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Veteran
Posts: 150
 
Location: Okla | Know I am going to ruffle some feathers here, but have been thinking about this for some time now, so here goes....I am seeing ALOT of older horses for sale lately on this site and other sites as well, my question is (and I understand fully about money being tight and some need to sell to replace old ones for younger horses)--BUT--if our faithful, realiable and trusted horses did their jobs to get us all where we are up to this point, why dump them, forget about them and go to younger ones instead of retiring them at our homes to live out the rest of their lives ?? Guess I am old school and believe the horse has earned his right to live out their remaining years in the home he has known and loved--and earned the right to do so.... instead of being shuffled to a new home and new people, sounds scary to me if I were a horse....Just something to think about....  |
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 Midget Lover
   
Location: Kentucky | I think a lot of people sell old faithfuls so they can go on to help someone else... I don't find it as "dumping". I'd rather have my old faithful be of use to someone rather than wasting away in my pasture. |
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 Water Weight Barbie
Posts: 6829
Location: Oz, Kansas | I have sold 2 of my older horses that were still rideable to families with young children to learn on. I've been fortunate enough that mine have still been healthy enough to continue. Now if I had one that was really old & already had one hoof in the ground it would live the rest of it's life comfortably at my moms. |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | If I buy a horse to use and run barrels on and I become interested in a younger faster horse. I'm going to sell the "step-up" to buy the younger one. My horses are my pets but if they're not working out they're going down the road to a better suited home.
Edited by CE's wrapn3 2014-01-30 10:05 AM
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Call it what you will, but I HATE making the decision and burying them. There are a couple at my place that will not go anywhere, but, when the time comes I will probably take the wimpy way out and try to find someone else to eventually make the decision. Selfish, whatever, I can't stand watching them get old. |
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Who Wants to Trade?
Posts: 4692
| I have several older mares (23, 23, 22, 20, 18) and of those, the 22yo is my most recent addition and I am honored to have her standing in my stall. She was bred and raced by one owner, sold to her 2nd owner who had her for 20 years, and then I bought her. She has some issues, but she was well worth the money I paid for her, even at 22!
I have no problem with people selling their property. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 612
| Besides what has already been said about letting the horse help a younger person, I don't have room to keep every horse. As much as I am attached to my horses, I don't have pasture or barn space to keep them forever. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| I sold my 16 year old mare to a younger gal. It was a step up horse for her. Plus in my current situation I will only own one horse at a time. So if a horse (young or old) doesnt fit my riding or barrel racing program then I have to move on. Ive seen alot of older rodeo horses go to other homes with younger kids or older people wanting a competition horse that wont blow their socks off when they want to compete. I dont think its a bad thing to sell older ones that are still healthy. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Great NW | What drives me nuts is that a lot of people have been lead to believe that horses in their mid teens are old when in fact they are just coming into their prime. just is mind boggling to me. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | The few oldies I have had died or will die with me. I'm sentimental that way. If I had one that wasn't getting used but needed to be used, I think I would loan out or lease rather than sell so I could still have control over their treatment. I would feel like I owed that to them. My daughter's horse is 26 and will die here. I promised her, and I think he deserves it. That's me, but I only have control over my own actions and not going to worry about someone else. |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | I wouldnt hesitate to lease my old faithful to a young rider, if he wasnt such a prick sometimes 
Now the ones I see that are in their 20's, lame, going blind, etc. that are no longer ridable, that people have had for years but now just dont want to 'care' for. Those are the ones that bother me. |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | mine live out their days with me.......i have a couple 30 yr olds and i keep a close eye on them and if i see them starting to go down hill i will put them down and bury them........i also have a couple 14 yr old mares that had to be reitred due to soundness issues and they will both live out their days with me.........op i agree with you 100%
m
Edited by mruggles 2014-01-30 10:29 AM
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| We have several retired horses in our pasture that are no longer able to be ridden, and they'll stay there until they die. We are lucky to have pasture available for them. Our retirement herd's ages are 30, 25, 24, and 15. Honestly, we'd probably find a way to keep them even if we didn't have pasture, because they don't owe us anything and we owe them plenty for what they've done for us over the years.
