The story begins with my daughter asking for a scooter, and of course since we are "beyond the sidewalks" I need to explain to her that there is nowhere to ride such a contraption, but that Dad and I had discussed her getting a pony this summer. No word of a lie, an hour later I get a call wondering if I would take a pony. I hesitate because of the age - 30 years. The vet says her teeth are still very good and although getting up there and needed for light riding only she is in good health. She would be coming to us from an English style riding school where she has been giving lessons to novice riders. A few conditions apply, I may not resell this pony or give her away, this would be her last home and she would have to be put to sleep after us -the present owner thinks it is heartbreaking to an old girl like her to be bounced around and doesn't want her to end up in poor conditions. I guess this is what bothers me...am I going to be giving my little girls some heartbreak? How many more years will Tasha be around for? Please any input for me to think over or experiences, feel free.

-- Terri (terri@tallships.ca), December 30, 2000

Answers

Response to should I?

Terri, are you able to keep two ponies? Could Tasha possibly be a companion to a riding pony for your little girl? Maybe these people have a second pony that they know gets along with Tasha? I hope someday to be able to provide "retirement homes" for a few lovely older ladies and gents. Let us know what you decide-I'm so jealous!

-- Cathy in NY (hrnofplnty@yahoo.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Terri, I don't know the life expectancy of a pony, but what's that saying about never lookiing in a gift horses mouth? The animal must be gentle w/ that background and that would be a concern for me.

I see your point about the heartbreak factor but that is something I don't know how you avoid totally. Even young animals get sick or have accidents. Personally, if I had the desire and the means to take care of it, housing, fences, etc, I'd go for it.

One of my favorite memories is of an old Bloodhound that drifted onto our place and lasted only about 6-7 months. I was about 11 and we had a heck of a time till he died. Yeah, I was sad but it's part of life. Of course, we also knew the name of the porkchops we ate back then. Being a pet wasn't always a good career choice for a pig at my house. John

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Hi Terri. It is a tough choice and alot of responsibility. We bought a 30 year old horse for my brother and he lived quite a few more years. Maybe you can explain the situation to your daughter.

We have a standardbred that will have to put down probably next year and my nine year old knows it. She's already decided she wants to go to a friend's house when we do it, but she understands he is in pain and not going to get better. She picked out a spot for him under her favorite apple trees that she climbs. She still brushes him and puts ribbons in his mane and tail. She lays across him while he's lying in the field sunning. Their bond is strong and it will hurt. Your daughter may say she doesn't want to because it will hurt too much, but if you explain it from the horse's point of view, she may see it differently. This pony has served mankind for all it's life, will serve her for a few years or more, but then will need a well-deserved vacation before she passes on. As was mentioned, there are problems with younger horses as well and heartbreak is part of living with animals. You can give her a pony with whom she can ride safely and share positive memories of, even if it is for a few years. Farmer's almanac says the life expectancy of a domestic horse is 50 years and I've been told some breeds do live that long. If this pony has good teeth and is not lame at her age, then there's a good chance she comes from long-living stock. As she gets older, there may be changes as her teeth go which may require more expensive feed and similar problems. Only you can decide if it is a commitment you're capable of making. There is no shame in knowing your own limitations and letting someone else take the pony who is willing to take on the responsibility. It is better for everyone, including the pony, than putting yourself in over your head.

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Ask to see the vet records on the pony-if there has been no serious illnesses or injuries in her past-to me that would be an excellent indication of the quality of life the pony has had and would possibly attribute to a long life.My feeling on exposing your daughter to the possibility of heartbreak...well I have a 14 year old daughter and I know the compassion she feels for the animals we have lost over the years has also extended to her relationship with people.It is a valuable lesson that we teach our children when we love,care for,and ultimately mourn the loss of the animals entrusted to us...I am proud that my daughter has experienced the pleasure (and yes even the pain) because it has created an ideal of unconditional love.To those cynics who sneer at us for loving animals so emotionally,I have to respond that if you can't love an animal openly/freely how much more can you possibly love a person? I hope that I have made some sense here...I guess I am of the mind frame to take the pony...Obviously the vet thinks you are a good candidate otherwise he would not have called you! I say accept the honor/blessing!!!

