Selling Fears

[Quigleyandme]

Long one sorry. I have a rising four year old 16.2 sport horse type chestnut ID that I’ve owned since a foal. He was professionally backed last May/June and then turned away to mature. He is a very attractive horse with super confirmation, intelligence and spark and is more than ready to begin his ridden career. I’m not the right owner for him. I’m too old, too timid following a really bad fall (not from this horse) and I have no interest in competing anymore. He needs a competent person who wants a youngster to bring on as an all-rounder/hunter and have lots of fun with. I told his breeder that I needed to sell for the horse’s sake and he brokered a deal with a Dutchman he has been selling horses to for many years. The deal was contingent on the horse having four hunts done here in Ireland. The breeder and his daughter arrived unannounced after driving 90 minutes to give the horse a ridden assessment and I was very unhappy but too bloody weak to assert my will over theirs. She plonked her own saddle on him. She was persuaded to use his own Horsemanship bridle and bit that was professionally fitted to him but jacked the bit up three holes on either side when I wasn’t looking. She lunged the horse hard on a 15 metre or less circle with no warm up on the frozen arena using the end of the lunge and her voice to drive him on. She then rode him in trot and canter on the frozen arena and cooled him off (he’s unclipped) with a walk down the lane and back. I said; the arena is frozen, he has his own saddle, his bridle is how he is comfortable, please use the mounting block, the horse is pounding around on the forehand and I don’t like it. They said; The arena is OK, I always use my own saddle, you have no control with this bit and young horses need a flash. You don’t “communicate” with young horses you control them. We don’t use mounting blocks in Ireland and he needs to be shown who’s boss. They advised the horse would be collected in a couple of weeks to livery in a hunting yard for his assessment. The fact he isn’t fit didn‘t signify in these arrangements. The horse developed a splint on his erstwhile clean legs as a result of this debacle. I told them the horse was tender on it and the vet recommended at least 30 days rest. He isn’t and he didn’t. It was an excuse to get out of the arrangement. Being proudly shown photos of her jumping a pony over a metal gate from tarmac on his second time out was the clincher. They think it is horsemanship. I think it is stupid, reckless showing off. I’ve decided to keep the horse until April when he turns four and advertise him in H&H with a view to finding him a good home in the UK. I’m wracked with doubts and what ifs and imagine all sorts of grisly outcomes. How do I get over these feelings so this lovely young horse has the opportunity to get the home I know he would thrive in? Is there anyone reading this who can help me find him a super home?

 

[cauda equina]

No advice, just taking my hat off that you're putting your horse's wellbeing above the chance to have an easy offload
He sounds super, good luck

 

[Bernster]

So sorry you and he went through this but I’d def never let them near him - no reason he can’t find a good home when you’re ready.

 

[JBM]

If you want to keep tabs on how he’s being treated maybe leasing him out to a competitive rider?

 

[smolmaus]

The only advice is trust your gut and vet potential homes. It will take longer but you'll be able to sleep at night afterwards.

Disgusting behaviour on the part of those breeders. Sounds like he's a lucky boy you got him away from them when you did.

 

[Floofball]

What a horrible experience for you! I really hope the splint reabsorbs quickly ?? he sounds lovely and totally sympathise with your concerns. Sometimes ‘hunted in Ireland’ isn’t the best selling point as not all horses cope well with that kind of handling in their formative years (one of mine was definitely mentally scarred for life) Others cope ok. There are lots of people that would prefer to buy youngsters that have been started well, rested and are now ready for them to bring on. I’m sure you’ll find the right home for him in Spring ??

 

[Xmasha]

We’ve all been in situations where we wish we’d done things different . But fair play to you for doing something.
There are some good honest / professional sales liveries in the UK if you wanted to send him over ? Just do your homework . I know of two if that helps ?

He sounds a real gem , as some young horses would have ditched the bratty rider .

