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Post by ladyndibs on Jan 7, 2012 0:20:37 GMT 1
I saw this posted on another forum and like the person who posted it, it made me smile too
I saw this and it made me smile and think of my lovely old veteran...
I have a 20+ year old horse, who is not looking for a new home. He is sound, sane, still doing ok, but he is aged.
He is not looking for a new home because he is not being dumped. Actually, he is standing about in a field wearing a new rug, and eating hay and being fed twice a day just like he would be if he was still a much-loved, usable horse. When the weather is nasty, he comes into his lovely stable.
If you know of a new home that would like to pick up my old horse who has done his time with me, who would like to pay his vet bills long into retirement, please don't call me, because it's my job to do that for him
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cuffey
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Post by cuffey on Jan 7, 2012 0:30:34 GMT 1
It is excellent and reflects how most of us feel and why we are outraged when older horses are dumped.
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Post by kizi on Jan 7, 2012 1:06:15 GMT 1
gosh i'd love to post that on some of the sites where i am saddened from seeing so many oldies advertised for next to nothing  'been in same home 10 years, thought all my kids to ride, free to good home' makes me so sad and its so common.... |
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Post by anastasia55555 on Jan 7, 2012 2:16:52 GMT 1
:-)
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Post by jackiedo on Jan 7, 2012 9:02:47 GMT 1
I have a mid 20's veteran who if I advertised I would have to confess that she is a bit of a handful and gives you achy legs by dancing all the way there and back, leaps sideways at dangerous sparrows yet will confront any HGV you wish, wants to gallop at every opportunity and headbutts kids
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Post by BJMM on Jan 7, 2012 9:46:53 GMT 1
Whilst I agree with the sentiment, not all people who rehome older horses are 'dumping' them. Circumstances change and difficult choices sometimes have to be made, for the good of all.
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cuffey
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Post by cuffey on Jan 7, 2012 11:15:25 GMT 1
Whilst I agree with the sentiment, not all people who rehome older horses are 'dumping' them. Circumstances change and difficult choices sometimes have to be made, for the good of all. Appreciate what you are saying but very aware of some horses on the market in their 20s (Preloved) who have taken their owners round the competition circuit for years and done well. Sell and you cannot give them the dignified end they deserve. How many get 'bought cheaply by good homes'' only to be at the next auction and off to abattoir. |
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Post by rj on Jan 7, 2012 18:18:47 GMT 1
As far as I am concerned a horse is for life, but I do appreciate that not everyone has the same attitude.
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Post by jackiedo on Jan 7, 2012 18:49:03 GMT 1
Agree, but I do accept that peoples circumstances can change, and there but for the grace of God, so they say
There is nothing worse than someone who has not realised that they can not afford/manage/look after their animals anymore and keep going due to sentimental reasons, to the determent of the animal involved.
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Post by lizpurlo on Jan 8, 2012 22:24:54 GMT 1
That's great - I so agree about the awfulness of selling old horses - but some of the ads for youngsters, especially gipsy cobs, are awful too.
So my version would be this:-
I have an eighteen month old cob who is not looking for a new home. I have had him gelded (I budgeted for this when I bought him) so he'd be no use to run out with a bunch of coloured fillies in the hope of breeding more unwanted equines.
He is a grand big sturdy chap - but oddly enough he has not been lunged in driving harness, long-reined down the road or driven down the road at a flat-out trot pulling a poorly balanced cart containing two big fat fellas. Neither has he been 'broken' or even 'part-broken' or made to carry a small child round the field, so I guess I couldn't describe him as a 'great kids' pony'.
I'm not about to lose my keep, I have no child who has lost interest in him, and I'm not overstocked. (I've never unexpectedly found myself 'overstocked', something to do with never breeding anything, so my horse numbers tend not to increase.)
He is rising two; he is enjoying life with his mates, he has a stable, good hay and feed. And my hope is that he and I will still be enjoying life together in twenty years' time.
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Post by laurac on Jan 8, 2012 22:57:41 GMT 1
That's great - I so agree about the awfulness of selling old horses - but some of the ads for youngsters, especially gipsy cobs, are awful too. So my version would be this:- I have an eighteen month old cob who is not looking for a new home. I have had him gelded (I budgeted for this when I bought him) so he'd be no use to run out with a bunch of coloured fillies in the hope of breeding more unwanted equines. He is a grand big sturdy chap - but oddly enough he has not been lunged in driving harness, long-reined down the road or driven down the road at a flat-out trot pulling a poorly balanced cart containing two big fat fellas. Neither has he been 'broken' or even 'part-broken' or made to carry a small child round the field, so I guess I couldn't describe him as a 'great kids' pony'. I'm not about to lose my keep, I have no child who has lost interest in him, and I'm not overstocked. (I've never unexpectedly found myself 'overstocked', something to do with never breeding anything, so my horse numbers tend not to increase.) He is rising two; he is enjoying life with his mates, he has a stable, good hay and feed. And my hope is that he and I will still be enjoying life together in twenty years' time. well said liz  |
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Post by maryplain on Jan 9, 2012 15:55:25 GMT 1
I so agree about the awfulness of selling old horses I do take this point, really I do, am going to add a 'but' though! When I was looking for my first horse I wanted an oldie who had been there, done that. If no-one sold on older horses, where would first-timers find their ideal horse? If I won the lottery I'd start an old horse home, I do love an oldie as they are so wise! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 16:44:07 GMT 1
(I've never unexpectedly found myself 'overstocked', something to do with never breeding anything, so my horse numbers tend not to increase.) . I especially love that bit ;D |
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Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Jan 9, 2012 17:18:45 GMT 1
My advert would be... I am not for sale as I can no longer be ridden because of re-curring lameness. I am not for sale because my owner bought a more talented specimen, that more talented specimen is now my best friend. I have not been pushed aside, I am still kept warm, still get kisses, still feel secure in my home. I am not for sale again because my owner bought another horse, and this time a boy, and he is soooo good looking. I may be retired but I still know how to flirt  . I now have two best friends and this makes me feel very secure in my environment. So no, just because I am retired and no longer any use, I am not for sale. I have given my owner lots of fun cantering through the woods and she is repaying me by giving me a happy well deserved rest ;D. I still do give her many challenges though.. but then if I didn't I wouldn't be me, would I? That said, I also know that not everyone can keep horses as pets... |
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Post by laurac on Jan 9, 2012 22:06:07 GMT 1
My adverts I am a lovely soft 17.1hh ISH gentle giant and my mum has competed me succesfully for 3 yrs, BSJA (new to us both) and XC, unfortuantely i got arthritis aged 8, but mum wont sell me on as she loves me too much although she is very sad she cant compete in the ring anymore So if you want to buy me as a safe hack you cant me I'm not for sale. Me and my mum do that these days and love spending time together and wont be parted Sam ISH 1987 - 2005 I am a very handsome bay warmblood gelding, I am not old being just 9yrs and I have super paces! and everyone thinks I am a bit of a looker! but I am not worth much as I havent been ridden for 4 yrs due to my behaviour, lots of previous owners gave up with me and eventually I was px'd at a dealers yard So you could grab yourslef a bargain here!, but my mummy says she wont part with me as I have had a tough stressful life before she got me, I've given her a very hard time in the past but since she eventually found the right 'horse doctor' to sort out my pain I am begining to enjoy myself and realise my mummy is the best human person I have ever met and I shall be rewarding her for her dedication to me, I feel a little bad that I used to make her cry a lot but I know she loves me and I shall reward her dedication and we shall have lots of very happy times in the future  Big fella x |
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'been in same home 10 years, thought all my kids to ride, free to good home' makes me so sad and its so common....
