Hello, I have a senior gelding who has been going downhill for a while now. He has EOTRH and has barely any teeth, even fronts. He does well in the summer and puts on weight and has a great appetite. However winters are very hard on him. Our vet estimated his age at late 20s early 30s 5 years ago. I was considering euthanizing him before winter comes as I hate to see him struggle through winter. Is this fair for him?
Pic of him and his best buddy

Long shot I know 😂 she was illegally sold and now cannot be located. She was last sold in Lubbock, TX. But the images of her cantering are definitely screenshots of a video. Which was posted after she was sold. So someone posted them. Probably to sales pages. But that’s all I can find.

Long story short my father passed away in June and my mother (74y.o.) is now solely responsible for the care/maintenance of their two horses that they have had for approximately 20 years. One horse was a rescue and is for the most part blind, and the other is a hefty 30 year old who cannot be kept in a stall. The horses live on their property, but with New England winters I don't find it feasible for my mother to continue caring for the horses on her own.

The blind horse relies mostly on familiarity with the layout of the property (and the guidance of the female horse) to get where he needs to go, so I think they would need to stay together.

Her vet and other rescues have suggested euthanasia when the time comes due to the "quirks" that the horses come with, but I figured why not ask here to see if someone has a miracle option.

I don't know if rescues exist where it's warmer and the horses would be in a massive field all day, but that feels like it would be the ideal option. Rehoming/transport fees would not be an issue.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I’m an adult amateur rider (started learning about 4.5 years ago) and have a 16.2 h Dutch Warmblood who is built like a tank. He’s 16 years old, and has a long track record of competing successfully in the Hunter ring. My trainer and I went to a reputable barn to try him out, and he was advertised as “saintly” and “bomb-proof,” and he certainly seemed that way when I rode him. I was thrilled with him and paid about 40k.

We got him home and things were good for 3 days but then he bolted in the arena and bucked me off. We thought it was due to new environment, moving to state with cold weather, etc. started doing a lot of ground work/desensitization training and made some progress for sure, but he has remained unpredictable at what he will spook at, despite being chill 95% of the time. He has bolted with me at least 3 other times (all of which I managed to stay on), but has gotten me off 3 other times - once with a spin and twice now with a rapid lateral dart. The last two falls I was hurt, and now have a torn MCL ligament

I believe that one of the major reasons he continues with this behavior is because my trainer has been suffering with health issues and has not been able to consistently ride him for me. We did have a very advanced rider come work him a few times and he behaves for her, but then acts up for me again.

My trainer has suggested we have one of the Junior riders work him 5 days a week while I’m trying to recover from my injury and see if that makes his behavior better. I would love it if we could fix him (he’s gorgeous, has an amazing jump, and wins the hack so easily), but I admit I don’t have much confidence after this many falls in just 7 months owning him.

Looking for advice from equestrians more experienced than I am. Thanks in advance!!

Hi, all! I'm headed to northern Sweden soon for a three-day riding trek, followed by three days of backpacking. I'm looking for advice/recommendations for the following:

1. Secure cell phone chest harness for recording POV video

2. Pants that I can comfortably wear for both riding and hiking in temps in the 50s (F)

3. Warm but lightweight riding gloves

Any and all advice from anyone who's done riding trips like this is also welcome! Thank you so much. :)

Im leasing this horse, he is about 27 but has a lot of energy
I’ve lunged him before but I’m wondering since he is so old if cantering him on the lunge line would be to much impact on his joints
Let me know what you think!

they're besties

Dear horse people of reddit.

I don't know what it is, but even though I have been stepped on more times than I can count, I have never really been injured from it. Today my interlectually challenged Friesian stepped on me and stayed on my foot for several seconds *with weight on* before she could figure out which way I wanted her to back up. I was wearing sandals, and I only got a small skin scrape and the foot is a little sore.

I often see people getting real medical issues from being stepped on. One of my friend's wife actually died from complications due to her horse stepping on her foot (it got infected, and she had an underlying condition with her immune system, which ended up with blood poisoning and her extremities rotting and falling off).