-- Tammy S.South in Western KY (w-feather40@webtv.net), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

We got our daughters a free pony last year,we were told she had cushings{sp}and needed daily meds.she is 7 yr.old shetland.Well after thought we took her gave her meds every day until our vet deceided to give her a blood test...negative . No meds . we now have a great little pony who is fine! I think the age of that pony may make me stay away,I think you are looking at not haveing alot of time w/ it and medical problems could show up.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

I would say, as long as she is in good health, take her. You wouldn't want to take medical problems that might cost more in the long run than just buying a younger healthy pony. I don't know how old your daughter is, but there's a good chance that by the time this pony is no longer able for light work, your daughter will have outgrown her anyway, and then you could do as someone else suggested, and just keep her as a companion to your daughter's next pony or horse, assuming that she's still interested in horses by then. (Some children lose interest when they learn first-hand how much work horses are -- seven days a week, no days off!) Let us know what you decide, and what your daughter thinks if you get her a pony!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Terri, my vote is to take the pony. Ponies and mules tend to live longer than horses, when properly cared for. If her teeth are still good, meaning she can obtain adequate nutrition from regular feeds, then she should maintain her health for quite a long time. A few years with such a gently pony would be a lifetime from a child's viewpoint.

-- Teresa in TN (otgonz@bellsouth.net), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

I'm a horse/pony trainer from West-Central Wisconsin and I've been training mainly thoroughbred jumpers. Even about her teeth, I hate to see young horses that have potential put down and I bought a pony(POA) who was in awful shape, she had worms, lice, hadn't been fed or groomed in ages, nor did she really have the teeth to eat with. I just felt bad, we got everything cleared up except for her bad teeth, she has a bad parrot mouth and many of her teeth needed to be pulled. She is also one of the most well known pony hunters in all of Wisconsin, she is on a diet of soaked beet pulp with some molassas, corn meal, apple sauce, oat meal, and basic suplements, everything has to be soaked until it is a sauce, it's actully cheaper to feed her that instead of horse feeds as long as you buy it from a feed suplier. As far as her age, don't worry, she'll provide you guys with many years of enjoyment, and when she is too old to ride hard, she will love attention and hand walking, I have a 39 year old pony who was mine when i was a child, I jumped her hard, she had a heart of steel and would never stop, unfortunately, I jumped her a little too hard and she wore out, she hasn't been ridden in at least 7 years but I love her all the same, I have 51 of my own riding horses and I train an additional 19, but you never "don't have the time" to give a beloved pony a little extra TLC just to make her a little happier. and, as hard as it is to believe, out of my 51 horses, my old pony is by far my favorite and I'd rather hand walk her 5 miles than ride any other horse. I think you should get her, I hate to say it, riding schools don't let horses take a break when they are too old. Pony's are very hardy and extremely healthy animals so you shouldn't have any trouble there. Please e-mail me to let me know how things go, if you are close enough, I'd be more than willing to sell you a calm horse or pony from my farm Rolling View Acres in west central Wisconsin. Just know that those old ponies have been through a lot and all they need is a home where they will be loved and cared for and given a break if they need it and they'll be around for a long time.

Suzanne

Sorry this is so long

-- Suzanne (rollingview@yahoo.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Take the pony and remember "We learn from our animals even in death" Death is never easy but I feel our children are better adjusted in part because they know things die. Living on a homestead you see thing born, live, be well, get sick, get cared for, and yes die. I feel kids who are at ease (if you can ever be at easy with death) and they are more conciserate of others in times of loss...take the pony

