Cheeky/ridiculous posts you see on Facebook.

Annagain said:
Not on Facebook but this has made me so sad. Poor boy has given his best years and is being cast aside for a younger model no doubt. He looks so lovely too.
www.horsequest.co.uk

Safe and Lovable Boy

<p>Very sad sale of Thomas, who is for sale through no fault of his own as I no longer have the space or time.</p> <p>I brought Thomas to the UK from Ireland 14 years ago and he has been part of the family ever since.</p> <p>He is 22 year old and is now ready for a slower life with hacking and...
www.horsequest.co.uk www.horsequest.co.uk
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I would have him but imo £3k is too much for a 22 year old.
 
That’s shocking. I feel so bad for older horses on the market. Poor sods. I wish people would do right by them. If you can’t retire them just let them rest peacefully.
 
Aw, I like Thomas. I do think he would give someone a lot of fun. 3K does include all tack and rugs, which could add up to almost 3K if the saddle is a good one. Besides, I bet price is negotiable.

I am biased though as, when I bought him, Rigs was another horse that most people would have said to PTS rather than sell. That would have been a shame as he is having a happy life and he has done me a huge favour when I was having a tricky time. The past 4 1/2 years, he has been mainly retired, with a bit of work when he and I feel like it. In fact, I just spent a few more thousand pounds rearranging the field fencing so he and H have run-in paddocks, so they can let themselves in and out of the stables and into the fields at will. He actually feels younger now at 20 than he did at 16.

If my boyfriend wants to ride more, then Rigs is too small and I would consider him being re-homed. But I admit it would be for a loan not a sale. My point is though, that he is 20, has many issues, and yet could give someone a stack of fun. I don't think PTS would be my go-to!

I suspect the owner of Thomas would take much less for the right home. But, if advertised at a rock bottom price, the horse would attract a different demographic in enquiries. Sometimes the oldies really are golden.
 
I’d have more sympathy if it was some sort of unavoidable life circumstance, but ‘time and space’ really does imply they’ve just replaced him with a younger model and don’t want the bother anymore. Presumably they had time and space for him when he was fit enough to go out eventing.
 
frankieduck said:
I’d have more sympathy if it was some sort of unavoidable life circumstance, but ‘time and space’ really does imply they’ve just replaced him with a younger model and don’t want the bother anymore. Presumably they had time and space for him when he was fit enough to go out eventing.
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Oh, I'm sure.

I have every understanding though, they want to event. They may be on a livery yard and have no finances to run 2, or they may simply think the horse could give someone else loads of fun.

I am all too aware that we are on this planet 80 odd years, if we are lucky. Even if you started to event at 20 and gave up at 60, that is 40 summers only in this life. Most people don't event beyond 50 (although some do) so probably only 30 summers...

I can quite understand someone not wanting to lose possibly 10 of those precious summers with a horse who can't event any more.

It looks like Thomas has something to offer someone else. Maybe to start them on their journey.

To me, it is all about the owner finding a good home. Of course, there are no guarantees, but a home visit, references, watching them ride etc are all good indicators.

There is no guarantee when you sell any horse. Look at how many threads there are of lovely sounding horses who have a wobble when uprooted and the new owners have little sympathy. Are we to never sell a horse again?

Many older horses are used to going away, camps and competitions, and would settle relatively easily. It isn't like a dog, who really does live in the home. That said, I rehomed mum's 10yo dog when she went into care. He settled beautifully into his new family. When they couldn't keep him, he then settled beautifully into our home, with our now 17yo dog. Would I have been better to have had mum's dog PTS?

I don't think there is anything wrong with having a horse to do a job. Maybe because I worked with them! I think my horses get a good deal while they are with me and, if I move one on, I move them on thoughtfully.

If Rigs wants rehoming, it would be for a loan. That said, I would not have considered a loan when I bought him as I like my horses to be just that - my horses. I don't like the idea that I could fall for them, care for them, then someone come and spirit them away. Under those circumstances, someone could potentially buy him for £1, as long as I believed in them.

I sold a previous eventer for £1. He could not event but could give someone fun. He had injured his collateral ligament and the horse would rest sound, re-fitten sound, but then be 'off' when got competing. I could have had him PTS, but he had 13 years with his new dad, gentle hacking and being an all round good egg. He was finally PTS last year, age 25, after an unrelated field injury.

Yes, I did a home visit, references etc.

Buying Rigs was like an adoption interview. Loads of questions as to my intentions! We are still in touch, as I was with the one I sold for £1.

It is more about being careful and honourable. In fact, the one I sold for £1 went lame instantly (Noooooo) and I immediately offered to buy him back!!!
 
ester said:
Plenty of oldies are golden, arguably Frank's best years were in his 20s but you don't risk selling them on the open market when they've given you years of service.
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I agree that horses get my protection when they have done me good service. 4 of my horses have fallen into this category. However, I don't think selling per se is 'wrong' and that all horses deserve selling very carefully. The open market is only open at the point of advert. Most people don't even get to view any horse I am selling as I weed many out at the initial phone call!

