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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

At a loss as to what go do

28 replies

Em1503 · 03/10/2014 06:50

Hi I'm really struggling with what to do with my horse and would appreciate other peoples opinions please. He is 20 years old, retired Arab gelding, I've had him for 15 years since I was a teenager. However due to work commitments and finances I put him out on loan 5 years ago (before he had to be retired). Unfortunately he came back to be earlier this year when I was pregnant. I didn't want him back as my life has moved on and to be honest I don't have or want the commitment of owning a horse again at this stage in my life. However I've owned him a long time so have tried to make it work and get back into it.

I now have an 8 week old baby and have admitted to myself that I have no interest in having a horse any more, I'm struggling to make it down to the yard regularly (luckily got a friend who has been helping me out while baby is small) and I'm going to struggle to pay for him over winter now I'm on maternity leave.

My DH thinks it's pointless having him and a complete waste of money when he's just a field ornament and I'm not getting anything out of it any more. He doesn't have any sort of bond or sentimentality towards him which is fair enough, he's never been into horses so why would he. He says the money soent keeping him for years more in retirement would afford us family holidays that we're missing out on and he has a point. But what are my options? Retirement liveries are more expensive than what I pay for him currently, I've advertised him in the past as for a companion/retirement home with no luck and I don't know what else to do with him. People have suggested having him PTS but although retired he's a happy and healthy horse. Confused I'd really appreciate other peoples thoughts.

OP posts:
ADishBestEatenCold · 08/10/2014 15:20

"He's retired as he kept tripping/falling over quite badly whilst being ridden and so the lady who had him on loan stopped riding him. I haven't been able to bring him back into work since due to pregnancy/baby. The insurance won't pay out to have it investigated with X-rays,scans etc and the vet couldn't find anything obvious wrong with him "

What did the vet say about this, Em1503, and why wouldn't your insurance investigate it?

elastamum · 08/10/2014 15:32

Having read the thread I am going to suggest the kindest thing all round is to put your horse to sleep. You are very unlikely to find a home for him in the current climate. It's a tough decision, but the best option you have. Having kept horses for years, I always PTS rather than rehome an elderly horse. I could not bear not knowing what happened to them if I passed them on

Medjuel · 08/10/2014 16:18

Hi Em

Where abouts are you? Anywhere near West Sussex?

Have you tried advertising on Arabian Lines? What about the Arab Horse Society - they may be able to help, or do you have a local branch of the Arab Horse Society, they may be able to offer advice or you could advertise.

Its a horrible situation to be in and you have my sympathy.

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