With that being said, I would not judge someone for selling an older horse that can still be used. About 10 years ago my husband sold his old rope mare to a family with young kids. That mare was a perfect babysitter and teacher for those kids, and that family loved her until the day she died. We had just gotten married and had no plans for kids anytime soon, so it didn't make sense to have that mare standing around doing nothing when she could have a loving home with another family that could use her. |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | Three 4 Luck - 2014-01-30 10:21 AM The few oldies I have had died or will die with me. I'm sentimental that way. If I had one that wasn't getting used but needed to be used, I think I would loan out or lease rather than sell so I could still have control over their treatment. I would feel like I owed that to them. My daughter's horse is 26 and will die here. I promised her, and I think he deserves it. That's me, but I only have control over my own actions and not going to worry about someone else.
Mine stay with me, even though it means I can't have all the younger/faster ones I want. I feel obligated to care for them properly and couldn't live with myself wondering what happened to them if I sold them. If I had a youth suitable horse, I would consider leasing, but not selling.
This is a hobby, not my living. So, I can see both perspectives...
Now, my one dirty bucker..........she's gone and I'm glad! 
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | IMO there is a big difference if the horse is able to be ridden vs retired. Selling an older horse that is still running/riding is okay if someone can learn! However, if the horse is a pasture ornament, I think it is best to keep them or put them down yourself. I see a lot of those "free to good home deals", and to some degree it does make me sad. Of course there are exceptions, but I feel a good horse earns a comfortable end, and does not deserve to be passed off if an owner does not want to feed a horse they can't ride. JMHO
I plan on keeping mine until I can no longer run him, and then he will live out his days with me. |
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I am a Freak
Posts: 3326
Location: Nowhere Special | I think it depends on the horse and the situation. Like others have said if its just a horse that you used for a few years and have out grown in ability and its still a good using horse that can go on to teach others then sure why not. Now if its a horse you have owned for decades or more and used up all the usefullness in that horse and now want to pass it on after it has no usefullness then shame on you. I have sold lots of horses I have kept a handful till the day I put them in the ground. If I grew up on them as a kid and then they were no longer arena sound but trail ride sound I let a local girls club use them for a few years just so they can teach kids to ride two days a week, get brushed everyday and pampered. After they are to old for that or not working out then home they come and stay till their last day. I just put down my 32 year old mare in Oct it was time. It was hard and we still miss her but for 28 years she was loved everyday of her life and well cared for not much more anything can ask for then that.
Edited by jetgetset 2014-01-30 10:53 AM
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  Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | kuhlmann - 2014-01-30 8:09 AM I have several older mares (23, 23, 22, 20, 18) and of those, the 22yo is my most recent addition and I am honored to have her standing in my stall. She was bred and raced by one owner, sold to her 2nd owner who had her for 20 years, and then I bought her. She has some issues, but she was well worth the money I paid for her, even at 22!
I have no problem with people selling their property.
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 Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | Just my opinion but there's a big difference between dumping them and finding them a good home where they can continue to do what they love. Dumping them is dropping them off at the local sale & walking away with no regard with what happens to them.
I'm lucky, my feed costs are low and I have enough pasture that I can retire both my old riding horses & broodmares and allow them to live out their lives. A lot of people do not have that option or cannot handle making that final decision to let them go. For some it's easiest financially or emotionally to let someone else spend the last years with them. And some of those good old horses are not happy retired but cannot pack a full sized rider anymore so finding a youth for them to teach is best for everybody. Everyone's situation is different and it is their choice to do what is best by them and their horse. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I've never sold a horse. Those horses have been worked until they can't work anymore. They enjoy being used and keeping them around saves me the cost of buying all the time and the emotional stress of selling one to someone who would do something nasty to it. Not saying any or all would be horrid, but you never know.
Right now I have a 20 yr old gelding who's my main mount. He'll be here forever because he's earned it and he's weird enough that I'd be worried to sell him to anyone. Sad part is he loves kids and is great, but I couldn't take the chance of someone not accommodating his quirks. |
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I Wanna Go Fast!!
