Ever regretted selling??

[Muddy_wellies]

I have someone coming to view my horse this coming week. It’s not been an easy decision to sell. I haven’t any others, so will be horseless. My husband thinks I’m going to regret selling and keeps telling me not to. So, how many people out there regret selling a horse they once owned?

 

[nikicb]

I think it depends on why you are selling. I have only sold one horse and had, and still don't have, any regrets whatsoever. We just weren't right for each other, and I sold him to someone I knew, who kept him, as far as I know, to the end of his days. (I lost touch with her after a number of years, but have no reason to believe he was sold on as I probably would have found out via my local network of horsey acquaintances.)

 

[dixie]

I've not sold many but the one I recently sold, I thank my stars every day I did. He went to a home that adores him (I definitely didn't) and I ended up buying a horse I love.
So win win.
Why are you selling?

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Not exactly regretted right after selling, but I would love him back again now. Back in the day I had a very pretty little 15 hand palomino cob gelding I picked up very reasonably at a sale. I had bought him for myself with no intention of selling on. But he was so very quiet and so very well behaved I just got bored with him within a couple of months, he was also slightly slower and more behind the leg than I liked at the time too.

I sold him on to a novice who was thrilled with him and as far as I last heard he was with her until the end of his days. Now I would give my right arm and most of my pension to have him back again or a horse exactly like him! I bet he would cost me a mortgage to buy now as it seems there is a big market for that sort of unicorn these days.

 

[Ceifer]

Nope. Those I’ve sold haven’t been for me and I stopped beating myself up about being honest. The last one I sold I held onto for far too long. Lovely mare but never going to do the job I wanted. Sold her to a fab home.

 

[millitiger]

I guess it depends why you are selling?

And for the viewing, remember it is you checking them out as much as them checking the horse out... you can also get references too and make sure you have a good feel for them.

I think, quite regularly, about a few I have sold and lost track of over the years.
Not because I regret selling; I just wish I knew where every horse was and that they're well looked after and loved.

 

[jules9203]

I've sold a few and only regretted one. I bought her as a project and sold her earlier than intended. I sold her to a home where I knew the buyer and thought it was a forever home. I had a niggling voice in my head saying it was wrong but chose not to listen. Just over 2 yrs later the horse was pts. Unfortunately the new owner lost interest and the horse was not suitable to be turned away in a field. To this day I regret that one but no other. All the others have gone on and been fine!!!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I'd have loved to have kept my last horse, had her from foal to age 6...but I couldn't afford to keep her any longer, livery costs were crippling (near London!) So I gave up altogether. I do regret selling her but i had no other option. I did hear she sustained a really bad injury once she was with her new owners and couldn't be ridden after that...she had a lovely foal though. Lost track of where she ended up, it does make me sad ?

 

[exracehorse]

Think it depends on reason for sale. Financial. Not wanting to own a horse anymore. Not wanting to ride. Or if your not suited. Really regret selling one. 11 years ago. Bad mistake. Lost contact with owner too. Still upsets me.

 

[Abacus]

Out of probably 15 I’ve sold, I really regret one. I’d had him since he was 4, sold him at 11 for family reasons and he was pts not long after. He went to someone who was quite fussy, checked out everything, he was out of work for a while and was a type it didn’t suit. I think if he had stayed with me and just kept going he’d have been ok. I really let him down even though he was going to someone I thought would give him a good home. I won’t ever sell another that I think as much of as I did him.

OP, you haven’t given your reason for selling (and of course you don’t have to share) but only you can judge whether it’s better overall for you. Sadly once they are gone they are out of your control. For this reason, I won’t let another go that I really care about.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The only ones I regret are the ones I lose track of and can't find again. Whether it's the Shetlands or the tbs at work. I hate losing track of them.

 

[Muddy_wellies]

Out of probably 15 I’ve sold, I really regret one. I’d had him since he was 4, sold him at 11 for family reasons and he was pts not long after. He went to someone who was quite fussy, checked out everything, he was out of work for a while and was a type it didn’t suit. I think if he had stayed with me and just kept going he’d have been ok. I really let him down even though he was going to someone I thought would give him a good home. I won’t ever sell another that I think as much of as I did him.

OP, you haven’t given your reason for selling (and of course you don’t have to share) but only you can judge whether it’s better overall for you. Sadly once they are gone they are out of your control. For this reason, I won’t let another go that I really care about.

