I can't sell the sodding pony

Munchkin

Munchkin

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Okay, I'm in need of a kick up the booty and I'm sure there are people here who will oblige.

I came back from Australia horseless, obviously, and in Oct last year bought two projects, a 15.3hh 7yo TB and a 14.1hh 3yo Welsh x Trotter. The TB was intended to be a long term project to keep, the pony a shorter term project to back and sell.

Due to events which I shall not go into, the TB had to be PTS in Dec. I therefore now own only the pony.

Here's the problem - I love him! Now 4, he's a saint to hack alone and in company, will go first or last, is very sharp and forward but has his head screwed on. Great in traffic, with buses/tractors/hovercrafts (!) and with kids, dogs, plastic bags, strimmers, everything.

He's working nicely, he's lovely to handle and to shoe, box, catch, clip, hose, whatever. He just doesn't care. He's cheeky, has a large attitude, but is never nasty or bolshy. Great with other horses, lives in or out with mares or geldings.

All sounds great I know, and why on earth would I want to sell him. But, he's 14.1hh.

I'm small enough to ride him comfortably, but I'm too old, realistically. He should be in a home where he'll go on to become a PC or competition pony. Some kid/teen could be having a great time with him. But I can't part with him. He's awesome. I think I was a little bored of neurotic TB's and boring dumbbloods and am just loving having a pony again.

I lost a lot of money dealing with the TB so I can't really justify going out and spending the money on a horse 'for myself' without selling ponio first. If I could, I would, and would just find a little rider for him.

So, all I really need is a few hundred responses telling me to get a grip, that he'll get a great home and have a great life and I can then go and buy something I can actually compete. Because, at the moment, it's not even close to happening.

Off you go :)
 
Ask a daft question, but if you're small enough to ride him and enjoy him so much why dont you compete him yourself? (unless of course you're looking to do more serious competitions... )
 
sorry but i think you should keep him :}
sounds like you are enjoying him and whats to stop you competing him ?
have fun and enjoy him ,
youll regret selling him
 
I don't see the problem. Unless he can't physically do the job you want from your horse/pony then keep him. He doesn't know that he could go on to be a PC or competition pony (or possibly rosette machine worked into the ground, who knows?). Keep him you daft woman.
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I jump, so not practical really.

My trainer's response to my ramblings was (I quote) "Sell it." But he's trying to sell me a nice 3yo so I suppose I just wrote it off as business talk (despite knowing he's right!)

Part of the problem is that I keep telling myself that he's only a baby so at the moment, since he's not really ready to be doing more yet, it doesn't matter. But the longer I drag this out, the worse it's going to get, right?

P.S. You're not helping! ;)
 
Keep!!
So what you jump?
My 14.2 goes round horse tracks, puts in an extra stride here and there...she copes fine :)
 
Ok Munchkin:

He's 4 and, as you've said, sharp. It sounds like you've done a fantastic job with him so far but all that work COULD be undone if you sell him now. So: why don't you keep him and carry on his education for another year, especially as you enjoy him so much.

When he's more established, you can decide whether he IS enough fun for you or whether you still feel he'd be better off in a PCing home and you get another horse.

PLUS he'll be worth a lot more at a year older and with a bit more under his belt.

Just a few random thoughts...:)
 
KEEP THE PONY!

Rubbish, no one is too old for ponies (I have one and if he went tomorrow I'd get another pony and I'm an adult), and the pony doesn't care what he apparently should or shouldn't be doing as long as the both of you are having fun together who cares.

How would you feel if someone came along today and said ok I'll buy him off you, honestly?
 
Kate Sturgess said:
Ok Munchkin:

He's 4 and, as you've said, sharp. It sounds like you've done a fantastic job with him so far but all that work COULD be undone if you sell him now. So: why don't you keep him and carry on his education for another year, especially as you enjoy him so much.

When he's more established, you can decide whether he IS enough fun for you or whether you still feel he'd be better off in a PCing home and you get another horse.

