Ethics when selling a horse??

I

icklemadame

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 November 2006
Messages
531
Location
Kent/Sussex/Surrey Borders
Visit site
Just quickly cos I'm in a right tizz and its ruining my day... but I am supposed to be working... when selling a horse how much do you think/worry etc. about where it is going and what it is doing? I would never sell a horse to someone who would mistreat it or neglect it in anyway... I'm not talking about that... just, basically, would you sell a cracking talented horse with an amazing future to a complete novice you knew would never ride it, let alone fulfill its potential? It will be 'well' treated but probably left in a field and ridden every once in a while for 20 mins walking and possibly trotting in a sandschool - when it should be out there being everything it can be and living its life to the full?? They will pay the money but to me money is defiantely not everything... at all... but I would love proper honest answers - would you in reality turn down thousands of pounds?? I would - but what does everyone else think? Am I mad??
 
To me it depends entirely on the horse. If the horse would enjoy the life, then yes. If it wouldn't, then no.
Some horses are happy as field ornaments and some just aren't - I'm not too sure talent comes into it as I doubt they recognise it as talent in themselves somehow!
 
My reality is I would never sell a horse to someone who I didn't think could care for it. I would sell a horse to someone who would care for it but maybe not make it fulfil it's full potential. Don't think the horse cares one way or another about its potential, as long as it has food, warmth, shelter, exercise and water.
 
I agree with you. I am just starting to think of selling one of my horses and although I want the money he is worth, I would never sell him to a home or rider I didn't think suited him.

He is a competition horse so I wouldn't sell him as a casual hacker or casual riding horse. I would turn down a million pounds if I thought he would not be treated right aswell!!

Whilst I'd want the money he is worth and for all the hours and effort I had put into him, at the end of the day, I'd ONLY EVER sell him to a home and rider I thought suitable.
 
l had slightly same dilemma as you l had a lovely intermediate mare my friend kept pestering me that she wanted to buy her when she found out l was going to sell her,l kept putting her off,l knew she wouldnt event her even tho she said she would, eventually l thought,well she is going to love her to bits and she is going to have a lovely easy life,so l sold her to her,hey presto,no eventing but very loved!!
 
interesting question ...and I have thought about it as we are putting our mare on the market....I think the answer to me is that if you want the horse to be happy you need the right sort of home.

For example a competition home where horses were stable kept all the time would put me off selling...or someone who wanted to use her purely for dressage when she prefers to jump, canter, gallop etc.. But if some one wanted a horse to regularly ride and enjoy doing riding club activities using her trained jumping skills to give them confidence at a lower level, that wouldn't worry me a bit if they could afford her.!

Ali
 
Its someone who wants a horse for the sake of having a horse - they have the big country house, the 4x4 etc. - and no idea about horses - but it nicely fits the picture... they have one horse and now want another for the hubby - but the first one stands in the field without doing anything or really seeing anyone from one month to the next, bored out of its mind...
 
As long as the horse was going to be well cared for I wouldnt care. The horse doesnt know it has potential and as long as it is happy then thats all I would be worried about.
Point them my way if you dont want to sell yours to them! I have a lovely field ornament! My husband no longer has time to ride and Im injured at the moment. Hes a real sweetie.
 
If I had a horse which was happier in hard work then I wouldn't sell it to a home where it wouldn't be ridden. But if the horse was happy (and safe) to be ridden out once in a blue moon and they would offer a better home than someone who would ride it alot then I would consider selling to the home with the better standard of care.
 
I like to find homes that suit the horse. I had a very nervous 5yo a couple of years ago who we sold to an experienced home with a mature rider, because I was far too teenage to get on with him.
If I was selling Oshk I would go out looking for a teenage idiot because I honestly think you have to be a confident nutter to get the best out of him, and he is a very hard horse to ride.
I would never sell anything I had to a non competitive home, nor a dealer, mum has always liked to sell things locally too, so she can go and have a nosey from time to time.
 
I just feel that all the hard work and time I've put into all my horses would be wasted if they were to be sold as a casual ride or field ornament.
But obviously, I'd rather they were happy, healthy and well looked after in a field for days on end than unhappy and not looked after but competing and doing well.
 
I have read everyone's comments with interest and wholeheartly support what has been said. So how come there are so many vendors happy to pass any suspect horse on to a purchaser without a second thought as to the welfare of horse or prospective owner.
 
AH Hah, well they are the ones to avoid! Sadly one doesnt always realise this until one has been taken advantage of.

I wouldnt sell one of my ponies to a BSJA home as I didnt think that he would go on to do the tracks even though they did. I couldnt bear to think of him pushed beyond his ability. He loved PC activities and was super for these, so not sure that a competitive home is always the best.
 
I agree with several of the other posters, as long as the horse will be well looked after and is happy with a reduced amount of work, i would be happy to sell him to them. After all, you can't tell what might happen in the future, you might find that a rider who is currently competitive may have a change in circumstances and not compete any more and just leave him in a field.
 
I guess my issue isn't whether it will be competed etc. - its just that it will never even be ridden, and imho thats a waste of a young hunting fit horse who loves his job... I just feel that they are intelligent creatures who need company and activity in their lives, be it hacking/grooming/competing/hunting whatever... I know mine need to be doing things and are happiest when they are at least being paid attention to, otherwise, yes, I do feel they get very bored!!
 
In a word, NO.

I have just taken a bit of a hit on a pony sold STV today. But... it's the nearest thing to the "perfect child" for him, mum will spend the money on the lessons/schooling, pony likes the child very much, very obvious on only three meetings, she adores him, and the instructor likes pony too. All very important as this pony makes no bones about it when he doesn't like someone, he'll get them off him by hook or by crook, then turn his back on them etc etc. He loves and respects me and will do anything I ask him to, but unfortunately doesn't like either of my children. I'd rather take the hit financially than end up worrying about him and where he's ended up, just to get the price I wanted, and then see him on project horses with a whole load of "issues" in 12 months time. I do hope that makes sense
 
If it was a good caring home and the person could ride the horse competently then i wouldnt worry if the horse was going to reach its potential or not, i have always tried to match a horse to a rider if i have ever sold, as i like to be able to sleep at night without worrying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top