Not sure what to do - thinking of sellling

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 January 2007
Messages
6,160
Location
York
www.freewebs.com
I am thinking of selling my boy.
I bought him in January, originally as a project, following a bad experience with my previous horse. (who was very talented but also a bit dangerous
crazy.gif
)

Since then I have done a bit of everything with him and he has done well at most things. However, I now have my ambition back & want to jump higher than I think he will do. Nothing crazy, just to foxhunters, but if I am honest he isn't really a SJ horse, he is more of an eventer or hunter, or even a pure dressage horse.

But I have a couple of problems.
Firstly, he can be a bit quirky - he isn't a novice ride & he is difficult o hack alone. He has had a few owners in the last 3 years & somewhere along the line he has learned that he is big and he can use this fact to get away with things. He is a bit insecure and I feel bad that I would just be passing him on again
frown.gif
Also he is a total sweetie & I like having him around.

Secondly, the thought of looking for another horse fills me with dread.
frown.gif
I hate the process - of going to see things, getting your hopes up/getting let down etc. It is unlikely that I will get a lot for my boy, so I am worried I will end up with something that is a lot worse than what I have now, or something that needs a lot of work on issues that will keep me from going out & competing.

At least with my boy I can go out and jump him, albeit only BN & the odd Disco. So I really do not know what to do.

Any ideas/thoughts folks?

Tiramisu if you get this far.
smile.gif
 
Blimey - what a dilemma!
blush.gif


Ok my sensible head says maybe you should hang on to him a bit longer and do some more stuff with him as that way he may gain more confidence etc but also the more people that see him - especially doing the stuff he is good at - the more chance of someone wanting him. Also with things being the way they are right now the more history he has go the better when it comes to selling when things perk up.
smile.gif


Hope that helps (and its not just 'cos he is my BGL's twin...)
wink.gif
grin.gif
 
Have you tried him over some larger fences??? When I first got Ban I didn't think he would be able to do much more than 2'9" and few years down the line he schools over 1.20m / 1.30m at home and is now competing at newcomers level.

I would hang on to him for a bit longer and invest in some lessons from a BSJA accredited coach and if in a few months things still aren't working out work on his dressage and get some placings at shows THEN sell him on.

*hugs * to you though I have been in the same situation
 
Sounds like selling is the right decision to me, and I don't think you need to worry too much about his quirks.

Okay, he probably won't sell for a fortune, and he won't be for everyone, but if he hunts, and does dressage, and can go out and do some low level affiliated stuff then it sounds like he would be perfect to sell as a man's horse - as a hunter or allrounder. So long as he is not incredibly difficult, or dangerous, I don't see any reason you couldn't get around £4k for him, or even more if he has particularly good flatwork or is a decent hunter.

As for replacing him, why not try a wanted advert? Its not foolproof, but I found my last horse that way, and she was just what I needed. At least it is more likely that people will contact you with suitable horses. With a limited budget you might have to compromise on certain factors, but as you are clearly able to deal with quirky horses then I don't see any reason you couldn't find a horse for your budget to do what you want.
 
Can you take him to the top of his ability and then make a decision? That way he'll gain in confidence and maybe get a better home when you do sell him on. He may come up trumps and be able to do what you want to do as his confidence grows. Jump him over the winter and then decide in the spring.

I've been helping a friend buy a horse recently and there are some real shockers out there. Personally I'd hang on to one I enjoyed riding for a bit longer.

Tough decision - don't rush it.
 
He sounds like a bold XC horse - would a decent hunting home suit? Would he field master? Why don't you take him out a little as we're coming into hunting season now and see if anyone would be interested in buying him as a decent hunt horse. Hunting homes are often experienced and will put up with quirks as long as the horse is bold and will go all day.

Bottom line, horses are expensive and they're in your life because you want to achieve your dreams and have some fun. He's not a broken-down horse, he can do a job - to keep asking him to BSJA when he's not that careful, is asking for disappointment for the both of you, not to mention expensive if he's not a diesel horse! Far better a good home where he is appreciated for the things he is good at.

As for getting another one, they are out there and they aren't extortionate. Yes, you may have to get a young one and wait for a few years until you get to Fox. Yes, it's a pain in the backside going to see horses.

