It’s with a heavy heart that I am writing this. I’m concerned I’m going to have to put my boy into retirement. What do you do if you have a 20-year-old horse that you love to death and he can’t perfo…

It’s with a heavy heart that I am writing this. I’m concerned I’m going to have to put my boy into retirement. What do you do if you have a 20-year-old horse that you love to death and he can’t perform anymore? There is no answer but one. You keep him. But what if you want to still compete? How does one afford two horses? I need help! Here is Henry and his ice boots for the third month in a row hoping he will be better soon.

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Comment by Lucy on November 21, 2021 at 12:53am: Your horse has such a kind look to him! I am so sorry about what is happening. I have a horse who is capable of performing but I am also in the situation that if I perform on him he will get lame easier, or he may get even worse arthritis and make him sore. If I were you (because this is what I am doing with my old boy) is carry on with you and your horses life. I would not perform but if you can not afford to have 2 horses than I would recommend leasing a horse from a trustworthy person. That way you can perform on a horse, he is basically yours, and you won’t have to be paying vet bills, feed costs, etc.

I personally have six horses so I am not leasing a horse but if I only had 1 than I would for sure lease from my trainer. The old boy I’m talking about, Max is me and my moms shared horse. I have 1 horse that I perform on and my mustang is in training right now but I have ridden him. Since I am the one training him he only trusts me so that is why you need a trustworthy person so that they don’t lease you a crazy horse. That has happened to a few people I know and then they don’t give you your money back.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on September 11, 2021 at 12:32pm: I am so sorry your horse is having problems. I've been there several times over the past 50 years.

Why is he in ice boots? Exactly what are the ice boots doing to help your horse?

Lately I have been having some amazing success with the Fenwick horse stuff, you can see them at https:www.fenwickequestrian.com. They work sort of like the Back on Track stuff but do not seem to heat the horse up as much. I am thinking of getting the Fenwick Liquid Titanium leg wraps for an arthritic mare I ride who flinches every step. Read my blog today about the successful use of the Fenwick Quarter sheet draped over the horse's croup for around half an hour before riding, for the first ride in a few years her front legs were not flinching every single step. I will be ordering the Fenwick leg wraps next week to see if they help this mare more than just using the BOT exercise boots alone.

I remember those helpless feelings I got when my horse became lame. I also remember how much more expensive it was to own TWO horses instead of one (around 3X more expensive) and how much more time it took me to take care of two horses (MUCH more time!) This is one of the reasons I no longer own a horse and just ride lesson horses in private lessons.

I wish you and your horse good luck and quick healing.