When you're done with horses but horse is unsellable?

[Daniel_Jack]

Currently a hypothetical question but slowly morphing into a real concern.

I have a 12 year old retired e mare. Owned her for about 4 1/2 years and while she's lovely and calm and steady she was never really what I wanted so we didn't really click.

She developed issues 2 years ago that led to me retiring her 12 months ago. She could probably do very light hacking and schooling in walk but I have neither the time or inclination to do this due to a young family.

She's on retirement livery costing me about £300 a month and I visit her twice a month.

Before she went lame I planned to sell her but she's pretty much worthless now and I worry about her ending up in the wrong hands as she's so stoic with regards to her injury.

If I'm 100% honest I don't want to own a horse anymore. However I feel obligated to keep her.

She's field sound and will probably stay that way for many years as the injury is only aggravated by exercise and the thought of it makes me miserable.

With the costs of living these days I could really do without the additional costs and I get no joy out of her but I just don't think she'd sell and pts seems selfish and extreme when she is living a lovely life!.

Not sure there is an alternative solution to this but thought others may have had similar experience and can give some advice!

 

[ycbm]

In the current economic climate I don't think anyone could reasonably blame you for having her PTS, £3600 a year and rising will go a long way to paying for gas and electricity.

A dead horse can never be abused, unhappy or in pain and she sounds far too much at risk of being buted up and sold on for a profit by someone unscrupulous.
.

 

[Fjord]

It might be an unpopular option for some but PTS is definitely not the worst option. I don't think you could realistically pass her on unless you knew someone personally who wanted a companion, and it would have to be someone you trusted implicitly. Horses don't think of the future, having her PTS happy and contented with a full belly in familiar surroundings is a privilege many don't get.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Someone out there will be looking for what you have, try loaning first, on a permanent basis

 

[Ali27]

You could try putting her on loan as a companion! There are some lovely genuine homes out there! I got a lovely 13hh Welsh mare on loan a few years ago as was “cold backed” and couldn’t be ridden! I bought her for £100 a few months later, she will be with me for life! She is the best, calmest companion ever and worth her weight in gold! My 20 year old ridden mare loves her and so does new 2 1/2 baby pony!

 

[AmyMay]

You could try a companion home for her.

But I’ve put a lame horse down that could have roamed a field happily for the next 15 years. Felt truly awful about it. But couldn’t pass him on and was quickly running out of money.

 

[ycbm]

I was once given a horse which was loaned out as non rideable to a "forever home". His owner recovered him after he was sold to a show jumping home and went lame again. I got him sound with a barefoot rehab and then did the right thing when he turned out to be dangerous to ride.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I really really admire your honesty.
I currently have two knackered horses. I love them but in all honestly don’t really want two knackered horses even though I still have a rideable one.
It’s ok to call it a day in your situ. It’s far kinder and better than passing her on.

 

[ycbm]

A loan horse can also be sent back with no notice.
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[Flame_]

Currently a hypothetical question but slowly morphing into a real concern.

I have a 12 year old retired e mare. Owned her for about 4 1/2 years and while she's lovely and calm and steady she was never really what I wanted so we didn't really click.

She developed issues 2 years ago that led to me retiring her 12 months ago. She could probably do very light hacking and schooling in walk but I have neither the time or inclination to do this due to a young family.

She's on retirement livery costing me about £300 a month and I visit her twice a month.

Before she went lame I planned to sell her but she's pretty much worthless now and I worry about her ending up in the wrong hands as she's so stoic with regards to her injury.

If I'm 100% honest I don't want to own a horse anymore. However I feel obligated to keep her.

She's field sound and will probably stay that way for many years as the injury is only aggravated by exercise and the thought of it makes me miserable.

With the costs of living these days I could really do without the additional costs and I get no joy out of her but I just don't think she'd sell and pts seems selfish and extreme when she is living a lovely life!.

Not sure there is an alternative solution to this but thought others may have had similar experience and can give some advice!

If she's quality, and the injury isn't conformation or hereditary weakness related, you might find her a breeding home.

 

[fankino04]

Don't know much about it but is the blood bank worth an enquiry? I'd love a companion for mine as its such a pain trying to fit in with other liveries especially as mine is such a good doer but can't afford the extra livery as don't have my own land, maybe there's someone similar local to you who would make things cheaper by having her on grass livery and doing all the work if you paid the livery, mines only £130 per month so dramatically reduces the current cost???

 

[Waxwing]

I was discussing this with someone who run a riding school; slightly different but from their perspective they cannot provide open ended retirement for every horse that can no longer work in the riding school. The workload of the older horses is gradually decreased and they usually get a year or so the field once they can no longer be ridden. They same person also pointed out that very few horses in their experience die naturally of old age; at some point they usually develop a health issue that means the best thing is for them to be put to sleep. It may be entirely possible to find your horse an appropriate home as a companion but if not pts is not an unreasonable choice and one I would seriously consider in your situation. Please be kind to yourself whatever you decide.

