Gutted doesn't even cover it

if the OP wants to compete (which she says she really want to event) and her family can only afford one horse, what is the problem with wanting to sell the happy hacker to fund a competition horse?
 
tonkatoy said:
if the OP wants to compete (which she says she really want to event) and her family can only afford one horse, what is the problem with wanting to sell the happy hacker to fund a competition horse?
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No problem.

I'm sorry - I have been working stupidly long shifts this weekend, where does OP say her parents are going to fund another horse? I read it that OP's parents are getting rid of this one, and not getting another at all?
 
i must have misinterpreted the post! but still if the OP is going to uni and they don't want to fund a paddock pony (i know my parents wouldn't have as to be honest i just wanted to compete) i see no problems, i think the OP may have written the post when feeling down and the post hasn't come across quite as intended!
 
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YorksG said:
OP have I understood correctly, that your horse is 5 years old and has been lame, intermitantly, since it was 3 and a half and has been evented? If after university, you decide to get another, I would suggest tat you give some serious thought to the management of it, particularly if you buy another youngster.
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He has never evented, but was bought to event in the future. He has been lame since may/June last year and has done very little since.
 
tonkatoy said:
if the OP wants to compete (which she says she really want to event) and her family can only afford one horse, what is the problem with wanting to sell the happy hacker to fund a competition horse?
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Hit the nail on the head.
I'm gutted he is like this as he is such a sweety and I thought could really go far but not to be. I'd love to keep him as a hack but unfortunately my heart still lies on eventing. But, unless I can find a cheaper yard and find a cheaper horse to bring on, I doubt I'll get another horse as parents are fed up of forking out £3k a year or more for a horse to do nothing.
 
Firstly, this horse is only five, is it possible that with a lot of time and careful management he might actually mature and recover enough to be a competition horse? The front lameness might be nothing serious and not related to the ongoing problem at all.

Secondly, this is exactly the sort of horse that dealers rub their hands at acquiring. It looks like a £5k+ horse, it acts like a £5k+ horse and they know how to manage it well enough to sell it as a £5k+ horse to people with dreams like yourself who it will only break down on again. If you do pass it on, a loan would be the most responsible thing to do to ensure this horse doesn't just end up traveling around making gits money and breaking more hearts.
 
Moomin1 said:
Now tell me something, if OP's parents could afford said horse when it was a budding eventer, then how can they not now be prepared to afford it now it's just a happy hacker, despite OP wanting to keep the horse?
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Perhaps the best course of action for you Moomin is to request details of the OP's parents financials. How you can possibly come up with them being pot hunters simply because they've decided that they can no longer afford to fund a very expensive hobby and lifestyle is beyond me.
 
Very sensibly said Flame, I know of far too many dealers who would have no qualms about making a quick buck on this horse. A loan home would be the most sensible option. And you never know, a year or two of happy hacking might see him right.

OP your parents strike me as fed up and annoyed of the horsey situation AT THE MOMENT (which is fair enough) That doesn't mean they won't soften in a years time and help you out with another horse. I'll make a bet you won't be without a horse for 10 years! But do right by this horse first, and you will get your rewards. I believe in karma!
 
Flame_ said:
Firstly, this horse is only five, is it possible that with a lot of time and careful management he might actually mature and recover enough to be a competition horse? The front lameness might be nothing serious and not related to the ongoing problem at all.

Secondly, this is exactly the sort of horse that dealers rub their hands at acquiring. It looks like a £5k+ horse, it acts like a £5k+ horse and they know how to manage it well enough to sell it as a £5k+ horse to people with dreams like yourself who it will only break down on again. If you do pass it on, a loan would be the most responsible thing to do to ensure this horse doesn't just end up traveling around making gits money and breaking more hearts.
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I agree with all of this, the first part may prove correct, give a young horse the time and treatment and he could come right, until the front lameness is looked at nothing can be decided.

The second statement is also true, he is one that dealers will be so pleased to acquire, a short time to get fixed enough to pass a vet and easy profit, the next owners have the heartbreak of him possibly breaking down.
If only the passport system was better monitored, insurance companies took control and worked together to provide information which could be kept centrally or more were freeze branded LOU then less horses would suffer, owners would be safer when purchasing and the dodgy dealers would eventually go out of business or go straight.
 
So sorry, OP. I hope the vet has some good news for you on Friday. Having rehabbed my horse back from injury last year, she went lame again. I thought the worst too but vet came out and it was just an abscess.

I guess while your parents are funding your horse, you have to comply with their wishes. If your horse is re-homed, you can do your best to make sure he gets a good new home with someone who, like many owners, just wants a nice character to mooch around the lanes on and enjoy.

Concentrate on your studies as it'll give you the best chance of a good career and financial independence, so that you can make you own decisions about having horses, or not.
And, it may seem like a long time away, but my guess, is that you'll have a horse much sooner than in 10 years. Think positive.:D
 
My x sj'er went through 8 dealer yards in 6 months , before she eventually dropped lucky into a hacking home(me). God only knows what has happened to her in that time as she was an emotional mess and at times dammed dangerous?!
Some dealers would of forced her to jump I guess?

If your parents are prepared to make a loss on him, a nice quiet hacking home may see him come back fit some day and ready for the job he was bred for? i
It's certainly worked for my mare. :eek::eek::eek:
 
There are loads of people looking for a nice horse to hack without the pressure of jumping, they don't all want a plod either.

Conversley there are loads of people with a good horse that they don't want to jump and would love a younger rider to take them on and do more.

Universities also have riding clubs, some have polo clubs, so there will still be lots of riding opportunities.
 
I don't see the logic in the parents insisting on the OP having an event horse, but buying her such a young horse, which might have been anything or nothing, or taken a long time to mature. Surely if they were that dogmatic, they would have bought her an older horse which was already out eventing?

Anyway, OP, if you don't think this is the horse for you, simply sell him privately as best you can, and get him out hacking safely to prepare him for this. It might be that in time he will recover enough to compete at riding club level. I also think the loaning idea is a good one, as he is so young, in time he might well recover and strengthen up if he does less complex work just now while he is still growing.
 
Poor you and poor horse.

I can totally understand why your parents think it's a waste of money pouring cash into a horse who's only a happy hacker. Happy hacking may be the sole aim for many but far more people (inc me) expect a horse to be able to do a job you want of them. I don't blame you in the slightest for not wanting to resign to a lifetime of nothing but hacking!

Get the horse sound and comfortable and LOAN him. That would be the one point I'd argue strongly for. The above posts about dealers is sadly very true.

I suspet you're parents will change their minds about getting you another horse but if not, there's plenty of ways to get saddle time whilst at uni.
 
I have some sympathy with parents. Keeping a child at uni and a horse is horrendously expensive whether the horse events or hacks. Ours was sold when daughter went to uni. Yes it was heartrending at the time for both of us but a; it was an expense too far, and b; with a full time demanding job I didn't want the responsibility of looking after it. Happy ending though, as daughter was able to buy him back when she qualified.......shortly before he was diagnosed with a metabolic disorder. But that's another story!
 
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