May/June 2025 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN May/June 2025 Page 37 Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! Go ahead... Ask da Mare By Malorie de la Mare Dear Mal… My gelding has been part of my life for more than 25 years. We have had so many wonderful adventures together, and for 23 years I rode him almost every day. We’ve been in hunter shows, we’ve hunted, we’ve ridden miles of trails. Bottom line, he means the world to me. I see him every day and try to remind him of how much I love him. He is so thin, and it breaks my heart to think that he’s just wasting away. He’s almost 35 years old and he gets plenty of hay every day, along with a bucket of grain soaked in warm water. Do you think there’s more I could do for him? -Worried Dear Worried… First, your horse and you are very lucky to have enjoyed such a long, happy relationship. Too often, it seems, people lose interest in their horses as the horses get older and riding them is no longer feasible. Aging is a cruel remind- er that time is a relentless agent of change—for us, for those we love and for the creatures we care most about. You seem to be both worried about losing your horse and “pre-grieving” his demise. Although it looks as if you’re doing everything you can for him, it’s always a good idea to have your veterinarian check him out. There are things besides aging that can cause a horse to lose weight. He could have dental issues, or worms, or Cushing’s Disease—a common issue with aging horses. Once you know whether there are underlying health issues with your horse, you can map out a course to stabilize his health. In the meantime, keep visiting your horse and reminding him that he is a treasure. Dear Mal… Our 12-year-old daughter is obsessed with horses. She started taking riding lessons last year, and it seems she can’t get inter- ested in anything but horses. My husband and I are thinking about buying her a pony, but we don’t want to rush into this and make a big mistake. What kinds of things should we think about before diving into this pool? -Concerned Mom Dear Concerned Mom… What a wonderful gift it would be for your daughter! Before you even talk to her about the possibil- ity, though, there are a lot of ques- tions you and your husband need to answer. For one thing, horses eat money. Hay, too, but frequently it seems that money is what they consume most. You need to find a place where you can board the horse, check that place to make sure it’s safe and well-run by a knowl- edgeable owner. Talk to people who keep their horses at that barn, and get an idea if they’re happy with the conditions and the care of the horses. If there’s a veterinarian who takes care of the horses at the barn, talk to him or her about the routine care a horse requires, and about the cost of that care. Among the basic costs of horse care you’ll need to budget for are: boarding; routine farrier, vet and dental care; possible training for the horse; tack for the horse; safety gear for your daugh- ter; lessons for your daughter. A horse is a big commitment, but it’s one that enriches everyone who is part of the horse’s care; so, perhaps the final issue you need to consider is whether your daughter is ready to make a long-term commitment to being a responsible, caring horse owner. Good luck! Have a question for Mal? Email her at PAEquest@aol.com. The Struggles of Owning a 35 Year Old Horse