 

[JBM]

Also live in ireland and wouldn’t ever take my horse hunting..seen too many injuries and where I am especially just doesn’t seem safe they’ll jump over anything even when ground is like a bog

 

[ihatework]

WTAF !!!
Did you invite them to come and assess/help sell the horse or did they just bully you into the situation?

You are right to cut all ties with these people. Send the horse to a sympathetic schooling/sales livery and all will be fine.

 

[Ratface]

Dear Heavens, QuigleyandMe! I'd have had trouble keeping a civil tongue in my head and my hands from their persons!
I congratulate you on so doing.
My old boy, now rising 29, was taken to in-hand shows as a 3yr old youngster, did well and was then turned away for eighteen months. Picked up again, did some groundwork in the sand school, in-hand hacking round the lanes with a steady ridden companion and was again turned away for eighteen months. Was backed at six years and quietly ridden away.
He had a successful career as a Grade B showjumper, retired sound, and apart from an unfortunate period with an ignorant owner, who I bought him from, has remained hale and hearty ever since.
We still potter around in hand in the fields. When the weather is warmer, we will go back to the sand school and see what we can safely do.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Don't let them near the horse you have every right to do that his yours I'm so angry on your behalf they sound vile.

I would either get a pro riding him regularly ready for when you advertise him that way you have someone to ride for you when you have viewings if he stays where he is, or find a sales livery to sell him for you could also be an option.

 

[cauda equina]

Assuming you're happy with what they did, might the yard where he was backed take him back for schooling and selling?

 

[Winters100]

What a horrid experience, and well done for standing up for your boy.

I would assume that come spring you will have no problem finding a good new home for him.

Good luck.

 

[Barton Bounty]

They sound like horrors, nothing they have done was in the best interest of your horse! I certainly wouldn’t take a saddle to a viewing and expect it to fit just any horse! That is ridiculous.
You Will absolutely find the right home for him! Just keep doing what you were doing and when the time is right put up your advert ? your horse sounds like something everyone on here wants ?

 

[SantaVera]

Are you in the UK? If so contact Hopton Rehab and Homing you can gift the horse to this charity, they will keep it for life and find it a good ridden home with loving people who will care for it

 

[Leandy]

You had a lucky escape there! I would send the horse to a reputable sales livery and say I wanted to be fully consulted on potential buyers so I am comfortable with them before agreeing any sale.

 

[Xmasha]

Are you in the UK? If so contact Hopton Rehab and Homing you can gift the horse to this charity, they will keep it for life and find it a good ridden home with loving people who will care for it

Why on earth would she gift him to anyone ? He’s a very saleable horse

If she’s looking to gift I’m waving !!

 

[smolmaus]

Are you in the UK? If so contact Hopton Rehab and Homing you can gift the horse to this charity, they will keep it for life and find it a good ridden home with loving people who will care for it

OP is in Ireland, but I don't think there is any need for this horse to enter the rescue system. There will be plenty of homes out there for an unspoiled young horse and I'm sure OP would rather vet homes themselves without having to sign over the horse to people who don't even know him.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Why on earth would she gift him to anyone ? He’s a very saleable horse

If she’s looking to gift I’m waving !!

Wooohoo , Im waving ?? too ??

 

[Xmasha]

Wooohoo , Im waving ?? too ??

??? , the week just got better a free nicely bred 4yo In my favourite colour !!

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Oh my goodness, I would have been furious. I am sure you can find him a great home that will enjoy him and treat him properly. My cob was hunted as a four year old and to be honest it blew his mind and made him a nervous wreck. Not by me, bought him as rising 6. Good luck OP and I am sure he will end up where he should.

 

[Barton Bounty]

??? , the week just got better a free nicely bred 4yo In my favourite colour !!

Id say that is a great monday ??

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Are you in the UK? If so contact Hopton Rehab and Homing you can gift the horse to this charity, they will keep it for life and find it a good ridden home with loving people who will care for it

This is totally unnecessary for a well bred, super and highly valuable horse! There are many many knowledegable and sympathtic buyers out there.

