Early retirement?

[gertie06]

My 16 year old gelding has had to step down this year due to an injury. At this point, he gets a LOT of maintenance (injections, Legend, Previcox, and feed-through joint supplements) just to do flatwork and jump 2’6 once a week.

I’m totally neurotic about this horse. Leasing him is out of the question. I’d be the worst lessor ever. Plus he’s not the easiest horse to ride. You won’t see him toting someone around long stirrup!

Maybe it’s best to just retire him early. Yes, he’s mostly sound, but it takes a lot to keep him that way. And I’m not able to accomplish my riding goals on him anymore. I even tried to transition to dressage, but I didn’t love it.

I don’t know what to DOOOOO, but it weighs heavy on my heart every day. He’s a primadonna show pony, and I think he likes his show barn routine. He’s not even a big fan of turnout. I really don’t know that he’d enjoy retirement at this stage.

Any feedback or ideas?

(Edited to add that I unfortunately don’t have the time to ride two horses)

[candyappy]

Do you keep him at home? I guess for me that would be a huge factor as paying board and all the medical and supplements seems like a huge expense and at 16 he probably has many years left.

I would at least try him in a turn out with nice shelter type of living and see if he adjusts over time. It really is hard sometimes to know what to do.

[anon81364900]

I’d probably retire him to a 24/7 turnout situation. He’ll adjust (most horses really are quite content to be a pasture puff).And the constant low-grade movement will probably be good for him. If by next fall he’s not staying sound as a pasture ornament with reasonable levels of maintenance care, then it’s time to ignore his age and euthanize.

[gertie06]

I do not have my own property @candyappy . I’m paying for his show barn board on top of everything else. My thought is that I could retire him somewhere nice, and keep a new one in the program, for not much more than I’m paying today to keep this horse sound.

[Scribbler]

Horses love the human contact in a boarding barn because they don’t get much interaction with other horses.

But they really are so happy out 24/7 in a compatible stable herd with shelter grass and not too much mud. Being around other horses is really comfortable to them even if they don’t seem actively playful or affectionate.

[joiedevie99]

He’ll adjust to retirement. There are plenty of slightly cushy retirement places around who will gently transition him to being out if you are worried about how he will adjust.

[chestnutmarebeware]

There’s no shame in early retirement! But some horses HATE 24/7 turnout. Ask me how I know!

My TBs never adjusted to even 8 hours of turnout. They like coming in to eat, and to sleep in peace. I kept them at the barn we’d been at for years, and they get pampering from me, and lots of attention from the other boarders.

[gertie06]

@Scribbler, thank you for that – it was soothing to read. He spends a lot of time alone right now. I feel sorry for him. I bet you’re right. I bet he will be so happy with friends.

[roccoddd]

I’m 60 and I am still full working. Currently have been working on a very important project with the guys from https://thewordpoint.com/services/translation-service/rfp-translation-services. But I have a couple of friends retired around 55 from teaching. Again, full pensions and medical insurance. All raised children and put them through college:)

[HeyJealousy]

My guy had to retire at age 13 and he was very much used to the pampered lifestyle. He got turned out into a small herd (mostly donkeys, a few older horses) and he absolutely LOVES it. I have a feeling your guy would transition fine, as well. Not an easy decision, so I wish you luck with whatever you decide.