The whole selling process is carefully considered for me. I ask about where they are kept, have weeded out some who don't have understanding of my horses' needs or who seem to want to 'use' them as opposed to have a relationship and give them a good deal. They have to consider what they can offer my horse as well as what the horse can offer them.

If they are to actually buy, then I do a home visit. I always cringe in case I don't like what I see and have to go back on the sale, and have to refund the vetting fee.

I had a lady try to sue me once, for refusing to sell her Charlie Horse. She wanted to sue me for her time, diesel and disappointment!!! I believe she was a solicitor. I told her to kick on, and I would see her in court and explain, in detail, to the judge why I felt she was an inadequate owner.
 
A bit like @Red-1, I always feel torn when I see oldies for sale. I took on my Old Lady as a 25 year old after the death of her owner. She was gifted to me with very little checks though I was the friend of a friend and they did come to see her settle in. She's been an absolutely perfect companion and now aunty to my foal. However, three years later and four teeth less, she will never be leaving my care. I can't think of anyone I would trust to invest the time and money necessary to keep her healthy at this point. Oh someone would take her on with the best intentions but the care would probably fizzle off and all her problems would be "old age" with little to no management.
The same way, I am always torn about horses on loan from charities that get checked on every 6 months / 1 year. I love that the charities care and take their responsibilities seriously, but I would not be able to do it. I want my horses to be mine, to manage as I see fit depending on the horse in front of me. I have visions of struggling to get permission to PTS a sick or struggling elderly horse because someone in an office thinks "it should have a chance". (I'm not saying this happens, but its one off my fears)
 
Titchy Pony said:
A bit like @Red-1, I always feel torn when I see oldies for sale. I took on my Old Lady as a 25 year old after the death of her owner. She was gifted to me with very little checks though I was the friend of a friend and they did come to see her settle in. She's been an absolutely perfect companion and now aunty to my foal. However, three years later and four teeth less, she will never be leaving my care. I can't think of anyone I would trust to invest the time and money necessary to keep her healthy at this point. Oh someone would take her on with the best intentions but the care would probably fizzle off and all her problems would be "old age" with little to no management.
The same way, I am always torn about horses on loan from charities that get checked on every 6 months / 1 year. I love that the charities care and take their responsibilities seriously, but I would not be able to do it. I want my horses to be mine, to manage as I see fit depending on the horse in front of me. I have visions of struggling to get permission to PTS a sick or struggling elderly horse because someone in an office thinks "it should have a chance". (I'm not saying this happens, but its one off my fears)
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I agree with all of this. I would also say that Rigs would never have even be considered for loan if he were not fit, healthy and firing on all cylinders. If he were burdened with many issues then he wouldn't be passed on as he'd have nothing to give a new owner. I would also always take him back!
 
There's a huge difference between selling a 16year old (albeit with health issues) due to the owner's own ill-health and trading a 22 year old in for a younger model in a way that comes across as quite callous, in my opinion. I totally agree that oldies have lots to offer (my old 17hh share horse was taking his owner's then 12 year old son round BE80 courses at 23 - at his own pace but far more reliably than his actual pony!) and a new home for him might be the best for everyone but I'd be offering him for loan, to stay at current yard with potentially a symbolic sale in future if it worked out once he'd got to know the new loaner / owner.

She may well just be looking for the right owner and would take a low offer but it's as much about the way the advert is phrased as it is about the concept of selling an old horse that's off to me. The way she said he was one of the family but is quite happy to chuck him out when he's surplus to requirements just made me sad. She makes it sound like he's given her everything and it doesn't feel like she's repaying that loyalty when he needs / deserves it most.
 
I can see both sides of the argument. I know many people who would like a horse to just go out on hacks a few times a week, a pleasure ride here and there...but they know all too well the potential cost implications of taking on an older horse.

From the horse owner's point of view they want to avoid the horse advertised at a low price which might attract the wrong people.

From a buyer's point of view the seller might just be the kind of heartless so & so who tries to shift a horse not able to stand up to any kind of work whatsoever, in order to get some ready cash instead of paying for the horse's retirement or pts.

I personally would take a horse like him on loan, or loan with view to buy, as that vouches for a seller who is more likely to have the best interests of the horse at heart.

I would not enquire at a price of £3K. Tack is bound to be worth much less than £1K. I'm doing them a favour by giving the horse a good home and removing their overheads of keep and vet/farrier/etc bills, and doing all the manual labour of mucking out ; )

If I have a browse it's surprising to me how many horses age 18+ are advertised at £5K+, and as for a 22 year old (who has been worked hard eventing for over 10 years) at £3K, no thanks.
 
marmalade76 said:
Why?
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Because it’s literally the car park of a retail park. She’s on a tiny grass strip. She’s tethered to a fence. Alone.

