AmyMay
Situation normal
Why do you continue to anthropomorphise animals?
Why do people assume a horse could not be retired?
- Thread starter Wagtail
- Start date
Why do you continue to anthropomorphise animals?
jsr
Well-Known Member
It's up to the owner to decide, personally my lad will live a happy quiet safe retirement until he physically tells me its time to go. Okay it will mean I won't have a ridden horse because I cannot afford to keep 2 horses but that's my gift to him for the many many years he'll have given me. He's only 10 now so I'm hoping this is along long way in the future but despite him being a very active, bouncy, funloving , insane coblet I've absolutely no doubt he'll be perfectly happy in his retirement..I doubt many horses would have a problem with pottering around a field with their mates eating and being pampered by their human???
Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
I wish there was a 'like' button on here, you put it very well.
Wagtail
Horse servant
Not at all romantic. I always support horses being PTS if they are unhappy due to pain. It depends if the lameness is mechanical or pain related. My own mare is 1 tenth lame and Rossdales say she is in absolutely no pain. The lameness is completely mechanical.
Wagtail
Horse servant
Not me. Read it properly. I am talking about others perceptions. 'The belief'.
AmyMay
Situation normal
Sorry, got ya.
JessPickle
Well-Known Member
I understand that this isn't true for every case but my friends mare really wouldn't have dealt with retirement, when she was box rested/field rested she hated it, would stand at gate stressed out at all times. She had been massively abused in the past and was petrified of rugging by anyone, only slightly better for her owner.
In that case it was totally understandable in my mind.
In that case it was totally understandable in my mind.
kerilli
Well-Known Member
There is no thread that I am aware of regarding this. If there is, I have not seen it. I would have posted on the thread as I always do when people use the 'he could never be retired line'. I always hope to change people's minds if that is the only reason they have to PTS.
if that's the truth then you really do have the most appalling timing. please ask TFC to remove this thread, if you have a heart. a really lovely HHOer will be very very very upset by the timing of this if their attention is drawn to it.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I completely agree. It IS up to the owner to decide. I have no problem with what others want to do. (Your horses are very fortunate).
I only have a problem with the belief that so many people assume their horse would not be happy retired. By all means it is up to them to PTS but at least use a valid reason. Be it financial or otherwise.
Dancing Queen
Well-Known Member
I see this time and time again on PTS posts where a horse sustains an injury that would make it paddock sound but no longer able to work. The owner says 'oh he could never cope without being worked...' or words to that effect. It really winds me up. I think it's a complete misconception and that virtually ALL horses will settle into a life of retirement, so long as they are well cared for. I think it is putting our own feelings onto the animal and that it is us that would find it hard to cope with the situation.
By all means, if the horse is suffering, then PTS, but don't assume the horse will not get used to a new life of leisure. My own field ornament loved to work. She always tries to come out when I bring other horses in for work. I know she misses it. But is she happy? Hell yes!
i agree with you 100% so many people are so quick to PTS and use so many excuses - basically they cant be arsed/caring enough to give the animal a decent thank you and retire them for all their efforts. disgusting and selfish behaviour really.
but you cant change people and what people want to do with their horses - so perhaps try not to let it get you down - Just be glad that you know yours are happy xx
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Wagtail
Horse servant
Which thread? Is it in NL?
I don't wish to upset anyone. This was intended to be a logical discussion sparked by a conversation with an old friend last night. She was talking about having her 10 year old PTS due to bone spavin (not lame but unable to do dressage and she doesn't hack), thinking he would be unable to retire. I talked her out of it. She has her own land and could financially cope.
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
So why bother starting a thread to rant about it? Live and let live.
amandap
Well-Known Member
I don't know the answer to your question op.
I've got two fully retired and one dressage diva, in another life, on intermittent low key duties and they don't seem bored to me. They are just being horses going about their business of interacting amongst themselves, daily life and eating and eating and eating! lol
I've got two fully retired and one dressage diva, in another life, on intermittent low key duties and they don't seem bored to me. They are just being horses going about their business of interacting amongst themselves, daily life and eating and eating and eating! lol
ihatework
Well-Known Member
It is in comp riders, and if you posted on it I would be utterly shocked and disgusted at your lack of compassion. You seem to live in a lovely fluffy pink cloud most of the time. I would never criticise someone for having a horse PTS, for whatever reason. There are often a myriad complicating factors that only the person making the final decision could fully appreciate.
FWIW I own a horse that was partly retired at 12 and when he couldn't cope (mentally) with a life of gentle hacking was fully retired at 13. I thought he might be dead by the end of the year. As it was he settled into retirement very well and so a few years down the line is still here. But if he ever suffered an injury/illness that would cost significant money or stop him being out 24/7 he would be PTS immediately for economic reasons. Yes, I would have my own horse shot, even if it was something that with time & money and patience could be fixed.
marmalade76
Well-Known Member
I have no problem with anyone who has a horse PTS, better that than being passed around, neglected, etc. Take a look at this thread 
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=469685
There is one at my yard, an old TB, lame on and off, owner thinks she's being kind buy giving him a home for life when in actual fact, she neglects him. Once he has his rug on in the autumn it never comes off until the spring, he could be skin and bone underneath and she wouldn't know. His feet are trimmed about twice a year, last winter, he had a nasty crack in his foot that got worse and worse. He was lame on it and very miserable. The crack was on the outside of his hoof and went almost to the top and the last quarter of his hoof was curling up. Still she left it for weeks before getting the farrier and when he did come, he drew blood cutting the flap off. He advised te owner to poultice, but this was never done, the horse was just left out in the mud with an open wound. He was, however , a different horse after the farrier had been. He also never wormed, the only thing she actually does is feed him. YO has tried to suggest that he be PTS several times, but the owner won't have it.
