen given his history with feet) so just trimmed in the field! Even when it got down to temps of -10 and lower a couple weeks ago he was absolutely fine. He does have a rug on although he destroyed the one with a neck within 2 days when it was at its coldest so he is back to old trusty slightly ripped MW he has had since he was 5 (now 17!)
 
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