Also take your father to visit your horse at his new barn as often as he feels like going to visit. Both your father and your horse will be cheered by the visits.
Can’t thank you all enough for the advice. I feel much more prepared! I went to see my Dad and Red yesterday and the ranch is green so I let him out to graze our 5 acres. That’s what I am most worried about - moving him from a 2 acre pasture to a 24x24. Is that a terrible transition to do to a horse, or do you think he will be happier having less space, but more attention and other horses around? That is the one aspect of the move I’m most concerned with.
You can buy him green alfalfa cubes and soak them in lots of water and if you can find green alfalfa hay, soak that, and he’ll have his greenery w/o being on pasture. A soaked green alfalfa flake a day in addition to his normal hay and feed will make him happy. Horses adapt pretty well and since they are herd animals, he should love having neighbors if the horses on either side of him are friendly. Don’t stress too much. Sometimes the move is harder on the owner than on the horse.
You are probably right! I think he’s going to be happier overall - I’m just being a worry wart 
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Don’t worry about worrying! Horses are always getting into trouble. Just do your best, and then go home and have a glass of wine. Being neurotic about horses is normal. Because there is always some problem. Just be glad you’ve had your horse and your father this long. Here’s hoping your father goes into remission and both he and your horse live 10 more years…each.
Well, if you confine a horse, it is up to us to then take them out religiously for some exercise.
As long as you do that, or have someone do it when you can’t, he should be ok.
I expect at home in his 2 acres he spends most of the time standing in one spot?
That is what our pasture horses do, wander a bit, graze a bit, then stand or take naps most of the time.
The more room a horse has, the better, of course, but in life, some times all of us have trade-offs to make and we manage anyway.
That is exactly right. He runs around a bit when its feeding time, but besides that he just stands in one of his two favorite spots. I will be putting him in the turn out every day at lunch and weekends if I’m not riding, so he’ll have plenty of time to stretch his legs and move. Thanks for the help!
My 32 year old.
She uses energy to regulate her body temp, that is energy that you can save by blanketing or cooling her.
She eats very little hay but enjoys dunking what she can manage. Alfalfa = liquid poop.
She eats huge amounts of complete senior feed (Triple Crown) with rice bran pellets.
She is turned out with younger horses and benefits by moving around more with them, if somewhat slowly.
A couple things, offered as encouragement — you might be surprised at how well he handles the move. Think of it like moving Grandma to assisted living. Once he settles in, he may really enjoy bingo night even more than sitting by himself in front of the tv. Also, I know our vet referred a 24-y-o Arab to the dental specialist vet for major dental work and the mare has done amazingly well now that she’s not in constant pain and fighting infection. If your horse needs dental work, he needs dental work (if he doesn’t, he doesn’t) but with the right professionals involved, age shouldn’t be the limiting factor.
Don’t make yourself crazy creating a habit of going to the barn 3 times a day. Find a routine you can live with. Create a system that’s sustainable, even if that means working with another boarder to pick each other’s pens or throwing feed to each other’s horses. Think ahead to what you’ll do if you need to spend a couple days with your dad and need to ask someone else to look after your horse.
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Hi Everyone! I wanted to give you guys an update since your advice and tips were so helpful!
Sadly, my Dad passed away on Feb. 15th so I was in a sudden rush to get my horse moved. I took into consideration everything you all suggested and we got him moved yesterday without a hitch!!! He was absolutely incredible - followed me right into the trailer like an old pro, only had minor sweat during the drive, walked into his new home, met his neighbors, and started eating/drinking like it was nothing.
I cannot tell you what a massive relief this was for me! I had the vet come check him last week before being moved and he said he was looking good. I opted to have advanced dentistry done to get him in shape and our vet agreed and said for his age, his mouth looks great! He was vaccinated and given a clean bill of health. He’s been putting on weight the last month or so since I started having more say in his care (my step mom finally agreed to work with me when she knew I’d be taking over eventually) and everything went better than I could have imagined. Now I have him 5 minutes from my house and am about to take a lunch break to go spend some time with him.
It’s been a very difficult month losing my Dad and feeling the stress of moving Red, but I can’t thank you all enough for the incredible help and advice during this process. I love the horse community! Red and I are both happy and being able to ride when I want will help heal my heart. Thanks you all!
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Sorry for your loss but glad to hear Red acted like the veteran he is. You can take some comfort from that old horse, he can deal as we all can, in stressful situations.
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