Put Out To Pasture Retirement Homes For Horses “Putting out to pasture” means “to retire or compel to retire from work or a full workload.” People often have negative images of retirement homes for older folks. What about retirement homes for older horses? We checked out a couple of stables that provide care specifically for older, retired horses: one in west Tennessee and one in middle Tennessee. Betty Haser’s Hunter Haven Farm is near Hickory Valley, Tennessee in Hardeman County. She has 90 acres, of which 60 acres is pastureland, fenced with board fencing. “I have lots of grass and hay, but not enough horses to eat it!” Betty said. Currently, Betty has room for a couple more horses, but does limit the number of retirees she takes in. Betty has a proven procedure she follows when new “retirees” come to board. “When I get a new horse in, I put it in the introductory pasture with my donkey.” This gives the horse time to acclimate to the new home while also providing companionship. Later the horse can be moved to another pasture with the other horses. Betty has a run-in shed where the horses are fed in the summer time. “When it gets really hot, I bring the horses in the barn,” Betty explained. “Getting out of the heat is important for older horses.” Betty has a fly control system in the barn. The horses are fed and checked twice a day. The farrier comes every six weeks, and lives only ten minutes away if hoof care is needed between regular visits. She has regular veterinary services from Jennifer Dunlap, who lives only fifteen minutes away. And her daughter is a veterinarian, with whom she consults on minor health problems or injuries. Her full board includes providing Senior feed and any medications the horses need. “I treat the horses like they were my own. I also take in stray dogs and help find homes for them.” Betty is a very knowledgeable horsewoman, having served for several years as West Tennessee Pony Club District Commissioner, and is a graduate B Pony Clubber herself. The part of caring for retirees that is really tough is the end of life. “I have a guy with a backhoe who comes to bury the horses. You have to have a means to dispose of the horses when they die.” Despite the eventual grief that comes when they expire, Betty enjoys providing safe, TLC for equine retirees. For information about Hunter Haven Farm, call Betty Haser at 731-764-0991. Melissa Cool runs Honeysuckle Hill retirement home for horses in the Columbia, Tennessee area. She currently has 15 retirement horses on her farm, as well as five dressage horses in training. A USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, Melissa shows several dressage horses, from the young ones in Introductory tests to one at Intermediaire Level. “I have four Grand Prix dressage horses retired here,” she said. These horses were used to getting a lot of attention and staying in a stall most of the time. “They had to get used to living outside,” she said. Melissa individualizes care for the retirees. “I have one big field where 7 or 8 horses can be turned out. Then I have several 4 to 5 acre fields for horses to be turned out in pairs. I don’t separate mares and geldings. They can have boyfriends and girlfriends if they want,” she chuckled. “I group them according to their personalities.” Board includes turnout so “horses can live the way nature intended,” she said, plus human care, grooming, treats, attention, and a regular health care program with deworming, vaccinations, hoof and teeth care, and daily hay and grain. “I email photos to their owners every month so they can see their horse’s condition, how they’re doing, and keep them connected.” One of the risks that proprietors of equine retirement homes face is abandonment of the retired horses. “So far, all of the owners are responsible owners. They all want their horses to be happy in their later years,” Melisssa said. “Some do come to visit their horses, although not very often. The photos help keep them in touch.” For more information about Honeysuckle Hill call 931-583-0414 or email Melissa at Johnmiss4@aol.com. For additional information about retirement homes, the US Hunter Jumper Association lists FarmVet Equine Retirement Facilities at: http://www.ushja.org/content/programs/retire_facil.aspx.