WE often speak of horses as part of the family, loyal friends who have carried us through many years. When riding days come to an end, it is natural to hope they might enjoy a quiet retirement, perhaps caring for youngstock or simply grazing contentedly in familiar fields.

However, the practicalities of maintaining these horses can be difficult. Since the pandemic and the rising cost of living, these challenges have become more pronounced, forcing owners to make tough decisions.

Without robust controls, many animals end up in unregulated markets or are sold on repeatedly before reaching end of life, complicating welfare oversight. This gap in traceability and enforcement creates a blind spot, allowing neglect, abandonment, and unregulated sales to occur unchecked. It is a deeply concerning reality, leaving many vulnerable horses without a spokesperson or advocate.

It is common to hear that a retired horse has gone to a “companion home” or is “nannying foals” or “enjoying a lovely field.” Yet these assurances often come without formal agreements or any follow up, leaving owners with uneasy uncertainty.

The classic story of Black Beauty is sadly still a reality for many horses today. Passed from hand to hand, often under less than ideal circumstances, their welfare declines until, hopefully, they find peace. It’s 147 years later and things still haven’t changed really, the same mindset is there.

My own grandmother passed away recently, peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones that cared for her in the hardest six months. Such an ending is something we all hope for. It is worth asking why we struggle to provide the same consideration for our horses.

Veteran horse classes

One positive and practical step we could take as an industry is to introduce veteran horse classes at major events such as the Dublin Horse Show, and to encourage similar classes at agricultural and county shows nationwide. These classes could provide a stage for older, non-ridden, or semi-retired horses to be valued for their character, presence, and lifetime of service, not simply their current athletic ability.

Showcasing these horses in a respectful, celebratory way would help change the perception that a horse’s worth ends the day its competitive career does. This could also help owners think differently about their options, offering an alternative to quietly passing an older horse down the line, and instead celebrating them for all they have given. In doing so, we reaffirm that the end of a ridden career does not have to mean the end of a horse’s value, and that age should be respected and embraced rather than hidden away.

Retired riding horses and broodmares or injured horses frequently leave yards without clear plans or records. Well-intentioned owners may genuinely believe their horses are going to good homes, yet without oversight, there is risk. Professor Patrick Wall shed light on a shadowy market where horses are traded without proper identification or tracking. The term “companion horse” can mask a disappearance, facilitated by outdated or incomplete paperwork.

Regrettably, some individuals exploit this system. Horses that are no longer economically valuable may be bought cheaply, then sold on for profit perhaps given a final season at a riding school or bred one last time before moving on again. Often, they change hands multiple times in a short period, each new owner unaware of the horse’s full history.

Difficult decision

Social media platforms, with their well-meaning but sometimes naive postings of “forever homes”, have become avenues for this trade. Horses, once dearly loved, become anonymous, their stories lost.

It is important to recognise that the bravest person is not necessarily the one who rehomes a horse. Rather, it is the owner who stays, who confronts the difficult decision to provide a peaceful and humane end. Choosing to arrange euthanasia at home, in familiar surroundings and with those the horse trusts, requires courage, compassion and a sense of responsibility.

Despite this, there remains a stigma around making such choices, with some viewing it as “giving up too soon”. Meanwhile, horses are passed between owners sometimes with the best of intentions, sometimes not without follow-up or accountability.

We must challenge this. Not every horse can or should be kept alive indefinitely. Pain, deteriorating health, and lack of future opportunities are realities that must be faced with honesty. True failure lies in passing responsibility onto others, in ignoring the welfare issues until they escalate. Compassion alone is not enough; it must be coupled with clear structures, openness, and timely action.

A cultural shift is needed in how we approach the end of a horse’s life. Early conversations about welfare and death can help owners plan and prepare.

If we truly consider our horses as family, then standing by them through to the final breath is the greatest gift we can offer. If we say we love them, then we must stand by them throughout their life, right to the final hours.