Would you buy another horse after your current horse is Pts

[honetpot]

I've always wanted to buy a share in a good horse, and have some of the fun, but none of the work. I have a lot of hangers on, and no longer ride, but to still interested. I have cows, but in winter they are actually harder work, they poo every where, so I may buy something to grow on if I see a bargain.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

There are a few nice youngsters on Arabian lines

I'm not quite ready for another just yet, lockdowns and yard stuff needs to be sorted first ...

 

[cauda equina]

HAD MY MARE PTS ON SAT AT 20YRS OLD , HAD HER SINCE SHE WAS SIX, HAD HER COMPANION ( 32YEARS OLD, HAD HIM 28YRS ) PTS 4 MONTHS AGO, BOTH COLICKED ,
NOW WORRIED THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY FIELD. ONLY MOVED HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IMPROVE IT.
IS THERE A SOIL TEST OR SOMETHING I CAN DO ? IM DEVASTATED AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO .

So sorry to read this, to lose 2 so close together is heartbreaking
Maybe your vet can advise re your worries about the field. Colic is all too common sadly, and sometimes things are just awful coincidences

 

[Spottyappy]

So sorry Bespoke about your horses. yes, there is a test if you wanted to eliminates soil- though I’m not sure it will supply full answers. I have used this one:https://www.progreen.co.uk/paddock-soil-analysis-for-horse-grazing-all-nutrients/
As to the orignal question, I think it depends on you situation at the time.
I lost my “ heart horse” christmas 2019. We have others, but they aren’t my personal horse. However, they kept me busy. I wasn’t sure I wanted another one, I had plans to spend more time abroad. Until lockdown hit.
By may, I was going spare, so brought another one. She has helped a lot, and although I may not have brought her if we hadn’t had the virus situation, she has helped so much.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

Yes I will. She's 26 this year and if the right one appeared I would probably buy sooner.
My sister is vaguely looking. We lost her oldie in May. We've got one we bought between us though he's 22 so no spring chicken!

 

[meleeka]

I think I may end up with a field full of shetlands eventually, but I think I’ll always have equines. I’m not sure what else I’d do ?

 

[Orangehorse]

No.

I bought mine as a 2 year old and decided that if he got me to 65 I wouldn't have another. Well I'm nearer 70 now and although I still like the riding, the physical work of looking after him is getting me down. Combined with babysitting young grandchildren it is all a bit much.

Also, the always "have to get back to feed the horse." I have to say that he is still hale and hearty and still a big strong boy although he does have some veterinary issues. So I'm not in a hurry for him to go, and I would still hope to ride, I won't be looking for another one to buy.

 

[9tails]

Yes, definitely. I like other horses, but only love and want to ride my own. So I would want another to pour that love into rather than riding or caring for those belonging to other people.

 

[windand rain]

Probably not have one very old one one veteran and two young ones and I am not likely to out live the young ones so probably not althoough might take on a loan foal until I can hand it back at four if I was horseless and still fit enough to do the youngster bit. Currently thinking my 3 year old will be my last foal but everything went pear shaped I would not keep her alone

 

[Sealine]

No.

A friend who is 10 years younger than me has a 25 year old horse that it starting to have some soundness issues. She is very clear that as soon as he isn't up to doing what she wants to do she will PTS and buy a new horse. This got me thinking about what I'd do in the same situation. I'm 54 this year and my horse is 19 with hock spavins but still enjoying his work. When necessary I will retire him and look after him until it's time to PTS. I won't buy another as I don't want to commit to the upkeep of a horse to the next x many years. I foresee my income falling as I get closer to retirement and I doubt I will have the energy or finances when I retire at 67. I hope to continue to ride or share friends horses or maybe I could take on a loan whilst I'm still in a position to do so but I have no plans to buy another.

 

[AUB]

I hope to have a foal from my mare instead, but otherwise, yes I would definitely buy a new horse.

 

[Pippity]

My current vague plan is that when Blue gets to doddery semi-retirement (and I'm thinking 8-10 years is a fairly optimistic estimate), I'll buy a weanling for her to nanny and to hopefully bring on as my final horse. Blue adores foals but is absolutely not good enough to breed from so she won't be getting one of her own. Vaguely hoping to find a field to rent, pop Blue and the weanling in there, and probably foster another weanling from a charity to give mine a playmate.

This is all dependent on many factors - Blue's soundness fitting in with my plans, finances being available, being able to find a suitable field, my soundness holding out, etc., etc.

If Blue had to be PTS today, I'd absolutely buy another. Not sure I'd be able to find another as perfect for me as she is, though!