Posts: 12556
| speedjunkie - 2014-01-30 8:15 AM What drives me nuts is that a lot of people have been lead to believe that horses in their mid teens are old when in fact they are just coming into their prime. just is mind boggling to me. I was just given a 17 year old mare back - literally given, did not have to pay a dime for her - because the lady thought she was too old to run barrels now. This mare loves barrels. A year ago she was running 2D/3D times with me before I sold her to them. I could easily have resold her or ran her myself but I found a great home for her to be used as an occasional trail horse. It kills me to know she's going to waste, but I have a moral compass that prevents me from making money off of a horse that was given to me....
Came back to add that I would have loved to keep her forever, I ran my first 17 on a standard on this mare and ran my first rodeos on her, she taught me a lot! But we have limited space and I can't justify feeding and caring for a horse that I'm not using.
Edited by Whiskey_Girl 2014-01-30 11:23 AM
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I get selling them if they are still useful to someone.
Anything over 20 I'd have a really tough time letting leave the place. My old man is still very sound, but he hates kids....and he gave us 21 years of being a really tough horse. He's earned his retirement. I don't care if he could still work, his job in life is to babysit my 3 yo filly. |
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Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Whiskey_Girl - 2014-01-30 11:20 AM speedjunkie - 2014-01-30 8:15 AM What drives me nuts is that a lot of people have been lead to believe that horses in their mid teens are old when in fact they are just coming into their prime. just is mind boggling to me. I was just given a 17 year old mare back - literally given, did not have to pay a dime for her - because the lady thought she was too old to run barrels now. This mare loves barrels. A year ago she was running 2D/3D times with me before I sold her to them. I could easily have resold her or ran her myself but I found a great home for her to be used as an occasional trail horse. It kills me to know she's going to waste, but I have a moral compass that prevents me from making money off of a horse that was given to me....
Came back to add that I would have loved to keep her forever, I ran my first 17 on a standard on this mare and ran my first rodeos on her, she taught me a lot! But we have limited space and I can't justify feeding and caring for a horse that I'm not using.
This is an honest question. Why wouldn't you run her anymore? She's only 17, honestly I can't wait for my horses to get some age and brains on them. Is she healthy, sound, not as good as the horse you have? I'm just asking because it doesn't make much sense to me if she is a 2/3d horse. |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | I agree with a lot of people on here. If a horse is still useful and can have a job I don't see why you wouldn't want them to be able to do that. Especially if you can have a bit of control where they go. Now, if they are not able to do much and you are letting them go there may be some heartburn. IMO, I would put them down if I couldn't afford senior care.
I will tell you, while Grasshopper isn't technically a senior, he is a permanent cripple. Now, he is trotting off perfectly sound now and we exercise him daily but he can't run barrels at a competitive level anymore. My struggle with him is he cannot just retire and be a pasture horse and just hop in the trailer with us and sit and look pretty. I tried that last year and I mentally started losing him. We started ponying him and whala-back to his old self and he is moving the best he has ever moved since the accident.
I have been asking around if there is anyone who is 100 pounds or less that wants to ride a horse. They don't have to commit to riding everyday but if they want to meet us at the arena, he is free to ride. I can't let him go to a home. He has too many quirks and I flat refuse to run the risk of someone not understanding him and something happening. I know him and anyone that knows us knows Hops is 100% spoiled rotten and I let him get away with probably too much. BUT, he can give a child some joy riding. I know he can.
Grasshopper will die with me. If something horrific happened and I had to sell out, every other horse and what not would leave except for him. He is with me till the end.
I cannot say that for the rest of my horses. If they reached retirement age and they couldn't help a beginner and just needed to live a life on pasture, I would find a way to give them that life. But if they could be a step up horse, I would let them go to do that. It always all depends on the situation. |
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I Wanna Go Fast!!
