Help - opinions needed please

[MyBeloved]

Hi all

If you had found 'the' horse share; one you'd clicked with but they had sweet itch that meant they could not be ridden currently, what would you do? Would you take a risk and go for it, or keep looking? I'm completely torn, so please be kind 🙏

Keep looking. A horse you cannot currently ride, is, by definition, not “the one.”

@Moanranger

Keep looking. A horse you cannot currently ride, is, by definition, not “the one.”

I know you're right. I will have the conversation today with owner.

I think it depends Is the owner still expecting a financial contribution and how long is the problem going to last potentially . What are they doing to alleviate the condition ?

Why does sweet itch mean it can't currently be ridden? My competition pony was ridden all through the summer, despite having severe sweet itch. Fly masks, bonnets, rugs etc meant although I was careful about the weather/time of day/locations I rode, I was able to ride all year round?

Owner amazing and doing everything they can to treat. However, there are so many sores that it is currently painful for horse to have saddle on.

Even if you don't take this horse on, pass on my suggestion of kensington rugs. Pony wears one over his boett, and we've gone from needing a new rug every year, sewing up rips every few days, to rugs lasting 3+ years.

They are expensive (£150 maybe?) but again, this one has lasted us years despite his ability to find anything vaguely sharp to scratch on.

kensingtonproducts.com/collections/fly-sheets/products/protective-sheet-surefit%C2%AE-retired-colors this is the rug, used over a boett. Although wearing 2 rugs sounds unpleasant, pont stays nice and cool in his, and it protects from the rain

As for whether I'd take on the share? It depends. How long term are you thinking? For a few months, probably not. The wounds could get infected, or get reopened just as you can get back to riding, you'll be dealing with lost fitness etc. Years or with a view to buying, maybe - but with the view to managing his sweet itch more effectively in future.

Have you ridden the horse?

I'd be worried the owner isn't managing it's welfare, how has it got that bad?

Thank you for the advice re rugs and I shall certainly mention to owner.

Have ridden once, but horse was so sore under the saddle they bronked. I have said will not ride until sores are healed as unfair.

Horse is really well looked after, I have absolutely no concerns re welfare and very sweet natured. I am just doubtful whether I want to take this on as don't want to be dealing with this as an ongoing issue for months of the year.

Writing this down and reading all your posts, I think I have made my mind up amd will continue looking.

You haven't ridden it - you can't know for sure you'd even really like it in the long run!!!

If the horse has got sores so bad it's bronking they aren't managing its welfare, SI is a horrible disease but manageable with time and money.

If the sores aren't that bad, it was bronking for another reason and you probably don't want to ride it.

(I have a horse with SI)

If the horse has got sores so bad it's bronking they aren't managing its welfare, SI is a horrible disease but manageable with time and money.

If the sores aren't that bad, it was bronking for another reason and you probably don't want to ride it.

(I have a horse with SI)

@AlphaDalpha

If the horse has got sores so bad it's bronking they aren't managing its welfare, SI is a horrible disease but manageable with time and money.

If the sores aren't that bad, it was bronking for another reason and you probably don't want to ride it.

(I have a horse with SI)

You are right.

I really do appreciate you all taking the time to reply, it has helped to clarify the situation so much more for me.