MissGee
Well-Known Member
Help please... I just don't know what to do.
Here's the story... we had 3 horses, a 28 year old retired boy, and two competition horses who are now 18 and 19 years old. So we decided we ought to think about getting a younger horse to bring on. We wanted something that with a little work could pretty much "hit the ground running" so decided to not go for something too young but bought a gelding rising 6.
He's stunning, a lovely chap, easy to do on the ground, fits in great with our lot and the other couple of liveries horses we have. He's easy to do, nice to have around and great with the dogs etc. The problem is, he needs a lot more ridden work than we first envisaged... he has all the potential to make a fantastic horse, he's bold and brave and will I have no doubt make a fab showjumper (what we bought him to do) but he needs probably a year's worth of work before he will be ready to go out and compete. We've taken him out and about competing and when he's put under pressure he rears... here's the problem. I don't have the confidence to deal with it... so my husband ends up riding him all the time. Which obviously isn't what we wanted, he wants to be able to ride his horse (which is also quirky - so I wont compete him either)... I ride him at home and hack him about no problem.
So here's our dilema... do we keep him, put in the work and hope he turns out to be what we want... or do we sell him...? I have no doubt we (albeit more my husband) could sort him out, with time and patience. Or do we cut our losses and sell him.... I have had him advertised but no one suitable has been so far... I will only sell him to the right home as I don't want him to be passed from pillar to post. He is one gorgeous horse, very striking...
I just don't know what to do... I had one chap come and see him yesterday... agreed exactly with what I have said, fantastic horse, great potential and in a years time will be worth a lot of money, but not what he was looking for as he too wanted something that with a little work would pretty much hit the ground running..... he also said he thought I was mad to be selling him... particularly for the price I'm asking!
One other thought, what about swaps? Do people do this? Is there any likelihood of something with an older horse wanting to swap for younger/quriky potential?
PS - I've now had him 4 months....
So people help/ideas please....
Here's the story... we had 3 horses, a 28 year old retired boy, and two competition horses who are now 18 and 19 years old. So we decided we ought to think about getting a younger horse to bring on. We wanted something that with a little work could pretty much "hit the ground running" so decided to not go for something too young but bought a gelding rising 6.
He's stunning, a lovely chap, easy to do on the ground, fits in great with our lot and the other couple of liveries horses we have. He's easy to do, nice to have around and great with the dogs etc. The problem is, he needs a lot more ridden work than we first envisaged... he has all the potential to make a fantastic horse, he's bold and brave and will I have no doubt make a fab showjumper (what we bought him to do) but he needs probably a year's worth of work before he will be ready to go out and compete. We've taken him out and about competing and when he's put under pressure he rears... here's the problem. I don't have the confidence to deal with it... so my husband ends up riding him all the time. Which obviously isn't what we wanted, he wants to be able to ride his horse (which is also quirky - so I wont compete him either)... I ride him at home and hack him about no problem.
So here's our dilema... do we keep him, put in the work and hope he turns out to be what we want... or do we sell him...? I have no doubt we (albeit more my husband) could sort him out, with time and patience. Or do we cut our losses and sell him.... I have had him advertised but no one suitable has been so far... I will only sell him to the right home as I don't want him to be passed from pillar to post. He is one gorgeous horse, very striking...
I just don't know what to do... I had one chap come and see him yesterday... agreed exactly with what I have said, fantastic horse, great potential and in a years time will be worth a lot of money, but not what he was looking for as he too wanted something that with a little work would pretty much hit the ground running..... he also said he thought I was mad to be selling him... particularly for the price I'm asking!
One other thought, what about swaps? Do people do this? Is there any likelihood of something with an older horse wanting to swap for younger/quriky potential?
PS - I've now had him 4 months....
So people help/ideas please....