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jackiedo
Gold Member
England
1370 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 5:07:10 PM
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Needing homes right now, often not in good circumstances is making us look like "puppy farmers". I will say that I do know that bad things can happen to good people. I am also really concerned for the number of unregistered horses looking for homes too. Surely it is best for any animal to have all it's paperwork in order.
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alison
Platinum Member
Wales
1810 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 5:19:03 PM
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What really bugs me is when I see an older horse(18+) up for re-homing with the owner saying they have had the horse for years and now want it to go to a forever home!!!!!!!!completely bonkers.
Not having a go at anyone and it's great that people ask for help just really dislike the above wording.
Alison |
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jaj
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4324 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 5:23:07 PM
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That's exactly my sentiment Alison and as I pointed out earlier, at 18+ you ARE the forever home surely  |
     
Kuraishiya (Maleik el Kheil/Kazra el Saghira) and Sahara Bey (Kuraishiya/WSA Charismma) |
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navaho621
Gold Member
Wales
510 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 5:37:43 PM
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| I have a young friend in a horrible situation, her father is non horsey & has little to do with her horses, he has told her that as she has now turned 17 she has 2 choices, keep the horses or learn to drive. However, one of the ponies she has owned since she was 4, he is 23 this year & although he still has plenty of love & life left in him & would probably be some little child best friend, no one wants him. Her father is now talking of sending him to the sales, but what can you do? Ive asked around, no one seems to want anything of his age, my thoughts are hes served the family well & has surely earnt his retirement, sadly not everyone sees things my way :( |
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jackiedo
Gold Member
England
1370 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 5:48:18 PM
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| I think if that was my daughter, and I had given her that choice she would have waited until she got a job and paid to learn to drive herself. I think we share the same sentiment. |
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navaho621
Gold Member
Wales
510 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 5:51:36 PM
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| We do Jackie, though i wouldnt have even thought of putting one of my kids in that situation if im honest, after owning him for that long you would have thought he would be considered part of the family, im going to keep asking around & hope that someone nice comes along for him :) |
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kate b
Gold Member
Wales
1418 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 6:15:24 PM
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| I have a 30 year old gelding pony of unknown breeding, he has a few teeth left, cannot cope with hay, fine to graze (short grass only) and is more trouble than our other 12 horses put together - he is as stubbon as a mule and very vocal about what he wants - he is the equine version of Victor Meldrew! Have owned him for 13 years and cannot imagine life without him. I completely and utterly empathise with those who are forced into parting with their family members due to circumstances beyond their control. |
      
