Is there a market for a happy hacker

[Finns Mum]

Morning HHOs, I find myself in a situation and I'm not really sure what to do and wondered if anyone has any thoughts or experiences to share please.

I have a lovely horse who although sound has a physical issue that makes schooling difficult for him and I now have to accept he doesn't want to go round in circles anymore. But he is the most fantastic hack and he really enjoys it. We don't have any nice hacking in our area it's all road work and only really worth risking at weekends, being a happy hacker here isn't an option and I can't afford to move further out and go part livery and to be honest I want to do more than hack.

I just don't know whether to try and find him a hacking home or if it's too much of a risk, he's a lovely looking horse with a very kind temperament and I'm terrified I might get duped and he'd end up in wrong hands getting sold on dishonestly.

He is also a big horse that isn't a complete plod and I wonder if people only want super quiet types as hacks?

Anyone have any thoughts or advice for a confused and sad person whose mind keeps going around in circles?

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Yes, absolutely. Actively looking for one at the moment, and if they’re safe then they fly off the shelf.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would have gladly had him if I hadnt got Orbi, thats exactly the type I look for
You will find a good home Im sure

 

[Skib]

For years I hacked a beloved RS horse that for physical reasons could not be used in the school. She went like the wind on the straight and would do 3 or in summer even 4 hours hacking, 6 days a week.

 

[Snowfilly]

He sounds like the sort my mum would enjoy, she can ride anything on four legs but now just wants to hack for hours and hours, preferably with a few gallops thrown in.

If he’s sound out, good with traffic and not a complete git to ride, there’ll be a queue for him.

 

[Palindrome]

if you are worried with him being resold quickly for a profit you could put him for loan or loan with view to buy.

 

[Abacus]

Definitely there is a market if honestly described, but there is a risk that someone will want to do more than they say. So your process of selecting the right home and conditions of sale will be key.

As an example I have a wonderful 27 year old horse who I wouldn’t ever sell but has had a sharer for 10 years for hacking. He was quite a decent eventer and hunter, big and definitely not a plod but safe, unspooky and good in traffic - his sharer only hacks but is a good rider who doesn’t mind him being forward. I’m lucky that I can keep him and another but would at the time have loaned him to the right person.

 

[Time for Tea]

There are many people where I live who just hack and would be delighted with such a horse.

 

[tda]

I would say probably loan.
My dad sold his teenage driving gelding to lady who only wanted to gentle hack, sounded lovely. That was all he was capable of.
Fast forward 2 years, my dad had passed away and I was contacted by a lady who had bought said pony from original lady, insured him, started schooling/riding, he went lame, alternatively in all four legs, she'd exhausted her insurance and savings and was at a total loss what to do.
I told her his full story and bought him back for £1, he stayed with me to his end.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

What you describe is almost exactly the horse I sought out and found for my last riding horse at the age of 70. 17,3 IDx sound and quick off the leg, as safe as any horse could be in heavy traffic on narrow lanes. Far from a boring plod and probably not entirely suitable for a complete novice.

I bought him at a very reasonable price as his owner had him from a foal and felt she could trust me not to sell him on but to offer him back to her if I ever had to give him up.

Unfortunately I did have to stop riding for my own health reasons and she bought him back as agreed. He is now nannying her youngsters as she does not feel she will be lucky enough to find another new owner she can trust.

Could you offer your horse for loan to protect his future?

 

[YourValentine]

He sounds like the sort my mum would enjoy, she can ride anything on four legs but now just wants to hack for hours and hours, preferably with a few gallops thrown in.

If he’s sound out, good with traffic and not a complete git to ride, there’ll be a queue for him.

Ditto, exactly what my mum wants.

You could loan to keep some control over his future?

 

[Peglo]

My first pony would not school. She just galloped round in circles and ignored aids. But she was an amazing, keen hacker which was grand for me. She liked a bit of speed so not a novice ride but never bucked or reared. You could probably easy find your horse a hacking home but I agree a loan might be safer for him.

 

[Sanversera]

Sounds like an ideal hack. If you price him properly ie at the high end of his value there's a better chance of him finding the right home and not being passed around for a profit.

 

[Ambers Echo]

if you are worried with him being resold quickly for a profit you could put him for loan or loan with view to buy.

That is what I will do with Lottie if/when the time comes that she no longer wants to jump. She is a fabulous hacking horse - but I won't be the right rider for her when that time comes, as my arthrtic ankles can only cope with about 45 minutes in the saddle without a breaK. Plus it's just not something I really enjoy. But she'd be easy to sell on as a competition prospect with a BE and BS record. So I'd need to guard against that.

 

[Finns Mum]

Thanks everyone, sounds like we could find someone and maybe loan with view to buy might be the way forward.

He's safe and very straightforward and I don't think there will be a limit on what he can do hacking even popping some logs as we go for hours now to find some off road bits he's only 9 so could give someone plenty of fun, I just need to be ulta careful finding the right person, can you buy lie detector kits on Amazon?

 

[94lunagem]

If I was looking he sounds like exactly the type I’d be looking for.

There are good honest people out there but you can never guarantee what happens to them once sold, I’ve only ever sold one (the rest I’ve had until the end or still have) and I actively chose not to keep in touch or track his results etc.

Loan, if that’s practical for you, sounds like a good middle ground.

 

[Skib]

That is what I will do with Lottie if/when the time comes that she no longer wants to jump. She is a fabulous hacking horse - but I won't be the right rider for her when that time comes, as my arthrtic ankles can only cope with about 45 minutes in the saddle without a breaK. Plus it's just not something I really enjoy. But she'd be easy to sell on as a competition prospect with a BE and BS record. So I'd need to guard against that.

Or sell her to me to hack?

 

[Ambers Echo]

Well I'm hoping she comes back into good jumping form!! I certainly won't find one like her again in a hurry.