-- grant (organicgrange@yahoo.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Hi, By all means take the pony if the he/she vets out. Teeth can be a problem but feeding a ration like Omolene Senior is a solution as well as a diet that can be soaked. I got an old pony from a lady who believed horses could eat pine trees and had just about starved the thing to death. My vet said the pony was in excess of twenty five. We had the pony many years and my daughters learned to ride on that pony, sadly she was outgrown and retired at around age 32 (if the vet was accurate :>). She was a companion to my daughter's new ponies. BTW, not all riding schools are the same, we retire our lesson horses before age or illness dictated retirement. If practical, these horses are given to kids who took lessons here and are still being enjoyed by those families. I check up on them from time to time to make sure the horses are doing fine. Some of my best students often come from families who can't afford to buy an expensive show horse, but they do provide some of the best homes for these horses nearing retirement. Our last placement was an all around mare that had carried many children to blues. We retired her at 20 and she went to a family who had an 8 yr. old little girl who only wanted to plunk around their farm. This old mare is going strong at 28. So take a chance as long as it doesn't impact your pocketbook immediately, you may end up with a treasure.

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

Can I change my response? take it,first get vet records like others have said,and then love it as long as you can. They sure do not eat much but they sure are cute! I changed my mind after I relized I was judging a living thing on how much it could do for you not on how much good it has done. Made me rethink it big time.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

If the pony is coming from a riding school, chances are, it is well behaved. Some ponies can be really bad and for a first experience, that would not do. I agree with so many others, that your daughter will probably outgrown it before it any decisions would have to be made. Take the pony. (my horse is still going strong at 25)

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), December 30, 2000.

Response to should I?

I've met a couple of very cool ponies and each time I asked how old they were, I was surprised to learn that they were well past 40. This little girl ran up to one of them, which was standing in an arena, and jumped on his back, grabbed his mane, and galloped him around the arena. No tack whatsoever. The pony seemed just as happy and comfortable as the girl. It was too cool! (So I wouldn't be too worried about age with a 30 year old pony.)

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), December 31, 2000.

Response to should I?

I am a sucker...if it were me, I'd take the pony. I've had geriatrics into their mid-30's, and with good care, you never know but what this pony could live into it's 50's -- as my vet says, "Ponies really do want to live to be 50". You can also get a young horse and have it die of colic quite unexpectedly. There's just no way of knowing when any one's time will be up. Old horses and ponies tend to be a lot gentler in my opinion, especially for the inexperienced. However, saying all that, are you prepared to see the pony through? A lot depends on how YOU feel about dealing with the inevitable.

My pony died at the age of 32 when she unexpectedly broke a hip. But she was worth her weight in gold, had her for over 22 years.

For Suzanne -- have you looked into Triple Crown's shredded hay? It comes in 50 lb bags and is finely ground. I was looking into it for my pony (bad teeth too) when she died and thought that it looked most promising. I have also fed other geriatrics in a pinch with rabbit pellets soaked in hot water until a slurry, altho with a pony, I'm not sure I'd want that much alfalfa in the diet and I like the idea of the beet pulp.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), December 31, 2000.

Response to should I?

Wow, thanks so much for all the input. We are going to be taking Tasha. My oldest daughter is 5 and we have a 3 year old coming up behind her so Tasha is certainly going to be a cosseted pet If the way they treat my goats are any indication (brushing,petting,sitting about and talking with). I know only basics about horse care although I keep many different farm animals so some reading is in order. I work part-time at the riding stables where Tasha is now and can attest to the quality of care she has received in the years she has been there, the vet has seen her to stitch a cut received from a kick from another horse when in paddock, and general checks, but no illnesses. Thanks so much for the input. When I have a goat question I come here and get some excellent responses, and now Countrysiders help again, Thank You.

-- Terri (terri@tallships.ca), December 31, 2000.

Response to should I?

Terri, Just read this post and you received alot of excellent responses. I know nothing about horses/ponies, but my heart went out for Tasha. So glad your daughters and you will give her a wonderful home and so much love!

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), December 31, 2000.

Response to should I?

I didn't read all the answers, I got disgusted when I read the ones telling you to ask for the vet records. #1 You already stated a vet said the ponies teeth are in good shape and that it's health was good.

Apparently this riding school has good reason to believe that you would offer this poney a good home. Or they wouldn't have asked. Why would you need records on an animal this old, 30 years is old and a lot of ponies already start looseing a lot of teeth at this age, however this isn't the case here. Your not paying for the pony (money),but,I do believe, you will have a difficulty, especially heart break when your daughter bonds to this animal, and you have to put it down.