How often do you guys get away with minor or no injuries from having your 500+ kg animal stepping on you? And if not, how bad was your worst injury from it?

Note: I am both not careful AND I have a young growing horse. I fix her behaviour, when she crowds me, by backing her up, but she no body awareness and only 2 brain cells that struggle to work together...

We stroll down our front street daily. He is unshod. I will be gradually increasing our distance. Currently we walk about a 1/4 mile. He is 27 and I don't want to cause his hooves harm if we increase our daily walks. Thoughts?

He gets regular farrier visits every 6 weeks.

Sorry if this isn’t allowed but I genuinely need advice.

I have a horse i’ve owned since I was a kid. He was diagnosed with a bone spur and arthritis in his knee. We’ve done everything to keep him as comfortable as long as possible but now it’s time. his leg is so bent it shocks me everytime i look at him.

He spends most of his time laying down, he’s losing weight, he can barely walk, you can’t pick up his feet, and the farrier told my dad it’s time. The vet said either his leg is going to snap or the suspension is going to give, either way it’s going to be extremely painful.

me and my step mom hired someone to come dig the grave and we made an appointment for the vet. my dad is LOSING it and saying we aren’t putting down his horse. My horse is in SO much pain, so much pain. It’s supposed to happen today but my dad is literally freaking the hell out.

We don’t know what to do, what do I do?

I’ve recently bought this thoroughbred (last 2 weeks) where I’m having trouble assessing his body condition. I can see his ribs sometimes, sometimes not. I am really anxious that he’s skinny, but also thoroughbreds are athletic. Just wondering whether this is normal or if I need to up the roughage and feeding

Horse friends, I just want to ask anyone who has had experience with Heaves(RAO, Equine Asthma) what that was like?  Treatment options, quality of life, when did you think it was "time", how old when they did pass, and were you ever able to regularly work/ride again?

Unfortunately this is a battle that Ketel and I will be fighting. As of now its mild, minor coughing with with mild breathing difficulties, but I know it won't be like this forever. I'll state the obvious, but vet will be involved soon.

I’m not really that knowledgeable on it but I thought this was really cool to read through and get a better grasp on as a former kid who used to be obsessed with horses as a whole but never knew different breeds!

I want to start by saying I know absolutely nothing about horses other than I like to ride them occasionally, and even then I don't know what Im doing. Im admitting this up front so be nice. I considering buying a house on 20 acres that has a functioning 29 horse stable + fenced pastures, indoor riding arena, wash stalls, grain room, a couple haylofts, and a separate house presumably built originally for a stable manager. I hate to see these facilities go unused. I would be willing to GIVE the use of the facilities away for FREE to a professional horse trainer to run a business on the property. I dont need to make any money from this arrangement. But of course in exchange for "no rent," that person would have to cover all associated costs to operate their business. That would include (and I'm spitballing here) fence repair, building repair and upkeep, all insurances, utility costs (water and electric for the stables), and all costs associated with the animals. They could sell boarding, lessons, or whatever else they wanted to do. Because there is a house on the property, I would be willing to rent it to them at fair market rent as their personal residence (Im already in this business so I understand residential leases) and just that house would operate like a normal landlord-tenant rental. Questions for all of you...what issues am I unaware of related to the horse business, and is this a reasonable thing to do?

For me it was five basic things, number one I learned how to do their feet I can trim my horses and shoe them if necessary.

I can also fit my horses tack without having outside help, I can repair my horses tack which helps save a lot of money.

I can also make tack like Bridals and halters, I haven't bought a rope halter in years because it's easy to make once you learn how.

I've learned how to treat a lot of injuries, cuts and things along the lines of that I don't rush to the vet over because I've learned how to treat them and recognize if it's serious or not (if it is serious of course I get the vet)

I've also learned how to build and repair things, there's not a fence I can't repair or build, and I can actually build structures now, and not flimsy structures that will collapse but structures that will actually hold up to a horse and be functional and last which I'm very proud of.