Posts: 12556
| LMS - 2014-01-30 9:27 AM Whiskey_Girl - 2014-01-30 11:20 AM speedjunkie - 2014-01-30 8:15 AM What drives me nuts is that a lot of people have been lead to believe that horses in their mid teens are old when in fact they are just coming into their prime. just is mind boggling to me. I was just given a 17 year old mare back - literally given, did not have to pay a dime for her - because the lady thought she was too old to run barrels now. This mare loves barrels. A year ago she was running 2D/3D times with me before I sold her to them. I could easily have resold her or ran her myself but I found a great home for her to be used as an occasional trail horse. It kills me to know she's going to waste, but I have a moral compass that prevents me from making money off of a horse that was given to me....
Came back to add that I would have loved to keep her forever, I ran my first 17 on a standard on this mare and ran my first rodeos on her, she taught me a lot! But we have limited space and I can't justify feeding and caring for a horse that I'm not using.
It doesn't make sense to me either, but the gal who bought her from me a year ago for her daughter found a younger horse for her so that's just the way it is. Hard to understand, huh? I know she has a lot more years yet but I'm honoring the wish of the gal who's now become a friend by just finding her a good home. Trust me, it boggles my mind, too and I've asked numerous times if somethings wrong with her now, but there's not.
She actually probably won the horsey lottery if you think about it. What horse wouldn't want to just eat and get ridden a couple times a year? The lady just lost her horse who was 26, so I know it's a home for life for her. I guess you can't beat that!
Edited by Whiskey_Girl 2014-01-30 12:07 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | I gave my 20yo away to a 1horse family that wanted a companion animal. Call me irresponsible, but I added up the boarding costs (I don't live on a farm) and I wasn't in the financial position to spend $12k (just on board) to fulfill my 'responsibility' provided she would live to the age of 25. What is the difference if you sell them at age 12 vs. 20? |
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 "Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | In a perfect world with unlimited funds and acreage, sure. But in the real world people have goals they want to achieve and limited funds and may have to sell in order to improve and reach those goals. There is nothing wrong with a horse moving on to teach another generation. I had a mare that taught two young girls about riding and racing and she LOVED kids and put up with them doing things she never would have tolerated from me! Each time the girls learned all they could, she came back to me until the day she could no longer move comfortably and I had to put her down. I love that those little girls loved her and still have fond memories of her. As much as I love Jug, I would love it if one day he could be some kids dream horse. It would have to be a special situation, but he could bring such joy to someone starting out. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | I suck at selling a horse, LOL!!! Everything I've ever owned is buried in my pasture. 2 ponies and 2 horses are the only things I've thrown a leg over that aren't with me still, the 2 ponies got sold when I was 5 and 10 and had outgrown them, the one gelding my dad "gave" to me for my 16th birthday, he sold him out from under me and the mare wasn't actually mine, belonged to my fiancé I bawled like a baby for all of them. Course I bawl like a baby when it comes to crossing the Rainbow bridge too but I'd rather make that walk with them than the one to someone else's trailer. Having said that I did loan out my HS rodeo mare to a young girl for Jr Rodeo for a bit when I was extremely busy with work and wasn't getting to ride like I needed to, she was an older mare by then and needed the extra riding to keep her in shape and feeling good, she just did better that way. I also leased out my bay mare to a HS girl for HS rodeo years later, she was a tough mare and I felt could help the girl out in that situation. My problem is I fall in love with my animals and for years with caring for my mom they were the reason I got out of bed in the morning, didn't matter stress was eating my health away, the horses needed to be fed, watered, groomed, ridden. They were my sanity, they were my "tomorrow" and more importantly they had a big strong neck to hold on to and cry into if need be with no expectations other than loving them back. Good trade in my opinion. I will sell mine before I can't feed them, they won't suffer for that ever regardless, but I do own a gelding that is 13 this year with some wear and tear on him, a mare that fractured her patella 3 years ago that is sound and running again but I know too those kind of injuries mount up and take years off in the long run but I also aknowledge that injury was my mistake. When push comes to shove I will not pass that injury on to someone else to deal with, I own that. I own that she and I spent some really bad nights together and some really great days together also coming back from that, its what finally forged us into a team. sucks it happened THAT way, but it did and I'm better for it, I owe it to her to be responsible for her to the end. Both of them ran me across the grass at Pendleton safely , strongly and fearlessly, they brought a little girls dream to life 40 some years later,and I dont' take that lightly. I also have another mare that has health issues, not exactly sure yet, HeadShakers syndrome, EPM, but God put us in each others path and I'm bound to find out why.
