I am in a horrible situation - would be interesting to get your thoughts

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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So, I sold my big grey horse 2/3 weeks ago. He was advertised very cheaply as he has sarcoids & is NOT a novice ride. He is great in an arena, and really knows his job & will happily jump Discovery level, but he can get anxious, jump up and down on the spot & do bunny hops/threaten to rear - this only usually happens if you hack him alone - and I normally ride him through it (and I did hack him alone quite a lot in the end).

Anyway - I found him a lovely home & I was honest about all of the above, but got a call last week to say he had reared when they had tried to hack alone. I gave lady some tips & advised to wait until he settled in before hacking alone. I also offered to come and ride him for her, to get him through it a bit.

So another week or so goes by &today I get a call saying that she is scared of the horse because he has reared vertical and he messes around & she can't get on with him. Plus her husband is going to get trading standards onto me & that she just doesn't want to even look at the horse anymore & wants rid. In her defense she was obviously very upset by this and I can understand that she wants him gone if he has scared her (so I don't blame her, I guess)

Now - I am going to go and get him, not because of trading standards, but because I feel that is the best thing to do for his benefit, BUT I have no room/money for him (hence the sale in the first place). But now he is coming back to me as having reared and branded as 'dangerous'.

What the hell do I do now? I can't afford to keep him long term & if he goes somewhere else I worry that this will happen again. I don't really want to send him to a dealer, for the same reason. It is a very real option to me to consider having him PTS - the sarcoids are in his girth area -( they don't affect him at all BUT they do put buyers off). I am happy for him to be loaned, or sold for very little money - but not sure this is responsible if he's going to mess around.

What would you do? Genuinely interested in suggestions - (please don't give me abuse about how I shouldn't have sold him, or that I am mean to have him PTS)

I m so upset & stressed by this as I really thought he'd found a good home. :(
 
Sounds like the lady out-horsed herself. These threats of Trading Standards are becoming very common, where is it all going to end?
How about getting him going again yourself, and trying out an ad on Project Horses? You could advertise that LVTB would be acceptable.
I probably wouldn't give up yet.
 
I think if you have been honest from the start there is very little trading standards or the woman can do. I do admire the fact you are prepared to take him back. You are in a difficult situation with a horse that not many will want and is a prime candidate to be passed from pillar to post. I would try to find someone to loan him so you still have control of his future - failing that I think I would PTS - I know alot of people will not agree but you have to think of the horse in this - if you do PTS don't send to slaughter in case he gets sold on ensure he has "gone" before his body is taken away!
 
Dont give up loan with view to buy would be a better idea, as you told her the horse did this she has no comeback on you. Not sure if you wrote it all down but maybe next time write all the issues he has out on the loan contract give them a month to make sure its the right horse for them then sell.
 
Poor you and poor horse.

I too would look at a loan or LVTB.....and vet any loaners throughly before you allow him off your yard.

PTS is a viable option - at least his future is safeguarded
 
loan with view to buy and if no takers then PTS.

you are not mean, you are a responsible horse owner and more people should take a leaf from your book.big hugs as this is not an easy choice.........i sold a mare very cheaply last year as a broodmare, but if those people had not come forward and absolutely 200% wanted and adored her, she would have been pts as she was so so tricky.
 
It is very sad and traumatic when this situation arrises. Unfortunately there are so many people out there that over-estimate their abilities and are not prepared to put the time in to resolve issues that arise with a new horse.

You have probably made the best decision to collect your horse rather than incurr a lot of aggrovation and also the uncertainty of the future for your horse.

Different people get on with different horses and given time you will find the right home for your horse (and I appreciate that this is the problem) you should find a nice new home for your horse after all if you had many happy years with your horse then there will be someone out there that will do the same.
 
I really feel for you.
I had a similar situation a few years ago. I sold my green 5 yr old mare to a very nice lady, who seemed capable and also brought a very competent friend with her when they came to see my horse and she was going to be able to give regular help to her friend. She was a lovely mare, had been backed a year and was making good progress but she was quirky on occasions but to be honest, just needing more life experience and work! This was all stated in advert and said again to prospective buyers.
Anyway, a couple of weeks after selling her, I received a call from another friend of the buyer's, saying I had sold her a dangerous horse, that they couldn't even lead her from the field and when she lunged her, the saddle flaps were touching the ground! I was beside myself - I wasn't in a position to take the horse back - but she had been well trained and I was horrified that this woman was casting such aspertions about me and I was obviously very worried about the horse. She was also demanding in no uncertain terms that I take the horse back.
I did manage to speak to the owner and discovered that she had taken the advice of every person passing by and had put this extremely good doer (TB x something native) on to soya pellets and milk powder to 'build her up' - and bless her it had blown her mind!