 

[TwoForTwo]

Ideally If the situation was right I would like to breed fro
My mare too

 

[J&S]

No, I sadly won't be buying another horse when my mare dies, she is 24, I am 74, we may go together?? There will be the younger companion pony still, I hope my step daughter will keep her, she could be a companion for any family pony she herself acquires.

 

[LEC]

Its like an addiction I cannot quit. I have ambitions and things I want to achieve. Get knocked down, get back up is how I deal with it all. I couldn't be a happy hacker as competition drives me. I am just not interested unless the horse will go novice and above as that is what drives me so have sold a few, handed a few back and one had a devastating accident so was PTS. One day I will lose the drive and then I will quit but until then, I have some exciting horses and the desire to go on.

 

[Baccara]

Yes, what else would I do! Ive just had one pts, my other one is 18, still working at advanced and Im 70.

 

[Gloi]

Up till recently I would but I've not been in the best of health these past couple of years and the lad is only six so unless something untoward happens , I doubt it.

 

[IrishMilo]

If something I like comes along I'd get another. But I'm quite enjoying not having the tie at the moment, and I am still riding other horses a lot, so I'm not missing out.

 

[AandK]

Absolutely, I can't imagine not having horses in my life. I have a 24yo and an almost 8yo (April), I will stick with just one horse once the retiree has left this earth, hopefully the younger one has many more years yet! I am only just 40 so plan to carry on as long as I am able.

 

[Orangehorse]

That is terribly sad for you. What did the vet say about cause. I think that colic is the most common cause of death in horses, it is regrettably common. Horses get internal growths that strangle their insides, there is no way to forsee that, nor any way to prevent it so it isn't always connected to feeding.

I feel very sorry for you.

 

[HBB]

Nope, I'd like to get down to 2 from 3 as it is. The past couple of winters have broken me and I've had enough with all the the hard graft and stress.

 

[Tiddlypom]

My current three (aged 20, 15 and 10) will be my last owned horses - I’m done.

However, I’d hate to look out onto horseless fields, and what the heck would I do with my time anyway, so I’ll likely take on young rescue fosters again.

Look after them, handle them, then hand them back when ready for permanent rehoming.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm not quite ready for another just yet, lockdowns and yard stuff needs to be sorted first ...

Okay I won't tempt you anymore

 

[L&M]

I am 48 and have kept/ridden/been involved with horses all of my life, and tbh, am getting a little tired with it all.

I used to live for hunting but since it's demise, and not being interested in competing, am finding it hard to justify keeping a horse. Our hacking is pretty rubbish too, so no joy in being a 'happy hacker' unless prepared to get in the lorry.

However I have had my current horse since 4 yrs old and has been an amazing servant, and feel I owe it to him to continue for the next few years, but freely admit that when he is ready for retirement (which hopefully will be a long and healthy one), the idea of giving up riding does not bother me in the slightest - he is the type to make a fab 'pet' and won't give two hoots if he becomes a field ornament either.

So in answer to question, when my lad goes, then so will the horsey lifestyle.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I have a 25yo and a 15yo. Definitely wontbe buying anymore.

 

[blitznbobs]

I can’t imagine not having a horse - I don’t want to think about it tbh ... I can barely stop collecting them as it is

 

[gunnergundog]

So long as I am able to get my leg over I will keep riding! I am 72 and it (along with my dogs) is one of the reasons I get out of bed every day.

My current main horse (ex 2* old money eventer) for hunting and general lobbing around is 15 now but going strong; I also have an 11 year old 'special needs' horse that is only up to hacking, pleasure rides, schooling and light cubbing depending on the going. I sold my 'thrusters' hunter last year - I wasn't up to it any more. Broke my heart.

I have an interest in a young eventer that I do sit on from time to time but think that he will a) outlive me and b) be too much for me in the hunting field in the near future. Can't see him being broken to harness to pull my bath chair somehow.

So, to answer the original question....if my current neds didn't meet my requirements and I was still capable, yes, I would buy a new horse.

 

[Flame_]

I will never be without a riding horse. If I make it into really old age I'll have to find a brain-dead, dead-broke, 13.2 but built like a table, with only 2 gears - stop and slow walk.

I hope my nine year old will have a long, healthy life and that I can realistically fit in one more before I need the old person horse. It'll be another arab, maybe an arab x section d.

 

[oldie48]

Nope, I'm 72 and Rose is rising 14. My worry is that I die and she is still fit and full of life but in her 20's so I will have to make a decision for her as I think it's possible that I'll go first.

 

[Caol Ila]

Obviously. I've been worried about 27-year old this year, so I have done the sane, logical thing and bought a 2-year old. She'll be 3 in June.