Selling a schoolmaster - what to do?

T

tina_day56

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Hi everyone

I am wondering if you can help me. I own a 15 year old 16.1hh IDxTB gelding with a friend. We brought him together last Summer to compete affiliated.

He has previously evented to Intermediate level with 22 BE points & has £200 BSJA winnings to Newcomers. None of this matters however as we have just discovered the following -

He went slightly unsound a few weeks ago - after a full investigation (and asking for his full vet history which we did not do when we purchased him!) we have discovered that he has arthritis in his coffin joints (both front legs).

He was treated for this with his previous owner for the first time in 2008. Now the steriod injection has worn off he needs another etc. The vet has advised us to cut back his work and he is now unsuitable for us. As we both own him he was in medium to hard work so its in his best interests to find a lovely person who is looking for a sensible horse to hack, school and lightly jump.

He is a pleasure to own & is 100% in ALL ways. He's our dream horse.

We are considering our options & have discussed selling him. Do you think anyone would be interested given that he has this problem? It is very easily managed and the x rays we have had done show hardly any change since 2008. The steriod injection that he had has lasted 2 years, which is good news.

On the advice of the vet he is suitable for riding 3-4 days per week, mainly hacking but can do up to novice dressage and 2'9'' jumping. He will not be able to be jumped on hard ground or competed too regulary. He can easily do an hours schooling but wouldn't be able to go in the school and work hard every day.

He would be perfect for a happy hacker or someone who wants to get into dressage or learn to jump. He knows all the moves including lateral work. He could possibly do well at showing.

Do you think anyone would be interested in him and how much should we realistically ask for him? I don't want to attract the wrong sort of buyer or someone who would sell him on as a competition horse etc.

Any advice or suggestions are more than welcome.
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Thanks
Tina
 
I had exactly the same condition with my horse and we found him an amazing home just down the road. Girl who has bought him is lovely and I suppose we vetted her more than the other way round and we can visit etc.. Bad news is we only got £600 for him due to the prognosis. He sounds lovely i'm sure if your willing to wait for the right person they will come along especially if he is safe like mine was.
 
I hate to put a dampener on this post,but thought I'd offer my opinion. After what has happened to me recently,I quite strongly feel that if your horse has a degenerate disorder,as yours does,it is not fair on them to pass them on. This is unless you can guarrantee 100% a home for life,which once sold,you can't guarrantee. It is purely my opinion though, as I consider horse ownership a responsibility,as well as a pleasure.

Sorry,I don't mean any offence.
 
You'll have no trouble BUT be VERY careful you aren't hoodwinked into parting with him for peanuts only to find him on 'AdHorseQuestMartDeals' for a huge sum and no restrictions on use, a week later.

I know someone who wants such a saint but not til after Easter. I will ask. They are lovely people. I'd wait for word of mouth and vet,vet,vet them to death!
 
No offence taken, I understand what you mean.

We are only considering our options at this stage. Our vet thinks its in his best interests to be owned by one person who can keep him ticking over and that he'll be ideal for a non competitive rider.

Yes, we cannot guarantee that his next home will be forever (if we do find him a new home) but we will certainly try our very best to try and will ensure any prospective owners know everything about it and how to ensure he has the best quality of life. He can still go on to do a lot and has many years of 'working' life ahead of him. He will no doubt make someone extremely happy. I do not think we are giving up our responsibilties as I would happily keep him until the perfect person comes along and we can take our time to look - they are out there.
 
I think the right home could be found. This is the sort of horse that would have been perfect for me (if I hadn't already purchased a 'bombproof plod' who spooks at her own poo). I'd have taken him on with full knowledge of his physical problems and I would have done so with the intention of riding him on hacks for as long as possible and then retiring him to a life as a much loved paddock ornament. The right homes are out there and many would consider themselves very lucky to own such a super horse. I'd be much happier dealing with physical problems than mental health issues!
 
It soulnds to me lke he could have been the perfect horse for me. I have never owned an arthritic horse before but my firend has a mare with the same condition and she is doing superbly almost 5 years after the diagnosis. However I am just about to go off to university and can't really buy a horse and make the commitment
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Wish I could though, your boy is gorgeous and I ope you find him a brilliant home
 
I absolutely love him, he would be ideal for me right now if I had the money!
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I completely understand not wanting to let him be wasted as a field ornament if you would rather be out competing and I hope that you find him a fabulous home for life if you do decide to sell.
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Could you loan him? That way you could ensure he goes to a nice home and stop him being sold on.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ooh, didn't think of that!

Or even a share?
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Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for your support - it is much appreciated!!
I will contact the local riding clubs and pass the word around if we decide to sell (loan is an option we could consider to the right home but I would need to speak to my friend who owns him too about this).

The aim would be to find him someone via word of mouth rather than advertise him. I have also done some research online and have come across a few wanted ads for nice older schoolmaster type horses to hack and have some laid back fun on. He is a lovely genuine horse who does everything to please. He loves his work and is a favourite at the yard.
 
Oh, he's lovely! What a gorgeous colour and all those lovely dapples! He's also got those typical ID eyes that are so kind.
Good luck, hope you find him a lovely home.
 
OMG!!! T, I am so sorry to hear this, what a gutter, I know you adore him and wouldnt let any harm come to him.

This is very hard one, personally I'd air on the side of loaning to guarantee his future, however, it's easily said and there is always the prospect of him coming back when you least expect it and may have another one to pay for and look after.

Its definately worth a try finding a nice home word of mouth and I will pass the word around. He is such a lovely person, I dont think you will have many problems at all. I do know one person looking for a safe sensible hack to loan to take her 2 daughters hacking with and it's their own land.....will mention!!

Give me a yell xxx
 
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