FWIW I was sort of looking for a hunt horse for my OH last year and your boy's quirks wouldn't have bothered me as long as he was bold and up to the job of carrying a man's weight. If horses don't like to hack alone, then so be it! I'd insist with a youngster but an old one wouldn't be worth my neck..
smile.gif
 
hmmm.

I see where you are coming from. Not sure whether 6 months more would make much difference though, and I would be more attached to him then. I agree about getting him out though & will definitely still do that with him.

Perhaps I'll give it 'til Xmas and then decide.
crazy.gif


I'm just spending a lot of time & money on it & don't feel like it is right for him. Also I love hacking on my own and he hates it.
frown.gif


Thanks though - all helps!

grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have you tried him over some larger fences??? When I first got Ban I didn't think he would be able to do much more than 2'9" and few years down the line he schools over 1.20m / 1.30m at home and is now competing at newcomers level.

I would hang on to him for a bit longer and invest in some lessons from a BSJA accredited coach and if in a few months things still aren't working out work on his dressage and get some placings at shows THEN sell him on.

*hugs * to you though I have been in the same situation

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Boogles - glad I'm not the only one to have been here!
I have tried him over bigger fences but unless they are made of wood & surrounded by foliage he tends to hit them. (he generally is bold as brass XC)

RE the dressage, he is working at Elementary - consistently placed at Novice but only unaff.

I am working with a new instructor as of last week so will see where that gets us and maybe then reassess in a month or so.
I feel bad for the poor boy
frown.gif
 
Kit - he would make an excellent hunter.

I have taken him out cubbing twice this year and he was well mannered and easy. Jumped big ditches & bowled along happily. Switched off when you asked him to.

SO this is also an option. I do plan to get him out again lots this side of xmas.
smile.gif


Spiral - you are saying everything I am thinking. Is just so hard to decide what to do for the best - perhaps I could advertise him & see what happens. I don't actually have to sell him if I decide I don't want to!
smile.gif


rubyredshoes - I will continue competing him, even if he is for sale. I should add, that he has evented up to Novice level, so he has got a decent history, I just feel he would be more suited to a different discipline than the one I have chosen for him.
 
Do what you feels best, Im sure if he went to a competetant home he'd be in good hands.
Maybe like a dressage producer yard of some sort?
They might have something to do a trade on?

Good luck with what decisions you make.

x
 
Don't feel bad about it its far worse to make a horse do a job they don't enjoy and go sour than to realise the fact that you don't "click" and find him a home where he can enjoy the work he will be doing.

It does sound as though he would suit a hunting or riding club home to me, With the dressage I think the results would help him sell even though they are unaff.

I think you need to set yourself a realistic time limit and stick to it, if things still are not working out at the end of the time limit then sell him on.
 
Gah - if circumstances were different then I'd have him in a minute
mad.gif
however, if you're keeping him til xmas then I *might* be horse hunting again by then....
blush.gif


But seriously, do what you need to do for the boy - if you're worrying about it then it's obviously becoming an issue for you.

Finally, give Mouse a kiss from me
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Gah - if circumstances were different then I'd have him in a minute
mad.gif
however, if you're keeping him til xmas then I *might* be horse hunting again by then....
blush.gif


But seriously, do what you need to do for the boy - if you're worrying about it then it's obviously becoming an issue for you.

Finally, give Mouse a kiss from me
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

lol - typical.
grin.gif


In fairness I probably will keep him til Xmas - get him out hunting a bit more & see if I can't tighten up the SJ. I'll keep you posted.
grin.gif


Mouse LOVES kisses - she says can she come and live with you? I have stopped feeding her.
blush.gif
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]


Spiral - you are saying everything I am thinking. Is just so hard to decide what to do for the best - perhaps I could advertise him & see what happens. I don't actually have to sell him if I decide I don't want to!
smile.gif




[/ QUOTE ]

Having evented up to novice level, been hunting and schooling well at dressage, I think you probably wouldn't have a problem selling him. Not sure how old he is, but I think you could quite possibly get around 7k for him, he sounds like a great allrounder for the right person.

I definitely understand your reservations about selling and not wanting to pass him on again, but on the other hand, there is no point keeping a horse that isn't right for you, and his perfect forever home could be just around the corner
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top