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 7:04:08 PM
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It breaks my heart to see these lovely golden oldies being passed on, when they should be kept in familiar surroundings with the security they have duly earned. I had Honey for 20 years, the last few years as a happy spoilt field ornament. I couldn't afford to support another ridden horse as I wanted to make sure Honey had everything she needed...so I did without. The last few years I had her I'll always cherish, we went for walks & spent time just 'being' I can rest easy knowing I did the very best for my Golden Oldie right up to the end. Where at 31 she was allowed to say goodbye surrounded by her friends & those who had known her for years & loved her. I'm sorry but this is something I feel so strongly about 
How do some people sleep at night?
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Claire & Sunny x
http://sunnyandclaire.blogspot.com/ |
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 7:04:56 PM
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Agree with all the sentiments posted regarding re-homing old friends...in the present economic climate no one wants to buy old horses or ponies and the very thought that sending an oldie to auction fills me with horror!!!
I am sure I will be shot down...BUT.....if ever I was in the situation where I had no alternative, I would choose to have my dear old friend quietly PTS in familiar surroundings amongst her/his friends. We have several homebreds now....twenty ++++ who have
been field ornaments for a number of year.
For the many years of sheer joy that they have enriched our lives with
they have earned their retirement and NO WAY will they leave our land They will be laid to rest under those same pastures, when their time finally comes
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk |
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jaj
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4324 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 7:08:01 PM
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Babs, god forbid but I would do the same if there was no way I could care for K any longer. The idea of sending her into the great unknown would be abhorent.
My last Arab lived until she was 27 and died a very happy, spoilt (quite rightly so) older girl. |
Kuraishiya (Maleik el Kheil/Kazra el Saghira) and Sahara Bey (Kuraishiya/WSA Charismma) |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 7:18:46 PM
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| Babs I am with you - it is far kinder to have an old (and I stress the word old) friend PTS in familiar surroundings. Heaven forbid I should find myself in that position. We have always kept our pensioners right up until it was time for them to go with dignity, and certainly hope we will always be in a position to do so. |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 16 Apr 2011 7:23:31 PM |
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jackiedo
Gold Member
England
1370 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 7:18:51 PM
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| Today I went to see Az and in the next paddock was Silver a 35 year old ex hunter, a bit creaky but full of life. Az himself was kept with his surrogate Dad, Razz,, (yes it did get confusing) who was another old hunter in his 30's who taught him how to ford streams and jump banks to get out of the field (!) |
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pintoarabian
Gold Member
Scotland
1242 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 9:04:21 PM
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| I am so glad to see there are more people like me who cherish the golden oldies who deserve to spend their twilight years in familiar surroundings with people who show their on-going commitment to them. Currently, I have mares aged 31, 30, 26(x2),24, 22 and 18(x2). I have no intentions of parting with any of them. None of us can ever guarantee that we won't hit hard times and have to make heart-wrenching decisions and, if that is the case, I fully sympathise and understand how hard it must be for those caught in that situation. However, I feel that many in the horse world just want to opt out of the commitment and pass on their oldies, in many cases so they can carry on breeding. Sorry, but I find that obscene and I shall never be able to get my head around the ruthlessness that lies behind that and, sadly, it's not always oldies that they want to pass on, at whatever cost. |
http://www.performancearabians.com
http://performancearabians.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PerformanceArabians
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 10:47:20 PM
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Sadly my beloved horse of a lifetimne has gone now... I presumed he would be in his 30's before he left, that was not to be but we had an old mare of 36, and today our dentist confirmed that Larry the Lamb (not!!!) would last quite a while despite being a cushionoid over 30 yo, front teeth falling out but to Ivan astonishment had fantastic back teeth....this determined old bugger will go on for many years I m sure! Just sad my Gizzy didn't...
Cherish those oldies guys |
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Nacelle
Junior Member
30 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2011 : 11:08:41 PM
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I had the same choice when i hit driving age. Horse or car.
However i took the savings that were supposed to be for a car and got a horse with it instead. At that time though i could get around by bicycle.
I did have to get a car eventually but by then i had a job and was in a better position financially to support and horse and car and rent etc...
I have had D since she was 6 and shes now 24 with all sorts of problems but cant even imagine giving her away or selling her. Even though i have a ton of debt now and i have health difficulties as well, somehow i manage as i want her to have as happy a retirement as possible.
I know she might go down one day and not get up although i hope she has a few more years left and i know it will be hard when she does decide to go, but I cant imagine sending her away. |
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Tomos
Gold Member
Wales
940 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 12:08:56 AM
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We have considered changing our name from Bryndyfan Stud to The Bryndyfan Retirement Home for Elderly Arab Mares, can't keep up wth you though Pintoarabian we only have a 1x 30 yo, 1x 23 yo and 2x 22yo.
It wouldn't even enter my head that you would rehome an older horse, they are part of the family. Having said that I know only too well how life can change very quickly, when my partner was diagnosed with progressive MS, if we didn't own our own land it would have been financially impossible to keep so many oldies.
It is a sign of the times and its going to get a whole lot worse for horses across the board, but it is the old horse ads I find particularly poignant
Mandy |
"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" Gandhi
www.hispanoarabeswales.co.uk
www.thewelshcrabbetshow.org.uk |
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Smiler
Gold Member
England
1217 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 07:10:50 AM
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must admit ive always had a cycle since my first pony many moons ago since that first one ive had 2 get to 29 and 1 to 26 i could not rehome an oldie personally and should be retired and enjoy there last years both 9 yr olds were ok right till the end and went down quick i miss them all and would have them back in a heart beat if i could  |
   
