What to consider when retiring your horse!

 

This is a fairly complicated question to answer – and there are loads of factors to consider here. You will have the why’s of retirement and you will also have the how’s, and in the end, doing what’s best for your horse.

 

 

lush green pasture with barn in the background

 

Some of the best horses that I have known and worked with have retired.

 

  • Some are leased to less experienced riders that can benefit from a schoolmaster. In this case, the horse’s exercise demands are not as great as a show career, and he can stay mobile and fit. Many jumpers continue to jump, just not as high, dressage horses continue to dance, just not at FEI levels.

 

  • Other retired horses I know have become trail horses, getting to stretch their legs every day. Still, others are simply untacked and turned out.

 

The soundness of your horse will play a major determining factor in his “twilight years” and retirement plan.

 

  • If exercise causes pain, your bank account can’t keep up with veterinary treatments, or he becomes sour and resentful of his job it may be time for a shift. You could fully retire him, change his job a bit, or see the world from the trails.

 

  • Depending on past injuries and current soundness levels, you may find that a temporary retirement is just fine for your horse. You may also have a career-ending injury to your horse, making him a great pasture buddy and grooming friend.

 

horse in the distance grazing in grass pasture

 

The overall health of your horse also plays a role in his retirement plan.

 

  • He may be as sound as the day is long, but horses can develop chronic diseases that need to be managed. Sometimes these chronic conditions are irritated by exercise.

 

  • Your Veterinarian and Trainer can help you determine what’s best, and remember that it doesn’t have to happen overnight. It can happen over months or years, and in many cases, a gradual reduction in physical demands can help your horse.

 

  • Remember that old saying, “use it or lose it”? Even elderly horses can benefit from exercise when it’s appropriate.

 

Now to figure out the how’s. Is your current barn set up for retired horses?

 

  • I often imagine retired horses living out their days in a big field, with buddies, grass, and all of the spoilings that they can handle! Some show barns are not set up for this, and in some parts of the country where land is at a premium, space is hard to find.

 

  • You will also need to consider how he will get the appropriate amount of exercise.

 

  • Will the barn that takes care of him in his retirement be able to administer medications, supplements, and the like?

 

  • You can consider finding a farm that specializes in retired horses, and in most cases, you find some great folks that are super knowledgable about caring for seniors!

 

 

two horses grooming each other

*Almost* every horse’s dream – a buddy to groom!

 

 

Before you make the transition to your horse’s personal retirement, you may want to be sure he’s totally cool about a few things…

 

  • How will he do in a new environment or a herd situation? Does he get along with other horses, what’s his pecking order? The low guy in the pecking order may need special arrangements for a buddy.

 

 

  • Is your horse a candidate for a therapeutic riding program? This is an option for many horses that are sound, and it can alleviate some financial burdens.

 

 

 

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