If you've ever sold a horse - reasons why ?

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Amberfield

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I am in the process of making the very tough decision to sell . I feel that we are not going to gel after a long period of time trying. It has been a real heartbreaker but for the best - anyone else have this and what are good reasons to sell ?
 
Um, well the only one we've ever actually sold was really completely unsuitable for me, was only 4 and I was way too nervous and novicey to do anything with her (and I was only 9 :P). She completely wrecked what confidence I had, and it was a major uphill struggle even after we got rid of her.
I'm actually still in contact with her current owners, and even nearly 10 years on she's very very mareish and has a whole host of problems, so I definitely made the right decision.

My old boy we put out on loan because I got too big for him :(
 
Will be interested to read the replies, I am also considering making the decision to give up after over 2yrs of trying. The worry is where they might end up going when you actually think a lot of them, and it is not their fault - just the pairing that's not right.
 
I think sometimes the bravest decision is to admit defeat, all horses and all riders don't gel.

As long as you take care in getting a good home you are absolutely doing the right thing for both you and the horse.

I wish you the best of luck
 
I've sold some as I've outgrown them physically.

Some I have outgrown in ambition.

Some I have sold as we haven't clicked.

Some I have sold as they don't show talent for what I want- eventing.

Some I have bought to sell to make money (paid for my deposit on my house! :))

I think as long as you choose the buyer carefully and present the horse in the best light there is nothing wrong with saying a horse is not for you and selling it to a more suitable home.

IMO far too many people struggle on making themselves and their horses unhappy when they would be better off parting company.
 
Mainly because I have outgrown their ability.

Once because I chose the wrong horse.

It's a ridiculously expensive hobby to have if you aren't getting what you want out of it!
 
Im 5'2" and a size 6.
The horse was a 16.2 ID hunter type. I loved him but it was just exhausting and he needed a home where he could be out for a couple of hours daily and out at weekends, he just had so much energy and loved his work! It was difficult admitting I just couldnt give him what he needed, despite being affectionate he also didnt handle well on the ground with me. I just felt guilty deep down he wasnt getting what he was made for - he didnt want to be poncy dressage horsie :D
Sold others too but this is the one heartbreaker sale.

At the end of the day just decided what was going to be best for him. Unless its going to totally break you seperate your emotions and put the horses needs and happiness first.
 
I've sold because I've outgrown them.

I've loaned because their was an ability mis-match (IE pony had an old injury that prevented him from jumping, which was what I was doing at the time).

I also sold a pony because I didn't feel I was giving him the time or effort he needed and felt it was unfair.

Everyone sells for different reasons, and you don't have to justify your reasons to us - but to yourself.
 
I am in same boat. 'I' is 5 this year, I have backed and schooled her myself and she is a fantastic ride, pops a little fence and all 3 paces lovely, good carriage and some lateral movements.

I've had her since she was 8months old and worked so hard on her. I have spent 4 years waiting for her to grow up and suit me but she hasn't and although I get on ok with her, we do not 'gel'. I have now seen her click better with someone at our new yard after a week than she does with me. This girl is not in a position to buy her but it has highlighted to me that we are not going to have the relationship I want. She needs a person who she can draw confidence from in new situations, I need a horse that will bravely approach new things with me.

It's not that she's young, I've had B since she was 2 and never had this feeling about her and have bought several youngsters with the intention of selling them who have not had this problem with me, I have felt more in tune with them despite 'I' being intended as 'my' horse. We just do not click. It is damaging my self confidence so god knows what it's doing to her. I have made a decision to sell her but will be looking for the right person not just a sale.

Other than her I have sold 1 I outgrew, 1 I realy didn't get on with from delivery and should never have bought, a few that we bought to bring on and sell and 1 that I sold due to a change in financial circs that I have always regretted selling (Dad decided and took him to market, I couldn't get to him quick enough to even try to arrange private sale) and wish I could have back.

Sometimes it's better to listen to the horse if it doesn;t feel right to you it probably doesn;t feel right to the horse.
 
If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

My first pony we sold because I'd outgrown her. She was quite old but still a perfect companion, she went to a lovely farm where a little girl could give her all the cuddles and love she could ask for and she could do a light bit of riding.

The last horse we sold (mum and I share) was heartbreaking at the time. We got him when he was 5 as a very underweight off the track TB. Once we had the condition back on him he completely changed. He was still very loving on the ground and he could be an absolute dream, but like so many redheaded TB's he could also be very unpredictable. He taught me an unbelievable amount and I'll never forget that, but he also shattered both mine and my Mum's confidence. Dad stopped coming to see me show because every time he showed up I would be on my way out in an ambulance.

After 4 years, a broken wrist, severly compressed hip, and nearly broken neck (and that's just me!) Dad had had enough. The final straw was when Mum fell off and completely shattered her ankle. Dad said we had to get rid of him. We sold him on to a lovely woman keen to do eventing. We told her he needed a special saddle and offered to see ours. She didn't listen and as a result he's unsound and has been retired.

I guess the point I'm trying to make, is that just because you love a horse may not mean it's the right fit for you. I'll always love the crazy TB (Buddy) but I'm glad that we sold him on and got a bombproof QH!
 
I am in the middle of selling my boy as I have finally admitted I am just going to break his heart trying to turn him into an eventer. He is great showjumping and dressage and I have a huge amount of fun with him hence deferring it numerous times. He however, has no real taste for fixed fences trying to SJ them and I don't want him to hurt himself as he is not a horse to say no. He is being vetted next week by a really nice couple and it helped enormously that when he was being tried out, the lady seemed to relax more and more and really enjoy him. It has however, been a very very hard decision as he makes me smile and I have had such fun with him, but equally I really do miss my eventing..
 
I've only ever sold one (I'm too soft and have land at my disposal...) She was an anglo arab chestnut mare who would try and corner you in the stable to double barrel you, would do bizzarre things when riding her, (eg just lie down with no warning) and was really not a pleasure to own. Spent a fortune on her having her backed by a professional that I trust (I'd backed horses before but knew she would be difficult so thought it best to ask for help)... But then she tried to kill me (threw me off and then ran back to try and stamp on me apparently - I was unconscious at the time). Mum told me that I wasn't going near her again and we were going to PTS but a professional with an 'interest' in difficult horses bought her (if she could have been sorted out she'd have made a hard as nails eventer) - knowing her full history for 500 quid and then she had her pts 18 months later after she'd had a nasty fall and broken her shoulder. She was mental - the horse, not the professional.

BnBx
 
I sold my previous horse because after a lot of heartbreak I knew he had to go to someone who could handle him on a daily basis and give him the busy lifestyle he needs, something I just never would have been able too with him. He was very difficult with me and we just weren't right for each other

It was horrible and I don't ever want to do it again, which is why it's a brilliant and very lucky thing that my very next horse, who came to me from the same friend I sent Joey too, is my perfect horse
 
I sold my warmblood when I went to uni - he wasn't a horse who would cope without work and he was too much for my sister to have coped with at the time.

It was heartbreaking - especially as it wasn't really my decision. I now see that it was, and much of my upset was really nerves and anxiety about the changes ahead. He's still with the people who bought him, who love him dearly and are able to give him the best life possible. I still see them periodically as they still compete him a little. He'll be 19 this year.
 
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