Is is really wrong to sell an older pony on?

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stanley101

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Okay, I've read loads on here about how awful it is to sell 20+yo ponies, that they should be kept until the end of their days etc, but is it really so awful?

My daughters had her 21 yo pony just over a year, now she's just grown and grown and is getting too big for him. I can't afford to keep two ponies so would it be evil of me to sell him onto another little girl even though he's still got loads to give and years left in him.

Especially as the chances are I would be able to sell him to one of the kids at the yard we are already on.

Opinions pls

s
 
No of course not, little ponies that have been there done that and can still teach little jockeys are worth their weight in gold.
 
Bombproof ponies that know their jobs are well saught after and when its a 1st or 2nd pony people are generally willing to go for an older pony as they are so sensible!
If you know the home, the pony is fit and ready to go to another loving home, and knows his job then why not? :)
 
Yes it is! Loaning would be the berrter option for a pony like your's, if heaven forbid he/she fell into the wrong hands you could take the pony home, would you be able to live with yourself if you sold the pony and it was abused or neglected? I sure as hell wouldn't.
 
I personally couldn't part with an oldie, but thats me.
If he would be on the same yard and your able to see him thats great, just do right by your pony.
Good luck :)
 
Ok then, next question as I have never sold a pony before, how much should I ask, he's 13.2, very well schooled, bombproof etc, will come with tack and rugs?
 
I know what you mean, I hadn't planned on selling at all, I love him to bits, I'm just trying to weigh up my options so daughter still has a pony she can ride whilst doing my best for pony
 
If you have an interested party already, chat and see what they are willing to pay, a good home is more important, you could even just keep ownership so that when their child has outgrown her you have a say in the next home and so on.
 
I used to know a group of pony club Mums who would pass the same pony around for years, once one of their kids had outgrown her, she'd be passed on to the next little one, she was a proper minder, very sweet natured.

Ideal situation as far as I could see, the previous owners kept in touch and the new owners knew what they were getting
 
I don't think its a yes or no answer really, it depends on the situation. As long as whatever happens is in the best interest of the horse or pony I can't see a problem with it IMO :)
 
That age isn't always old for some horses!! BUT I would ensure I knew where he was going and keep an eye on him...but that's cos I'm a softy and I'd want to know he was cared for and what happened to him when he finally did become too old to ride.
 
as long as you are honest about the age and are sure your pony would be going to a good home then theres nothing wrong with passing them on- there could well be many years left in your pony- i have a 28 year old at home who is still very full of life!
 
I have recently (last year) bought a 19 year old pony for my then five year old daughter. She is very forward thinking but 100% safe, knows her job inside out and my daughter is now cantering and has popped over her first few poles. She is well known in pony club and showing circles. Without this pony I don't think my daughter would be anywhere near where she is now. I looked at many much younger ponies and wouldn't have considered a lot of them to be the "perfect child's pony" that they were meant to be (well not unless you really really hate the child!!) My daughter will eventually grow out of said paragon of virtue and when she does, provided she is still able to work and enjoying it, then I see no reason why she shouldn't go on to teach another little jockey the ropes, I would just be very very careful about the home she goes to. I too cannot afford to keep two ponies and it is unlikely that my daughter will stay under 4 foot forever (I'm no giraffe, but....)
Good luck with whatever you decide x
 
In the situation where you are part of a pony club and know the new homes then I would say no it isn;t wrong. I however have an older small pony, still has lots to give like yours, but after two disasterous loan homes, would not part with her again. You never do know where they are going.

Research your new home well and hopefully you will find a good one.
 
I dont think its wrong at all. Lots of people say how they love their horses and couldnt bare to sell them on, but you're not doing them much justice if those horses are still ride-able for example but you've outgrown it. If someone else could keep the horse going and enjoy them then why not. I've kept 2 of of my very first ponies (now both over 20) but thats purely because they have had very serious laminitis in the past and the one time I loaned one of them out, they came back with crashing laminitis within a week - I know what keeps their lami at bay so Im not going to risk their health passing them on. I'd always sell on a horse though at some point as long as the horse has no problems etc. which might be an issue.
 
No I think a 20 yr old bombproof 13.2 childs pony with no major health problems has a lot of littleun's still left to teach. Just make sure as I'm sure you will that its the best home possible. Ponies like this are worth their weight in gold to hundreds of people. Try selling through PC, he will undoubtedly have a home for life inside the PC network.
 
I bought my daughter's first pony aged approx 25 he had been a pony club/occasional riding school pony and was worth his weight in gold lived until 34 (we reitred him well before then). When my son is old enough to ride I wll again be looking for an aged pony thats been around the block.
 
We own a 22 year old Sec A who we have had for almost a year. He is absoultely worth his weight in gold and having scoured the country for a safe pony for my daughter, he has 100% done his job taking her off the lead rein to being a competant little jockey.She still has time on him, i reckon in a year she will outgrow him in height and what she wants to do, he is a superstar but only has little legs and 2 ft 6 is his limit really, daughter is 8 but very tall (take after 6 ft 7 daddy!)

We won't be selling him. I feel he owes us nothing and deserves to live out his days with people who love him and care for him. We will keep him living out with my mare (they are best pals) but may part loan him out from our yard, for another little girl to come and hack him out and have some fun with, and my daughter will ride him in the woods and things too so he is kept active and his weight stays down, i just think he has had enough of pony club and being boxed up for rallies every five minutes! His face says it all when he arrives and realises he has to do all that again!.

It is a matter of opinion though and of course finances, it'll be a push to have 3 next year but i personally would rather that than sell him on and wonder where he will end up. I am a softie though! If you can keep and eye on your pony from a distance or better still loan him out, i would choose that option.
 
My mare is 17 years old. I've had her for 11 years. I don't think I could ever sell her I love her too bits.
It depends on the situation really. I think it's sad if you have had a pony for most of it's life then pass it on when they can no longer be ridden/ do the job. We owe them a comfortable retirement in there own environment with people they know.
 
Agree with all the above re: try & go pc routes.
I also think it depends on your situation. If I had an older pony that the daughter had grown out of, I would have no option but to sell, however much I would love to keep it. I can have 1 pony, that's it, so it would have to go if the daughter wanted another. Would be more likely to loan out to a fellow pc member, I know quite a few that have done this with 25yrs+ ponies xx
 
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