Me myself would pass, I would rather find her a younger pony, not that there wouldn't be heartbreak when your child out grows her pony.

Also keep in mind that older animals don't like change, so your new environment should be as close to the envionrment from which it came.

If this is your first, pony and or horse, you would be better off leaving this one alone. Even experienced horsemen have trouble with geriatric horses.

Also, that scooter, it doesn't eat,drink, or need gas to get around.The children around here push them up and down the hills,fields, and on the gravel roads. They don't need concret sidewalks to work. :)

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

hillbilly- I wish to state the reason I brought up the vet records.As an experienced horse owner/trainer I can attest that these records are an excellent indication of what the animal in question has experienced and what health condtions MAY subsequently develop.Their value of course is irelevent if someone don't know what they are looking at...certain injuries or illnesses may predipose the animal to other more serious/costly illnesses.This is certainly a factor when buying/accepting a pony or horse...by scrutinizing the vet records,Terri could make a more informed decision regarding the acceptance of the pony.I always get the background health information on every horse that I purchase-it's just one more way to be a responsible owner not too unlike transfering one's medical records when you change doctors or maintenance records when you buy a used car...I've said about all I can in order to defend my previous post.

-- Tammy S.South in Western KY (w-feather40@webtv.net), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

Tammy , you're right one should get the vet records. Then of course, that vet could have been wrong, so let's get the ponie re-checked by another vet, and while were at it let's get the ponie ultrasounded just to make sure. There is no useful purpose for this animal other than a pet. Vet records will not tell you if this pony will founder after you move him/her, and surely you'd have no intentions on breeding. Why waste the time and expence? Confused.

Hey all I'm suggesting is that good advice is good advice. I went and read the other post after I posted my answer and all of them were good, and I felt posted from the heart, caring hearts at that. However, if we really truly cared one should have a reality check and re-read Terri's question.

I disagree, totaly with this arrangement. In-expierence is the biggest issue I have with owning this pony. To many things could go wrong at her/his age. If the school thought that the pony had more use then they would have kept the pony, what safer way would there be to train novice riders than on a push button pony? A lot of riding schools will give or sell cheaply their older stock,so they don't have to deal with the thought of putting down an animal that's been with them for a while, sad but true.Out of site out of mine.

Terri, it's your choice and I think you should realize that there is more to owning an older animal and keeping it to it's grave, especially aquiring one this late in it's life.

Been there done that.

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

One reason for a riding school to give up an older pony is not just the thought of putting a pony/horse down, I believe that after a pony has given several years of service I owe it to the pony to let it "retire" gracefully. What is the use of "using up" a good lesson pony until he becomes quite fed up with the whole idea of riding? My older horses certainly weren't ready to put down at retirement, and had many years of useful riding ahead of them. It seems fair to me to allow a good horse an one owner retirement while the horse can still enjoy it. As for vet records, no sense in bargaining for trouble by not getting the records. Our vet doesn't charge a thing to give records to a new owner other than the cost of copying. As far as me giving records, I wouldn't give or sell a horse without giving the shot, health papers, etc. to the new owner. What would be the point of my keeing the information. I want the new owner to have as much info as possible in order to keep the horse in good health. Sorry to disagree, but vet records are very important to maintaining livestock health, no matter what the circumstances of ownership are. I do agree that there is no sense in paying a lot of money for vetting out if the pony is being given away, but it helps to have what information is readily available.

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

Cindy, I'm glad your so considerate of your horses, then why not keep your pony since he has been a loyal servant, and retire him to a pasture? It seams to me that this would be more in line with a gracefull retirement, that and the idea that this pony is probably well attached to another horse at your stable.

I must have read the question wrong, and I assummed Terri wanted opinions on what other's thought. I didn't know that I should have conceeded to the same opinions. Sorry.

