Selling dilemma

[ColouredMare]

Hi, I’m in a bit of a dilemma and looking for some advice regarding whether or not to sell my horse. Basically, I have a rising 3 y/o cob mare that I’ve had since last April. When I brought her, she was intended to be a project to sell on in a year or so as she hadn’t had an easy start being passed around. Circumstances changed when I fractured my shoulder and was unable to work with her for a while. She has made a remarkable improvement, she’s perfect for everything from clipping to the vet and I’m so proud of how far she’s come coming 1[SUP]st[/SUP] in her first ever class.
However, I’m going to uni this year and I realise that she will need constant work being so young and, although I feel so shallow saying this, she isn’t really suited to showing despite having a beautiful head, her conformation isn’t up to standard. Realistically, she would make a fab hunting cob or all-rounder for a confident rider wanting some fun.
So here’s the dilemma, my instructor owns a horse whom I have had a ‘bond’ with and been interested in since she brought him 2 years ago but I couldn't afford him originally, he’s exactly what I’m after and is a true county standard show horse. He wouldn’t be as affected when I’m at uni as he would get exercised by friends and family.
He gets on well with my gelding and, as he’s rideable, it would give me and mum an opportunity to finally ride out together. However, he has his quirks, he’s bad to clip though getting there, scared of his own shadow… basically a big wimp although I do believe this is primarily an age thing with him.
To try and cut a long story short, my instructor has offered to take my mare and sell him to me at a very, very good price with my mare to be produced and sold on to a better home than I could ever find for her on the open market.
In my head, I know this is probably best for her as my confidence with her is low due to her sheer strength (she’s really a mans horse) and he is the dream horse.
Unfortunately though, I’m a huge softie and love her to pieces, she has a fab personality and takes everything in her stride... Selling her will truly break my heart, she will always be special to me but we don’t have the time for three horses at the moment. I know we have given her a lot and certainly not failed her, the way she has progressed in the short time is outstanding but things have changed.
I just don’t know what to do, I have never had to sell a horse before and promised her previous owners, whom I’m still in contact with, that she would have a forever home (I would have to break it to them) but I feel she is the right horse at the wrong time and would be better suited with someone else. I just want what's best for both of us and really don't want her to get passed around again being sold for low money but I know I'd have no control if I sold her.
Sorry for the essay… if you got this far thanks for reading. Any suggestions, WWYD? :S

 

[Tickles]

Do you think that your mare's previous owners would have her back?
If the gelding is so great and your instructor has facilities to produce your mare why is she offering you such a good price on the gelding? Is it because she will be doing a part-x with your mare who has good potential? Or something else?
Do you have a clear idea of what your life at uni will be like? Will you really be wanting to ride out with your mum a lot?

You don't have to anwser those questions here, they were just what I thought I'd consider when reading your post.

 

[Arizahn]

Hi, I’m in a bit of a dilemma and looking for some advice regarding whether or not to sell my horse. Basically, I have a rising 3 y/o cob mare that I’ve had since last April. When I brought her, she was intended to be a project to sell on in a year or so as she hadn’t had an easy start being passed around. Circumstances changed when I fractured my shoulder and was unable to work with her for a while. She has made a remarkable improvement, she’s perfect for everything from clipping to the vet and I’m so proud of how far she’s come coming 1[SUP]st[/SUP] in her first ever class.
However, I’m going to uni this year and I realise that she will need constant work being so young and, although I feel so shallow saying this, she isn’t really suited to showing despite having a beautiful head, her conformation isn’t up to standard. Realistically, she would make a fab hunting cob or all-rounder for a confident rider wanting some fun.
So here’s the dilemma, my instructor owns a horse whom I have had a ‘bond’ with and been interested in since she brought him 2 years ago but I couldn't afford him originally, he’s exactly what I’m after and is a true county standard show horse. He wouldn’t be as affected when I’m at uni as he would get exercised by friends and family.
He gets on well with my gelding and, as he’s rideable, it would give me and mum an opportunity to finally ride out together. However, he has his quirks, he’s bad to clip though getting there, scared of his own shadow… basically a big wimp although I do believe this is primarily an age thing with him.
To try and cut a long story short, my instructor has offered to take my mare and sell him to me at a very, very good price with my mare to be produced and sold on to a better home than I could ever find for her on the open market.
In my head, I know this is probably best for her as my confidence with her is low due to her sheer strength (she’s really a mans horse) and he is the dream horse.
Unfortunately though, I’m a huge softie and love her to pieces, she has a fab personality and takes everything in her stride... Selling her will truly break my heart, she will always be special to me but we don’t have the time for three horses at the moment. I know we have given her a lot and certainly not failed her, the way she has progressed in the short time is outstanding but things have changed.
I just don’t know what to do, I have never had to sell a horse before and promised her previous owners, whom I’m still in contact with, that she would have a forever home (I would have to break it to them) but I feel she is the right horse at the wrong time and would be better suited with someone else. I just want what's best for both of us and really don't want her to get passed around again being sold for low money but I know I'd have no control if I sold her.
Sorry for the essay… if you got this far thanks for reading. Any suggestions, WWYD? :S

I don't understand...how can you have bought her as a project to sell on, and still have promised her former owners a forever home? It is one or the other, sorry.

If she really doesn't suit you and this gelding does, then selling her could be a sensible option. But your post suggests that she is more reliable, just not good enough for showing and too young to ride yet. So I honestly don't know!

 

[ColouredMare]

Do you think that your mare's previous owners would have her back?
If the gelding is so great and your instructor has facilities to produce your mare why is she offering you such a good price on the gelding? Is it because she will be doing a part-x with your mare who has good potential? Or something else?
Do you have a clear idea of what your life at uni will be like? Will you really be wanting to ride out with your mum a lot?

You don't have to anwser those questions here, they were just what I thought I'd consider when reading your post.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. No, they can't have her back as the mum lost her job and cannot afford to keep her house let alone a horse. She's offering a good price because we're family friends & she would still be part of his life as he's very special to her. Yeah, it is a part- exchange sort of thing but a bit more complex and what she would offer for my mare is more than I could get for her currently. I'm aware of how busy my uni life will be but honestly, he would benefit from a break next winter & we don't hack my gelding just school him at the moment as he will not leave the yard alone and everyone else goes out at inconvenient times for us. Being able to go out with my mum would benefit him greatly as he needs the break from schooling.

 

[ColouredMare]

I don't understand...how can you have bought her as a project to sell on, and still have promised her former owners a forever home? It is one or the other, sorry.

If she really doesn't suit you and this gelding does, then selling her could be a sensible option. But your post suggests that she is more reliable, just not good enough for showing and too young to ride yet. So I honestly don't know!

You're right, it was kinda complex. We bought her as a project but then got attached and told her old owners that we would aim to keep her as long as possible. Thank you for your opinion, it has given me something to think about, she is more reliable but Its tough.