Retire a Horse

Retiring your horse:

What does it mean to be a retired horse? Well for some it means they are 5 or 6 years old and are no longer able to race, or maybe they are 12 and are not able to show or run barrels any longer. For others it is a matter of financial instability and the owners can’t keep up with the care and maintenance of their companion any longer. The stories are as varied as the horses are themselves.

One thing we know for sure… horses are at risk in the United States of being sold at auction to killer buyers who transport the horses for slaughter to Canada and Mexico. Many of these horses are companions, former race horses, show horses and performance horses and they make up the estimated one hundred thousand horses that will be slaughtered this year (HSUS Statistics). Unsuspecting owners may be placing their horses at risk when they place an ad in a local paper, want ad digest, Craig’s List or other sales paper for a low sales rate or “free to good home” – please never do that!

What should owners know and what can they do to secure a forever sanctuary for their horse? If a horse is compromised physically in anyway – that horse is more at risk! Talk to your vet to make sure your horse’s quality of life includes being not in a chronic – pain filled situation. Make the best choice then for your horse for future ownership or the hard choice - of perhaps humane euthanasia.

If your vet agrees that your horse will be able to have a quality life within a sanctuary or in a limited use or altered use as a pleasure horse. Then consider contacting a rescue sanctuary for retirement placement or making an agreement with the new owners as a “forever home”. If you sell your horse – stipulate that the horse not be transferred or sold without your consent. If you can’t locate a new forever home – maybe the best new home is within a sanctuary.

Some rescue sanctuaries do not have monthly charges for care, others do. Many require a fee to be paid at the time the horse is surrendered. Please remember the costs to the rescue sanctuary is as real as to a boarding barn or individual owner – hay, grain and veterinary and farrier care do not come free of charge and many rescue sanctuaries struggle with making ends meet. Grants and funding sponsorships are not easy to come by for the sanctuary and thus cause many rescues to limit the number of horses they physically can stable.

At Peaceful Acres we require the owner who is placing their horse in “Retirement” a fee for surrender of $500.00 and a monthly stipend of $390.00 to cover the costs of feed and care. This fee can be reduced if the horse is able to be sponsored or partnered in the EAL program. The agreement is long term – for the life of the horse. (The fee includes medical and farrier care)

To inquire about retirement for your horse – contact

We hope we can provide an alternative for you and your horse that is peaceful and satisfying.
*all horses are evaluated prior to acceptance into the retirement program