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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

PTS because you can't afford horse any more

39 replies

SpottyBumPony · 01/05/2025 18:34

If you haven't owned horses please don't comment. This is not like a house pet, they cost hundreds of pounds every month and need hours of time committed to them.

I have had a terrible change in circumstances, a bereavement, and am facing a big reduction in my household income. I don't think I will be able to afford my beautiful horse.

I've owned him for 20 year, he's 24 ish years old. Ridden and happily hacking but definitely a veteran now. I love him to pieces.

I always said I was committed to him for life, I would never have passed him on. Now I'm faced with not being able to afford him and my head tells me the responsible thing is to PTS. He's not desirable for somebody to loan, companions can be passed from home to home.

If you've been in a similar situation I'd appreciate hearing from you.

OP posts:
twinkletoesimnot · 01/05/2025 18:48

I’ve not been in your exact situation but lost my boy last year after nearly 20 years.
If I had been in your situation I would have pts in a heartbeat before selling him.
Id had him from weaning and was all he’d ever known.
IMO to do anything else at that age is probably more cruel.
Although totally devastating and heartbreaking for you.

maythefirce · 01/05/2025 18:52

Yes, I would. Selling a senior horse isn’t great, and many rescues have “interesting “ ideas on horse welfare.
Horses exist in the now, so i would pts if i had to.

Ineedanewsofa · 01/05/2025 18:54

you have all my sympathy, it’s a horrible situation to be in. I think unless I could find a trusted home I would PTS as well, it’s more cruel to move them on after so many years. Have you got any retirement livery options nearby? There are a couple near us who offer it as part of a herd on track systems. It doesn’t get you away from vet and farrier fees but it is a much cheaper livery option

HighlandCowbag · 01/05/2025 18:55

I would pts if you can't afford him anymore. At 24 he's too old to pass around and then his future is so uncertain and open to abuse. The only thing I would investigate is retirement livery just to reassure myself it is not feasible. And not all horses are suitable for retirement livery due to weight gain or stable requirements etc.

Let him go and know you did the right thing absolutely 💯.

Serencwtch · 01/05/2025 19:02

Yes it's the bravest & most important decision you will ever make.

I wish more people were brave enough to take that decision

If you need support please contact BHS FATE (friends at the end) they will be able to support you.

Delayed euthanasia & avoiding responsibility for euthanasia (eg by passing on an older horse) are among the biggest equine welfare concerns.

Thingamebobwotsit · 01/05/2025 19:07

Like others I would want to be very sure this was my only option, and no sharer or retirement livery was feasible. Just so I knew I had done all I could and if not, then in your shoes I would do the same. Wishing you much strength on your journey. No judgment here and your boy deserves the best ending with the people who love him. And I am so sorry you are going through this.

britnay · 01/05/2025 19:11

my oldie is 28 and that is exactly what I would do. There are much worse things that can happen to a horse than being pts at home.

myheadsjustmush · 01/05/2025 19:18

I'm so sorry you are in such a difficult situation.

I have owned horses in the past, so I can understand the huge financial and time commitments involved in keeping them.

Would retirement livery be an option? This could possibly be another avenue to consider.

At 24, your horse is a good age. You absolutely are doing the right thing in ruling out being a companion or loaning him out. All too often this goes wrong, and like you, I would not want to take the risk.

Deciding to PTS is the kindest thing to do sometimes. It ensures he will not be on a merry-go-round of being sold on again and again.

When I had my last horse, I had to choose between a long road journey, major surgery, and a long recovery period or PTS. I chose PTS because it was the best decision for him. I cried buckets, but I knew deep down I had done the right thing for him.

It is a really tough decision, but it truly is the last act of kindness.

Sending you <<Hugs>>

tinyspiny · 01/05/2025 19:24

I’ve also never been in the position , fortunately, but if you’ve exhausted all the other possibilities- rescue ( very difficult to find a place) , retirement livery or managing to keep him more cheaply than you do now then PTS is definitely the route I’d take rather than loaning him out as a companion to whoever . Sounds like he’s had a lovely life , he’s a good age ( we lost 2 younger than that ) and he knows he is loved . Take care of yourself 💐

RiderGirl · 01/05/2025 19:24

I'd PTS too - your horse wouldn't know about it, it's a reasonable decision considering the circumstances and his age etc. I wouldn't want to pass my old horse on to a other home at that age and I think the general consensus is that people judge those who do.

