So Much for That.
So, Wednesday I got asked by a friend to please, please take one of their horses. A thoroughbred named Six whose pasture mate would be used by the Therapeutic Riding Center, but because they'd become so buddy sour together they did not want to keep both horses. She said he was about 15 yrs old. Having seen the horse about five years ago, I knew him to be trained, sound and good at least at that time and I had no reason not to believe him still sound if very buddy sour and out of practice.
So, I told her if I could get the place set up I'd take him.
Then Thursday I called the riding center that had him to ask if he'd had coggins pulled. They told me yes and that the vet believed him to be at least 20, possibly older. On some breeds that would mean nothing (an Arab, for instance) but by this age most Thoroughbreds are past the riding age.
Uh oh.
Still, I went to discuss it with my barn manager. After all, you have to have a place to put a horse if you're going to get one. Especially if you can't afford full stall board for TWO horses (that would come to about the same as I'm currently paying in mortgage per month). Something would have to be worked out if I were to do it.
Well, she doesn't have the space in any of the pastures let alone a stall. So, even if I *could* afford full board, he would have no home to go to and I can't afford that. To do it I'd have to be at the barn daily to bring him in and feed him, then turn him back out. I can do that after my attic work is complete, but till then I have to be home two nights a week while the handyman works. To say the least, logistics are not in this poor horse's favor.
So, it looks like Six will not be joining my herd. A second horse may happen some day, but it may have to wait till I have my own property. Even then, I doubt I'll be able to take on a senior.
So, I told her if I could get the place set up I'd take him.
Then Thursday I called the riding center that had him to ask if he'd had coggins pulled. They told me yes and that the vet believed him to be at least 20, possibly older. On some breeds that would mean nothing (an Arab, for instance) but by this age most Thoroughbreds are past the riding age.
Uh oh.
Still, I went to discuss it with my barn manager. After all, you have to have a place to put a horse if you're going to get one. Especially if you can't afford full stall board for TWO horses (that would come to about the same as I'm currently paying in mortgage per month). Something would have to be worked out if I were to do it.
Well, she doesn't have the space in any of the pastures let alone a stall. So, even if I *could* afford full board, he would have no home to go to and I can't afford that. To do it I'd have to be at the barn daily to bring him in and feed him, then turn him back out. I can do that after my attic work is complete, but till then I have to be home two nights a week while the handyman works. To say the least, logistics are not in this poor horse's favor.
So, it looks like Six will not be joining my herd. A second horse may happen some day, but it may have to wait till I have my own property. Even then, I doubt I'll be able to take on a senior.