http://www.freewebs.com/newforestanimalrescue |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 07:37:22 AM
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The trust and love you build up between an oldie you have had from a young age is irreplaceable. |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 09:35:07 AM
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Originally posted by GoldenmaneThe trust and love you build up between an oldie you have had from a young age is irreplaceable.
That is so true, though you don't need to have them from a young age--my first mare was in her late thirties year when she died and we had been together for more than 20 years. Although she still hacked well into her thirties, she had a long semi-retirement and then full retirement and most of that time I couldn't afford a second horse, but I would have no more thought of getting rid of her to make way for a new riding horse than cut off my own right arm. If anything, the bond between us got even deeper in her later years, just spending time together.
I have also over the years taken on three oldies who were no longer wanted-- one wonderful Arab and two ponies, at different times, who had both been passed round numerous homes as their riders out grew them. These ponies had both entirely switched off to humans---why bother to like anyone who is just going to disappear from your life and be replaced by someone else whose only interest in you is to ride you? They had become cynical about polos and the kisses on the nose from the long string of previous child owners, and were completely unresponsive, and in Tikka's case, quite difficult to handle. It was wonderful to see the change in them as if they were coming out of a dark tunnel as they bonded and started to enjoy their relationships with me, and both of them changed into happy, loyal friends who enjoyed their last years here, and Tikka became one of the easiest ponies to do anything with--much to the vet's amazement.
I actually cannot understand anyone who passes on any horse which is no longer of use to them, but to pass on an old horse who is no use to anyone is despicable. Of course it is different if real hardship falls, and no one can be 100% sure that it won't, though I try to keep my numbers down to a realistic level so that I will always be able to care for them all, but as others have said, if a trusted friend or relative couldn't help, I think it would be kinder to let an old friend die in safety at home rather than pass it on to an unknown fate. I have to say though--if I was ever faced with having to do so, I would then probably end my own life as well. |
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Kazzy
Platinum Member
England
3335 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 10:56:27 AM
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The problem is some people are in it for money and fame and some people are in it for the love of their horses.
I am in it for the latter!!
The thought of rehoming my lad because he does nothing and is costing me money each week to feed and clothe him and be waited on hand and foot every day doesnt bother me, I bred him, I wanted him, I love him and he will be with me till the day he dies.
Some people just dont look at it in that way.
Janet |
     
Sunny Cheshire |
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moldequine
Gold Member
Wales
858 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 12:58:17 PM
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I kept my first pony until she was 35, she was pts to save her from suffering, i had no use of her for 8 years and she was just a field ornament, obviously I didnt mind looking after her and feeding her mush 3 times a day as she had no teeth left!
I hate seeing old horses in sales when they are no longer wanted due to age, thats why I bought my arab mare sales from the sales to save her going to slaughter as nobody wanted her because she was old. I have had her for 6 years but had to put her on loan for 2 years as a companion due to me having my first child. This loan home was supposed to be permanent but due to unforseen circumstances and the lady ending up losing her house she came back to me just before christmas. I will always own Heather but due to me not owning my own land and having to rent land here and there im going to put her back out on permanent loan to a home where I KNOW she will happy. Me and my partner are out of work at the moment and heather is very expensive to keep, especially the bluechip! I want a home that will treat her as thier beloved pet and bring her in to groom her etc which she loves. I would much rather do this that have her put to sleep like alot of people say.
If I owned my own land and had lots of money then trust me she would not be going anywhere!!!!!!!!!!! |
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carole ferguson
Silver Member
United Kingdom
457 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2011 : 6:03:27 PM
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I still have my son's ancient pony who is aged over 40 - she has hardly any teeth - is a bit unsound - but is still an old devil. She will never leave us - and luckily I have my own land - so she will never have to leave here.
I certainly would rather have an elderly one PTS rather than try to rehome when you don't know where they could end up.
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marionpack
Gold Member
England
1073 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2011 : 12:43:57 PM
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| I have owned Sam for 24 years now (bought as a 3 year old) and he won't be going anywhere, I should really move yards to get better facilities for my youngster, but won't as Sam has been on the same yard for 10 years and I just don't want him to face any changes, he is happy and that is all that matters |
Berkshire
   
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2011 : 1:08:25 PM
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My first horse was Shiloh (TBx) and he was 7 (I was 16) when my parents bought him for me. I started working at 18 and from that day, he was my responsibility to keep. He was with me until his grand old age of 33 (I was 42 by then) and had been retired for about 10 years! No way would I have let him leave the yard other than the way he did - pts on the yard with me at his head. If circumstances had been different and I couldn't have kept him in happy retirement, he would have been pts as I wouldn't move him from the yard/herd he'd known for 26 years; he wouldn't have coped very well.
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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tyrebecca15
New Member
England
3 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2011 : 5:26:23 PM
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| My daughters 11.2 welsh is now 19 and outgrown after 4 years, lots of people keep asking why dont we sell her, she is still fit and healthy, but according to her papers we were her 9th home at age 15, which works out being passed on about every 18 months - 2yrs. when we got her she would turn her bum on you, ears back when you tried to do anything, was scared of whips and still doesnt like men,but she is now fantastic, very friendly,shouts to the car as we drive in, and although 19 isnt old for a welsh pony theres no way we could think about selling her, we are hoping to find someone to loan her to stay at our yard, otherwise possibly consider getting her a little trap to drive to keep her busy, as a friend once did with a shetland. My daughter aged 11 has learned from me that it is not right to just pass them on when they are too small or old, and would rather keep her little friend than trade her in for a bigger/younger one, looks like she will be pinching my arab soon if i'm not careful! |
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basbob
Gold Member
France
1356 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2011 : 9:06:34 PM
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We need a "like" button. So many true words written. x
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The number of old mares