 

[Cortez]

If she's quality, and the injury isn't conformation or hereditary weakness related, you might find her a breeding home.

Please don't do this. I am not a pet horse owner, my horses are there to work. I have rarely sold horses on (other than when I was running a stud farm, 25+ years ago). I have always tried to give my horses at least a couple of years retired in the field, and euthanise before they become uncomfortable and miserable.

 

[Flame_]

Please don't do this. I am not a pet horse owner, my horses are there to work. I have rarely sold horses on (other than when I was running a stud farm, 25+ years ago). I have always tried to give my horses at least a couple of years retired in the field, and euthanise before they become uncomfortable and miserable.

Lots of perfectly decent, blemished horses have a valid use as a brood mare. Why destroy them instead? That's just a waste.

 

[ponynutz]

Sounds like a nice companion or broodmare. Would have to vet whoever offered something first or do a LWVTB. May take some more time than selling but there are some really nice homes out there.

I'd exhaust all options before I got to PTS but also am aware of the financial climate we find ourselves in.

 

[ycbm]

The OP says she developed issues, not that she was injured, and if a mare can't stand work at under 12 years old it really shouldn't be bred from, for the sake of anyone who might buy the offspring in future.
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[ponynutz]

The OP says she developed issues, not that she was injured, and if a mare can't stand work at under 12 years old it really shouldn't be bred from, for the sake of anyone who might buy the offspring in future.
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I would describe my 16 year old mare who has hock issues as having 'developed issues' even though it is really an injury. They're synonymous in my view one just doesn't go into too much detail.

See your point though! Having kept pony on a stud farm before I do also know there's some broodmares (might have another name) that aren't bred from but act as a *ahem* enticement shall we say.

 

[Flame_]

She's field sound and will probably stay that way for many years as the injury is only aggravated by exercise

 

[ycbm]

She's field sound and will probably stay that way for many years as the injury is only aggravated by exercise

A perfect description of the kind of horse unscrupulous people sell on for a nice fat profit.

Those of us who have bought and sold horses that were mistreated no matter how well vetted the potential owners/loaners were (and I have had one of each) know that the only way to absolutely guarantee a horse will never be mistreated, in pain, or returned at short notice when you no longer have facilities to keep it, is to PTS. There's absolutely no shame in it, the horse doesn’t know it might have lived longer, it isn't making plans for what it's going to do next week.

 

[ponynutz]

OP, the financial climate can make something rather unkind become a kindness but I do think there are options beforehand. It is your decision and there's no shame in what you decide. I think this thread has effectively covered both sides of an argument for you to be able to make that decision and I'm sure it will continue to do so.

 

[Flame_]

A perfect description of the kind of horse unscrupulous people sell on for a nice fat profit.
That's all horses.
Those of us who have bought and sold horses that were mistreated no matter how well vetted the potential owners/loaners were (and I have had one of each) know that the only way to absolutely guarantee a horse will never be mistreated, in pain, or returned at short notice when you no longer have facilities to keep it, is to PTS. There's absolutely no shame in it, the horse doesn’t know it might have lived longer, it isn't making plans for what it's going to do next week.

True, but aren't you comfortable with passing horses on to another home when there is a genuine useful future for them in some role, just not the one you wanted them for? Lots of people rehome older eventers to hunting homes, unsound endurance horses to hacking homes, etc. As long as the horse has a value to someone with a job it can do for them, and you do your best to set up finding that person, I don't agree that that it's always best just to put the horses down as if to be on the safe side. That's a bit drastic and very wasteful. Although there are loads of potential reasons this horse might not be suitable for a breeding home this injury isn't necessarily one of them.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I barely leave walk and have always preferred spending time grooming to riding so everyone wants different things in horses I suppose sorry your in this situation I hope you sort it out soon x

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I was in exactly your position with a 24 year old with Cushing's. Had been done with horses for several years due to the costs and I'd lost all interest but kept plodding on with him pootling out hacking as I had no interest in schooling.

The announcement about how energy costs were going to soar led me to decide to PTS. I'd been struggling to afford him and knew I'd need to be able to contribute more to the household bills and what's more, I wanted to contribute more but before a huge chunk of my money was going on the horse.

Since, I haven't ridden in months bar once on holiday, which I enjoyed but even that didn't reignite the passion I had for so long.

People change, and at least if you did decide to PTS, she's not being passed on or living an uncertain future, you can control what happens to her. I could no longer afford to buy wood pellets for example, I'd struggle before they have now doubled in price and are reaching the same amount as a mortgage payment, it's obscene

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'm another that would PTS.

I wouldn't be comfortable with a horse I knew wasn't 100%, had owned & loved (or even didn't love, to be honest) being moved on.

