Finding Homes for Two Horses

[Trixie]

A retirement facility might be a good idea. Again, these aren’t my horses, but I did offer to see if I could find a home for them. And again, they’re owned by a school – like a montessori academy, not a riding school. They offer lessons to students at an added expense, and for younger children it is included in their tuition. To tell you the truth, depressing as it is, the administration dosen’t really care about the horses in general, they just like the fact that they are key moneymakers for the school, and draw in a lot of people.
While they aren’t throwing these horses out, they can stay forever for all they care, but they make the point that we need to have a certain amount of horses that can do two lessons daily, and if these guys stay, then it’s not productive for their business and that’s problematic. Our budget is unfortunately quite small, and most of the horses were donated at some point for some reason (as of recently we were given a horse with cancer for the summer, for example. We also had one that was to be a school horse after his leg healed, which took a while but he’s an extremely valuable school horse).

It’s two groups here: the ones that care about the horses, and the ones that run the financial aspects of the school. The financial guys say that in order to run this business successfully and not get shut down, we need to have only animals that we can use there. Otherwise, the barn becomes too much of an “expense” and if it ceases to make a profit, it will be closed. The ones that love the horses just want them to be happy.

Sure, we’ll drive them as far as we need to, but it’s difficult for us to come out and check on them if they’re so far away, and we want to make sure that they’re getting the best care that we can find for them. In our area, there are quite a few theraputic programs, and we’re hoping that one of them will take them. It seems like the best solution – these horses can walk around the ring for hours, but shouldn’t do much more than trot. They’d be well-cared for and well loved there, and that’s important to us.

What do retirement facilities cost, generally?

[Caros_Folks]

Trixie,

Don’t take this personally as I’m not directing my strong feelings on this subject at you. I understand what you are trying to do and admire your tenacity and desire to do the right thing.

I am frustrated at the mentality of the administration. However you want to word what they are saying, or how they are saying it, the end result is the same. The are not budgeting enough money to provide for the long term care of what appears to be a valuable and income generating part of their/your program. They really need to rethink their budget.

Imagine if your shoer showed up and handed you a bill for $75.00 and you said “Sorry, all I have is $50.00” Would he ever come back. What about when you buy stuff at the store and get to the cash register and the clerk says $10.00 and you say “All I have is…” you get the point. Just because they didn’t have the forsight to think about the retirement of these horses it doesn’t make the problem go away. It’s wrong of them to throw it back in your lap and effective say to you here is 10 lbs of Cr*p, make it fit in this 5Lb bag.

You seem like a compassionate and kind person who wants to make this program work for all involved. It’s your Boss I have a REAL problem with.

Do the parents of the students feel as strongly about the riding program as you? Can you get the school to sponsor some kind of a fund raiser (Paper Drive, Sell Candy Bars, etc) to earn some money to pay for a retirement facility?

When you say that the school wants you to give the same amount of lessons, is that because they carge per lesson? Can you raise the Lesson fees? Can you implement some other kind of once a year fee for riders to help cover costs? Who makes the budget at the school? Can you get the program reclassified into 2 different curriculums (I.E Phys Ed and maybe Arts and Sciences or maybe Agriculture and Suck more money out of the budget that way?

How old are these horses? Can the Drive (pull a cart) would they perhaps be useful in that respect?

Just a few ideas for you to think about…

I don’t want to sound to negative as I really do hope you will find a solution. But have you considered the fact that maybe the people who run this school really don’t deserve to have horses.

I know that eliminating the program would ultimately hurt the students, which is sad BUT riding is only part of being a good horseman/person.

Caring for the horses (of which retirement is a part), is also an important (If not more so) thing to learn/teach.

I know you care about these 2 guys and want to find them a good home. I really do wish you success!

[Caros_Folks]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spunky:
Caros, it sounds like you don’t need to worry about an expense such as this, even if it were for 20 years or more. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Huh? I don’t get it What do you mean? I am not a wealthy ($$-wise, that is) person if that is what you mean. I’m not broke (yet) either so I don’t really understand what you are trying to say?

At age 9, our Mare was diagnosed “Unsuitable” for virtually any kind of activity other than walking. The Vet said MAYBE a Trot BUT only on flat surfaces with excellent footing-no hills, no turns, just straight flat walking.

So, at that point, being that she is a young TB athletic thing, I knew she had to be retired. A very hard thing to come to grips with.

I went through a similar research situation as Trixie, looking at the options, making calls, trying to find the right place for her. At that time I did own another Horse. I eventually came to realize that since, I am NOT a rich guy-I had to sell the healthy one to be able to provide for the mare.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you are infering that I do not know about sacrafice and having to make hard decisions, I respectfully disagree.

I would also like to note that as far as your comments equating my desire for a horse license situation with People having children I see your logic but disagree with the linearity of it.

I do not think that you can compare Humans whose sentient capabilites operate on a totally different plane to that of a species of animal that we (Humans) have domesticated for our own purposes.

Anyway, when Children grow up they can leave their parents. How many Horses have the freedom to do the same?

The only reason I mentioned it was because I thought it was a good way to encourage future riders/owners to really learn about the needs of their horses BEFORE they jumped in with both feet. Sorry if it came across as exclusionary. I didn’t suggest it in order to keep people away from horses-in fact, I think EVERYONE should own/ride or just hang around and play with horses-I think the world would be a better place of they did. I just wish that we as humans would take our responsibility to them more seriously (And I don’t necessarily mean YOU personally).