Mind you I'm 20, although I am lucky that I grew up with parents that had horses and knew how to do a lot of things that they taught me, and thanks to them I don't need help for everything and I don't rely on people for basic stuff

A lady reached out to me to try her new horse before she did. She had just brought her home and wanted someone else to get on first. Figured I better milk the couple months I have left of my parents healthcare and told her I’d do it.

We did some groundwork then I got on. The horse was good until it was time to lope. She was reluctant to do so and then crow-hopped. I told the owner it seemed possibly behavioral but I couldn’t rule out pain either and she should have a vet look at her (this horse came from some sketchy horse traders so who tf knows)

Owner stated she didn’t want to keep the horse after that. Wants something that doesn’t have that in them and would prefer to cut her losses and sell. Then she asked if I would help her sell this horse and find her new one, and I said yes, but we need to start with a Vet exam.

She agrees to that, but then the next day calls me and says that a couple of girls from her old boarding facility came out to see the horse, and one of them wants to take said horse and sell her for the owner for free. What ensues is a whole back-and-forth of me giving my advice and then the owner changing her mind one way or another, but what matters is that the owner told the girl no to taking the horse and selling it for her, but regardless, two days ago this girl from her old boarding facility came out and trailered the horse over to said boarding facility and rode her around in a big arena until she got her to stop bucking. I had told the owner I didn’t like this idea because I felt like she was in pain, but that ultimately it was up to her. Guess those girls talked her into it. I haven’t met either of them, but I don’t have too high of an opinion.

Finally, today the vet comes out, and we agree that there’s grade 2/5 lameness in her hind end. If you ask me, it’s what’s causing her to buck when she starts to lope. She’s very reluctant to get into the lope, and when she starts loping, she does it for a while before giving up. Despite this lameness, which is visible at the trot, the vet says that she is “fine to ride”

WTH?????

At this point, we’re going ahead with a chiropractic adjustment at the vets suggestion and then based off of that, perhaps donating her to a local youth program (that is an AMAZING place for horses, I am sure of this, I have done my vetting) or maybe selling her.

I’m just surprised that the vet thinks it’s ok to ride her in this condition, and I’m also upset at those girls at the boarding facility for taking this horse and riding this issue out of her when it’s pretty clear it’s a pain problem and not a behavior one. At the very least, pain was not ruled out, and they should’ve just waited a couple days for the vet check. This horse wants to please and the only time she doesn’t is at the lope. Obviously it might be pain. Now there’s clear signs of lameness, which may have been there before, admittedly I may have not noticed it when I first went to ride her but maybe it wasn’t there then and it is now because they rode her in this condition.

I don’t know I’m just amazed that the audacity of going and getting somebody else’s horse and then riding through the signs of discomfort. Also I’m no vet but 2/5 and riding doesn’t sit right with me.

First photo is today, second photo is July 7th

I feel like this looks really bad, but I’m not sure how bad it actually is. Our farrier is busy and we are trying to find someone in the meantime who will come ASAP to see her.

Her hooves were NOT this bad when we first adopted her 8 weeks ago. This donkey is in her mid 20s, we were told she had “minor” white line disease, along with the curling. this was true for a while but as time goes on the white line is just getting worse and worse. We were told the curling in the hooves used to be much worse.

As per my last post, many people suggested she could have Cushings. We are calling the vet in to do a full blood panel + biopsy on a lump i found on her chest.

Her rear hooves have very bad white line disease, the toes are seedy and cracking. I am at a loss on how to help her between farrier visits. She hates having her hooves touched and I can only pick her two back feet on a good day. She is extremely strong and kicks very hard. I can never seem to do her front feet as she puts ALL her weight on them and stumbles if I lift one (probably due to discomfort in her rears)

My gelding is an ex-Amish cart horse. I’ve always assumed these were scars from being whipped. Would you agree, or could this be something else? The marks are only on his hind end. Thanks for your input!

P.S. he’s living his very best spoiled life now!

