Selling a horse you adore

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NicolaC

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I have got to sell one of my horses that I absolutly adore. Has anyone else had to sell one you adore and how did you cope. I cry everytime I think about it and I really don't know how I will cope if I get someone ring up about him.
 
Yes, I had to sell my beloved eventer as I was going back to uni to do a post graduate adn didn't think it would be fair on him to take a back seat after being so competitive when I was studying. I hated every minute of it, still think about him and regret it now. Cried constantly and when the girl who bought him said she loved him and wanted to buy him I cried like an idiot infront of her. Went to my last ever BSJA and won both classes with him and cried like an idiot the whole while.

I do have a new horse, he is a wee star but Risky will always have my no.1 thoughts. x
 
Would loaning him be out of the question? Or if you do have to sell then take your time and do everything possible to find the best home. And ask for 1st refusal if they ever sell, you can put it on the receipt and get the new owner sign a copy which will make it a little more 'official'.

Poor you though, I've never sold one I adored. what horse are you having to sell?
 
i might be facing this- and if i end up having to,i have absoloutly no idea how i am possibly going to cope:( you have my greatest sympathy*hugs*
 
Have to sell mine, have her up for sale now and she is out on loan with view to buy due up end may, did this as though some interest in buying her no one came to view market was slow at least loaner will find out if totally suited its been two weeks (wed) since she left and I miss her lots, still have some of my equipment up at old stable will collect when I can face going there again however have found myself phoning around for livery its as if I think she is coming back to me and then I know I would still have to sell her only not on loan to buy as too hard on me and my horse
 
My little mare is putting me in a difficult situation. She would excel as a one person RC horse, in fact she'd be perfect for me if she was a hand or so bigger or I was several stone lighter. As it is I've never ridden her. She's in the prime of her life and she really ought to be out doing stuff and having loads of fun - she's so pretty and has such presence that she turns heads everywhere. She has spent the past couple of seasons eventing (BE) with a rider but she's not likely to go as far as Novice as she just hasn't got the balls, she wins at Intro on her dressage and would probably do the same PN. He's also taken her to the RC dressage finals where she was 2nd individual, she's done Area RC teams SJ and ODE, she's done PC camp with my daughter but really she'd love that one to one home, going out to parties regularly rather than being lunged by me at home to get / keep her fit.

She's the horse I'd have killed for in my teens and that my mother would never have afforded to buy me. I was just in the right place at the right time when she came along as a 3 year old and she has grown into a superb all rounder, willing to turn her hoof to anything - she just didn't grow in height.

She's my baby and I hate the thought of not being involved in her future but I also know she'd love to be someone's only horse and go out and have more fun.
 
I've just gone through this and the sale went through and I said my goodbyes today (see my post in PG). He was my horse of a lifetime, honest, talented, written off by previous owners but was an absolute superstar for me. I found it slightly easier as I put him out on loan first for a short while then I arranged for my instructor to sell him.
Could either of those work for you? It was much easier as I could slowly cut my ties with him over a period of time and the wrench wasn't quite so hard today (although I have been in tears many times already today!)
 
Yes when i sold my Exmoor my hubby had to deal with the sale, i just couldnt do it.
I had a coloured cob i sold and i was fine until he wouldnt load for his new owner, i walked in the trailer called him and he came right in! I kept it together long enough towave him off to his new life then cried buckets!!
You have my sympathy too!
 
If I was in your situation I would find it easier if I knew the horse had gone to the right home.

So initially I would get someone else (instructor, friend with yard) to deal with potential buyers as they would be slightly more removed, be able to give an honest opinion of the horses strengths and weaknesses (it is difficult to assess the weaknesses in your own horse) and therefore might have a better chance of finding the right match.

I would however give the potential owners and their premises a good looking over before parting and would ask for first refusal if they sell - at least then you may have a chance to follow (and influence) the horses fortunes.

This is your last chance to do the right thing by your horse.

Hope this gives you some food for thought and good luck in finding a good home.
 
Could your instructor or, someone your know and trust who isn't so attached handle the calls and viewings? You could always vet the potential owner when bought subject to vetting. If I was buying a horse from someone who was clearly upset I'd offer to give them an update and photos after about 6 months just to put their mind at rest.

It's the not knowing which is scarey, if you knew he/she was going to a good, long term home where they would be well looked after it would make your decision a little easier.

Good luck :)
 
Well, my little mare was my absoloute everything, and I still miss her so much sometimes. But I have put her out on loan with a view to selling her in a years time. It's not easy, but it does make is easier to know that she's in the right place, and to cut your ties with them gradually.
 
Oh no, this is awful. I've only ever had to sell a horse, once, when I'd bought him on impulse and he was a very sweet boy but not the right horse for me, and it was awful seeing him in the stable and in the field and knowing that we were going to have to part company, and worrying who would have him and would they look after him OK etc etc. It really is a heartwrenching decision and a friend who'se gone through divorce in recent years says the divorce was far easier to cope with than selling the horse.

Without wishing to inquire into your circumstances (it may be you have to sell for financial reasons) - if you are able to, as has already been suggested - it may be loaning is viable? That way might be a good compromise for you. Of course, if you have absolutely got to sell then this won't be any good.

IF (big if) you can find someone in your circle who could sell the horse on your behalf, that would be a good way forward; OR perhaps one of the equestrian colleges such as Hartpury, Kingston Maurward, Duchy, Bicton etc might take him/her as a working livery? This would solve your problem for an academic year. It depends on which college you send the horse to - but mine's at Bicton and I pay half the shoes (special college rate) and can ride the horse by arrangement. Its just a thought ..... then if the horse is in that environment it may be that a student or someone might take it on from there if you still need to sell.
 
Thank you all for your kind words.

Loaning isn't an option as he is a rising 4 year old. I have had him since he was 5 months. I'm also not selling for financial reasons. I had him backed last year, went over to ride him there and got on very well with him. Then we bought him home and it all went tits up. He bolted with me and I had to throw myself off him before he went into a fence. I was very badly hurt and he then got turned away as he had lost alot of confidence in himself and also went very bum high again. He is now out in my summer field to be a horse again. I am only selling as I really don't think I can get back on. Sending him away again is not an option ( no problem money wise ) I just don't think it is the best for him.
 
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