Selling a horse as an inhand competition horse only

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wildriding1

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As the title states really, is there a market to sell horses for Inhand competition only?
I have a super horse who is rising 8 that has had a few injuries/issues over the last 18 months, back trouble/SI issues and ulcers, he hasn't been ridden properly for 15 months and I'm not sure he ever will get back into ridden work or be happy doing it.
He is beautiful and moves for fun.
He has been lightly but very successfully shown and also received an elite premium as a 2 year old.
He is due to go to a producers next week to see if they can get a tune out of him but if not I need some ideas up my sleeve as what to do with him as I can't keep him as much as it breaks my heart.
Not sure how to post pictures on here or I would have done!
Any ideas/suggestions will be greatly appreciated xxx
 
No I don't think so. Also bear in mind that the problems you have described (SI and ulcers) tend to require expensive ongoing treatment.

When my horse was treated for ulcers his sore back sorted itself out. Just a thought? Have you had any scans done?
 
There realy isnt a market.
Inhand classes tend to either be done by breeders or those with youngstock (so no interest in an 8yr old gelding) or as an addition to the Ridden classes.
 
I agree with the others, there is also the real risk that someone will buy him with the intention of giving him bute and selling him on as a ridden horse, once sold you have no say in where he ends up or what the buyer does with him, however hard you try to do right by him there are some unscrupulous people out there, either retire him to a retirement livery or if you cannot afford to keep him then pts may be the kindest option as you know his pain has ended.
 
Other than Best Condition and possibly Coloured, I can't think of any in-hand classes for adult horses.

I would be concerned that he would end up with some-one who has every intention of trying to get him back under saddle. When you sell a horse you cannot stipulate what the new owner can or cannot do with it.
 
As others have said no I am afraid not. If he were above 15, you may manage to do the veteran (VHS and SSDL) classes but as for anything other than local shows not much.

I'm really sorry OP, you aren't going to like what I am going to say here... As others have said, if the horse can't be ridden due to his issues and if you are not in a financial position to keep him as a pet, I would look at other options to secure his future. All too many people are ready to take on a horse that may or may not be ok to ride, usually because they are cheap. He will no doubt end up somewhere where he needs aren't met and the blame will fall on a 'naughty' horse.
 
eggs said:
Other than Best Condition and possibly Coloured, I can't think of any in-hand classes for adult horses.
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There's loads? Every show I've ever been to there are always in-hand classes for adult horses (hunter/hack, cob, coloured, sport horse etc.), however I doubt many people would have a horse purely for doing in-hand...I dont see how the horse can be shown in-hand anyway if it has leg, back etc. issues...?
 
MagicMelon said:
There's loads? Every show I've ever been to there are always in-hand classes for adult horses (hunter/hack, cob, coloured, sport horse etc.), however I doubt many people would have a horse purely for doing in-hand...I dont see how the horse can be shown in-hand anyway if it has leg, back etc. issues...?
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May be more at unaffiliated shows?
 
There are plenty of classes at local level, however as some have already stated, noone usually buys a horse just to show it in-hand and that is the problem. If you can find someone to 'permanently loan' him as a companion then that is an option, but usually difficult to find I'm afraid, good luck :)
 
MagicMelon said:
I dont see how the horse can be shown in-hand anyway if it has leg, back etc. issues...?
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Well, this, but also but I would think the horse would need to be in regular work in order to maintain muscle bulk necessary for good results in the show ring. Doesn't necessarily mean ridden work but with SI/back problems etc then would he be able to do enough groundwork?
 
Once a horse is sold there is nothing the previous owner can do regarding its use. The seller may well advise the new owner of a,b,c problem/limitation, but some people will buy a cheap horse, promise that it will have a forever home with every comfort, and then sell it on at a profit. Sometimes it means putting it out in a field for 12 months. I have heard just too many stories of horses and ponies being sold to "forever homes" with every reassurance from the new owner (and often at a cheap price to secure that good home) and then seeing it advertised/at an auction sale 6 months later.
 
If you have a look on the Facebook Dodgy Dealers group then you will see the story of Mario, which sadly is still on going :( If you have something that isnt sound or has limitations then please dont relinquish ownership. It might be ok, but it probably wont! Smart looking horses are worth a premium, and dodgy dealers love them as they can pick them up for pennies and sell them for thousands!
 
The wife said:
As others have said no I am afraid not. If he were above 15, you may manage to do the veteran (VHS and SSDL) classes but as for anything other than local shows not much.

I'm really sorry OP, you aren't going to like what I am going to say here... As others have said, if the horse can't be ridden due to his issues and if you are not in a financial position to keep him as a pet, I would look at other options to secure his future. All too many people are ready to take on a horse that may or may not be ok to ride, usually because they are cheap. He will no doubt end up somewhere where he needs aren't met and the blame will fall on a 'naughty' horse.
Click to expand...

^^this absolutely. If you cannot afford retirement livery or keep him yourself please don't pass him on. We are all shocked and appalled by the behaviours of these dodgy dealers, but we as owners need to take responsibility as it is by passing on exactly this type of horse that people get conned and the broken horse gets doped or dehydrated to pass it on for more money by a dodgy dealer. The only certainty of your horses future lies with you.
 
If he is a big (16h min) and field healthy horse then if the ridden option doesn't work out at the producers then the equine Bloodbank may be a good option for him. The waiting list opens 2nd Jan each year and new intake isn't then taken until late April/May so you'd have to wait a year but it's a good life and a good option for an otherwise happy/healthy horse that has no ridden future. You have to sign them over but you have absolute assurance that they will never leave and will not be pts until old age/Health dictates. My two beloved boys went together last year and it looked like horse heaven to me x
 
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