Retirement Options for an Older Horse

[Hoagie]

My mother has a 21 year old gelding that she is looking for a nice pasture for him to retire in. He was her show horse for many years and he recently hurt himself in the field. He has healed, but can't jump anymore. We are looking for a place to put him, ideally as a companion for someone where he can enjoy his last years and be loved on. We are in the Newport News area of Virginia and didn't know if anyone had any suggestions for us. I appreciate it!

[DieBlaueReiterin]

are you looking for something within driving distance? a private family? a retirement facility? a give away? a place where you would pay upkeep? if so what is your limit? all this will help us help you :)

[dainty do]

Be very careful. I tried to find a situation like the one you are describing and it met with a near sad ending. Lucky for me, I was able to rescue my horse back in time, but there are many sad stories here on COTH.

In a nutshell, I thought I found the perfect retirement home for my horse. The lady had a farm, and wanted a horse to ride occasionally and to perhaps teach a few WTC lessons on. She wound up being a dealer and tried to sell my horse. When that didn't happen he came close to starving. She initially promised me that I could see him anytime, but then changed her story and wouldn't let me come out to see him. Finally, with the bad economy, she realized that she was not going to be able to sell him, and let me have him back. But being a thoroughbred, he was in awful shape. I had never seen a horse more skinny. He is still recovering.

If you give an older horse to someone, there is a good chance you might not see him again, and he may have a sad end. I do want you to know this because I found out the hard way.

[Hoagie]

It would be nice to have someone within driving distance, that way she could visit often. I am not sure if she is open to the option of giving him away, I mean we certainly wouldn't expect money for him, but I think she still wants him to be hers. But we are open to options of a private family farm or retirement facility. Where he is boarded now they take excellent care of him, but we are just looking to cut the costs since he is retired now. Hope this all helps!

[PinkPonies]

I semi-retired my horse this last year. I found a small barn with about 12 boarded horses. My board is only $175 per month for basic pasture board. He's out on 100 acres and they bring them in if it gets really cold or snowy. It took me about 6 months to find a place I liked, and it's a bit of a drive, but SO worth it. He's super happy. Maybe just start looking for places like that. I found my place by placing a wanted ad on the "farm" section of Craigslist - someone suggested it.

[lovemyoldguy]

You might want to also ask your vet and other vet practices in the area...I found two different places for my gelding over the years through word of mouth.

I second what Dainty Do said - I had a bad experience involving two of my other horses. I was able to get them back, but in bad shape. Just be careful who you pick and make sure you can see the horse regularly.

Finally, and this might be a longshot, would a therapy program be at all suitable? I did this with one of my retirees and he had the *best* life there.

[beautifuldreamer]

My daughter was given a free lease on a wonderful 20 year old horse. We treat her like she is our own. She gets exercised a few times a week, fussed over and groomed. I cannot tell you which party is more happy with the arrangement! The big winners here though is the horse and my daughter. We pay her board, and other upkeep. Our arrangement is that when either the horse or our daughter are "done" with each other, we return the horse to the owner.

-Liz

[Windswept Stable]

Perhaps board options a few hours away would be cheaper? I am not sure how much your board is.
In our areas--stall board is about $450 a month.(plus extra for hard keepers) If you want him outside, there are places in this area (Harrisonburg, VA) that charge less and they will take darn good care.
Boarding senior citizens can be an expensive endeavor -as they often become hard keepers and require more upkeep than one would want to think.
I would be happy to give you a list from up this way, if you want one.

[Hoagie]

Thanks for all of the responses. I think for this guy being a companion for another horse would be right up his alley. I am not sure he has the personality for theraputic (spelling??) riding unfortunately. I will definitely ask our vet, that is an idea I had not thought of. I think we would prefer to have him close because we have owned him since he was 8 years old, it would break our heart to not see him often.

[dab]

Check out this list http://www.ushja.org/programs/retire_facil.shtml

[Hoagie]

Thanks for the link, I will check it out!

[FairWeather]

Hoagie, if she is willing to cover his costs, I know of a PHENOMENAL retirement facility, and can vouch for the care in the MD/VA area. Super reasonable, great care. We have 13 horses there and I never have to worry about a thing other than paying the bill.
email me if you want more info.