Retiring a beloved horse is an emotional journey, but you can take most of the worry out of it by doing your homework first.
Horse retirement facilities offer a place for your horse to live out the rest of its days and although most retirement facilities specialize in geriatric horses, not all old horses qualify. Retirement farms generally accept only those horses that are in reasonably good health and will not require extreme veterinary care.
Most retirement homes are not free. Many of the nonprofit types require a one-time donation at the time of the horse's placement to help cover the costs of their operation while other farms, that are operated on a for-profit basis, have annual or monthly charges.
To ensure that your horse will be cared for as you wish, it is important to check out the facility's physical layout for adequate space for the number of horses on the premises and safe stalls, run-in sheds and fencing, the feeding program, the hoof care program and the veterinary program. Climate, altitude and topography are also important considerations and depend on your horse's state of health.
Even though your horse is no longer being ridden, it will still require minimal de-worming, annual dentistry, vaccinations and hoof care (trimming as needed) to stay comfortable and healthy.
Retirement programs differ from farm to farm. Find out how your horse will be turned out and if stabling is available during adverse weather conditions. Will your horse be pasture grazed or hay fed? Is supplementation available? What about grain? How will your horse be integrated into the herd? There are many questions you will need to ask to ensure that your horse will be taken care of the way you wish.
A quality horse retirement farm will allow you to visit your horse. If this is not the case, be wary of putting your horse there.
Horse retirement farms are plentiful and offer a variety of services. To begin your search, first rely on personal recommendations from trusted sources. Another option is to search the internet. Horse retirement websites should offer a description of the facility and have pictures of the property and their retirees. But don't just take the website's word for it... go and inspect the facility in person.
Selecting a facility that provides good, consistent care and an appropriate preventive health care program will go a long way in maintaining the well-being of your aged equine companion during its "Golden Years".
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