I have friends who have that ability to be a business person about their horses and I respect that, they run tougher than I do most of the time because of it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | kuhlmann - 2014-01-30 10:09 AM
I have several older mares (23, 23, 22, 20, 18) and of those, the 22yo is my most recent addition and I am honored to have her standing in my stall. She was bred and raced by one owner, sold to her 2nd owner who had her for 20 years, and then I bought her. She has some issues, but she was well worth the money I paid for her, even at 22!
I have no problem with people selling their property.
(This is meant as a thoughtful question, with no malice) Will theses older horses die on your place when they are no longer "useful"?
I believe this is the "meaning" behind her thread, but I may have
misinteruptted it also!!!! |
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I'm a Cry Baby
Posts: 3780
Location: n.c. | Some will stay here until they take their last breath, some will go on to help someone else learn the ropes.
The biggest problem I am having with some horse people, are the ones who dump the horses off on someone
else to deal with. It has become common place at our farm to wake up with more horses than we went to bed with.
Have, however had a few absolute phenomenal horses come from this. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
| If mine can't be useful to somebody else I will figure out a way to keep them until it is their time to go. |
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 Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | I interpreted the meaning of the thread as being about horses that were faithful to us and were with us a long time and earned the right to reitrement in the home where they had a bond with the place, us, other horses etc....
I think if they are still competitive and sound, why not let them go to a child or beginner to learn on...even if it's a lease where you retain control....
I have 3 retired horses now that were faithful and meant a lot to me....when they were unable to compete anymore, I decided to keep them forever....one had been sold and came back to me to give him a forever home after he was retired, and I was more than glad to take care of him forever.....they are 24-28-35 yrs. old.....
I'm lucky to have the means and the space to do this, but I know not every one can....I only have 10 acres now, but in the future, I'd like to have more land so I could offer forever homes to other people's faithful horses that they would love to keep forever, but for some reason can't do it....it breaks my heart to see these good old horses end up at a sale or in a home where they aren't appreciated....
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | I have an old TB racehorse (21) and a retired barrel horse (26). In my wildest dreams I couldn't imagine throwing them out into a world that doesn't need them and where they would likely end up being slaughtered or abused. Giving them away doesn't mean a good home for life. When their usefulness ends with the "kids" then where do they end up.
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | mruggles - 2014-01-30 10:26 AM mine live out their days with me.......i have a couple 30 yr olds and i keep a close eye on them and if i see them starting to go down hill i will put them down and bury them........i also have a couple 14 yr old mares that had to be reitred due to soundness issues and they will both live out their days with me.........op i agree with you 100%
m
Your a good woman Mruggles. I do the same thing when it comes to my friends. Most of our horses have forever homes with us and will be given the best possible care until the good Lord takes them or I have to put them down when life gets too tough for them. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | just4fun - 2014-01-30 10:34 AM Three 4 Luck - 2014-01-30 10:21 AM The few oldies I have had died or will die with me. I'm sentimental that way. If I had one that wasn't getting used but needed to be used, I think I would loan out or lease rather than sell so I could still have control over their treatment. I would feel like I owed that to them. My daughter's horse is 26 and will die here. I promised her, and I think he deserves it. That's me, but I only have control over my own actions and not going to worry about someone else. Mine stay with me, even though it means I can't have all the younger/faster ones I want. I feel obligated to care for them properly and couldn't live with myself wondering what happened to them if I sold them. If I had a youth suitable horse, I would consider leasing, but not selling.
This is a hobby, not my living. So, I can see both perspectives...
Now, my one dirty bucker..........she's gone and I'm glad!
