Is there much of a demand for companions....

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Morrigan_Lady

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www.teamterrellshowjumping.co.uk
My Mum has had to make the heart renching decision to advertise her horse.
Shes going to advertise him as a companion, although he can be ridden.

Is there much demand for companions at the moment?
Are people more interested in ponies as companions?

Mums horse is a 16.3hh TBx......
 
I wouldn't have thought he would be very attractive as a companion as at his height he would need lots of space and food.

Please tell your mum to beware of any potential buyers/loaners who seem very genuine, have a fantastic home lined up etc. but who then go and sell the horse on for meat.

It might be preferable to have him put down at home in familiar surroundings if she can't keep him - much better than ending up in an abattoir here, or on a meat lorry to the continent.
 
I would say not so much for big horses - we have a shetland which is on permenant loan as a companion for my horse. I think its alot of work and cost to take on a 16+ TB,means rugs and more feeding and I am guessing stable too and we simply wouldnt want to take that on. We only looked at small ponies and donkeys as an option.
 
If he is still happy and well enough to be a hack then I think you will have far more success homing him as a happy hack than you will as a companion.
 
Morrigan_Lady said:
Thats my thoughts aswell, but I think because of his age (21) Mum thinks no one will want him :0(
But he is a lovely boy and does look (or act) a day over 10!!!
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They are more likely to want him as a hack, than just as a companion, I would say! Are you loaning him out or trying to sell him - as I'm not sure people will want to pay much for him. How long has she had him and why has he got to go?
 
She wont sell him, as he's not worth anything.

It will either be a case of signing him over or a loan arrangement.

Shes had him about 7 years I think and he's got to go because Mum is on her own now and just cant afford him :0( Plus she cant ride anymore, due to a bad fall a year ago which resulted in her fracturing her spin :0(

I feel so sad for her.

If I didnt have already have two and a baby on the way, Id take him off her hands, coz he really is a lovely boy and we both love him to bits.
 
I woudl say not much of a demand as such, but there are always people who want them.

We got our companion when he was 19, a 16.1 ex racer. We got him to not ride at all really, but he gets led out and goes for tiny hacks a few times a year which he is more than happy with, although as he seem to be a typical loony joggy TB he would quite happily do more I think. (I took him on a 'fun' ride once and wanted to kill him he was so annoying!) :rolleyes: :D

Just a question of finding the right person :)
 
Many people might baulk at buy a horse of that age with health problems but I'm sure you could find a sharer/loaner who wants something older and steadier either for their OH or to regain confidence etc, etc
 
Morrigan_Lady said:
Thats my thoughts aswell, but I think because of his age (21) Mum thinks no one will want him :0(
But he is a lovely boy and does look (or act) a day over 10!!!
Click to expand...


His age shouldn't make a difference to a happy hacker, as long as he is in good health and sound there is no reason he won't find a home with some one who just enjoys a plod. I own the over 30's who are still happy hackers and would take another one on but my kids are now into SJ so the next one we have has to be upto the job :(
 
A 16.3 campanion - no

A 16.3 21 year old sound happy hack on long term/permanant loan - I would have him in an instant - if I could afford another!

My first pony was given to me, he was 21 and I had many good years with him and continued show jumping until he was 25 and I had outgrown him.

I think there is plenty of people who would love to have him but I would advertise him as a happy hack rather than a companion. I would be more inclined to do it through word of mouth though to ensure (as far as you can) that he is going to a good genuine home rather than someone who wants to make a quick couple of hundred quid selling him on...
 
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