[Caros_Folks]

I’m gonna be BRUTALLY honest here and I want to say that I thought these were YOUR horses so, since they are not this isn’t necessarily directed at you.

I don’t really know much about the school to which you refer and this places me at a disadvantage to comment, however, I can tell you that I understand that the school is a “Business” as you describe it.

Being a businessman myself I can tell you that there are certain depreciation costs that are involved with equipment that assists the business in generating a profit. In this case the “Equipment” is horses.

My point is that the administrators of this school have NOT considered the long term financial ramifications of owning horses and offering them as part of the practicum.

I find this 'We want our tuition money now and when the horse is ‘used up’ we’ll just cut it’s head off and move on" attitude TOTALLY REPUGNAMT. It is irresponsible, unethical, immoral and they should be ashamed of themselves.

I knew that the day we got our Mare (like the rest of our animals) that it was a LIFELONG COMMITMENT. For better or for worse. I knew they were not disposable and that if things should go “sideways” or if she could no longer ‘serve’ us that I would NOT throw her away but rather provide for her a way to live out the rest of her life with dignity and as much comfort as we can afford.

I have always thought that there should be some kind of a license that allows people to own/ride horses. They have this in Germany and I think some other European countries. It consists of a written exam as well as a riding test. I think this test would not only help ‘qualify’ those that ride/own horses but also do a lot to increase the quality of lif of many of these noble animals who give us so much.

That being said, I think the school should start changing the way the think about their riding program and ‘put a little something away’ to take care of these apparently valuable assets to their program when it comes time for them to retire. I’ll bet all of the administrators have a 401K Plan or some other kind of retirement plan-why don’t their horses?

Retirement facilties vary in price. Professional facilties usually charge $130+ per month. I was lucky and found a friend who has a farm and land and other retired horses and I pay about $100/month (sorry she’s all full up now). Maybe you can find a sympathetic Farmer who has some pasture space?

Good Luck!

[Bumpkin]

Could you go to the school’s PTA and get some support from them, and perhaps get the students involved in an annual fundraiser to support these horses?

[breezymeadow]

Even if you decide not to use them, they’ve been placing horses for some time, & may have some additional useful suggestions for you if you explain your situation.

Just remember that I HAVE NOT had any personal experience with them outside of finding their website an enjoyable place to visit. For all I know, they could be all flash & no pan, but I am sure that with your caring attitude you’d be able to figure that out quickly.

Best of luck, & don’t stop posting - this is a learning experience for everyone.

[Trixie]

Hey,

 We have two horses that have pretty much too old for lessons now -- although they're sweet-tempered and healthy, they're just too old to be ridden. Unfortunately, we can't afford to keep horses that we can't use in lessons, so we'd like to give them away as pasture companions or horses that are used for indoor lessons or something.
 My question is, what would be the best way to go about doing this? Local newspaper, local horse publication, or the Chronicle? We'd like for them to have the best homes that they can... Has anyone else done this? Any suggestions?

thanks,
Sarah

[Quinn]

Caros Folks.

Well said and my sentiments exactly. This issue has always been a major thorn in my side.

I too, find this type of mentality repugnant. If you use these animals to “make money” then in my estimation, you owe them. Period. Thanks for speaking “my mind.”

[breezymeadow]

QUOTE:
Also, there is no way whatsoever that we’re sending them to a horse rescue. They don’t deserve that, and we’re not going to reward their years of hard work by sending them to a rescue. We’re going to place them in a home, theraputic riding, or retirement facility that we choose and find to be adequate – NO MATTER WHAT.
UNQUOTE.

First of all, just how much “quality care” do you think your guys are going to get at a “retirement facility” that charges a fee that will be within your “budget”??? Farms that charge $100-$125/month normally have herds of animals turned out in large pastures with “some” source of water, hay & grain “as necessary”, & any farrier/vet additional. THINK ABOUT IT - how much hay/grain do you think your seniors are going to get for $100/$125 per month??? More legitimate retirement centers that charge more would probably not be more of a savings against what you could provide keeping your horses at your facility.
The only reason I suggested “Crossed Sabers”, is that they WORK not only with private individuals & farms, but also with people looking for companion animals, and they not only do CONSTANT QUALITY CHECKS (which you do not get at many retirement facilities), but they also allow the donor to participate in these checks. Where else do you get that kind of assistance unless you can find a private home right next door?? Did you even look at their website or speak to them before thumbing them down??

I wasn’t suggesting that you just turn these poor horses “over to rescue”. Give me a little credit!!

[Spunky]

Caros, sorry if I offended. I respect that as an individual, we each make our own decisions based on our experience and circumstances. The decision to keep an unrideable horse and not to keep your rideable horse is indeed a very large sacrifice.

However, it is not a decision I would make. I would probably opt for humane euthanization, and continue my enjoyment of riding and competing with my horse, which for me is an important part of horse ownership. I am sure that this is far easier to say than it would be to do.

Forgive me if I misunderstood what you wrote. I clearly read more into your posts than what you had intended to convey.

Spunky

[Smart_Alec]

its so tricky to find a good situation for horses that can no longer be ridden. Can they do trail rides at all/ or an occasional pony ride? If not, I would post them as companion animals, if that is possible. Sometimes, someone will need another horse or goat to keep their horse company. I would post in tack stores, the Want Ad, local newspapers, local barns, etc. See if you could maybe ask to view the home they are going to live in or maybe a background check so you have a better idea of where they will be. Be really cautious and good luck.