Fortunately the lady who bought her had the good sense to see she was completely overhorsed and sent the horse for schooling livery. She was quickly sold on to a pony club home who contacted me and were thrilled with her. Huge sigh of relief!

Don't feel bad. You were extremely honest with the buyers. They were obviously not so honest with you or about their riding capabilities. As tinypony says, get him back and working well again and have another go at selling him. It is horrific to be in that situation - being made to feel the guilty party when you have been incredibly honest throughout. Onwards and upwards! x
 
Thanks guys, you have made me feel a bit better - glad I am not the only one to have experieneced this.

There is so much said about sellers being honest - I wish buyers were honest about their ability too. Horrible upsetting situation. Going to go and get him later today. Will try project horses & LWVTB, thanks
Bless him - he's a good horse really - will easy do an elementary test & pop a course of jumps, but he's big & he's learned somewhere along the line that he can get away with being silly. I need a good rider with not much cash who's happy to accept & deal with his quirks. If anyone knows anyone like this - send them my way! :)
 
It does sound as though the lady who bought him has "over horsed herself" a bit and is in a panic about it. Agree, it is a very tricky situation for you, you obviously want the best for the horse but equally you were very honest about his quirks. I cant see how they could bring a claim against you but equally can quite see that you dont want the aggravation. Fwiw I think you are doing the sensible thing in taking him back, Im sure the right home is out there for him, it just may take a little time. LWVTB is probably the next option as even though you run the risk of him coming back, you are already in that position, having sold him, and at least you are still in control of his future to some extent. Good luck with finding the right person for him.
 
what about a loan but keep him where he is for the time being - you may find someone that wants that and appreciates your advice and being on hand and the loaner pays for costs ie feed, straw and shoes if you dont have to pay livery
 
Hummm... I contacted you about him when you were selling him first time round... But then I got bogged down in exams and have been just focussing on the youngster... Now I'm tempted to say I'll come and have a little look at him... where exactly are you? I have my last exam on wednesday and so will be free as a bird all summer to sort out some 'quirks'... He is 12 isn't he? PM me if you think I would be a viable option and how much you would be looking for for him?

I'm sure I can squeeze another in somewhere!
 
A mate of mine sold a horse with the same outcome, 101% honest, then when horse didnt suit they went though the courts. The court experince wasnt to bad tbh, and she couldnt have the horse back due to family, money and work. It was sold cheap due to issues, which were stated in the advert, and that the horse needed to be re-school/re-broke.
The court pretty much spent 2hrs telling the buyer off saying she should have tried the horse the more, that she should know her own abilty and that due to the fact it was stated in the advert, on a repiect that the horse had prob's and needed re-schooling the girl didnt have a leg to stand on. When she brought the horse she even bragged on fb that she was going to mint on it. Haha, she lost a lot of money and had to pay us compo for the stress it caused. The horse however ended up at private santuary, and they are working though its problems with mild succuess
 
No I don't think you are being "horrible" in the PTS option; you are obviusly concerned with the welfare of the horse and this is an option that you are considering.

To hack out alone, a horse needs to be 100% confident in its rider; and going to a new home with a new rider, its no wonder there was a problem really. A lot of horses "won't hack alone" and I think the new owner, in all honesty, hasn't really given the horse a fair trial at all. You have to work at things and she obviously hasn't considered that .... yes, over-horsed herself in fact.

My feeling is that your horse's welfare is paramount: I'd be going over to fetch him back PDQ to get him out of that situation. Then if you can't afford to keep him, or whatever, seek a loan home, OR, another option, had you thought about sending him to equestrian college? They're always looking for horses to bring on and that might be an easy/cheap option for you if you really don't know what to do with him whilst at the same time wishing to improve him. PM me if you'd like more info on this.
 
if you are a private seller, then i dont see how trading standards could get involved?

Does sound likr lady over-horsed herself, and really not fair on the horse - its only been a few weeks, and new environment + new owner + inexperience + routine change im not surprised he had something to say about it.

poor horse. sounds like its better off back with you anyway. Hope you find a good home for him.
 
