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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

What to do with horse I can't afford

77 replies

Blackfellpony · 25/02/2017 10:56

I have owned horse for 11 years. He has been on loan for the past 6 as I can't ride him for various reasons.

Loan home (riding centre) now can't keep him as they are closing down. He has been kept there for years as a companion to another pony and was used on the odd ride but hasn't done much. They kept him as he is a sweety and everyone loves him more than him being of any use.

I have found a retirement field for him near me but it's £100/pcm and I really really can't afford it. I can't find anywhere cheaper. I didn't know he would be coming back as he was on permenant loan and not meant to come back. I haven't even seen him for around a year other than a quick drive buy to say hello as he was so content.

He is 20 years old. He won't hack alone, hates schooling, won't travel in a horsebox or trailer without full sedation and is very hard to ride. He is very sharp, jumps like a stag and is highly unpredicatable. He spins and has bolted on more than one occasion and I would be scared to get on his back.
He is no good for showing,hunting, dressage or anything really if I'm honest.
He also runs along fence lines and ruins fields.

Loaning him is an option but am I likely to find someone again that would want a horse like this?

What are my other options. Euthanasia even though he is healthy and happy grazing with his friends?
Selling him but then he could end up anywhere?

Please be kind I didn't realise 11 years ago things would have changed so much financially Sad

OP posts:
Frouby · 26/02/2017 12:44

I definitely think pts would be the kindest option in his case.

He is stressy mentally which can cause issues like ulcers. Isn't happy with a change of routine never mind a change of yard. You will find it difficult to manage him if you get hom back to you in 1 piece. He can't be ridden safely and hasn't been in work for months. He is a veteran TB with all the issues that brings on its own.

Shove his face full of carrots today and say goodbye and arrange for pts. And do it for him not for you. As they say better too early than too late.

QuestionableMouse · 26/02/2017 13:01

He's borderline dangerous to ride, can't travel, can't be left out on his own... Pts is the right thing to do because he's exactly the sort of horse who'd end up a walking skeleton crippled with mud fever who have to be pts anyway.

Garnethair · 26/02/2017 13:45

My horses are here with me for life. It's easy for me to make that commitment because I own the land and don't have to pay for stabling or livery. However, I fully support pts for owners in circumstances like your OP.

5OBalesofHay · 26/02/2017 15:54

I think what I was describing is the ideal, but I agree that pts is far from the worst thing that can happen to a horse. It doesn't really sound like he'll have a job to do or a contented retirement so you are probably all being realistic about the best way forward. It doesn't sit well with me but pts probably is the way to go with this situation.

Original poster
Blackfellpony · 26/02/2017 17:00

Thanks all. I saw him today and he looks fine and happy. He hasn't been ridden in 7 months!

The yard owner isn't moving until the end of summer and I have agreed that he can stay there until September at which point I will hopefully have found him a loaner to stay at my yard where I can keep an eye. If not he will be PTS.

DH is being more sentimental than me and said if needs must we can scrape the money from somewhere to retire him but it would cripple us financially to do so!

OP posts:
Gabilan · 26/02/2017 17:48

Good news that he's well and you have some breathing space, OP. Who knows what might happen by September.

If I were ever looking for a companion for my horse, it wouldn't necessarily be one who needed riding but preferably one who was happy to be dragged out with us as my boy doesn't like hacking alone. A horse like yours would suit me in some ways, so maybe someone will come along. And if not, he'll have had a grand last summer.

JamDonutsRule · 26/02/2017 20:18

That's great news OP!

Just wondering, is he good to handle / good on the ground (Aside from the horse box obvs!)? Ok with kids?

Original poster
Blackfellpony · 26/02/2017 20:26

He is fantastic on the ground and to handle. He loves fuss and attention but he can be silly when taken away from his friend.

He really is a lovely boy except he has a really strong flight response and most people don't last very long on his back Blush

OP posts:
JamDonutsRule · 26/02/2017 20:42

That's good!! I know he is pretty old, but I wonder if you / someone else could break him to drive / at least do the preliminary work, which would be getting him used to a harness (cheap fabric one second hand) and long reining him around the school, working up to pulling a weight such as a tyre behind him? If he has some proven ability at driving then he will be much more desirable to own?

