Head over heart... selling the one you might regret

[katastrophykat]

Current situation- I own 5 horses/ponies.

One on long term loan with a good friend, not expected back any time soon.

One on short term LWVB due to be sold as soon as he’s settled and myself and loaners are happy but I’m not counting chickens (or ponies!) until he’s paid for.

Two that are my current driving ponies/daughters first and second riding ponies- they aren’t and won’t be going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

One three year old to make her third riding pony and me another driving pony.

The three with me are at livery, total cost approx £400 pcm DIY
Three current ponies are easy to keep, not lami prone, tidy in stables and don’t cost a huge amount to keep, shoes for the ones that are in work being about the biggest cost.

My little girl is 5, v tall and growing like a weed, ponies 1 and 2 are just under and just over 12hh, pony 3 will make 13.2.

However, I work almost full time, little one isn’t *that* fussed about yard/ponies- though I suspect that would change given summer/group lessons/PC etc coming up now she’s almost ready for that- she’s more social than me and likes to be in company ?

So, I have my sensible head on and have advertised the 3 yo to clear some cash outgoings each month and free me up time wise to spend more with the others/work/child

He has a viewing booked in.

However. I’m scared that he’s going to become a wonderful all rounder and that I won’t be able to buy back the type that he is if I need to. he is brave and bold, a good all round type, chunky enough to take up her leg until she’s in her teens and doesn’t get silly/spooky, he moves well... etc etc. Mind you - his current understanding of personal space drives me nuts- so he’s not all good ?

I don’t sell many horses, ever and wanted to know who’s felt like this, what did you do and given hindsight, what would you do if you had your time again?

 

[dogatemysalad]

I was in a similar position because of a leg injury, I had to sell two of the three horses. I had a very talented 7 year old DWB who was showing great promise, a very special 3 year old ISH ready to be backed and a H/W family cob who was a stop and go, any bodies ride, but hated schooling.
When it came to making a decision, it was the family cob who stayed, despite that fact I never chose to ride him very often, (other people did ) but he was such a great character that he was a part of the family.
It turned out to be the right choice. The two mares went on to have great careers and are still in the same homes ten years later.
The cob became my main ride when I rehabbed my leg and when he died a few years later, I realised what an absolute legend he was and how much of my heart he had stolen.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I think with children's ponies, you really have to think about the 'now and immediate' future.
I used to sell childrens ponies, it wasnt an easy life but was lovely to see them go on in new homes.
I dont think you can project thoughts that the 3 yr old might suit your 5yr old daughter in 8 yrs time if not before. If you need to cut back and you find him what appears to be a good future, then I'd say let him go, bank the money for future. Who knows, in 2 years time child might have napped badly ?? about riding at all.
Yes, you could regret it, I think unless a horse or pony is being sold because it's a problem, then all of us will have strong feelings for them.
Remember, your own circumstances could well change too.

My daughter had 1 long term resident of hers, the rest she rode were schoolers to be homed. This helped with letting the others go, tho it was never easy.

 

[ester]

I think it would be a long time to keep one for just because he might be the perfect pony in X number of years.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Honestly, so much could change before she out grows your bigger pony. My tall, slim/medium build 9yo boy is still absolutely fine on our not particularly stocky 11.3hh dartmoor (for reference, pony is 260kg, child is 29kg) so if one of yours is over 12hh then that will be fine until she's at least 10, possibly even 12.

And financially, it sounds as though it's still very much a seller's market at the moment, but that can't carry on forever.

But if you really can't bear to lose the pony, then you'll just have to keep it!

 

[Equi]

It’s hard to try and see the future. I’m seriously considering selling my 5yo mini mare but she’s technically the “best” horse I have and hugely sentimental being my first ever foal but I’m not going to be showing or breeding again anytime soon and it feels wasteful to deny the mini breed an actual good animal who can better the standard. She doesn’t technically cost anything but it could put a few quid in my bank. I’ve talked myself out of it so many times so have never actually advertised her but I’ve told a few people that if anyone is looking to send them my way for a vetting lol but I don’t know if I could actually let her go if it came to it.

 

[Annagain]

If you're saving £100+ per month on livery, you'll soon have the money to buy the horse the 3 year old might become. At 5, even if she's tall, your daughter will have years left on her other two ponies. Save the livery money in a separate account so you have a decent fund to buy a horse you know is right for her when she's outgrown her two rather than gambling on this one becoming right for her.

 

[maya2008]

My 8 year old son still hasn’t grown out of his 10.3hh shetland, and our 13hh 6yo mare is way too much for him. She prefers me, liking direction and confidence giving from an adult at her age. My old New Forest was also an adult’s pony until she was 10/11 years old.

The two you have will last for ages, sell the 3yo!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

It’s hard to try and see the future. I’m seriously considering selling my 5yo mini mare but she’s technically the “best” horse I have and hugely sentimental being my first ever foal but I’m not going to be showing or breeding again anytime soon and it feels wasteful to deny the mini breed an actual good animal who can better the standard. She doesn’t technically cost anything but it could put a few quid in my bank. I’ve talked myself out of it so many times so have never actually advertised her but I’ve told a few people that if anyone is looking to send them my way for a vetting lol but I don’t know if I could actually let her go if it came to it.

I've been looking for another registered mini mare, but prices for decent ones in England are stupendous! At least 4 times the amount they were 3 years ago. I'm not looking to breed but I occasionally show and as i used to have registered ponies, i still like to look at something decent in my fields ?
Hope she finds a good home if you do let her go x

 

[Equi]

I've been looking for another registered mini mare, but prices for decent ones in England are stupendous! At least 4 times the amount they were 3 years ago. I'm not looking to breed but I occasionally show and as i used to have registered ponies, i still like to look at something decent in my fields ?
Hope she finds a good home if you do let her go x

If I ever get round to getting pics I’ll send you and advert, she could be transported in a boot or popped in the post ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

If I ever get round to getting pics I’ll send you and advert, she could be transported in a boot or popped in the post ?

You nut ? I just need want a 2nd mini lawnmower as mine lost her bestie last Nov, tho she's happy enough pottering with B Fuzzy in the fields ?
If she's a v good one, let Debi at Moorfoot stud know, she's outside Aberdeen and always considers decently bred ponies to spread her gene pool x

 

[katastrophykat]

Thank you all, it’s all appreciated. He has a viewing booked in.
I need to focus on how much easier life it going to be. I went through this winter with four- two at grass, two stabled with turnout... and I’m genuinely tired of the workload. I’ve just struggled to see the woods for the amount of ponies stood in front of them!