Bea said:
Mehitabel, I understand what you are saying, and I understand that it is a risk to sell on or give away a horse, especially a non ridable one. But would you really rather take their life??? Maybe I'm naive, but I think the chances of something terrible happening to a horse after it gets sold are not that big. Not big enough to justify taking their life instead. Surely the majority of people is actually trustworthy and will look after the horse properly?
The impression that I got from several people that replied to this thread is that their horses are actually ridable and healthy, but that they think they are the only ones that can ride/handle them. I realise in some very exceptional cases this might be true, but I think the majority of horses can and will form a relationship with any suitable, experienced owner.
yes, it's a risk, and it's always a risk. but the younger and healthier the horse, the less of a risk it is. as i said - would *you* buy copper, on the desciption above? would you advise anyone else to? if someone posted on here saying that they were going to view a horse of that description, then what would everyone say? don't touch with a bargepole.
so those things put the risk right up - he isn't desirable to a good home, which means he is easy prey to a bad one - especially if it were a non-horsey husband who's just been widowed, for example (back to the run over by a bus scenario), selling, and not a loving owner who knows what to look for in a scam buyer. my rideable, healthy and valuable-in-herself horse, yes, sell, definitely. but not the currently rideable and healthy but elderly and grumpy and previously mistreated one. if i'm lucky he has 10 more years of work in him - at 32, i would expect him to be severely limited in what he can do. if i'm unlucky he might start showing his age more this winter and need to retire in 2 years - the last couple of years he has gotten very grey, he has sagged, lost muscle tone, and he looks his age now, whereas three years ago he didn't. so he's a big gamble for someone to buy.
like chev says - he has had a good life with me and yes, at this stage, i would end it rather than take the risk.
yes, the majority of people are trustworthy. but the majority of people also won't want my horse, or gelfy, or dot, or eventerbabe's bonnie, for all the reasons given above. a cynical dealer will realise that and go for an advert like him to make a fast profit. i've heard a lot of stories about alleged retirement homes who sell their charges on by lying about their ages, doping them and filing teeth etc.
as eventerbabe points out - we take care of our oldies because they have given us a huge amount - i owe copper an incalculable debt. assuming no buses get me, i will give him the best care possible for as long as he is happy. i owe that to him because of his long service and years of love - if i sold him tomorrow, his new owner wouldn't have that attachment or debt to him - they'd want their money's worth, and fair enough - who wouldn't.
i do agree that putting a healthy, rideable and *saleable* horse with a bright future to sleep is selfish. but it's equally or more selfish and cowardly IMO to sell or gift away (not to a friend - to a stranger) an elderly horse who doesn't have many years left in them, because you don't want to make that decision.
i know someone on another board who took on a 30 year old horse, it worked out well, she loves the mare and is great for her - but i must say i still don't think much of the mare's previous owners. the mare was very lucky, but it could so easily have not been.