Hi guys,
when I was 18 we bought a family horse when i sold my show horse to go to university. she was very important to me, especially since i went through some medical hell, and she was calm and lovely and let me ride her when she could have taken advantage of my health but she never put a foot wrong. I taught her to jump and we did the 3 foot when i was in university. i eventually sold her due to my lack of funds to take care of her. She has now come up for sale to a retirement home, and my heart strings are being pulled. Could I afford her right now? I could with some minor sacrifices. It’ll take a chunk out of my salary just to get her to where I am now, and I have just been leasing up to now so I could have some monetary relief. My boyfriend isnt crazy about the idea of me buying her back, but she was so special to me im really torn. i dont think she’ll end up in a bad place if i dont take her- and im sure other people in her life love her as much as I do- she was so special to me. is it a good idea? shes older so i dont think id do much riding on her, maybe just walk around. I could potentially continue to lease me current half lease while keeping her. I keep finding ways in my mind that I could make this work. is this a good idea or am i just blinded by how much I loved this horse? I know I would have to be the one to put her down in a couple of years as well, in all likelihood. she’s 19 now, but 19 looks different on different horses- i’ve known dressage horses at 25 that were in work consistently and looked amazing, and Ive known 12 year olds who needed to retire outright. so i don’t know which one she is, really. she was so important to me, my sanity through really tough times in my life, and I feel like if i dont take her back im letting her down. and i feel like im getting older too, and being older shouldnt mean you’re valued any less- even though some days it feels like that. I don’t know, what are all your thoughts? Im so torn.
Should I buy back…
Yes
Everyone else is likely thinking the same thing.
That’s the crack older, used up horses slip through
Could you buy her and find a nice lease for her current level to help pay the bills. She would be safe, but it wouldn’t be so hard financially.
As you brought it up I feel free to ask. What would you do as an individual if there were no boyfriend involved?
I would buy her back in a minute. But he’s the responsible one- I’m a little bit of a dreamer sometimes.
I guess I’m worried that i look irresponsible, but I always wanted to buy another horse- this is just a slightly older and slightly sooner opportunity to do so…
this is a great idea! I’d have to find her just the right leaser. 
Taking care of a loved one is never irresponsible.
If he’s used up someday, would bf be ok with you walking away and passing his care on to someone else?
There are not enough way to say YES.
19 isn’t that old for many schoolies. Find an up-down barn and see if they need another horse. She sounds kind, and just right for beginners.
Maybe your boyfriend should learn to ride.
Buy her back! Long story short, I did this and saved the mare from going on “the truck”. I deeply regret selling her in the first place to a person who I thought was a good home, they sold her on and the mare suffered badly. Fate intervened on an Easter morning (true!) and I was able to buy her back.
Agree with @aregard about a good beginner program but maybe also a therapeutic program. You could ride her out enough to keep her fresh mentally but the work itself wouldn’t be too taxing physically (I would assume, anyway).
Lorne Greene bought the horse that he rode on Bonanza (and also ridden by James Arness on Gunsmoke) to make sure he would be cared for the rest of his life. The horse was placed with a therapeutic riding program, where he passed away at age 45.
I’m in the “buy her back” camp. You just never know. Very cool about Lorne Greene. I knew I liked that guy!!!
You’ve come to the home of enablers.
If you can afford her - board, feed, vet bills, farrier, dentals, and the myriad other things that come with taking care of seniors, like senior feed and hock injections - then yes, bring her home. If you haven’t cared for a senior before, know that they often need “extras” as they get older.
As @Angela_Freda said - this is how older horses fall through the cracks. Everyone thinks everyone else will jump on the chance to give them a home - so no one does.
guys… is this really happening? I think it’s really happening!! Sent a message to my trailer guy, confirming things, finding a board spot
I miss her. we can be old together. who would have thought id get her back in my thirties.
Best news ever…brings tears to my eyes.
What a wonderful happy ending. Your reunion with her will be so special.
i’ll have to provide pictures of this happy reunion. i wonder if she remembers me. i have just sent the boyfriend the “im doing it” message, uh oh.
Yes get her and post pictures!
As far as the boyfriend, pffft. if you arent married he doesn’t get a say
This is great! 
everything works out smoothly! A fellow client where I board just brought her old horse (she may have been just leased out, not sure) back for a beginner to learn the ropes on and it is the best thing ever.