My reasons. I feel I am letting him down. My field hasnt weathered well at all this winter, it’s literally a mud bath, so turn out is limited, he looks so miserable when he’s out, pawing at the ground for grass. And I really think he could do with going to a home with other horses, I was going to get a companion for him, but with my land as bad as it is I feel this is unfair to another horse. So, i decided it’s kinder to sell. It’s not been an easy decision.

 

[marmalade76]

I regret selling one 20 years ago but because the people who bought him weren't great and on & off regret sending back the cob I had on loan just over a year ago but other than that, no. I have sold two others and gifted two more for context.

 

[Abacus]

My reasons. I feel I am letting him down. My field hasnt weathered well at all this winter, it’s literally a mud bath, so turn out is limited, he looks so miserable when he’s out, pawing at the ground for grass. And I really think he could do with going to a home with other horses, I was going to get a companion for him, but with my land as bad as it is I feel this is unfair to another horse. So, i decided it’s kinder to sell. It’s not been an easy decision.

Could you move him to livery? Rent more land to help? Assuming this isn’t possible then it does sound as though you are thinking of his happiness. Sounds like he needs a friend.

Most fields are muddy and grass-less at the moment. Mine are the same but the horses seem content - they do have companions. Perhaps it’s worth a try, loaning a companion to see if they cope?

 

[marmalade76]

My reasons. I feel I am letting him down. My field hasnt weathered well at all this winter, it’s literally a mud bath, so turn out is limited, he looks so miserable when he’s out, pawing at the ground for grass. And I really think he could do with going to a home with other horses, I was going to get a companion for him, but with my land as bad as it is I feel this is unfair to another horse. So, i decided it’s kinder to sell. It’s not been an easy decision.

Apart from when I had more than one to start with, I've always replaced the ones I've sold/given away. I think your husband is right.

 

[ycbm]

My reasons. I feel I am letting him down. My field hasnt weathered well at all this winter, it’s literally a mud bath, so turn out is limited, he looks so miserable when he’s out, pawing at the ground for grass. And I really think he could do with going to a home with other horses, I was going to get a companion for him, but with my land as bad as it is I feel this is unfair to another horse. So, i decided it’s kinder to sell. It’s not been an easy decision.

I think you will regret selling under those circumstances, though I admire you putting the horse first. Is there no way of creating some hard standing and getting a companion?

I regretted selling a really great Novice BE eventer once but only because my other horse had to be retired from eventing shortly after. I never missed the horse himself, just the eventing at that height.
.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I think, under the circumstances you describe, that your Husband is right...you'll regret it. However, I completely understand about feeling unhappy about your horse being on his own, that's most definitely not ideal. I'd have a really good think about what you can do to change things before resorting to selling xx

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Considering that I every year come across a number of posts on here mentioning mud, miserable looking fields, and restrictions regarding the time spent outdoors, how will you be able to guarantee that 2 or 3 years from now, the new owner won't have to stable him somewhere with similar outdoor conditions to what you have?
If you got him a small companion to spend his time with outside, he would have something else to do besides looking for non existent grass.

And if you got him a Shetland companion, hypothetically, you might become too busy fixing the fencing to keep the Shetland where you want him/her to be, so that you won't have much time to worry about whether your current horse is looking for non existent grass or not.

 

[Barton Bounty]

My reasons. I feel I am letting him down. My field hasnt weathered well at all this winter, it’s literally a mud bath, so turn out is limited, he looks so miserable when he’s out, pawing at the ground for grass. And I really think he could do with going to a home with other horses, I was going to get a companion for him, but with my land as bad as it is I feel this is unfair to another horse. So, i decided it’s kinder to sell. It’s not been an easy decision.

This year has been exceptionally wet considering so I guess that not every year is the same? Can you section off your field? Give him a more solid area and supplement with hay?

 

[Peglo]

I admire you for thinking of your horse first but I also think you would regret selling come spring. If you can I would try and create a hard standing area (even if you do it over the coming warmer months ready for next winter) and get a small companion.

They do a great impression of being miserable this time of year. And I agree that if you sell how do you know the new owner won’t keep him in worse conditions.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I am very sad that I let a horse go a few years ago when my 3 children were in primary school with no interest in horses and were forced to spend hours at the farm every day as they were too young to leave. Family commitments, work and mental health all meant I just couldn’t cope with the juggling anymore and had to prioritise my family over my hobby. I do wish I’d found a way to keep her. I think you’d regret it. Many horses don’t live ideal lives in winter in the UK. Spring is not far off now and you have enough time to come up with a better plan for next winter.

