Retirement Living for Your Horse   .... by Carol Klusman

He has dedicated years of his life to you, but now your horse is ready for a well -deserved retirement. You have years of memories filled with learning, frustration, fulfillment, bliss and adventure. Yet, for whatever reason, your equine friend has become unable to continue with his job.


Jigalo at home in Marengo, enjoying his pasture. 
(June 2001) photo by Susan Kuszynski
But wait a minute. Retirement doesn’t mean it’s time to put him in a lush pasture and walk away thinking he is as happy as a horse can be. Now is the time your horse deserves regular attention, more frequent evaluations and most likely, more hands-on care to tend to his increasing needs. Whether he is permanently unrideable, requires a more relaxed work schedule or is just in need of some long-term rest and relaxation before getting back to business, the critical component in his contentment is his environment.

Your horse’s early years may have been spent on the cross-country course, in the jumper ring or the reining arena, but when it comes to retirement living, horses of all disciplines can benefit from the same type of care. Unfortunately, retirement care is extremely difficult to find, because it includes and stretches beyond the normal requirements of average horseowners.

Although there are certainly no concrete conditions to ensure your horse’s golden years will be spent problem-free, there are strategies for finding the best barn available to suit his needs. Cost, convenience and other owner requirements will enter into any decision for your horse’s elder care, but there are some considerations to keep in mind when evaluating whether or not a barn would make a good retirement home for your horse.

Turnout: Unless your horse is under veterinary restrictions, he will be happier and get along much better with regular turnout. Yet, you must be careful. All horse owners have seen the problems that come from a herd of horses simply thrown together in a field. Don’t subject your retiree to a turnout situation that doesn’t offer options.

Just because a farm offers turnout seven days a week, doesn’t mean it’s the best home for your horse, so be prepared to ask some questions. Do the horses appear to be put in compatible groups, considering factors such as age and temperament? What alternative situation is available if your horse gets beaten up or regularly chased away from his food? Is there shelter in case an unsuspecting rain, hail or sleet storm should arise? Is the paddock or pasture large enough to accommodate all the horses? Are their fences safe and clearly visible?

Management or barn owner: A conscientious overseer is a precious commodity, but don’t forget to consider the person’s experience and flexibility. If your time is restricted, it may be necessary for the manager to meet the vet or farrier. Be sure they are willing to handle such tasks.

The manager also needs to be adept at catching problems as quickly as possible? you don’t need a lameness to go unnoticed until your next visit to the barn.

Conversely, the most skilled eye may not be able to catch a colicking horse from 9 to 5 during the week if they have work obligations outside the farm. So if you are not regularly available, make sure someone else is willing to handle the responsibilities. Should you become an absentee owner, be sure to get regular reports about your horse’s health, and be sure you can still be a part of the decision-making about any veterinary treatments.

Feeding: Find out the feeding restrictions in the barn. An older horse that is losing weight may require more fresh hay or grain portions each day than an average working horse. A schedule where the horses are only fed once or twice a day may not mesh with your horse’s nutritional requirements.

If your horse is especially prone to a variety of health problems, consider whether the manager is willing to soak hay, or other specific tasks, necessary for the overall health of a horse. Also, consider if there is unlimited water available during the winter that isn’t ice cold. Don’t shortchange your older horse and be careful not to find yourself in a position where you have to fight for decent care. Facilities: Stained oak paneled aisles and viewing rooms decked out with a couch, TV and VCR are definitely not requirements of your retired horse. But there are other benefits that barns provide that may be important to you.

Even if you are no longer riding, an indoor arena can be a great asset. During inclement weather, it offers a place for your horse to stretch his legs and it provides a dry place for your horse to roll during a long, wet winter or spring.

Accessibility to warm water and electricity may also be necessary. Increased visits from the vet are probable, and those luxuries may become necessary for the proper veterinary work to be completed on your horse.

Examine the terrain in the paddocks and pastures to avoid subjecting your horse to further stress and strain on those precious tendons and ligaments. Additionally, if all-weather footing, such as sand, is not available, will your horse be standing fetlock-deep in mud during wet seasons?

Specialized Care: Let’s face it; older horses are hard work. They need more care, more looking after, and their needs can change quickly. Any retirement home for your special horse needs to be staffed with people willing to work with your for the benefit of your horse. Neglecting supplements or medication could be a horrible detriment to his well-being and quality of life.

If a vet has not evaluated your horse’s exercise regimen, be sure to get some input before deciding on a permanent retirement home. If your horse would thrive on light work, but those needs don’t fit your schedule, you can look for a situation where someone is able to ride him lightly while continuing to monitor his overall strength.

If possible, find a home where the caregiver is willing to regularly lug buckets of soaked alfalfa cubes or beet pulp to that thinner horse at the end of the aisle. Look for someone who takes notice of every horse as they stroll through the barn. Acknowledge the person will to toss extra hay to the only horse stuck inside the barn waiting for the farrier. And when you find that special caregiver, treat them as well as they are going to treat your horse.