Sad but necessary 'How Much?'

Baileysno1

Baileysno1

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My vetran Bailey is returning home from being on loan for a year, at the moment we are getting through the final stages of applying for a visa so we can emigrate to oz (me and my OH) Hopefully we'll have the visa by mid summer, I am going to have to sell both Bailey and Ryu, tears well at any mention of this but I'm trying to get my head around it. So heres the plan, get Bailey fit and doing RC stuff by May and advertise him for sale first, keep Ryu until the last minute so I can enjoy him for the showing season. Heres Baileys stats,

15.3hh TBx (suspect full TB)
17 according to passport but dentist ages him in his early 20's
Thickened tendon from old injury, completely sound now and the whole time I've had him.
Great to load, clip, handle, etc
Has competed with me at riding club level in every discipline, does well at dressage and would probably affiliate at novice level, scores 65+ unaff.

Quirks include, having a nosenet, weaving at feed times, excitable in open spaces (but controlable), crappy feet - every 5 weeks in the summer.

He will be going 'cheap' but with all his tack and full wardrobe complete with rugs for every possible weather senario. I want to attract a older light weight rider who wants to do a bit of everything but isn't super competitive, and will hopefully give him a permament home where he can do a bit.

so what do you think how much should I ask? I know hes old and quirky but I don't want him passed from pillar to post by people after a cheapie, could he be catogrised as a schoolmaster?
 
i've heard a lot about this site
http://www.projecthorses.co.uk/
its supposed to be a great place for advertising 'quirky' horses, i've heard so much positive about it.
his quirks really don't sound that bad tho.
i can't help with price i'm afraid as for age i'd be inclined to go with passport unless uve had several different people age him at 20ish. when they get over a certain age its very hard to know. notthat'm dising ure dentist btw lol and i'd be inclined to let him go for a bit less than u want if he's gonna get a great home. maybe u could try get a friend or a friend of a friend to buy him? or maybe some1 on here is looking.
 
To be honest he probably wont be that easy to sell so your price needs to attract buyers. I would put him up for about £1500 but make it clear that the price is negotiable to the right home.
 
I'd be wary of giving him as a gift- my uncle had a problem horse and did this, gave her to someone he thought would rehabilitate her etc and they ended up selling her on straight away, making pure profit out of her. Now he doesn't know if she's in a good home or not.
 
I had hoped to give him to his loaner, she was fab and had her own land and stable, but found she didn't have the time to exercise him, he thrives off a varied and consitant work routine which I realise now not everyone can give their horse. I certainly don't want to make any money off him but I thought if I advertised him for say £1000 including all his gear I'd get every man and his dog wanting a go!
 
That probably will be the case, the phone won't stop ringing and 99% will be timewasters but it only takes 1 person to buy him! Its just a case of sifting through until you find someone you are happy with. What about advertising him as loan with the view to buy?
 
I would really try and find a new home via word of mouth..... i personnel think i going to be very hard to sell for money, but if you have to advertise him, i would be looking at new home rather price.
Another solution if horse is ok and you can't find good home why don't you gift to charity, then you'll know he'll be looked after properly and not sold on cheap etc..
 
Hey had a quick look on the 'project horses' website, looks really good and I think Bailey would stand out as not being such a project so might attract someone with a bit of dedication, and I can vet them of course.
 
But you have to realise that he is nearing the end of his useful life. How many people are going to want to pay for a horse that will shortly become a field ornament at best case, and an expensive money drain in the worst case. Personally I don't think selling a horse of this age is fair on the horse. Not sure what else to suggest, but I wouldn't go down this route. Once he is sold, then you have no control over what happens to him. You obviously think a great deal of the horse, so is there nothing else you could do with him?
 
Its a hard one, I agree by putting a low price you are going to get flooded and all-sorts want a free horse.

Could you not net-work, ie ring your local pony club and see if any mum's want a safe hack.

Try at all your feed merchants and tack shops. Ring round all the vets and see if anyone knows someone wanting a nice hack.

There are quite a lot of avenues you could ring and put cards up. I wish you luck
 
i'm sorry to i really agree with FMM....
I had to gift a horse to charity for a different reason, but main reason was that i wanted him to stay with one owner... and not to be sold on, on, on, on
As you have talented horse they'll find a good loan home very quicky and always keep a good eye on welfare
 
im not being funny, but hes not a project horse, hes just an older horse. That site is for horses with problems such as napping etc.

I do think your best bet is to either donate him to a centre, one with a good reputation, or give him as a gift to someone you know will care for him for the rest of his life.
 
Thank you for the suggestions, I think I'll explore some different options as an alternative to advertising Bailey for sale, and I will definately keep him through until Spring. I don't want him to become a burden or end up in an unsuitable home and will explore the route of charity gifting so if I'm not around someone who has his best interests will be.
 
I agree with FMM.

Perhaps try the ILPH and see if they will rehome him.
smile.gif
 
I don't want to disagree with anyone but the idea of 'gifting' a healthy horse to a sanctuary doesn't sit easily with me.
Most sanctuaries have enough genuinely desperate abused and neglected horses to deal without, without having to pay upkeep for what sounds like a nice sound, if slightly older, horse.

The Veteran's Horse Society will make every effort to rehome your horse without having to take it in - they do charge a fee, but a friend of a friend got a fantastic home for her veteran through them, and they are thoroughly checked.

Bailey, best of luck with your search. Definitely try the Loan With View To Buy route, as a lot of good homes are looking for horses that way.
 
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