Q&M what horrors those people were but I would have been equally paralyzed/frozen at the time. So try not to beat yourself up. People like that are just so rude and overbearing. And I also would not sell to them in a million years. But deep breath. There are horrific examples of 'horsemanship' out there but you can protect your horse against that.

1) No dealers. Sell to private homes only
2) Make it clear in the ad that all homes will be vetted.
3) Ask for video of the riders and ask for how the horse will be kept and what their plans are
4) Ask to friend them on social media so you can check they are legitimate. Some dealers pretend to be private buyers. If they don't agree or aren't on SM, insist on references instead. A lot of buyers asked to friend me when I was selling. Presumably for the same reason - to check me and the horse out. So it went 2 ways.
5) After all that, ring people you like the look of for a chat. Ask as many questions you want to get a feel for the people they are.

Those people would have failed every single one of those tests. Any sense that the buyer holds the cards and the sellers can be bullied only applies if the seller does not care where the horse goes. Then - yes - the customer is powerful. But i have never sold a horse like that and never would. In my head I have all the cards because I own the horse! And if buyuers want the privilege of even getting to try a horse of mine, they need to satisfy me that they are the kind of buyer I want.

Dolly's buyers had to jump through many hoops and they fed back they LIKED that. Because they knew it meant this was a well loved, well cared for pony. And they will do they same when they sell her on when she is outgrown.

I would consider using a GOOD agent or sales livery who will have a very clear brief of the sort of home you want and they can do the 1-5. I would still insist on the final say though for any buyer.

 

[JBM]

They sound like horrors, nothing they have done was in the best interest of your horse! I certainly wouldn’t take a saddle to a viewing and expect it to fit just any horse! That is ridiculous.
You Will absolutely find the right home for him! Just keep doing what you were doing and when the time is right put up your advert ? your horse sounds like something everyone on here wants ?

The amount of ppl in ireland that think they have a magical saddle that fits all horses is..amazing
Many schooling places say you don’t need to bring the horses tack as “they have their own” which is just I use this one saddle on everything ?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Why on earth would she gift him to anyone ? He’s a very saleable horse

If she’s looking to gift I’m waving !!

Me too!

 

[SEL]

Deep breath - just be relieved he's had a lucky escape!! If they ask you can say you've changed your mind and want to keep him.

You will find him a nice home. The lady I got my youngster from bred him and only advertised him on her personal sites so it was word of mouth (& I'm pretty sure she checked me out before I even turned up to meet him). If you want him this side of the Irish sea then you could find a recommended sales livery place with a rider who will take him to a few competitions and put a few (gentle) miles on the clock. In fact the lady I got mine from would do just that and she'd also use your saddle and bridle!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Deep breath - just be relieved he's had a lucky escape!! If they ask you can say you've changed your mind and want to keep him.

Tbh I would not say that. I speak as the world's biggest wimp, but I think 'changing my mind' a) invites the accusation of timewasting. And b) they may see him advertised again. I'd politely say 'this is a much loved, homebred horse and I vet all prospective homes carefully. I did not feel you and he were suitably matched'. Then block and ignore.

 

[Archangel]

What ghastly people railroading you like that - who the hell do they think they are?

The horse sounds fabulous - an ideal horse for Goldenstar I think.

 

[Red-1]

I would highly recommend Olivia Chamberlain near Roscommon. I bought mine from her and he arrived in good order mentally as well as physically. She tends to keep them for a few months before sale so she knows their characters.

I was astonished for a 4yo straight off the boat, he led, tied, picked feet and was generally a lovely relaxed boy. When she advertises, they seem to sell quite quickly too. She is on facebook.

 

[catkin]

Only you know what this horse means to you and how you feel about riding him, but a horse is not 'wasted' if it is not competing, as long as he has a knowledgeable home where he is loved then there's nothing wrong with that........ and is often a fab life for a horse.