I need a kick up the ....!

[oldie48]

Rose is not going to be ridden again and I have totally accepted that I won't be buying another horse. I've donated anything suitable to Mr D but I have so much stuff to sell, including a lorry. I'm usually very organised and pragmatic but I am just finding it so hard to start selling things. It just feels so final, end of an era etc. How did you get started when you gave up owning a horse?

 

[AmyMay]

It’s really tough. I suppose there’s no rush, other than the lorry.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I don’t think you should rush it….it’s a process…emotionally unpicking things …off load stuff when you genuinely aren’t questioning the act.

 

[Fire sign]

Hello Oldie ! Have I missed something ? Why is Rose not going to be ridden again ? Have you had to retire her ? Re the big sell off .. start with the lorry because that's a massive thing ... xx

 

[misst]

I sold my lorry last because I was attached to it - so many memories. Sell/get rid of things slowly, there is no hurry. It is the end of an era and it is upsetting. Some years on I find I cannot imagine where I found the time for horses (or the money) but I remember the time when I felt that my life would be empty without one. Slowly does it and you will be fine

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I know you're not giving up horses so will need to keep some bits, but when I gave up horses I got together all the boxes of stuff I had.

I then went through and put aside the items which were sentimental to me and I knew I wanted to keep. I put these into one of those big really useful boxes. These included things like his treat ball, likit holder, bridles, headcollar and his boots. Also a few bits from the pony i used to loan. Even though I won't be going back to horses I also kept my lunge kit. All this went into said really useful box and went onto the wardrobe.

I got one of those zip up laundry bags. Into this went my saddle pads as I want to keep them. This then went onto the really useful box on the wardrobe. My hat went in a box on there too, in case I wish to ride on holiday. My BP is in the wardrobe too.

I had his rugs washed, as I had nowhere to put them while I waited for them to sell and I didn't want them stinking out the spare room. I know I didn't make a huge return on them due to the cleaning costs but wanted to make them more attractive to buyers - I wouldn't want to buy a filthy rug. I wanted to keep one, this is now under the bed.

I then went through all my boxes of stuff and listed EVERY item on my notepad, taking at least one clear photo of each . I put a price to post, and a price to collect. I grouped a few items e.g. some hi viz bits. I priced them to sell, but also enough I could lower the price, which I did end up doing so don't start too low. I noted any damage however almost all of it was in good condition.

I then added everything to fb market place and a local fb horse kit selling site, including my photos.

This generated some interest. I also attended a horsey table top sale where a couple of items went. Everything that went was crossed off my list, photo deleted from my phone and I noted on a separate page a list of everything sold and how much I got for each item.

After the sale I then put everything on oh eBay account. I was lazy and added just the one photo of each item, but when taking them I ensured they were clear and showed the item properly.

It took about 2 months but everything I wanted gone, has gone. I had about 12 stubborn items including Heavyweight rugs, luckily a lady who runs a shop for a horse rescue took them as a job lot.

It was quite plain sailing, my saddle also went on ebay, the hardest part was getting the massive box it was in to the post office! I got a bundle of parcel bags from amazon before I started, and a bundle of heavy duty large ones for rugs. I also got sticky labels to write their and my return address on as so much easier using something already sticky.

How about going through your stuff and picking out what you haven't used in ages, what you know you won't use again and that which has no sentimental meaning and starting with those?

I'd say I had a pretty even split between fb and ebay. I'd also relist the items on fb on a weekly basis so fresh eyes saw them. Start at a price you'd be willing to drop from as sometimes after a couple of goes round on ebay, a lower price can draw people in. A lot seems to be the right person seeing it at the right time. I put a thread on here about selling horse stuff and lots of people gave me excellent advice so feel free to look it up.

I was at least helped by a drive to get away from the whole thing, so this motivated me as I definitely wanted it gone.
Definitely start by setting aside your sentimental items you want to keep and storing them nicely, you can then make inroads into the rest.

Oh and because I'm a cynic, everything I posted was sent recorded delivery. This worked to my advantage as I had a couple try and claim it hadn't arrived. I checked my tracking and it showed they actually had it! I don't think i had any issues overall. Even fb stuff I had to post (most was collected) was sent tracked.

You could always put the money towards a specific goal at the end eg a special momento of your ridden times with her or a treat for you that you couldn't normally justify if that helps your motivation?

