sell or keep tack?

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misskk88

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My mare is now retiring and I have an absolute ton of stuff for her, which will no longer be needed.

I don't plan on buying another anytime soon, but I plan on staying involved with horses once she is gone, when I can afford it and will probably look for a loan/share (currently also have a share horse in exchange for duties but he's an oldie so will not last forever).

I will probably sell the rugs as I have no use for them. Anything that maybe isn't worth much or is probably a bit too tatty to sell second hand, I was thinking of sending to a charity that helps working horses in other countries. Can anyone recommend any in desperate need of bits and pieces? Off the top of my head I can think of saddle cloth, couple of bits, exercise sheet. Do they have any need for boots at all?


What do you do with tack? Do you sell it or keep it 'just in case'? I doubt the saddle I have would fit much else (high wither version!) if I did ever find another horse. Plus I need the money towards her care for the next few months, so inclined to sell it.

I think sorting out everything for her retirement has really hit home that this is it :(
 
I really feel for you its not an easy time. I think you should definitely sell your saddle and any decent rugs, they are very unlikely to fit your next one. Perhaps pick one or two things to hold onto for sentimental value, it might make it a it easier.

Lovely idea sending bits and bobs to a charity. I'm in Ireland so can't help you there but I'd take comfort in helping out other horses. Give your mare a lovely retirement and look forward to the next one. I find saving up (even if its a very small amount over a long time) can really help towards keeping you focused on your next horsey adventure, keep positive.

Good luck with everything :)
 
Thanks Kacey88 :)

I will definitely keep something for sentimental value. Debating taking a snippet of mane or tail, as I know a lot of companies can make them into a bracelet for keep sakes.

I doubt I will be buying another anytime soon, not until my finances are in better shape long term. I have lost a bit of enthusiasm to ride at the minute. I have my share horse, but I just feel flat. It isn't like this news is a shock- I knew it was coming... But I just feel so... Meh. I don't know how else to describe it really! I guess it is a mixed bag of sadness, acceptance, decisions, and change. I hate change sometimes. sigh!
 
Its always sad having to sort through things when horse has to retire or dies. Im going through the same now with my beautiful boys rugs as they dont fit my new pony as much as id like them tooas they have sentimental value.
The gambia horse and donkey trust would welcome any donations of bridles, headcollars, girths, saddlecloths, polypads and girths, girth sleeves and bandages and hi vis. They have a facebbok page and a website. Items can either be sent straight to heather herself or dropped off at a local nfu office. They also welcome first aid things like gamgee, animalintex and vetwrap etc. I sent my ponys meds up to the specialist who had been treating him as he is involved heavily with fundraising for the GHDT and said they would really help out there where medical supplies are limited.
 
So sorry to hear Flaxen, but wishing you well with your new pony!

I will have a look at the Gambia horse and donkey trust and will see what they can make use of. I haven't sifted through it yet, but I am sure even the odd bit comes in handy.
 
misskk88 said:
My mare is now retiring and I have an absolute ton of stuff for her, which will no longer be needed.

I don't plan on buying another anytime soon, but I plan on staying involved with horses once she is gone, when I can afford it and will probably look for a loan/share (currently also have a share horse in exchange for duties but he's an oldie so will not last forever).

I will probably sell the rugs as I have no use for them. Anything that maybe isn't worth much or is probably a bit too tatty to sell second hand, I was thinking of sending to a charity that helps working horses in other countries. Can anyone recommend any in desperate need of bits and pieces? Off the top of my head I can think of saddle cloth, couple of bits, exercise sheet. Do they have any need for boots at all?


What do you do with tack? Do you sell it or keep it 'just in case'? I doubt the saddle I have would fit much else (high wither version!) if I did ever find another horse. Plus I need the money towards her care for the next few months, so inclined to sell it.

I think sorting out everything for her retirement has really hit home that this is it :(
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Depends on many things
is it quality stuff rugs/leather??/ if so keep it sell cheap stuff
 
flaxen said:
Its always sad having to sort through things when horse has to retire or dies. Im going through the same now with my beautiful boys rugs as they dont fit my new pony as much as id like them tooas they have sentimental value.
The gambia horse and donkey trust would welcome any donations of bridles, headcollars, girths, saddlecloths, polypads and girths, girth sleeves and bandages and hi vis. They have a facebbok page and a website. Items can either be sent straight to heather herself or dropped off at a local nfu office. They also welcome first aid things like gamgee, animalintex and vetwrap etc. I sent my ponys meds up to the specialist who had been treating him as he is involved heavily with fundraising for the GHDT and said they would really help out there where medical supplies are limited.
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They are not taking saddle cloths at the moment, when we went to Hickstead last month with a car load inc 85 head collars Heather only said she would accept them as we had already collected them
 
HGA-12 said:
They are not taking saddle cloths at the moment, when we went to Hickstead last month with a car load inc 85 head collars Heather only said she would accept them as we had already collected them
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Are there any other charities which may find stuff like this useful?
 
I've retired my horse, I've kept his saddle and bridle, they are in my spare bedroom and I can't bear to sell them. They 'smell' of him. He's not dead, just a field ornament but I still can't even think about advertising them, even though it's a very expensive set of kit.
 