Frouby · 26/02/2017 21:18

I really really wouldn't fancy a horse with a strong flight instinct being in harness. Bad enough astride. At least you can bail out if you absolutely have to!

JamDonutsRule · 27/02/2017 01:46

But if he is good to handle on the ground I wondered if his strong flight instinct was limited to bad experiences from being ridden?

JamDonutsRule · 27/02/2017 01:47

^ I'd have thought it's worth seeing how long reining with a roller goes at least.

Original poster
Blackfellpony · 27/02/2017 05:55

Jam he is petrified of carts- the worst bolting incident he had was the result of meeting one out on a hack Confused
He's also very Arab built, would he be able to pull when he's so light?

Worth speaking to someone though if it could work!

OP posts:
Gabilan · 27/02/2017 08:14

The Godolphin Arab is rumoured to have been found pulling a cart and he went on to be one of the foundation sires of the thoroughbred. Plenty of light horses can pull, it's just that something with a bigger shoulder will find it easier and pull more.

It's a lovely idea in theory, in practice if he's traffic shy it's risky. I wonder if he could be used for equine therapy? If he's sweet but also sensitive he could be ideal for that.

Gabilan · 27/02/2017 08:21

Maybe worth contacting an organisation like www.leapequine.com/ and asking how their therapists find horses.

Notthecarwashagain · 27/02/2017 08:54

I'm not 'horsey' so have no advice, and this is just useless words really, but wanted to say how sorry I am for you to be in the situation where you're having to make such a hard choice.
He sounds like a lovely boy (despite his many quirks!) and I really feel for you.
All the best Flowers

JamDonutsRule · 27/02/2017 16:43

His breed / build is irrelevant - a light two wheeled vehicle (a 'gig') can be pulled at jogging speed by a person - I've done it!

I suppose you will just have to see how he takes to it - some horses have a totally different personality when ridden compared to on the ground, and I got the impression from you that a lot of his issues were when ridden?? I hoped therefore that as with a lot of horses who are not safe to ride he would be OK to drive, especially with blinkers!

Original poster
Blackfellpony · 28/02/2017 08:34

We have a potential part loaner in the pipeline who wants to meet him Grin please keep everything crossed! It's a friend of a friend who wants something to her other horse company and occasionally hack out in company.

If this works hopefully it's a long term arrangement but if not then at least I have a contingency plan in place for him Smile

OP posts:
runninglikemad · 28/02/2017 11:49

Oh Black that's really great, everything crossed that things will work out for all concerned and esp for your boy.

SleepFreeZone · 28/02/2017 11:54

Well done! Everything crossed for you 😊

I was going to say that it might be worth trying to find someone who's looking for s companion horse. They can be worth their weight in gold.

JamDonutsRule · 28/02/2017 13:27

Wow! Got fingers crossed for you!

Bufferingkisses · 28/02/2017 21:04

Aw that's fantastic Smile

Fingers crossed!

Moanranger · 01/03/2017 05:47

It sounds like you have time to make a decision. At 20, he is old. Vet issues multiply, ride ability diminishes. Horses are stoic, he could well have old-age pain & just be putting up with it. He cannot tell you. Great if you can find loan/share for awhile, but if you ultimately have to put him down, this year or next, do not feel guilty.
Horses are happiest doing a job, which sounds a bit problematic for your boy. You have done a great job with him so far, and your moral obligation is to keep him content & pain-free. Not to keep him alive at all costs. To have a horse of his age, put down humanely at the right time should not make you feel guilty. They are creatures of the here and now, so PTS is a very kind outcome if you have ensured his life has been as pain & stress free as possible. Good luck!

JamDonutsRule · 01/03/2017 14:00

Horses are happiest doing a job,

^ that's a point of view invented by humans for human benefit. Wild horses have no problem 'not doing a job'! The main things a horse needs to be happy are a herd and fields.

Frouby · 01/03/2017 14:13

Happiest pony I know is my little A mare. Her 'job' is to babysit mine and other kids on the yard. She hasn't had a job for 12 years!

I do agree with the idea of PTS being a kinder option in the longterm. But hopefully the OP has found a solution to earn a reprieve for a while. If it doesn't work out then maybe she will need to rethink.