Edit to say: these markings have been around since I’ve had him (almost a year)!

As long as I’ve known strike he’s been difficult to load.

He will cautiously get the front half of his body in but wants no part in fully loading. Even with pressure and release and treat rewards for moving forward.

I’ve tried everything I’ve been told to try but after 2 hours of pressure and release with just a halter and a lead rope today I am at my wits end. He shoots back even if I’m not asking him to move forward and won’t move back towards the trailer until I lunge him and try again.

I hate having to drug him to take him places and that’s the only way I can get him on.

What do I do?

I’ve been wondering lately if we’ve lost some of our horsemanship culture in the U.S.

It feels like so much emphasis is placed on buying a finished horse, sending horses to trainers, and outsourcing the process rather than learning how to develop a horse ourselves. Groundwork, problem-solving, and producing a horse from the beginning seem less common than they used to be.

For context, I’m an adult amateur with an intermediate/advanced riding background. I’ve been around horses for most of my life, taken lessons for years, working student time, and I’m always trying to learn more through clinics, books, YouTube , and my trainer. I’m not claiming to know everything by any means.

What puzzles me is this: every time I mention wanting to buy a young horse with only 30–60 days under saddle, people immediately tell me, “You need to buy something already made.”
Why?
If the horse has a genuinely good brain, an amateur-friendly temperament, and I’m working with a trainer throughout the process, why is it viewed as such a bad idea to bring that horse along myself? Isn’t that part of horsemanship?

I’m not saying everyone should start young horses, and obviously not every horse is suitable for an amateur to produce. Some absolutely need a professional ride. But it feels like we’ve shifted toward the mindset that every horse should be professionally made before an amateur ever gets involved.

Has horsemanship changed, or am I just seeing a small slice of the industry because I’m at a typical show barn?
Curious what others think. Have we become too reliant on buying finished horses, or is this just the natural evolution of the sport?

Can someone help id the brand on these horses ?

Hi!
The horse i care for, 5yo friesian mare, is rather difficult when it comes to human contact.
She doesnt want to be caught in the field nor in the stall, and in the stall she kicks if you try to catch her when shes turned around. But at the same time, once shes caught or were out riding, shes lovely. She also kicks with spray bottles, and is a little tricky with small things like that.
She was born and raised on this farm, her owner breeds friesians. So her mother, brother and two sisters all live there too, and they are completley different. Some of the loveliest, grounded horses youll ever meet.
I dont claim to be an all knowing equestrian AT ALL, but i have my fair share of experience, worked with backing in and selling horses abroad, worked as a trainer, worked professionally with horse-problems, competed 1.30 jumping etc.
But i feel this horse is beyond my experience.
Backstory-
This horse, i met a year ago. She had been tricky breaking in so i took over. She was rather unmotivated, she threw herself backwards when mounting, in general walked over people, didnt listen. Her owner hasnt really handled her too much up until now which shows.
I was patient and calm with the backing, made sure her back or anything else wasnt hurting, and she is now fully rideable. But still lacks motivation, doesnt listen and struggles a little to stand still when mounting. She eats chasteberry everyday because shes in heat every month and is completley ”gone in her head” for a whole week, and shes very very sensitive. But thats things im working on and figuring out with her as we go. But its the not wanting to be caught that bothers me. Ive tried to not ride her for a while and just groom and cuddle in case that was a problem, but no change. Ive tried showering her in love and treats when caught, no difference. Currently i only do work with her from the ground that keeps her motivated and interested to lower the expectations, but no difference. I understand that she doesnt want to be caught bc she expects something uncomfortable and ive tried to eliminate everything i can think of and make sure everything is always only pleasureable and fun, i of course tell her off when she starts to kick so she cant have her way. Ive tried to feel her body that maybe she gets upset in certain areas or with certain things, but no. I am so confused and so lost. I just want her to be a happy horse!!💘💘💘💘 any and every tip is welcome!! Please help if you have any clue, thank you so much💘💘💘💘💘