Retirement Homes

[ElbowRockFarm]

Hello! I know this isn’t quite hunting related, but I thought this audience might be helpful.

I have a rescue TB that I picked up this summer. He’s a very sweet boy, and we were hoping he might make a good low level eventer and field hunter. My husband and I both ride, so he was going to hopefully work for one or both of us. Well, after about 3-4 months of training and rehab it has become clear that he is not sound enough for our plans. X-rays a few weeks ago showed ringbone in his front pasterns. He is quiet and might make a good pleasure or light trail horse.

So here’s my dilemma…a horse like this is a very hard give-away right now. I would love to find him a person to love him and give him a job, but this might not be realistic. I also don’t have time and space to care for another pasture ornament right now. I am looking into letting him just retire. He raced for many years, and I feel he deserves a good life.

Do you have an suggestions for reasonable retirement homes? I know this group has a lot of contacts in the VA/Carolinas where more retirement home exist than here in soon-to-be-frozen New England. Thank you for your help!!

[Hinderella]

Paradigm farms is a lovely retirement farm. But it is not a rescue, you would be paying board/fees/etc.

You could also consider posting your horse onthe Chronicle giveaways forum.

[ElbowRockFarm]

I would love to be able to find him a new home, but if not, I am willing to support him. I took him on, so I feel as though I have a bit of an obligation to him. So, I was hoping to find a nice, but reasonable retirement home for him in case I can’t place him. Just trying to check out my options right now. I know there are quite a few out there, so looking for input. Feel free to PM me as well. Thanks!

[shiningwizard255]

My horse is retired and I just pasture board her with a friend. She’s as happy as a clam grazing and being with friends all day. Is that an option if you don’t have the room at your place, pasture boarding somewhere close to you?

[Painted_Wings]

What about a local therapeutic riding center?

[SidesaddleRider]

For a retirement home, I would recommend Hunt Ridge Stables at Blue Ridge Farm in Upperville, VA (which is a fixture of the Piedmont Foxhounds). I have one of mine retired there, and another COTH poster also has a horse there. The farm itself is 500+ acres, with gorgeous fields, great grass, and the retiree field is lightly populated and lush. All 3-board fencing, huge run-in shed, and constant running water source. Fed grain 1x/day, wormed monthly, trimmed 4-5x year, checked daily. The BM is a vet tech, and is also a breeder and racehorse owner (and many of her ex-racehorses have turned into simply lovely hunt horses). The care is excellent, the price is reasonable, and the horses are fat and happy. PM if you want contact info.