Hannahgb said:
Would Prince Fluffy Kareem accept stuff?
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I will take a look :)

exracehorse- I am keeping some bits, and totally understand why some people, like yourself, wouldn't want to get rid of tack. I already have one saddle I won't sell which fitted my old horse and my current when I first got her, so will would rather keep that due to the link to them both.

I don't have that much attachment to the saddle I currently have, as I bought it and then it went with her to her loan home for ages and so its been ridden in more by other people than me. I guess there isn't such an emotional attachment, which makes it easier for me to decide that I can sell it on. For some reason, it will be the headcollar that I will struggle to part with, and so it will be staying safely tucked in a keep sake box once she is gone.
 
I have a lovely gp saddle which is 30 years old, just need the pony to go with it. I am glad I kept it makes me feel horsey!! I even regret selling a stubben dressage saddle as we were hard up. Got rid of everything else. So I would keep a nice saddle personally!
 
HGA-12 said:
They are not taking saddle cloths at the moment, when we went to Hickstead last month with a car load inc 85 head collars Heather only said she would accept them as we had already collected them
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She will accept polypads as they make better padding for under harnesses. I make poly pad replica breast harness pads for her and they are welcomed with open arms.
 
I'd sell it and put what you get into a savings account towards your next one, then set up a direct debit for whatever you can afford to add to it every month. The chances of it all fitting a new horse (saddle in particular) are slim.

If you can't find anywher to donate the bits and bobs can you take it to an equestrian car boot sale and donate the proceeds instead? If you make a big sign saying you're doing this I'm sure you'll sell plenty of stuff.
 
The NFU offices were taking in stuff for the Gambia, I spoke to G, H&DT, to ask if they had got my stuff, they said they had three vans full, just sorting for transit onwards.
 
misskk88 said:
Are there any other charities which may find stuff like this useful?
Click to expand...

Kentish Town Community Farm are a charity and have a few horses/ponies which they use for RDA and lessons for local kids. They always welcome rugs, and last time I was there they wanted grooming kit, riding boots and mucking out tools.
 
my mares been retired for 3 years I kept her saddle until 6 months ago, used it every now and again, she could still carry my young cousins up the lane and back, but I sold it,, when I needed to pay a vet bill and surprise surprise, I should have kept it because my 4 yr old niece wants to ride now! and she is the only one quiet enough for a kid DOH
 
I don't have a horse and i still have a tack room full of saddles bridles rugs etc. you just never know when the next horse will pop up..
 
Don't sell anything, I had a clearout last week, no tackroom now, so needed to clear space in the barn, I now need at least 3 items I sold, luckily the buyer still has the grackle noseband which I'm buying back
 
When I had my late mare PTS I gave everything away to my friends, sounds silly but it felt right that the stuff was going to good homes and to my friends, so that was enough for me, I didn't want the £££. Looking back now though I should've been a bit savvy with the more expensive equipment, but hey, it felt right at the time.

I re-bought everything when I took on my loan horse, but she's now back with her owner and the equipment I have is expensive, so I am selling (will help towards my travelling fund).

Great idea about donating to the horse shelter.

Hope you're okay xx
 
annagain said:
If you can't find anywher to donate the bits and bobs can you take it to an equestrian car boot sale and donate the proceeds instead? If you make a big sign saying you're doing this I'm sure you'll sell plenty of stuff.
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Lovely idea- except I probably don't have quite enough stuff for a good load for a boot sale. Not unless me and some horsey friends pair up! I will see what I can find locally.

Kezzabell- what a bummer that you sold it and now need it! Always the way! My horse definitely won't be ridden again though and I have no nieces and nephews to worry about. I wouldn't trust her after she tried to throw her other rider (she has NEVER done this, so amongst other things, that was when I made the decision to say enough).

I don't plan on buying another in the next few years, I can't afford to do so. However all this talk of starting off another horsey fund... It's like a red rag to a bull! I think once she is gone though, I do need to take the time just for me and my finances. I will still help friends, maybe take a few lessons (I really need it as I have got into some bad habits!). Bet I have jinxed myself now to find one before the end of the year...!
 
great idea to donate to charity.

Think very carefully about parting with anything high-quality, unusual or 'not-made-anymore' particularly bridleware/saddlery as you can almost guarantee that you will want to replace it and it's invariably expensive and time-consuming to do so. For example, I have a handmade bridle that has been altered to fit the latest riding pony and a wonderful old lunge cavesson of a pattern rarely found now. I also hang onto favourite brushes and my strapping pad as they are still going strong. Decent bits are also worth keeping. None of this sort of stuff will take much room to store.
 
Hannahgb said:
Would Prince Fluffy Kareem accept stuff?
Click to expand...

prince fluffy don't take so much stuff as the expense to ship it.

GHDT will take cob things and pony, we save all that stuff for them and go to equestrain car boots with the full size and the monnies given to PFK and Spana



The last load taken to Gambia
>> pictures taken of our journey down to Hickstead in June with a car load for Gambia and our other fundraising journeys for Fluffies/Spana http://gambiahorsesdonkeys.weebly.com/2014-and-2015-donations-going-to-hickstead-27th-june-2015.html
 
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