Don't do anything... there is no come back on you... unless you are a dealer or a professional horse person... it's caveat emptor (buyer beware) and trading standards don't apply cos you're not a trader. She could have had him vetted, she could have ridden him out everyday for a week before she agreed to buy him. She didn't. Let her stew... it all depends how worried about the horse you are of course, but legally she can do nothing.

Blitz
 
To be honest, you shouldn't have to take him back. If you were honest with her from day one, she knew the risks and accepted them. It's not your fault that she has bitten off more than she can chew and has changed her mind. You're really going out you're way.

The idea of putting an ad with "Project horse" sounds like a good idea or putting him out on loan.
 
Well, I admire Op for taking him back, because she was putting the horse first. So I hope that this all works out well.
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If he's fine in the arena - cant you just sell/loan him to someone who doesn't hack? I never hack out so his "issue" wouldn't bother me, especially if he was perfectly sane to ride in the field / in the school.
 
Poor you, don't think they have any comeback but can understand how worried you must be. I think loan or LWVTB is your best option. I hate the selling process, I refused to sell my cob to a novice family a couple of months ago as they wouldn't even ride when they came to view. He is quite a plod but can have his moments, usually on the ground and needs someone he knows is not intimidated by him, then he's as good as gold. It would have been easy to let them have him but I knew they would just try to treat him as a pet and he wouldn't have been right for them. It sounds like you did everything right and you shouldn't beat yourself up about it, unfortunately these days it's a blame culture, people always have to blame someone else for their shortcomings.
 
I know some girls (who are amazing riders, and will happily ride horses that sound far more dangerous than your boy) who would absolutely love a jumper of his standard on long term loan! Maybe advertise him for loan, and as long as you explain about the rearing ect, you're being perfectly responsible! I would be reluctant to sell him, just incase he did injure someone and was sold on with his flaws masked...
 
if thats him in your photo looks lovely :)
Not many people would take the horse back in the position your in. Hes a very lucky horsey :)
 
I do really feel for you. What are people like. You were honest with the horses quirks and problems, and the stupid woman has obviously overhorsed herself and the poor thing has not settled in as yet.

Well, dont panic too much, they cant go to trading standards unless you are a legitimate business. From your post, you dont seem to be. The worst the can do is go via the small claims court (if the horse was under 5K), the burden of proof will be on them, and as you have been scrupulously honest, unless the judge has had a really bad day, it should all be pretty straightforward. Now I can understand your feelings towards the horse, and you obviously only want what is best for him. However, do not be bullied into taking him back, if its not what you really want. People just make me sick sometimes. If they dont get their own way, they just scream at you and threaten to call their solicitor, go to trading standards, you a bad press. Sometimes people are just so vile and you sound like you have had enough of it.

Take him back if it salves your conscience, but dont be forced into it.
 
I think she's over horsed herself, completely agree with TheoryX1, you were honest so no come back on you really. A lot of us overestimate our abilities and can be a bit too brave at times!! If you can't shift him through the website that was mentioned earlier then you may have to have him pts, sorry hun. It's a difficult one hope you get through it xxx
 
just whizzing in, before I have to whizz out again - but wanted to say thank you to you all for your thoughts and suggestions.
I know I didn't have to take him back, but someone has to take responsibility for this horse's future & if that someone has to be me then so be it!

Anyway, he is home now & I think that I will have one more bash at finding him a good home & then will re-evaluate. Poor lad - he's got a heart of gold & doesn't deserve this!

Studentvet - I will PM you later when I have a bit more time but definitely think you should come and have a sit on him. :)

Going to hack him out myself tomorrow & just see what I am dealing with - think he's had 3 weeks of taking the p to be honest. thx again all.

Edited to add - yes he is the grey in my siggy. :-)
 
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It does seem that people give up so quickly on horses, or perhaps that's just my perspective. I can imagine that if she has over horsed herself then it's probably wise in the long run but if you told her that he has this tendency especially when hacking alone, and then she hacks him alone it is kind of asking for trouble.

I agree with trying to find him a loan home, there are more people out there than you realise who can get on perfectly well with a quirky horse like that, and if his sarcoids don't effect him a lot of people don't mind that either.

I'm sorry this has happened to you and your horse.
 
What a silly woman! He's not even had enough time to settle down yet.

It's nice to see that you are being the responsible one and taking him back. Whatever decision you make, I am sure it will again be made with his best interests at heart.

I second advertising on project horses. Hope you find a good home for him.
 
Lovely horse, stupid woman. This happened to me but it was resolved eventually I had trading standards thrown at me but fortunately I had some good back-up, hope you find a good home/rider for him.
 
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