 

[ycbm]

Considering that I every year come across a number of posts on here mentioning mud, miserable looking fields, and restrictions regarding the time spent outdoors, how will you be able to guarantee that 2 or 3 years from now, the new owner won't have to stable him somewhere with similar outdoor conditions to what you have?
If you got him a small companion to spend his time with outside, he would have something else to do besides looking for non existent grass.

And if you got him a Shetland companion, hypothetically, you might become too busy fixing the fencing to keep the Shetland where you want him/her to be, so that you won't have much time to worry about whether your current horse is looking for non existent grass or not.

?

 

[Sprout]

I have bought and sold quite a few over the years.
We made the decision to sell my husband’s horse, because husband had to work away and had no time to ride. A few years later, his work commitments changed and he wanted to ride again, so I started horse hunting, came across one ad that grabbed my attention …. it was his horse that we sold, so we bought him back!?

 

[Muddy_wellies]

Thank you for your replies. I had been considering making a small all weather surface area for him. He’s coming up 2 years old, I have it in my head that he should be running out with more than one horse in bigger fields than I have to offer him. I live in a very rural area, there aren’t livery yards in the area. I have spoken with local farmers about buying more land but that’s not an option, and I’ve asked around for grazing with friends horses and again that’s not an option.

 

[cauda equina]

You're right, he should be running around with other youngsters
Other than selling I would look into sending him away to youngstock livery, even if it has to be some distance away

 

[chaps89]

Thank you for your replies. I had been considering making a small all weather surface area for him. He’s coming up 2 years old, I have it in my head that he should be running out with more than one horse in bigger fields than I have to offer him. I live in a very rural area, there aren’t livery yards in the area. I have spoken with local farmers about buying more land but that’s not an option, and I’ve asked around for grazing with friends horses and again that’s not an option.

Could you send him on youngstock livery for a year or two?
Horses that age really do need a mix of company, young ones to play with and older ones to teach them to toe the line.
The yard would do all the daily care so you can just visit as and when so means going further afield might be more feasible?
Gives you some time to then think about your facilities where you are for when he comes back.
I was with everyone else on the keep him, get him a companion and sort some sort of all weather turnout until I saw his age tbh.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

The age changes my position too. Older horses can adapt to lots of different ways of being kept, but that early socialisation and the early muskulo-skeletal developmental are really important. So I think you need to weigh up different options?

Do you want a horse in your life? In which case I'd go for an older one and sell your youngster.
Or is it THIS horse you love? In which case I would send away to youngstock livery till at least next Spring. Then he will be 3 1/2 and ready to start work and you will have plenty of time to figure out the land/field issue. He would still need a companion but dry lots or tracks are fine and you have time to set something up. Livery really does not need to be expensive as frankly the more turn out and less handling the better! He just needs space to play, ideally on a hill, and playmates.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

I have never sold, did consider selling my cob many years ago and got as far as writing the advert. I then thought about people coming to try him and I knew I would never part with him as the mere thought of someone getting on him and not treating him properly made me sick. Haven't ridden him for seven years but he is happy and healthy and lives with my 29 year old TB x Welsh and a 24 year old retired cob and three minis. OP I would seriously think how you would feel knowing someone else is enjoying your horse and go from there.

 

[ycbm]

Thank you for your replies. I had been considering making a small all weather surface area for him. He’s coming up 2 years old, I have it in my head that he should be running out with more than one horse in bigger fields than I have to offer him. I live in a very rural area, there aren’t livery yards in the area. I have spoken with local farmers about buying more land but that’s not an option, and I’ve asked around for grazing with friends horses and again that’s not an option.

I didn't realise he was a baby. No he shouldn't be on his own in a mud patch, so you should sell him if you can't change that.
.

 

[HBB]

I was forced to sell one last year due to circumstances out with my control and I regret it so much, it broke my heart. Seven weeks after he went I asked his new owner if I could buy him back as I had made a huge mistake and was told no, it crushed me ?
OP please give it good thought and don't rush into anything, there is nothing worse than making a massive mistake and knowing it can't be fixed.