 

[EllenJay]

There is no rush to sell anything. Don‘t do anything atm - when you are ready then selling will be easy. Xx

 

[Esmae]

I am facing the same thing and have decided just to take my time and not stress about it. I sold my trailer last year. That hurt and took a bit of getting used to. So, there is no real rush. Give yourself some time to accept it all.

 

[Spotherisk]

Two years since Tinner was pts and his bridle still hangs in the tack room, grooming kit in the stable. I still have Harley’s Old Macboots even though he’s 30 and been retired for years, and both my saddles because I love them so much. I am not doing well at letting go.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Oldie, take your time with all the kit, but pop your box up for sale as it ought to go v quickly if it's all tickety boo. Lots looking and not enough to meet demand as far as I can see.
Even if you pop it on sales livery with a trusted box sales place x

 

[McFluff]

So sorry Oldie. Take your time, and as suggested above, maybe think of a nice treat you can get for yourself with any money you make.
Thinking logically, something like the lorry will be costing you money to keep, so there is a benefit to you of selling it. Other things really just take up room, so can wait.

 

[Trouper]

Five years since my last one went - and her bridle still hangs in the spare room wardrobe. Not sure I can ever part with that as it was just such a part of her.

Other things were sold or went to a horse charity where they were put to good use but it took me time to feel happy about letting things go. As others have said, part with anything that is costing you money but wait until you feel ready for the rest - or until a worthy cause comes along.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Im really sorry to read this, I must have missed loads brcause I was sure you hadnt long bought Rose!! No answers to your original question as its something I dread and as I get older, even more so. Really not sure how I would cope with it so will be interested to see how others have x

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Don’t rush. Isn’t there a saying ‘Never get rid of your saddle’? Mine is in the shed. Everything else, I literally sold/donated asap. I dumped loads of stuff like my medical kit/bandages/rugs in the office at the yard and told people to help themselves. I kept his bit and had shoes decorated, a bracelet made from his tail.

I know it’s different retiring a horse, I kept everything when mine retired. Are you not keeping her? You said giving up owning?

 

[hollyandivy123]

It’s really tough. I suppose there’s no rush, other than the lorry.

agree
you are at the start of the summer so moving the lorry in this climate will be easier than in the autumn or winter.

the rest can be at some point

 

[oldie48]

Thanks for all your good advice. For those who don't know, Rose has not recovered from what seemed to be a slight injury and won't be ridden again. I have retired her but decided that I'm now at an age when buying a new horse would not be sensible. However, I'm very fortunate to be able to ride a friend's horse. He's evented at three star but sadly had an injury that prevented him going advanced. He's focused on dressage since then and competed up to Adv med but like me is no longer young so is very happy to have an easier life with me. I absolutely adore riding him, he's got enough about him to be interesting but I feel safe on him. My only issue is he's quite big, very physical to ride and I still struggle with fitness, but goodness I am so thankful to his owner for letting me share him. He's a complete dude!

 

[poiuytrewq]

oldie, I’m so sorry. I remember Rose arriving but I don’t think I’ve seen that she’s retired
Mine is just retiring too I think (but I have another to ride)
I’ve wondered the same, I’m certainly not ready to sell his tack yet but equally really don’t see him ever ridden again and won’t ever be getting another.
As above start with the lorry. Other bits can go as and when.
Is it absolutely definite she will never be ridden again?

 

[oldie48]

oldie, I’m so sorry. I remember Rose arriving but I don’t think I’ve seen that she’s retired
Mine is just retiring too I think (but I have another to ride)
I’ve wondered the same, I’m certainly not ready to sell his tack yet but equally really don’t see him ever ridden again and won’t ever be getting another.
As above start with the lorry. Other bits can go as and when.
Is it absolutely definite she will never be ridden again?

Yes, my vet described her as mechanically lame as she has a lot of swelling in one hock which will not resolve. Generally she's pain free but occasionally she's not and needs a few days on bute so I am monitoring the situation. I'm lucky to have found a nice retirement place for her and she's come through the winter looking very good.

 

[canteron]

Yes the Lorry has to go - could you sell the other lovely things as you can bear to part with them and spend the money on some beautiful paintings of your horses! Or at least have a favourite charity project, so the money just doesn’t end up being spent on day to day living x

 

[Borderreiver]

It’s hard as we get older. My homebred was pts two weeks ago. We think he had lymphoma but was only 14. I thought he would see me out but not to be. I drive nowadays rather than ride. Two days later I was offered another driving pony, just about perfect for my needs. So off we go again and in my late sixties I have a wonderful new lease of life and the horsy life goes on. I didn’t have to give up after all.