May have to let one of my two horses go ... But which one?

[Bedford Joy]

I have decided to stay put on my yard for now as there is just too much going on in my personal life to move and I really have to stay on full livery and where I am is the best price in the area, so I will have to let one of my mares go
I can't decide for the best but if I do have to decide these are my choices.
1. Thoroughbred mare 16 h , 11 years old ex racer/ broodmare. Spooky out hacking, pretty good in the school. Hormonal and can be stressy and a little much for me at the present time as I'm returning to riding after 2 years off to have baby. But the most beautiful horse I have ever seen and my dream mare who is sensitive, complex and once my confidence levels return my perfect horse ... Or
2. Thoroughbred Mare, 15.2 h , 16 years old. Excellent to hack out but will not stay sound in the school, has had lameness issues in the past as ex polo / riding school and has hard hard life looking at legs. A gentle kind mare but may not be suitable in the long run as she can't be schooled ruling out lessons on her.
I love both of these mares but if I don't consider letting one go I may lose them both.
I would really appreciate your opinions and advice on this one
Thank you x

 

[WestCoast]

I am sorry you are having to make this decision. If you do have to, I would say part with the one most likely to find a good home, which is the first mare. You'd need to be completely honest about her in any ad to ensure she doesn't end up over horsing someone?

The alternative is to try to food sharers for both of them or a loan on current yard for the first. There are certainly people who just want to hack out and would share a mare that can't be schooled, but I'm not sure how much you could charge.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Paula

 

[FfionWinnie]

What about trying to get a sharer. The second one doesn't sound saleable to me. I'm afraid if I couldn't keep her I would consider having her pts to make sure she didn't fall into the wrong hands.

Not an easy choice, sorry it's come to this.

 

[Happytohack]

Horrible decision to have to make. But you can look at it two ways. If you have loads going on in your personal life and have a young child, then perhaps you should keep the older mare and just be a happy hacker from now on, regaining your confidence while you sort your life out, or
as your personal life is not good, perhaps keeping the first mare will challenge you and give you something to really concentrate on.

The second mare is probably actually more saleable as a happy hacker - I know several people that are looking for a nice sane horse to hack about on and would be happy to take on an older horse that they don't have to ride every day.

 

[indie999]

What about trying to get a sharer. The second one doesn't sound saleable to me. I'm afraid if I couldn't keep her I would consider having her pts to make sure she didn't fall into the wrong hands.

Not an easy choice, sorry it's come to this.

I agree may fall into wrong hands and I know so many that will pass this one on instead of PTS as they dont want to face reality to do the deed. The first horse sounds more saleable and I am sure you could find this type or better when you are ready again.Also perhaps this type of horse could realise its full potential with someone else which you havent got time for. However friend sold her lovely girl due to a toddler and about 2 years later would have her back now her child has gone to school. With small child they didnt have time to do the horse justice and the horse did go out on a working livery which enabled the horse to be worked etc.This horse had health issues but the new owner knew as they had bred this horse. But she regrets it!

Sorry not much help but I would (being a softie) keep the oldie, sounds a more reliable type.

 

[zaminda]

I would advertise for sharers for both, and possibly look at having the first onne go on full loan locally while you sort everything else out. You are not in an easy situation, but I think you will regret it if you part with them. I have had sharers, who have been great, and it might even mean you are able to move onto part livery.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I would advertise for sharers for both, and possibly look at having the first onne go on full loan locally while you sort everything else out. You are not in an easy situation, but I think you will regret it if you part with them. I have had sharers, who have been great, and it might even mean you are able to move onto part livery.

Great advice.