The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Are you interested in horse retirement?

1K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  Zexious 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi my name is Sarah. I wanted to share some information about a new horse retirement ranch. This ranch in southeast Colorado has added horse retirement to their current location. They currently are a horse rescue and help many horses nurse back to health and find new homes. The horse retirement part of their ranch will be for healthy horses that need a place to live out the rest of their life. The owners are horse lovers and take excellent care of their horses. If your horse retires to their ranch, it can enjoy lots of acres grazing, horse walkers, and grooming. Local vet that can attend to any medical needs that come up. If you would like your horse to be saddled and rode on a regular basis that can be arraigned. Lots of love and attention for little cost.
 
#2 ·
Sounds like a nice place, but I have to say I don't really understand the sense of a "retirement ranch."

I have a horse who is retired, except for an occasional walk around the arena. Retirement places charge about the same as regular boarding barns and I can't understand wanting to just dump your horse off at one and rely on someone else permanently. I need to get out there several times a week and make sure he's looking good. I groom him regularly, spray for flies, make sure I get him vet care and I'm there for every hoof trim. I make sure he has his supplements and prescription, has his fly mask on, or blanket if necessary and tend to any wounds or other issues. You don't have to read far on here to find boarding barn horror stories and I've had issues at other places myself.

Not sure what others think on retirement places, that's just how I feel.
 
#5 ·
Retirement places charge about the same as regular boarding barns and I can't understand wanting to just dump your horse off at one and rely on someone else permanently.

There are areas in the country where board is $3000+ a month, and turnout is almost non-existent. Most retirement places I know charge no where near that amount and have all day turnout. The horses are not "dumped", they are placed in the care of capable loving horseman. As tiny said, people who do not have their own place to retire their horses need places like this.
 
#3 ·
Ditto to what Zookeeper said. I want to be able to physically see our retirees outside our windows enjoying themselves on our pasture, know that they are getting the same good care and food they had when they worked, and enjoy spending time reminiscing about their years of faithfully serving us as I visit with them.
 
#6 ·
When the time comes I certainly will need a retirement place! I'd love to keep my horse just out my window, or on "the back 40", but that just doesn't happen here. It's cost my close to $10,000 a year to retire my horse locally, and that would mean a small dirt lot. Likely I'll have to move her a few hours away, 3-4, where retirement board is more than half the cost ($3-5,000) which would allow her room to graze, trims, worming, blanketing, etc. Plans for a horse property are in the future, but I don't know of my oldie will make it long enough to see that happen in her lifetime, unfortunately.
 
#7 ·
It is a place for those who can no longer take care of their horse due to down sizing, medical issues, or travel reasons. The horse can live out its days in peace with people who take care of the horse. The horse is allowed to graze in the warmer months and there are people who walk or ride the horses on a regular basis. The cost here is $200 a month for a retirement place for a horse. All medical and regular need are taken care of for the horse.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top