Retirement Boarding Options

[ADM7040]

I have sold my farm and now need to find the right place for my retired horse to live out his golden years. Fitz is a very healthy and sound 21 year old, Irish Sport Horse Gelding. He is an easy keeper and has been barefoot and retired the past 5 years. He grows a thick Irish winter coat and has lived unblanketed since I stopped clipping him in winter. Currently, we are in South Jersey, but I am open to nearby states in order to retire him in the style I believe he would want.

As well as Fitz handles cold, snow and rain, he absolutely detests being outside in the heat of full sun with flies eating him up. My barn has a huge side porch plus the stall doors are open. Fitz generally chooses to spend hot summer days in his stall in front of his fan, while occasionally stepping outside for short periods to graze before coming back inside. During the winter, he chooses to spend the majority of his time outside and comes in only when it is both wet and cold outside, regular snow does not bother him. He keeps weight with just grazing and free fed hay with a little bit of a ration balancer to make sure he gets all his needed vitamins and minerals. He has a gentle temperament and tends to be more dominant in herd situations, but not aggressive. He is big and solid, 16.2+ hands and size 3 feet. He has been sound and barefoot while retired.

The ideal situation would be a full care pasture board. A place where he could retire to a big grassy pasture with shade trees and shed for shelter and other horses for company. I would want somewhere they would check on him daily since I would only be able to visit once a week or so. Since I live in South Jersey currently, someplace within a 2 hour drive would make visiting him easier. I have owned Fitz since he was an unbroken 3 year old and he’s the last of my former eventers. All the others lived out their retirement years with me and I’m going to miss seeing him daily as I have for the past 18 years.

I’m hoping other people can give me some recommendations on where and how to find a good place to board him for his retirement years. Also, I would appreciate hearing from others what they look for in a potential retirement situation such as this where you won’t be able to see the horse daily. Any and all advice and recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Annabelle

[Critter]

If you are on Facebook, there is a group called South Jersey Equestrian Community…you might post there to find out which farms have openings. There are actually a few retirement places depending on what part of SJ you are looking at…I remember seeing one advertised out towards Elmer not that long ago. We shut down our boarding barn and one client with an older retired mare found a spot in Hammonton area that has a set up similar to what you are looking for. Maybe ask your vet…they often know the best kept secret retirement spots!

[islgrl]

following… interested in a larger geographic area so a place where it is okay to be an absentee owner…

(east of the Mississippi…)

[joiedevie99]

I have an amazing place that would fit the bill, but I think it will be too far for you. It’s in Dutchess County NY.

[SMF11]

I board retired horses as you describe (but am too far from you). I always suggest asking your vet, as they will know all the area properties, which ones offer what you are looking for, and which ones offer great care (or not).

For those not near their horses, many farms post pictures of the horses so you can keep track of how they are looking from a distance. I have owners that visit several times a week, and a couple that have moved thousands of miles away.

[clanter]

@SMF11

and which ones offer great care (or not)

we had new to the practice vet come into our barn, as entered the barn he stopped and the first thing he said “your barn does not smell like urine” which caused me to reply that we try to keep the place clean, he said many do not

[merrygoround]

There is aplace in Va that answers your description. I have known of horses sent there, and the owners visited from time to time, not infrequently,and were very happy.

Historic Long Branch | About Us |

https://www.visitlongbranch.org/horse-retirement/ Farm Manager Joe (BJ) Lewis at (540) 837-1856

[SMF11]

Is that within a 2 hour drive of South Jersey? That was one of the OP’s requirements. There are many less expensive places to retire horses down South.

[merrygoround]

Depending on where in SJ the OP is located .it could well be over 3 hours.

Having seen and heard of many “retitrement farms”, this place is palatial.and quite reasonable.