Tuesday, November 22, 2022

On Rehoming Horses

 I’ve written about this before, but just responded to yet another person on a horse-focused group “casually posting to see if someone wants my beloved horse” who is “mostly retired from riding but could do some walking on trails” and has “minor maintenance needs.”

We who live with horses all know this horse. Most of us also know what happens to these horses once they leave the love of their people and get out into the world of auctions and people trying to flip living creatures to make a little money.

A lot of people responded to this horse owner suggesting she give the horse to a therapy barn. For anyone who doesn’t know, using horses for therapy is a big thing now. I do not disagree in any way that horses are amazing therapists. However, last night, after seeing 9 clients and coming down at 8 p.m. after that very long work day, my brain was numb. My emotional self was drained. When I read this long thread where people were recommending therapy barns right and left all I could think of was oh, please do not do that. 

I’m pasting my response below. I could write an entire treatise on this but maybe my nutshell says it just as clearly. In hindsight I should have put the final sentence into ALL CAPS. 

I’m going to add to all the good info people are sharing that while finding a spot as a therapy horse is an option and can sound like a good solution, it is not always that for the horse. Being asked to carry or be handled by special needs children and adults is an actual job, and it can be stressful. I write this as a human therapist who knows that what I do takes a lot of energy and horses are infinitely more sensitive than humans. Some horses enjoy the work of therapy but not all do, and I don’t think anyone should look at it as a default option for a horse. I’m living with my almost 34-year old heart horse, my son’s 18-year old horse, my daughter’s 22-year old pony, and two teenaged miniature donkeys that came to be companions for my now passed on 30-year old mare. Right now I do not have a horse I can ride, three are on Prascend, and one gets monthly chiro, acupuncture and Legend injections to keep him happy. I wouldn’t let any of them go anywhere at this point. Life does throw us curve balls and I am not making any judgment here. But I do think we all need to consider all the possible curve balls when we bring any animal into our home and care and add retirement care expenses in to our decision making when we commit to them. The stress of moving to a new location, new herd, and new humans is not a small thing for a horse.


10 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

Don’t get me started on a rant! I’m of the belief that once you take on the responsibility of a horse you take care of that horse for life. These people seem to forget the way their horses have taken care of them, loved them and given them pleasure for years. So, what’s their reward for that…throw them away for a newer healthier model? And putting an ad in the paper you will never know what really happens to that horse in the future. I’m guessing nothing good will come from a person who responds to an ad for an older horse with health problems. You’re absolutely correct that it will be too stressful for a horse like this to be rehomed. The only humane and safe way for a horse like this is to be given to someone you know and trust to give him a good loving home for his remaining years.

billie said...

It is so weird to me to read these kinds of posts where people somehow think that rehoming a horse with needs related to medical conditions, old age, or old injuries is something they can do with an ad. I just cannot imagine it. And that being a therapy horse is some kind of regal retirement. I just wish people would think about what a move will do to a horse. Actually what I really wish is that people would consider every aspect of horse care from the time they buy a horse until its death and then do what is needed to insure they can meet the needs from beginning to end, whether they keep the horse at home or board them. And the “casually looking” thing really gets to me. There is nothing casual about breaking the bonds a horse has to his people, his herd, his place, his routine.

Sorry to get you on a rant right before the holiday weekend! Let’s both do a little roar and let that be it for now! :)))

Grey Horse Matters said...

Have a great Thanksgiving!

billie said...

You too and hugs to J for me!

Kathleen said...

This is such a sad reality for many horses, probably most. Accepting the responsibility of caring for any animal should be a lifelong commitment. It's why I've never had a horse of my own as much as I've always wanted one. I can't understand how flippantly people treat the decision to rehome horses though I realize that sometimes there are unfortunate circumstances and it can't be avoided.

billie said...

I can’t tell you how many times I have had people contact me to ask if I wanted their “heart horse” because he/she was old/retired/needed special care and they needed to get a new horse to ride/compete! Honestly, if your horse has given his all to you in the competition world and you are rehoming him so you can go buy another horse to continue the cycle, then I have absolutely zero sympathy for you but every sympathy for your horses. Sigh. My answer is always no, I can’t take your horse because I have made lifetime commitments to my own horses so they never have to leave their herd, their home, or their people.

It’s just a fact of horse life, I guess. You’re so amazing to have not gotten a horse because you knew you couldn’t make that commitment! I know this is going to sound ridiculous given our (thus far failed, on my end, totally) efforts to even have a visit here, but if we can ever figure out how to make it happen, you are more than welcome to come and hang out with my herd. On any given day every one of them could use grooming, ground work, and just hang out time. We can talk more about how to make this happen in 2023. :)

Kathleen said...

Looking forward to getting together in 2023! I'm always available for farm choring! :)

Matthew said...

A horse is a family member, like a dog, cat, ferret, African Grey, or any other of the intelligent and wonderful non-humans who share our lives. The mentality of people sending away their family members is just too much...

billie said...

K, yes!

billie said...

Matthew, agree.