PLUS he'll be worth a lot more at a year older and with a bit more under his belt.

Just a few random thoughts...:)
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These things have crossed my mind - I just assumed it was me trying to talk myself out of selling him.
 
Yep, keep him the extra year, get him out and about and increase his value.
Then go straight out and buy another bigger project. By the time the new project is working well, you will know what to do with the other!
 
Munchkin said:
These things have crossed my mind - I just assumed it was me trying to talk myself out of selling him.
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So are we going for: 'Great minds think alike or fools never differ'?:p

I think it's a sound plan. (But I would, wouldn't I? :D)
 
meandmyself said:
Honestly, do you need a 16hh horse?
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For what I want to do, yes. I've jumped a pony in seniors before and the striding does cause problems when the tracks get higher and more technical.

Believe me, if the rule was that anyone small could ride in pony classes, I'd ride in pony classes, as I much prefer having ponies. But we only live once, and if I want to compete to the best of my ability while I'm young and fit enough to do so (my knees are on their way out), I really do need something a bit bigger.

I'm not the sort of person who is embarrassed to ride a pony and wants something big and flashy, it's purely a practical decision. Like I say, if I could do both, I would.
 
keep!!!

im an adult and 5'7 and planning on buying a 14.1ish for jumping/dressage!!! (and no i cant buy him off you lol!! another 2 years yet :( )
 
Why on earth dont you keep him? I jumped a 14.2hh in seniors till I was 19...then I had a 17.3hh, so compensated for little legs with big ones.

Has to be said I did better on the 14.2hh.
 
It's lovely to hear that you are enjoying him but if you want to compete (as in not your local stuff) then there is only one real answer.

Also, with a younger rider, your giving the pony to opportunity to compete and prove himself if he has the talent to go far, as well as giving a lot enjoyment to the new rider/owner.

Personally I'd stick to your original plans and future ambitions, if they don't matter anymore, then keep the pony and enjoy him, but don't let your emotional attachment for what was a 'bought project' cloud your judgement...otherwise you'll end up with a field full in the future! :D
 
Thank you Kenzo. That's what the sensible side of me is telling me to do.

I may keep him a year though. I'm sure I can find a rider for him to start doing a bit indoor over winter, and I wouldn't mind hunting him myself if he seems ready. As I said, I'm not really holding him back at the moment as he's not ready to do anything anyway.
 
Keep him another year and see how it goes. There is a chance he will be able to ride the senior tracks fine and you might get both the pony you enjoy and the horse you want to compete in one!
 
I have a 14.1 pony despite the fact that everyone told me I should get a horse as I am an adult, but I LOVE him :D

I vote keep :) :)
 
I was tempted to say keep him until I read that you jump.

My friend is in exactly the same posisition brought a lovely little mare as a project, the pony is fab, great hack, to handle etc, jumping 1m 10 at home, done dressage, XC and jumping getting a rosette every single time out and will make someone a fantastic PC pony.

But she wants to BSJA and she's 5ft 9 so keeping the pony really isn't practical.

hard as it is, unless you are willing to change your ambitions then you need to sell.
 
Booboos said:
Keep him another year and see how it goes. There is a chance he will be able to ride the senior tracks fine and you might get both the pony you enjoy and the horse you want to compete in one!
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This. You never know, he might be one of those special ones. :D Plus, you'll likely get more for him if you keep him for the extra year- especially if you get him going on the show circuit.
 
I'd keep him that extra year. You're doing such a good job, and in twelve months he'll make a competant junior a fab ride! Understand you jump, obviously BSJA you are too old, but why not event him? It would be great for his all round development, great for future value increase, and no age limits for you, apart from not being eligible for teams!
 
I think you really want us to talk you out of selling him so I am going to oblige!! KEEP HIM and enjoy him, you are having fun on him and he is doing well under your care. Youl will regret it if you let him go.
 
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