I personally don't consider it to be wasteful, I consider it to be a final kindness to secure their future.

But it's a blooming hard decision for you either way so you won't find any judgement from me no matter what you choose to do.

 

[NR88]

People should only be breeding the best to the best. In an ideal world only graded horses could be used for breeding and it would be licensed. So many owners breeding from unsound mares simply because they have a uterus.

No horse goes to the Blood Bank for its benefit; only for the owners convenience allowing them to wash their hands of the horse and of making the humane decision. Saves them money too ? Frees them up nicely for their next horse as well?

No one with their head screwed on wants a horse with issues as a companion and anyone with sense would be wary of those that do. There have been so many threads on here about horses loaned out as companions only to end up sold as riding horses. As written above loan horses can boomerang back too, then what?

PTS is a kindness for a compromised horse. The owner can sleep peacefully knowing exactly where their horse is. As this forum has proven, and is proving, time and time again there are far worst fates for a horse than to be peacefully put to sleep at home.

 

[Flame_]

People should only be breeding the best to the best. The best of the best do get injured as well as the worst.In an ideal world only graded horses could be used for breeding and it would be licensed. I don't know, a lot of much loved horses in a lot of good homes didn't come out of top class, highly pedigreed mares. Often the highly bred ones are harder to find secure homes for because they are required to live up to performance criteria. In some ways what's needed are more crossbred "average joes".So many owners breeding from unsound mares simply because they have a uterus.

No horse goes to the Blood Bank for its benefit; BS. Horse gets to live its life out in a herd with few demands made of it for many years rather than being put down, that's a considerable benefit to it IMO.only for the owners convenience allowing them to wash their hands of the horse and of making the humane decision or they consider the blood bank another option for some horses. I am willing and able to have horses put to sleep, I still sent one to the blood bank because I viewed it as a superior option for that horse. Saves them money too ? Not accurate. You often have the upkeep of the horse for a considerable length of time until there is an intake, and then you have transport costs. Frees them up nicely for their next horse as well? And this is a bad thing, why?

No one with their head screwed on wants a horse with issues as a companion and anyone with sense would be wary of those that do. How on earth do all the rescue charities manage to place so many of their companion only charges then? Most have some issues, mine certainly does. I don't mind a bit - what do you expect for a few hundred quid? There have been so many threads on here about horses loaned out as companions only to end up sold as riding horses. As written above loan horses can boomerang back too, then what?

PTS is a kindness for a compromised horse. The owner can sleep peacefully knowing exactly where their horse is. As this forum has proven, and is proving, time and time again there are far worst fates for a horse than to be peacefully put to sleep at home.

Again, true but to me a bit of a lazy cop out to not even entertain other options for a horse with some things to offer in the right home.

 

[KJ94]

I personally wouldn’t PTS until other options had been explored first. You’d be surprised how many people are looking for companion horses/light hacking horses.

You may stumble across the perfect home for them, and if you do, great! If not, you’ll be able to know you tried which may also make the decision easier on yourself. (Or at least that’s my opinion I know it’s a very touchy subject and everyone’s different! I hope you’re okay!)

 

[cauda equina]

People want different things from their horses; if she's easy and sensible to hack she might find a home with someone who wanted to potter round occasionally

And I don't know anything about this, like is it a nice life and so on, but mares are used as recipients for embryo transfers

 

[ycbm]

True, but aren't you comfortable with passing horses on to another home when there is a genuine useful future for them in some role, just not the one you wanted them for?

No I'm not. This is why. I vetted this 'light work only" horse's new home to within an inch of her life. I even interviewed one of her liveries. It took her four months to turn a bonny horse into this :



I bought him back and got him well again and he went to someone who did absolutely adore him. She even paid to export him to the US when she went home. But it didn't stop her shoeing him when I told her it would make him lame, it didn't stop her having him operated on for colic when that isn't an operation I would have allowed and it didn't stop me knowing that his last 14 days on earth were full of pain and suffering.

I had another which eventually came to me, and ended with me. Given by his owner on permanent loan to a "wonderful" person who promised a home for life for light hacking. She sold him as a show jumper weeks later.

We had another on the forum only this week. The story this time has ended well, so far, but the horse was sold for a tiny amount as a companion due to health issues. There was another forum one last year, sold on loan in lockdown, turns up on Facebook being ridden lame.

It happens far too often. The only 100%way to guarantee a horse's future is for it to be dead, sadly.

Again, true but to me a bit of a lazy cop out to not even entertain other options for a horse with some things to offer in the right home.

Maybe you understand now how I know it's not a lazy cop-out.
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[Barton Bounty]

Original poster also said that she could do light hacking and schooling in walk, there are people out there that just want to pootle around the countryside. Maybe someone just getting back into horses.