Many horse owners have one – the horse who, either due to injury or old age, can no longer be ridden. If your horse is unrideable, you will face some decisions about his future. There are a few different options for unrideable horses that may work for your situation.

Keep as a Companion

The most obvious, and often most desirable option for an unrideable horse, is that he can serve the rest of his years as a companion for other horses. If you have the financial means to be able to keep your horse for the rest of his life, then retiring him may be the perfect choice. Your horse can serve as company for your other horses, and owners with smaller backyard barns may find having an unrideable horse beneficial.

Some owners may find themselves needing to give their horse to a new home. A current barn situation might not work out right for the horse, or the financial demands of owning the horse might become too much. With some luck, you may find someone who owns one horse who is in need of companionship. While another horse owner might be wary of taking on an unrideable horse as a companion for the rest of its life, you are more likely to be able to find an arrangement if you can pay for part of the horse’s care while the horse is serving as a companion.

Send to Retirement Facility

While boarding an unrideable horse may be impractical financially for many horse owners, horse retirement facilities can offer a more affordable alternative. If you live in an area where open fields are limited and horse boarding prices are high, then sending an unrideable horse away to a retirement facility in an area of the country where boarding prices are cheaper may be appealing. This decision can mean that your horse gets to live out the rest of his life in comfort, while your wallet takes less of a hit.

Offer as a Therapeutic Riding Horse

In some cases, a horse deemed unrideable for a serious competition career may work out perfectly for the less demanding use of a therapeutic riding center. Keep in mind that for a horse to be useful in a therapeutic riding program, he must be able to carry riders at least at the walk, and needs to have a special temperament and patience. If you think that your horse might fit the bill, contact local therapeutic riding centers to find out what they are looking for in their horses.

Euthanasia

In some cases, euthanizing the unrideable horse may be the kindest option. If a horse has become unrideable because of significant injury or another painful physical issue, you will need to consider whether the horse is in pain and if it is likely that the pain will ever decrease.

Deciding what to do with an unrideable horse will depend on your individual situation and finances, but there are a number of options for horses who can no longer be ridden.

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Original source: What to do with an Unrideable Horse