grans and horses

Hi jenn, how lovely to have a horse and time to spend with him! I would love to take up riding again if I only had the time. Have you thought of contacting some of the horse sanctuaries to see whether they can advise you about the future, and whether they would perhaps be willing to offer to rehome your horse if and when the time comes? I can understand you wanting to enjoy him without worrying about the future.

Oh jenn I do hope you don't live anywhere near the North East. My DDiL is a sucker for unwanted, unloved, uncared for horses (and of course those that the owner can no longer look after).

I think its fantastic that you ride jenn and am so jealous. My grandchildren all ride very well and have done since they could barely sit up. I really wish I had learned.

As nightowl suggested I agree that its worth contacting a horse sanctuary and asking the question. Also (I don't know your private finances) could you offer a small amount of money to them in return for Mr Grumpy's keep?

The horse sanctuaries are overflowing with horses and very unwilling to take on any more generally

Yes, the horse sanctuaries are overflowing. You may just have to pension him off, or advertise him free as a field companion. What exactly is his foot problem?

Sorry jenn - I didn't mean to sound so negative, I've been involved with horses all my life. The current financial climate means that lots of healthy horses have been put down or even abandoned. The poor weather that we had last winter, together with the rising cost of feed, hay and bedding has also put a lot of people off riding. It's becoming a huge problem.

The problem with sending him off as a companion Aka is that you have no guarantee that he will be properly looked after

I have to admit I thought that as well, it would be terrible if your darling horse was not well treated at the end of his life !

I agree yoga unless it's someone you know and trust and he's only 'on loan'. I personally think it's sometimes kinder, especially if you don't have the facilities or the money to pension a horse off, to have it put down.

A 'nightmare in traffic' rules out selling him on.

I do agree Aka but was reluctant to say it. It's what I would do with my old retired boy when I'm no longer able to care for him. He's very ancient now but healthy thank goodness

I also thought that[doing a lot of that this afternoon] although it would be horrid to do it .
You would be sure that no harm could befall him !

Still think it's worth asking the sanctuaries first! You never know until you ask, and as you're not looking to rehome him yet......

Another option is to advertise for someone to share him now. That works quite well where I live, and you never know, you might find a young active rider who can't afford the time or expense of a horse at the moment, but who could get to know him and eventually who knows?

If anybody would like my Mr Grumpy I might even offer a little inducement to take him away! Oh yours is a horse? OK arent there any mad keen Pony Club members who would like him on loan? Or else just keep him as a pet with the occasional hack out. Her Maj manages at 88.(my Mr Grumpy also available on loan- still trying)

Sharing is a good idea.

(Not sure about Mr Soutra though)

Soutra

<wipes brow>

Soutra

It's good to have a back-up plan but you may live to a sprightly 102 and Mr Grumpy may not. My daughter's darling pony died very suddenly at 20. My brother wouldn't get a new cat at 55 "in case she outlives us".
I'm not giving up pets until I'm incapable of looking after them.

thanks for the messages.He has navicular which at the moment is not a problem but probably will be in the future. I hope to have him for a few years yet but it's only a matter of time and I do think about it now as I know what an awful life some horses have .

Sorry to hear it's navicular Jenn, as you say expensive to treat in terms of special shoeing and drugs. Is he on Bute?

I know how much we love our animals and how much he must mean to you, so I didn't make my suggestion lightly. But as you say you'll have him for a good few years yet so enjoy one another.

Jenn, there seems to be increasing 'scientific' evidence about the benefits of horses to the mental health of humans. (recent research, Washington University ) This isn't news to those of us who have spent time with these wonderful animals.
Is Mr Grumpy always grumpy, or is it possible he could retire to one of the therapeutic centres? A local psychologist uses horses in some of her therapy.

I think I wanted someone to say what I have been thinking, if I can't find a sanctuary(now full of cruelty cases) that having him pts would be the kinder option. It is adreadful thought but not as bad as thinking he might end up sedated and buted and then going through the horse marts!

With any luck it won't be for a long time and as long as he has his expensive 'high heels' he seems fine.

It certainly is true that they are good for ones' mental health and physical health, with 2 crazy old dogs and my Mr Grumpy I appear so sane!!
My son who lives in Poland has always called my horse 'my therapy' and he is right.

Jenn (((hugs))) we know what you mean.

I am not a hoesey person..rather afraid of them after seeing a horse mad friend get chomped on the arm by her horse! However I would not wish them any harm and I know they bring a great deal of pleasure to many. Is your horse suitable for Riding for the Disabled? I don't really know much about this but have a former work colleague who did a lot of work with the organisation which did loads of good stuff.

Redwings is a possibility perhaps as they now place horses on loan and keep a check on them. I believe there's a better chance of a sanctuary taking them if accompanied by a good donation.

I tried World Horse Welfare (ILPH) when my old boy got short of teeth so needed short grass for grazing and a special diet. I just didn't have the knowledge to keep him. I've supported them for years and had previously bee given to understand they would help. But they declined - and this was 15 years ago when the economy was better. Luckily I happened on a friend of a friend who did have the knowledge and he had a couple more years with her.

It is a worry isn't it? I think horses can get under your skin more than dogs or cats. It would be lovely if there was a Cinnamon Trust for horses.

I still miss him.