I have 3 older retiree's. 30, 24, and 22. I couldnt live with myself if we didnt keep them. I owe it to them and they are MY responsability. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Was the world's oldest horse really 51? It's hard for me to believe that... I look at my 31 year old and how much he has deteriorated in the last couple years and couldn't imagine a horse making it to 51. That's crazy! I want to know what they were doing for him to get him to that age. |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | FlyingJT - 2014-01-30 1:28 PM Was the world's oldest horse really 51? It's hard for me to believe that... I look at my 31 year old and how much he has deteriorated in the last couple years and couldn't imagine a horse making it to 51. That's crazy! I want to know what they were doing for him to get him to that age.
My oldest one lived to be 38. |
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 Forever Young
Posts: 6768
Location: relocated to Texas | I like to train young horses and progress them to the point that I can sell them to a good home. I have one horse that will stay with me until she dies and that is Hollywood. She is 28 years old and looks great. But, I can only have so many and if I kept them all until they retired, then I would have to stop riding. I think it depends on your situation and how much expense you can endure. I don't believe that selling an older horse to a loving home is irresponsible. In fact, I think it is often a good thing. Most of these performance horses like to be used. If a child can use an older horse, often the horse gets more attention and is happier.
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | CYA Ranch - 2014-01-30 1:29 PM
FlyingJT - 2014-01-30 1:28 PM Was the world's oldest horse really 51? It's hard for me to believe that... I look at my 31 year old and how much he has deteriorated in the last couple years and couldn't imagine a horse making it to 51. That's crazy! I want to know what they were doing for him to get him to that age.
My oldest one lived to be 38.
Wow! That's great |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | barrelracr131 - 2014-01-30 1:34 PM CYA Ranch - 2014-01-30 1:29 PM FlyingJT - 2014-01-30 1:28 PM Was the world's oldest horse really 51? It's hard for me to believe that... I look at my 31 year old and how much he has deteriorated in the last couple years and couldn't imagine a horse making it to 51. That's crazy! I want to know what they were doing for him to get him to that age. My oldest one lived to be 38. Wow! That's great
She was full of P & V to the end. Which I'm sure had a lot to do with how long she lived. |
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I've not read all the responses as I'm always short on time....
But I'm going to throw this out there. I get what you are saying. But take a step back and realize then when you are looking at the ads for horses on here, that you may not know the sellers or the stories. You don't know if they have owned that horse 20 years or just a year. Maybe they purchased the horse for a child only a year ago and now the child is ready to move up. But parents can't afford a another horse without selling the first. Child comes first. So I get that.
Just a thought. I've got three. Two barrel horses and one useless TB ex racehorse that even if they don't stay at my house forever, I will maintain ownership of them until they die. |
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 Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | run n rate - 2014-01-30 12:23 PM I suck at selling a horse, LOL!!! Everything I've ever owned is buried in my pasture. 2 ponies and 2 horses are the only things I've thrown a leg over that aren't with me still, the 2 ponies got sold when I was 5 and 10 and had outgrown them, the one gelding my dad "gave" to me for my 16th birthday, he sold him out from under me and the mare wasn't actually mine, belonged to my fiancé I bawled like a baby for all of them. Course I bawl like a baby when it comes to crossing the Rainbow bridge too but I'd rather make that walk with them than the one to someone else's trailer. Having said that I did loan out my HS rodeo mare to a young girl for Jr Rodeo for a bit when I was extremely busy with work and wasn't getting to ride like I needed to, she was an older mare by then and needed the extra riding to keep her in shape and feeling good, she just did better that way. I also leased out my bay mare to a HS girl for HS rodeo years later, she was a tough mare and I felt could help the girl out in that situation. My problem is I fall in love with my animals and for years with caring for my mom they were the reason I got out of bed in the morning, didn't matter stress was eating my health away, the horses needed to be fed, watered, groomed, ridden. They were my sanity, they were my "tomorrow" and more importantly they had a big strong neck to hold on to and cry into if need be with no expectations other than loving them back. Good trade in my opinion. I will sell mine before I can't feed them, they won't suffer for that ever regardless, but I do own a gelding that is 13 this year with some wear and tear on him, a mare that fractured her patella 3 years ago that is sound and running again but I know too those kind of injuries mount up and take years off in the long run but I also aknowledge that injury was my mistake. When push comes to shove I will not pass that injury on to someone else to deal with, I own that. I own that she and I spent some really bad nights together and some really great days together also coming back from that, its what finally forged us into a team. sucks it happened THAT way, but it did and I'm better for it, I owe it to her to be responsible for her to the end. Both of them ran me across the grass at Pendleton safely , strongly and fearlessly, they brought a little girls dream to life 40 some years later,and I dont' take that lightly. I also have another mare that has health issues, not exactly sure yet, HeadShakers syndrome, EPM, but God put us in each others path and I'm bound to find out why. I have friends who have that ability to be a business person about their horses and I respect that, they run tougher than I do most of the time because of it.