Kids are bothering her and people are feeding her random things. It’s in a rough area of Leeds and she’s very open to being tormented, to be honest. Again, she’s in a car park tied to a fence…
 
KatieDM said:
Because it’s literally the car park of a retail park. She’s on a tiny grass strip. She’s tethered to a fence. Alone.

Kids are bothering her and people are feeding her random things. It’s in a rough area of Leeds and she’s very open to being tormented, to be honest. Again, she’s in a car park tied to a fence…
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Ah. That was not clear in the post or the photo, just a horse that looks fine.
 
Red-1 said:
Aw, I like Thomas. I do think he would give someone a lot of fun. 3K does include all tack and rugs, which could add up to almost 3K if the saddle is a good one. Besides, I bet price is negotiable.

I am biased though as, when I bought him, Rigs was another horse that most people would have said to PTS rather than sell. That would have been a shame as he is having a happy life and he has done me a huge favour when I was having a tricky time. The past 4 1/2 years, he has been mainly retired, with a bit of work when he and I feel like it. In fact, I just spent a few more thousand pounds rearranging the field fencing so he and H have run-in paddocks, so they can let themselves in and out of the stables and into the fields at will. He actually feels younger now at 20 than he did at 16.

If my boyfriend wants to ride more, then Rigs is too small and I would consider him being re-homed. But I admit it would be for a loan not a sale. My point is though, that he is 20, has many issues, and yet could give someone a stack of fun. I don't think PTS would be my go-to!

I suspect the owner of Thomas would take much less for the right home. But, if advertised at a rock bottom price, the horse would attract a different demographic in enquiries. Sometimes the oldies really are golden.
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For every one person like you there are thousands more that will lose his passport and sell him on. They are convincing and some of the worst even send stooges in to do the buying.
 
Jenko109 said:
I don't have much of a problem with this.
frankieduck said:
View attachment 159321
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Not being able to do set days may not work for many, but there will be others who just want the horse ridden more and will just charge a day rate accordingl
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I've seen this young lady's ad a lot lately but didn't think it was cheeky or ridiculous. I think if Facebook had been as big 20 years ago I would have written something very similar, even down to the location 😂. My only difference was I was lighter and would have gone down to 13.2hh and was a bit of a wuss rather than having an accident.
 
Jenko109 said:
I don't have much of a problem with this.

Not being able to do set days may not work for many, but there will be others who just want the horse ridden more and will just charge a day rate accordingly.
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No, that looks like a fairly standard request for a share to me. Relative novice would like a safe horse to ride a few times a week, will help with chores and bills. Should work for some. It would probably work for me if I wanted a sharer.
 
Fair enough, for me I read it as can I rock up and ride your horse when it suits me and contribute the bare minimum, but maybe I’m old and unreasonable 😄 when I’ve had sharers it’s usually been because I’ve been struggling for time so not being able to commit to days wouldn’t have helped me but maybe it will work for someone!
 
frankieduck said:
Fair enough, for me I read it as can I rock up and ride your horse when it suits me and contribute the bare minimum, but maybe I’m old and unreasonable 😄 when I’ve had sharers it’s usually been because I’ve been struggling for time so not being able to commit to days wouldn’t have helped me but maybe it will work for someone!
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I read it as they can't commit to set days due to appointments. This would be same for many folk that work shifts etc, just can't commit to every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, but can do 3 days a week, just different ones.
 
www.facebook.com

79K views · 1.1K reactions | The very best day of the year arrived for us yesterday when we can turn our horses out into their summer fields. A really happy experience for the horses and our team who love watching their excitement of settling into th

The very best day of the year arrived for us yesterday when we can turn our horses out into their summer fields. A really happy experience for the horses and our team who love watching their...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Not so much silly but there’s a girl who removes the head collars of two horses and then proceeds to walk through the middle and behind them although the video does cut away. It is so so dangerous to do this and made my teeth itch. Quite bad for a BHS riding school.
There have been so many people injured turning out horses and getting kicked.
 
Dave's Mam said:
I read it as they can't commit to set days due to appointments. This would be same for many folk that work shifts etc, just can't commit to every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, but can do 3 days a week, just different ones.
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Yup I do 3/4 days a week, planned the week before, other current sharer works a couple of months in advance, all goes on an app inc hols and things and I do sole care when necessary.
 
Ceifer said:
www.facebook.com

79K views · 1.1K reactions | The very best day of the year arrived for us yesterday when we can turn our horses out into their summer fields. A really happy experience for the horses and our team who love watching their excitement of settling into th

The very best day of the year arrived for us yesterday when we can turn our horses out into their summer fields. A really happy experience for the horses and our team who love watching their...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Not so much silly but there’s a girl who removes the head collars of two horses and then proceeds to walk through the middle and behind them although the video does cut away. It is so so dangerous to do this and made my teeth itch. Quite bad for a BHS riding school.
There have been so many people injured turning out horses and getting kicked.
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A lady I know was killed by a kick doing exactly this.
 
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