Retired horse - end of the road?

lostinrates

GotToChange wrote: »

Feeding one only either in or out of the field is likely to cause BIG problems; even if haylage is put it, he won't get much. As soon as they start to be coming in, he will have two big bucket feeds and loads of hay/lage at night.
x

Good gal, you're doing ok you know.

re feeding haylage in the field, one will always get less, but I put out in big piles, one per horse plus one pile etra for every three horses. e.g. 9 horses get twelve piles/nets spread out on fences. That way the one being hased usually gets to have a mouthful while he's beeing chased off, or they setle down and eat. Its obviously only suitable on an ad lib yard, or where all owners are ad lib fans.

re big bucket feeds...how big...bigger feeds might actually cause him to lose condition. as oppoised to just not putting condition on. Even spacing a feed by twenty minutes into two smaller feeds will help that a little. (e.g. before and after poo picking). Ideally if some one brings one in to feed they might haul yours in too, on the basis two horses will settle better to eat than one who might spend the time calling out to his mates.

BTW: its raining here, my oldies are out and they don't have smart new rugs on;) your YO would murder me, wouldn't he :rotfl:

Be strong gottochange. hopefully someone near you will see this thread and know the right place for you, so lets eep it bumped.

cally6008

did you email Paula ?

GotToChange

cally6008 wrote: »

did you email Paula ?

Hi Cally - yes I did - no answer yet though.

orlao

The farmer (and son!) seem to have forgotten that you are a paying customer, haven't they? Think about it, none of us would tolerate any business that we paid money to treating us like that if it didn't involve keeping our animals healthy and happy.

If they were truly concerned about your horse's welfare they would be offering assistance, not critism so you can safely ignore that jibe and be assured that there are no animal welfare laws broken as long as a horse is cared for....there is no law that says an elderly horse has to look like a fat, bouncy 3 year old.

As I read your post, they want you out probably because they have the idea that they can get more money for your stable from somebody else...so s*d them, get out and stick 2 fingers up at them when you go:o
TBH, if they are planning that kind of expansion it would just as disruptive for your horse to stay there as to move.

Of course, being a vindictive cow, I'd be checking with the relevant authorities that they have the minimum legal insurance, H&S procedures etc in place and possibly mention their plans to the already disgruntled neighbours as I left:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

GotToChange

lostinrates - thank you again for your take on this.

His feed is calculated for his weight/lifestyle etc - and of course how the yard is/has been "managed" and my availability.

I usually know it off the top of my head but will check what it is and then post for your input if you don't mind.

(Going to go - late - to the pub quiz [was too miserable earlier but have pulled myself together] so will do it tomorrow for your feedback...?)

Thankyouthankyou

x

GotToChange

orlao wrote: »

The farmer (and son!) seem to have forgotten that you are a paying customer, haven't they? Think about it, none of us would tolerate any business that we paid money to treating us like that if it didn't involve keeping our animals healthy and happy.

If they were truly concerned about your horse's welfare they would be offering assistance, not critism so you can safely ignore that jibe and be assured that there are no animal welfare laws broken as long as a horse is cared for....there is no law that says an elderly horse has to look like a fat, bouncy 3 year old.

As I read your post, they want you out probably because they have the idea that they can get more money for your stable from somebody else...so s*d them, get out and stick 2 fingers up at them when you go:o
TBH, if they are planning that kind of expansion it would just as disruptive for your horse to stay there as to move.

Of course, being a vindictive cow, I'd be checking with the relevant authorities that they have the minimum legal insurance, H&S procedures etc in place and possibly mention their plans to the already disgruntled neighbours as I left:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

*Churchill dog type voice - nodding*


Ohhhh Yes.

The planning officer is due nexr week - not the plan is to sell off the bottom of the yard to build on!

Will update more later.

x

lostinrates

GotToChange wrote: »

lostinrates - thank you again for your take on this.

His feed is calculated for his weight/lifestyle etc - and of course how the yard is/has been "managed" and my availability.

I usually know it off the top of my head but will check what it is and then post for your input if you don't mind.

(Going to go - late - to the pub quiz [was too miserable earlier but have pulled myself together] so will do it tomorrow for your feedback...?)

Thankyouthankyou

x

sure, why don't you PM me with it! You know what they say, four horse people, five opinions.

I think orlao has hit on something. as well as the financial aspet there is also the chance they feel ''emotionally ready to move on'' and might feel hampered in that by the long term relationship with you.

Either way, you will find a place, you will cope till then. Things are going to have a be ok. Take care and have a FABULOUS night!

cally6008

hiya paula's found the email in her spam section, she's replying tonight

c6h4m1

orlao wrote: »

The farmer (and son!) seem to have forgotten that you are a paying customer, haven't they? Think about it, none of us would tolerate any business that we paid money to treating us like that if it didn't involve keeping our animals healthy and happy.

I know what that is like - I've been on a couple of yards/farms where after a while I have been treated like absolute carp by the yard owner/farmer for no reason at all. One farmer even took it out on me because he didn't get on with his other livery and it was all my fault they left the yard in a mess, let their horses loose all over the place, etc. When he tried to increase my rent by 50% per head (despite me paying for 4 stables and only being allowed to use 2 for 4 horses) I left the same week - he was then left with no liveries at all as the other one had left a few weeks before. :rotfl:

If I lived closer to you I'd offer you somewhere for your chap but I'm way too far away I'm afraid. The only thing I can suggest is to go round to as many feed merchants, tack shops, local shops even and look for adverts/put your own advert up and even be prepared to take something that wouldn't be ideal for a few weeks/months while you look for something else. If it does end up that your horse is PTS before winter, at least you then know it wasn't because you were forced to by this man, but it was entirely your choice.

I think I'd agree with being vindictive, too, and reporting him to the planners but I'm evil like that :rotfl:

I hope you manage to get somehing sorted out quickly.

lostinrates

I think that while gottochange is clearly strained she's better foused on the positive efforts suggested than being vindictive, how ever justified it may seem ATM.