Accepting being priced out of the hobby

[Simkie]

@sportyspicepony

That’s a really sad and unfortunate way to look at a relationship with an animal that you went out of your way to obtain. I don’t agree with that stance at all.

It’s really unfortunate that you view a kind death as the worst thing that can happen to a horse. They live in the now, not tomorrow. There are so many reasons euthanasia might be the best choice, ranging from lameness to the inability to continue to care for an animal.

The future can be bleak for horses that are unusable. Even with best intentions, bad things can happen. You think that situation at Byrd’s retirement farm is particularly unique?

There are just so many things worse than a kind end on a sunny day after a bucket of carrots.

[sportyspicepony]

@Bluey

I think that will go right over the heads of those that have not really given all of this a deep thought yet, that have lived in kind of sheltered situations, reality restricted to being inflexible working.
Life is not like that, not for long, has a way to teach us to be a little more kind to others in situations where the best is still … imperfect.

I hope you’re not referring to me, because I literally just said that I went through all of this with my own horse and that I would be grateful to have her back as a pasture puff

[sportyspicepony]

@Simkie

It’s really unfortunate that you view a kind death as the worst thing that can happen to a horse. They live in the now, not tomorrow. There are so many reasons euthanasia might be the best choice, ranging from lameness to the inability to continue to care for an animal.

The future can be bleak for horses that are unusable. Even with best intentions, bad things can happen. You think that situation at Byrd’s retirement farm is particularly unique?

There are just so many things worse than a kind end on a sunny day after a bucket of carrots.

I never said this and in fact I clarified that I think euthanizing for quality of life is a responsible decision. That poster only values their horse as long as they can be ridden and that’s what I think is truly sad.

[Simkie]

@sportyspicepony

I never said this and in fact I clarified that I think euthanizing for quality of life is a responsible decision. That poster only values their horse as long as they can be ridden and that’s what I think is truly sad.

Exactly: you think a kind death in situations you deem “sad” as the worst thing that can happen to a horse.

[sportyspicepony]

I think just don’t get a horse if you are gonna just throw it away as soon as you can’t use it anymore? You don’t think that’s a sad way to look at this?

[Bluey]

@sportyspicepony

I think just don’t get a horse if you are gonna just throw it away as soon as you can’t use it anymore? You don’t think that’s a sad way to look at this?

Except that is not what happens when someone doesn’t has any more use and finances to carry on with one horse. Horse is sold or euthanized if not sold because of being incompatible with most any other way to manage what to do with the horse.
If everyone that bred a horse was supposed to keep it all it’s life, how many could afford or have any interest or life situation to do that?

As is, most people today can take care of their retired horses, but is no shame if they find they can’t, I think is what others are trying to explain.

[sportyspicepony]

I’m not arguing with you people anymore lol maybe this is actually my sign that I just can’t do horses anymore

[Simkie]

@sportyspicepony

I think just don’t get a horse if you are gonna just throw it away as soon as you can’t use it anymore? You don’t think that’s a sad way to look at this?

Yeah, it’s not that black and white.

In the same vein, someone could ask why you had a horse at all if you weren’t prepared to spend any value to save her life.

Not that I would, but that’s the argument you’re making.

[Texarkana]

@sportyspicepony

I think just don’t get a horse if you are gonna just throw it away as soon as you can’t use it anymore? You don’t think that’s a sad way to look at this?

@CHT said “riding goals” but I really suspect you are taking that too literally. As it was said above, to me, “riding goals” simply mean being able to be ridden by someone.

No, I don’t think a person should euthanize their show horse because he can’t win top ribbons or advance up the levels. That horse may not meet the rider’s goals, but still has more than emotional value for someone and can be rehomed.

Yet if a person buys a horse to ride, but the horse becomes permanently unrideable due to illness or injury, why should euthanasia be off the table? Rehoming such a horse is a huge risk.

The latter is what I mean by “riding goals.”

[libgrrl]

Perhaps it far from “as soon as.”

[pn]

People like you ar SO appreciated. Most of us don’t want to take advantage. Most of my barn population is like you. Always ready to
Pitch in. It does not go unnoticed and you will get extra care or consideration because of it. It’s the ones that take take take take, and head out because they feel they pay for the service, which they absolutely do. No issue! It’s when they want additional little favours that I just kind of go, no, don’t think it’s worth it because they don’t think I’m worth it.

[Jealoushe]

Financial strain Vs owners personal goals are two very different things to me.

Makes me sad to think of a perfectly healthy older horse who probably gave its owner YEARS of good times being PTS so Sally can go get a new horse to show. That’s a no from me dawg.

A horses is value is far far more than just being ridden.

[quietann]

The price of board and vet bills is pricing a lot of people out. It’s not a matter of not being able to afford training.

[Texarkana]

@Jealoushe

Financial strain Vs owners personal goals are two very different things to me.

Makes me sad to think of a perfectly healthy older horse who probably gave its owner YEARS of good times being PTS so Sally can go get a new horse to show. That’s a no from me dawg.

But how often is that happening?

If the horse is truly perfectly healthy (and sound), finding a home for a made horse is not that hard. Nor is their care all that expensive, so it’s a lot easier to find companion homes, etc.

But when Sally’s beloved horse develops a debilitating lameness that requires expensive maintenance for even just pasture soundness, is she wrong for considering euthanasia? (Rhetorical)

I feel like the latter is the situation most owners find themselves in.

And I still think PTS is better than what many people used to do (and still do): quietly dump their old horses off at an auction or dealer and never speak of it again.

[clanter]

@Tucker5

If horses did not have a purpose then they would not exist.

true statement at least for me

[Jealoushe]

I have no idea if it’s happening but a poster here said it’s something they would do.

Is it really that easy to find companion homes for so called “useless but healthy” horses? I didn’t think it was especially in this economy.

Please reread my posts where I specifically said this comment was based on that one scenario only, I said it several times.

[FjordBCRF]

@Jealoushe

Is it really that easy to find companion homes for so called “useless but healthy” horses? I didn’t think it was especially in this economy.

This has very much been my impression.

[FjordBCRF]

The specific comments in question read to me as horses are just disposable, which (correct me if I’m wrong) sounds to me like where @Jealoushe and @sportyspicepony may also be coming from.

SO and I were doing some retirement planning over the weekend. Depending at what age I retire, I will be LUCKY for my gelding to be between 26 and 31 and full well plan on retiring him whenever he decides it’s time. He will be with me until the end be it on his own terms or if I have to make a quality of life decision. There are a lot of variables over that timeframe; if something happens to him younger would I get a second horse? If I could afford it sure. If I couldn’t, just discarding him to afford a second wouldn’t be an option for me. If his quality of life was poor, that is another story. If he ages into retirement with me, that would be awesome. If that happens, I don’t know if I would get another horse after he passes or not depending on what our retirement life looks like. I think I would have to have some fjord in my life and probably wouldn’t do well cold turkey!

[quietann]

It’s very difficult, and this makes sense. The whole point of this thread is that it’s getting more and more expensive to keep horses, and most people do want to ride, so why would they put their $$$ towards a horse that someone else owned and used up?

[luvmyhackney]

I keep my horses at home and prices have sky rocketed. My costs are up 55% this year.

I can afford them, but I spend so much time working for the $,barn upkeep, chores, I don’t have time to enjoy them. Not sure if it’s worth it anymore honestly.