Isobel201 · 01/05/2025 19:33

I've never owned a horse, for this exact reason. I know how much they can cost and how much work they need. I wouldn't sell or even contemplate offering a 24 year old for loan. The horse wouldn't know any different - you can choose a suitable burial site if you want to, and the procedure will be quick and painless.

Skirtless · 01/05/2025 19:34

It’s the responsible decision, OP. Tough for you, but the right thing to do. It sounds as if it’s the only way you can make certain he has a good quality of life for the rest of his life.

BeNiceWhenItsFinished · 01/05/2025 19:37

Where do you keep him - at home, or a livery yard?

spicemaiden · 01/05/2025 19:39

Unless you are 100% sure about any potential home you might find I’d put to sleep. What ends up happening to veterans in the hands of people who either don’t care or don’t understand what it takes to look after and keep healthy is awful.

Better a good death than a long slow descent into neglect and worse

Pleasedontdothat · 01/05/2025 22:49

I’m so so sorry you’ve found yourself in this position where your world has been turned upside down. My dh died suddenly and completely unexpectedly 18 months ago and immediately after his death I had no idea what my finances were going to be like. I’m ‘lucky’ in that he had life insurance and I managed to find a few old pensions which are all small but added together they help, plus I got statutory bereavement benefits, again not a huge sum of money but welcome nonetheless. However if you’ve gone through your DH’s accounts etc and can’t make the sums add up then yes it would be better to put your lovely horse to sleep, with the sun on his back, his head in a bucket of carrots and knowing that he’s very much loved. Much better for him than having to change everything at this stage of his life and facing a very uncertain future but still a very hard and brave decision to make.

TiredGardener · 01/05/2025 23:06

Such a hard decision to make but the best option for him I think. You have given him a lovely life and it wouldn’t be fair to sell/give him on. Best of luck whatever you decide 🐴💙

MyBeloved · 01/05/2025 23:10

There are worse things that can happen to a horse than PTS. It sounds as though he's had a lovely life with you - let him go with dignity and love. You owe him that.

blackballfinal · 01/05/2025 23:11

Absolutely the right decision OP

PlutoCat · 01/05/2025 23:11

What a horrible situation. I am so sorry. I am not a horse owner, but I can understand why PTS might be for the best.

LavenderFields7 · 01/05/2025 23:16

Is it financial or time commitment problems? Because if it’s financial I’d happily donate to a gofundme type thing 🌷

RedPony1 · 02/05/2025 08:12

I'm fairly against people selling oldie horses on, unless its a pony that the next gen of children can get started on safely. We have a Shetland going our group which must be on his 15th child! Loves a slow life pottering around on the lead rein looking after his tiny riders

If you've exhausted all avenues of keeping him with you, then PTS is far kinder than potential alternatives. There are worse fates than a humane death.

Swampdonkey123 · 02/05/2025 10:19

It would certainly be better to PTS than to sell, but I've had to look into retirement livery for mine recently and it is cheaper than I thought it would be. It might be worth looking into whether that is affordable. I am sorry that you find yourself in this position.

peppercornrent · 02/05/2025 12:19

Absolutely the right decision, wish more people would think of the horse rather than themselves.

KayDog · 02/05/2025 12:24

I have very litttle knowledge of horses, only that I volunteered for RDA...would he be a good candidate for that? They were loved and well looked after and it's quite a nice retirement, at least it seemed so to me but if I'm barking up the wrong tree I'm sorry!!

elastamum · 02/05/2025 12:24

I'm sorry, it's a horrible decision to have to make but you are doing the right thing and what is best for your horse. Moving homes is stressful for any horse and not fair on an oldie. It is far better to let him go in peace in familiar surroundings.