I agree that maybe it is an excuse to say a horse won't cope with retirement, but I can understand why people say it as others will judge and critisize. Someone I used to share a yard with had a lovely horse she'd bought for eventing who had been lame on and off for years. She rode him when he was sound but eventually he was constantly lame and she finally had him PTS and bought a youngster. Yet the crit she got for this from some was just unbelieveable!
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=469685
There is one at my yard, an old TB, lame on and off, owner thinks she's being kind buy giving him a home for life when in actual fact, she neglects him. Once he has his rug on in the autumn it never comes off until the spring, he could be skin and bone underneath and she wouldn't know. His feet are trimmed about twice a year, last winter, he had a nasty crack in his foot that got worse and worse. He was lame on it and very miserable. The crack was on the outside of his hoof and went almost to the top and the last quarter of his hoof was curling up. Still she left it for weeks before getting the farrier and when he did come, he drew blood cutting the flap off. He advised te owner to poultice, but this was never done, the horse was just left out in the mud with an open wound. He was, however , a different horse after the farrier had been. He also never wormed, the only thing she actually does is feed him. YO has tried to suggest that he be PTS several times, but the owner won't have it.
I agree that maybe it is an excuse to say a horse won't cope with retirement, but I can understand why people say it as others will judge and critisize. Someone I used to share a yard with had a lovely horse she'd bought for eventing who had been lame on and off for years. She rode him when he was sound but eventually he was constantly lame and she finally had him PTS and bought a youngster. Yet the crit she got for this from some was just unbelieveable!
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
Now I'm starting to get *really* mad! How dare you pass that sort of judgment on someone - are you really suggesting that only those who keep their (usually bored) horses for a long retirement are caring, and anyone who might choose to have their animal PTS a day too early (rather than a day too late) can't be arsed and is selfish???
My horse is one who I think will be PTS rather than retire - the thought of him not being around brings a tear to my eye even now and it hasn't happened yet. Do you think that people make these sorts of decisions lightly? You only have to read the post in CR to see that these decisions are taken with the horse's best interests at heart and are soul destroying to the caring owners.
kerilli
Well-Known Member
as above, it's in CR, and the much-loved horse, who has been owned by the family since he was a foal, is being PTS this morning. please please get this thread removed if you can, for the sake of the horse's family. they'll be upset enough today.
AmyMay
Situation normal
To be fair to Wagtail, the post in CR is about a horse that is being pts today because of injury and no prognosis full stop. Not about a concern that it would not cope with retirement....
Spudlet
Well-Known Member
Why do people assume that they know everything there is to know about every horse and that they can therefore pass judgement upon the decisions of others from behind a computer screen? Each horse is an individual and decisions should be made based on their individual needs alone - and no one should know that better than their owners.
Massive condolences to the family losing their buddy today.
Massive condolences to the family losing their buddy today.
kerilli
Well-Known Member
amymay, i don't want to discuss that further on here... but the timing is appalling anyway.
amandap
Well-Known Member
I think this point is being missed as well.
I still don't know the answer though.
Others might well look at mine and see bored horses. So much is down to our perception this is why I am trying very hard to understand my horses better so I can have a better idea of life in their eyes rather than mine.
siennamum
Well-Known Member
I really think it depends upon the horse.My mare is incredibly affectionate and loves her people, demanding grooming sessions and trembling with excitement when the lorry starts.
When she is too unwell to do any 'real' work then I will happily retire her, I have 2 ancient ponies atm on livery who live in a quiet herd environment very happily.
I could envisage my mare being miserable though if she felt over looked or was by neccessity left in the field all the time while the others go off to parties, so would have her PTS if I thought she was not enjoying her retirement. I don't want her to be bored or to feel less 'loved' (I happily anthromorphise about my horses) and would view euthanasia as kinder to her potentially.
When she is too unwell to do any 'real' work then I will happily retire her, I have 2 ancient ponies atm on livery who live in a quiet herd environment very happily.
I could envisage my mare being miserable though if she felt over looked or was by neccessity left in the field all the time while the others go off to parties, so would have her PTS if I thought she was not enjoying her retirement. I don't want her to be bored or to feel less 'loved' (I happily anthromorphise about my horses) and would view euthanasia as kinder to her potentially.
Spyda
Well-Known Member
amandap
Well-Known Member
I wonder if a fairly stable herd environment is part of an answer? I have mine at home so it's stable and they all live together in a herd in or out. I only seperate one in winter at night so she can gorge herself out of the weather but she can still see and touch others.
AmyMay
Situation normal
Wow DQ, what a hideous misconception to have, and completely unfair.
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
amymay, i don't want to discuss that further on here... but the timing is appalling anyway.
Indeed. And a big coincidence this post appears today...
AmyMay
Situation normal
amymay, i don't want to discuss that further on here... but the timing is appalling anyway.
I would say that unfortunate - and totally unrelated.
siennamum
Well-Known Member
Interestingly, I have a 30 year old pony on holiday at the moment, who was immediately desperate to join a herd. I think her instincts were to get with others for safety. She's not even a very sociable pony the rest of the time.
I think it's sad to see old ponies on their own, they probably need a herd environment more than younger ponies, althuogh that can bring problems with them being bullied and singled out IME.
Dancing Queen
Well-Known Member
I feel for the sake of Always broke this thread should be allowed to die and disappear. I have reported the thread. Its hard enough to say goodbye without having this debate going on.
I hope everyone will respect what AB is going through and allow this to die. For her sake.
She should be in our thoughts.
I hope everyone will respect what AB is going through and allow this to die. For her sake.
She should be in our thoughts.
AmyMay
Situation normal
She's certainly in my thoughts.
But as I said previously - the two subjects are totally unrelated.