I also might have answered differently had I known that Terri had a close friend willing to help her handle this old pony. I'm also glad that you keep good records, and that your willing to turn them over with your stock, most people would. If Terri, by her own admission only knows the basics about horses, who's going to take the time and explain what these vet records mean.

If I was buying a horse for a lot of money, then I would have my vet check the horse out and I wouldn't rely only on the owner's documents. It's not that big of an issue here. Terri was concerned about the age of this pony and if we thought this was to old? Not if she should have the pony's entire life history checked.

Is this pony comming from your stable?

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

Gee, I didn't think that this was going to turn into a contentious question!!! Wrong again. I work around a lot of horses of various ages, as well as ponies. What all these people have said has merit -- all horses are individuals, just as people are. I had a 36 year old horse die of heart failure, but her teeth were sounder than many horses a fraction of her age. My old pony, Spot, had very bad teeth, but she ate so little that it wasn't any problem. We have had horses thoroughly vetted that have died of completely unrelated causes, or developed ones that there was no way of predicting.

I have taken in horses who supposedly only had another 5 years that lasted another 15. I have taken in old horses that have been perfect push-button horses simply because they can't do everything that the owner wants anymore (can't jump 4'+ anymore)and they want a younger, newer model. The reasons for giving up horses are many, and some of them have nothing to do with the condition of the horse. Some ponies go begging because the clientele has changed and they don't have room for the pony anymore -- there are stables that are compassionate for their animals, but don't have the facility to retire them. I see many different situations all the time.

I think Hillbilly does have a point in that the scooter doesn't eat and doesn't need much care. Personally, I never wanted a bicycle or scooter as a child, I only wanted the pony and would have LIVED in the barn with it. However, it is true that there will be a burden on the parents, who will have to learn how to handle the animal, care for it, make sure it is fed, given regular vet and farrier care, etc., since no child that age is equal to the task. If an old horse is in good health, learning to care for them well isn't all that much different than caring for a young horse, especially with the wealth of information available today for geriatric horses. If the children do outgrow this pony, it is also likely it would be a very good companion for a successive horse or pony.

One other point to remember -- scooters aren't very huggable, and they NEVER nicker a greeting to you when they see you.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

P.S. If you do go ahead with the pony, I'd be glad to correspond with tips and information on caring for your old girl too.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), January 01, 2001.

Response to should I?

If someone mentioned this, and I missed it, please ignore. I saw mention of Tasha possibly being a companion in the future, but what about companionship for her? Horses/ponies want to be in a "herd" (even if it is only one other). If you don't have another horse/pony, some other companion animal will do -- a goat or a sheep, usually. Since Terri has goats, she probably can provide one or more of them as companions. I just wanted to mention this as something a horse/pony needs.

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), January 10, 2001.

Response to should I?

No,the pony is not coming from my stable. I felt that it was important to point out that older ponies and horses can come with vet problems. Even a free horse can cost big bucks if they develop navicular or have a history of founder. That doesn't preclude taking the pony. On the other hand, in regards to simply turning retirees out to pasture, I do have two old girls that will reach retirement age soon and they will remain here until death. I still ride both of them and my son rides the smaller mare.

Personally, I feel that by retiring my horses early, and letting them go to a good home where they will be loved and taken care of is a good way for a my lesson/show horses to retire. If I retired every horse here on pasture that I have owned in last thirty years, I would have to own a lot more land than I do now. However, that doesn't mean that I don't care about them, it gets down to economics as well as time spent caring for them. The last horse I retired was an 18 year old mare who was shown in hunter classes. I had a boarder here whose daughter rode the horse and showed a great deal of interest in her beyond riding. When these folks bought their own farm, I gave them the horse for their daughter. All I ask is that they treat her well and to call me if they found they couldn't keep her. What better retirement for a horse who is used to lots of activity than to have a little girl own her?

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), January 10, 2001.

I just bought a 26 year old pony. I've considered the same issues you have. I have two 6 yr. old children and a 3 yr. old. I thought it would be a good start to teach them responsible care and learn about ponies before investing in a more expensive horse. We'll see how it goes and keep you posted.

-- Kay (forestdale@juno.com), May 09, 2002.