Have I done the right thing? (Long)

4faults

4faults

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I am having a bit of a dilemma and was wondering what peoples opinions on this are.

I have 2 horses, one is a 16.3 WB gelding 4 yo the other is a 17.2 WB mare 7yo.

I have lost my job so can no longer afford to keep both of them. I have had the 4yo longer and he is amazing, gorgeous, sweet, athletic, talented and wants to please but spooky, has a shiver and can be lazy to ride.

The mare is extremely sweet, athletic, pretty, talented(perhaps not so much as the gelding), has her screwed on and is slightly further on in her schooling but has slightly squiff hind leg conformation and very sensitive.

I have clicked with the mare, you know when you feel that connection with a horse and even when they are being pigs you are enjoying riding them. I dont get on as well with the gelding, he is just not my type of horse when ridden.

So although I thought the gelding was going to be mine for years and the mare just kind of fell into my lap I think shes going to be the one I keep.

Have I made the right choice? I feel awful because he whinnies at me, he knows me and hes settled but I am going to end up with a 9-5 job and will only have time for one horse anyway, a youngster possibly isnt going to get the schooling that is needed at this stage.

Sorry for the essay but Im struggling with having to sell :(:(
 
Sound like you have made the right choice. Youngsters are hard work and it sounds like you don't have the time for him.

Don't feel bad - if you find him the right home he'll soon settle. I guess a full loan could be an option, but probably not ideal for a baby?
 
Poor you. Its a horrible decision, but its simply your choice at the end of the day. She obviously does it more for you. The only thing with selling the gelding is that it will be hard due to the shiver, and it will take his price right down, whereas you would get more for the mare - if you need to generate money from the sale, whereas if its just about saving on outgoings this isn't a problem..
 
its very difficult and i do sympathise having had slightly similar situation not to so long ago!
at least you are thinking of of the horses and not being greedy definately think your better saying goodbye to the baby if you arent going to have the time. he can then move to a home where he will get the time.

hugs
 
Yes it is about the outgoings :(
Im willing to take a knock down price for him but want to be 100% sure hes going to a good home.
really depressing me as hes going to be fantastic one day
 
I'll say the obvious - could you loan him/share him, or find somewhere to turn them both out for the summer, which isn't TOO far away hopefully - (wishful thinking on my part!) thus saving money for the winter. You will be more sure where you are then too re jobs.. It would't be the end of the world to leave him for a year - they don't take any harm from taking your time, whereas they do from rushing!

ps. Edited to say that you've probably thought of all this already and ruled it out. Just thinking of things that have gone through my mind - had to temp. take another job for a while as awaiting an op, and have had to cut back on outgoings a lot too! Have roughted my horses off a lot and removed shoes until now etc..
 
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I had thought of that Honey08 but I want to be able to have lessons and compete, perhaps I will feel better when I can afford to have more regular lessons and pamper just the one horse.
My OH was going to take over the ride on the gelding and we would have found a way to keep them both but he has lost interest and Im struggling to get all my jobs done and ride both everyday after work.

Thanks everyone, i know Im making the right decision in the long run but its so hard
 
You can do both horses and still work 9-5 - honest. I didn't think I'd cope as Blue should have been sold, but I am just about managing, although Rebs doesn't get ridden as much now, so I suppose he's not a problem. If you do have to sell, it sounds like you've really gelled with the mare, and if you want to compete, then the decision has to be made on which one you enjoy riding the most. Sorry to hear you've got to sell one. Good luck and I hope you find the perfect home x
 
My family all looked at me in amazement when I announced this time last year that it would be my 8yo 16.3 mare that would be going not the 11yo 15hh gelding (getting rid due to work load rather than money) but he is the one I "click" with , he makes me smile!!!!!!!He is spooky , Nappy , and generally a prima donna but although she had all the talent she scared me just a little bit. A lot of us are having to make difficult decisions atm but this is you hobby , your down time and you are supposed to enjoy it so change your thinking and just imagine what oppertunities you are offering your youngster with a different owner , he will soon whinney to them too (horses are v shallow animals)
 
4faults said:
I had thought of that Honey08 but I want to be able to have lessons and compete, perhaps I will feel better when I can afford to have more regular lessons and pamper just the one horse.
My OH was going to take over the ride on the gelding and we would have found a way to keep them both but he has lost interest and Im struggling to get all my jobs done and ride both everyday after work.

Thanks everyone, i know Im making the right decision in the long run but its so hard
Click to expand...

I know what you mean - we have 3 now, and I do look back to the days when I could concentrate on one - go for longer rides and tack was cleaned etc. Now I feel guilty for not doing as much with the other!
 
kirinsam said:
he will soon whinney to them too (horses are v shallow animals)
Click to expand...

Very very true, he only whinnies coz he knows I supply the food :D

Thats what Im thinking, its my hobby, I want to enjoy it, not worry that i havent had time to ride so his schooling may suffer, I can see myself wanting to get out of bed of a weekend when its throwing it down to go and ride her whereas with him it may become a bit of a chore :rolleyes:

Hollyhocks- I wouldnt have time on my yard, I would have to get the bus and then walk 20 mins to get to the yard the YO is an ogre about the yard being shut by 7pm. But the facilities are brilliant and i ge ton with everyone. and its a money flow situation as well, OH is starting a course and we are buying a new car :(
 
What rotten luck! However, I think you are doing the right thing in keeping the mare. I sympathise as my daughter's pony will have to go next year, when she is outgrown and she is an absolute sweetie! Life can be cruel.
 
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