Wow, we could be twins! I had the same thing happen to me with my pony and a horse when I was about 13, dad gave them away without telling me b/c my parents couldn't afford them anymore. Broke my heart, I had the pony from when I was 4 years old. I HATE that do not know what happend to them, especially the pony, she was the best and so sweet. Anyway, that would be why once something comes on the property it's not going anywhere! I have a 25 year old that was trained or barrels, but he is a head shaker and I found that out when he was 5. We tried all kinds of things, masks, meds, etc., and nothing helped. I could never dump him b/c he wasn't useful, even as a youngster. So, he's still with me now. Anyway, I can appreciate people who don't hold on to them like I do in order to be competitive and reach their goals. But, for me, if was dump a horse that's useful to no one so that I could meet my goals, I couldn't do it and didn't. |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | IM kind of on both sides of this issue. I hate to see those old 28 year old geldings on here for sale. Breaks my heart. But I have been in the position of having to sell a useful horse in order to purchase my next one.
I currently have one that I rescued without thinking that I would have him forever. He is decently young (11) but I have no "use" for him other than to feed him. I fixed him up but have no interest in pursuing anything further. I did not think it through, I just could NOT leave him to starve to death. We have a small place and therefore I need to find him a home. But mine is free to an approved home. |
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 Strong Willed Woman
Posts: 6577
Location: Prosser, WA | Actually I thought it was kind of a new idea that we are supposed to keep a horse until it dies. Which I don't understand that way of thinking. We have to initially get the horse from somewhere. The old timers I've heard of thought nothing of using a horse until it was no longer useful and then selling it at the local sale. Most didn't have the money to keep something around that wasn't useful. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 371
| My mare is only ten but if for some reason I was forced to retire her now, provided she was healthy and wasn't in pain....I'd keep her. Even if it was just so my little cousins could brush her or sit on her back.
Yes, that'd put me in a tough spot to find a horse I can compete on, but my mare has been through at least four owners and spent enough time at auction/sale barns that she deserves to have 'her' people & the one horse she likes around.
I'd find a way to get myself on a new competition horse, but my mare isn't going anywhere.
Edited by HammerTurns 2014-01-31 6:43 AM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I have no problem with selling sound middle aged horses. As I know people with kids have to learn somewhere.
I have a problem with people selling their old crippled horses. I have seen many kids ride horses with knees size of softballs, horses that are so arthritic it affects their gait. Then the kids are on the horse all day running the horse everywhere, to me this is animal abuse.
I have one retiree who will be with me for life. The horses that I have sold have the invitation to come back and retire in my pasture. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I agree with you on this one! YOU owe it to your horse to let them live out there days if they have done their job BUT if the horse can still be used to help another younger kid learn to ride, I think that it's good for both the horse and the younger kids BUT I think when a horse is that old you should keep tabs on them so they aren't just disposed of when the kid is done etc. I know many people who lease out their horse or let people they know and trust use them. I see no problem with that. IMO you owe the horse that much. To me, I LOVE these types of horses, they get plenty of use at my place, they are priceless to give lessons on and use for anyone to ride. :) |
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 One Hard Core Mom
Posts: 26461
Location: Dassel MN | mine stay with me untill God takes them, the ones that have earned a retirement get it. the ones i have in the pasture right now owe me nothing. i will continue to care for them untill the end i owe them that. without them i wouldnt be where i am now. |
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Where did our responsibility go??