- We Help Equine Businesses
Hints and Tips on Retiring Your Horse
Retirement can be just as hard on horses as it is on humans. They can get bored and the lifestyle change can confuse them and lead them to be a little unhappy. Luckily though, there are plenty of ways to make sure that your horse stays happy and healthy during their retirement rather than sad and mope around all day like some human beings do!
Ease Them In
If possible, ease your horse into retirement because it can really help with the transition. Rather than just go from everything to nothing, keep doing parts of the routine and every couple of weeks cut some things out. This makes it much easier for the horse to comprehend and make it far less jarring when they stop doing all of the stuff they had spent years working on.
Review The Diet
When a horse retires and isn`t working nearly as much, their diet and feed regime will probably need to change because they won`t be as active as they once were. While obviously too little food is not good, too much food isn`t good for the horse either.
Additionally, you may find once a horse retires they require some supplements that before they may not have needed. It`s good to be aware of these things and look for signs that they`re missing something so you can address it swiftly and effectively.
Don`t Forget About Them
Many horses are retired and then forgotten about. While not all owners do this, it`s an important thing to remember. Horses need stimulation and company and exercise, even in old age. They should still be ridden with some frequency just for a change of pace and scenery and also owners shouldn`t forget about their other needs like a vet and ferrier ever so many months.
Pamper Occasionally
Just because your horse isn`t showing or needing to look pretty all the time doesn`t mean you shouldn`t pamper them occasionally anyway. A good spa day will make them feel loved, busy and happy, plus they`ll be nice and clean and will help keep them healthy—both physically and mentally.
Retiring horses can be hard and it`s not a decision most owner`s take lightly, but by ensuring you aren`t forgetting about them and keeping this sudden chance in lifestyle in mind on how it may affect them you can make sure they stay happy and healthy during the transition and during their years of retirement.
Companionship
Horses are pack animals and prefer being around other horses that they get along with, other companions can make them much happier and more comfortable. Even it`s just a chicken, a goat, or even sheep can help combat any loneliness that your newly retired horse may feel.
Ease Them In
If possible, ease your horse into retirement because it can really help with the transition. Rather than just go from everything to nothing, keep doing parts of the routine and every couple of weeks cut some things out. This makes it much easier for the horse to comprehend and make it far less jarring when they stop doing all of the stuff they had spent years working on.
Review The Diet
When a horse retires and isn`t working nearly as much, their diet and feed regime will probably need to change because they won`t be as active as they once were. While obviously too little food is not good, too much food isn`t good for the horse either.
Additionally, you may find once a horse retires they require some supplements that before they may not have needed. It`s good to be aware of these things and look for signs that they`re missing something so you can address it swiftly and effectively.
Don`t Forget About Them
Many horses are retired and then forgotten about. While not all owners do this, it`s an important thing to remember. Horses need stimulation and company and exercise, even in old age. They should still be ridden with some frequency just for a change of pace and scenery and also owners shouldn`t forget about their other needs like a vet and ferrier ever so many months.
Pamper Occasionally
Just because your horse isn`t showing or needing to look pretty all the time doesn`t mean you shouldn`t pamper them occasionally anyway. A good spa day will make them feel loved, busy and happy, plus they`ll be nice and clean and will help keep them healthy—both physically and mentally.
Retiring horses can be hard and it`s not a decision most owner`s take lightly, but by ensuring you aren`t forgetting about them and keeping this sudden chance in lifestyle in mind on how it may affect them you can make sure they stay happy and healthy during the transition and during their years of retirement.
Companionship
Horses are pack animals and prefer being around other horses that they get along with, other companions can make them much happier and more comfortable. Even it`s just a chicken, a goat, or even sheep can help combat any loneliness that your newly retired horse may feel.
