Heart broken. Having to let go of a horse you love due to financial reasons

Charla

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I've tried my hardest to afford both my horses over winter, but it has resulted in me getting in to more and more serious debt. (Was left with the second horse after a relationship breakdown, didn't buy second one myself.) I have tried part loaning one, but found nobody suitable. Yard rule is over 21s only and only very nervous, inexperienced adults showed up who just weren't suitable.
After a very long and hard decision, I have agreed to let a lady take one on full loan with view to buy and move him to her yard. Today is the day he goes and I feel so upset. Don't know how I will cope when I'm putting him on that lorry and saying goodbye. Absolutely dreading it. I wish I had more money and more time to give them both all that they need.
I'm also seriously concerned as to how my other horse will cope on his own when he's gone. They have always gone out in a pair and are very attached. It will be heart breaking to see them both seperated.
 
Just want to say sorry you're in this dilemma. I hope the lady taking the horse today works out well.

Don't worry too much about the one left with you pining. I assume there are other horses on the yard. Can one of them be his new turnout companion?

Hope all goes well for you today.

And just an aside, DO check up on the horse going away until she has paid for it. Make unannounced visits to see him.
 
at least with loan first you can keep an eye on them and visit a few times to put your heart as rest that they are alright. it must be so hard for you, but obviously the right decision.
 
I know exactly how you feel. I let one of my horses go out on loan a couple of weeks ago :(. He wasn't getting the work and attention he needed, plus i was finding it hard financially to keep all 4. He hasn't gone far but i do keep an eye on him, i went the other day to check on him.
I really hope the lady taking him today is as nice as my loaner. You will get upset when he is going but just remember you are doing what is best for both you and your boy. Don't worry too much about the one you are keeping, they soon get used to other one not being around.
 
Feel for you. Been in a similar situation myself. Had a TB I was competing and my old PC mare (nose in avatar), who was out on loan with a friend who just wanted to hack. Friend ended up out of work and struggling financially so handed my old mare back. There was no way I could afford to keep them both at the time, and the mare owed me nothing, so I tried to sell my TB, who I absolutely adored and had poured my life savings into. Then he failed the vet so I let the lady have him on loan with a view to buy so she could see that he was sound in the work she wanted to do with him. End result she had him for the summer then sent him back just before the winter because she couldn't cope with him out hunting, so I was back to square one with two horses to keep at the most expensive time of the year. Luckily the old lady adjusted well to retirement and living out full time, so with her costs down and my financial status having improved slightly, I just about managed to keep the two of them. Then I ended up losing the TB to colic, so I'm now back to one horse and will be able to afford to bring the old lady in at night during next winter, which she will appreciate. Luckily a friend has a horse that needs exercising, so I'm not without something to ride. I wouldn't want to go through it again.
 
Thank you all for your kind replies and positive stories. It was so hard putting him on the lorry. He loaded well (only ever loaded twice in his 9 year life) and arrived safely and I got a call to say he is fine in the stable eating.
Once the box was shut him and my gelding who was in his stable were literally screaming for each other and it killed me! My boy is very unsettled. He's off his food and calling every so often :( I'm hoping my friend will lend me her companion horse as she has three out together. So hard letting them go and like above poster says, never again can I go through with that. Will check on him regularly. Loaner seems the nicest lady and luckily is also experienced with Arabs :)
 
Thinking of you and sending a cyber hug to you. It could happen to any one of us and I am sorry you are going through it at the moment. I am not sure what I would do, apart from be heartbroken, like you x
 
Totally empathise - I have to do the same thing. Next Sunday my gorgeous cob is going to a friend on sales livery as I can't afford to keep her anymore. I have two others (one semi retired) so I know I am very lucky already.

I bought her last year and have done so much with her and she is my perfect pony - but it's the only option I have.

I'm not even going to be there when she goes - don't think I can bear it. She lives out at my friends so I shall pop up to say my goodbyes in the week. Gutted but I'm overdrawn and struggling so there's no option.

Hope u are ok and your other boy settles without his friend. X
 
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