selling / loaning, help!

jxd

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This might be a bit of a long one, and probably a bit pointless..but have woken up and can't get back to sleep for thinking about my horse so any ideas/comments/kicks up the backside on my ponderings would be appreciated
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Basically, short story is..despite not looking for something to buy this Summer (I'm just going into 3rd year uni so not a great time, plus couldn't afford initial cost!), a horse - B - sort of fell into my lap as it were at Easter, and, bless my Granny, she agreed to buy him for me (had enough savings/summer-work to then fund him myself).

Now the plan always was to produce him over the Summer, do some unaff./intro/PN with him - he'd just been in a hunting/family home, but was ready to get out and about - and then sell him before I went back to uni.

So I knew the score from the start...I guess inevitably I've now got rather attached, but have now got to write an advert, and I just can't bear the thought of selling him!
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He is by far the nicest horse I've ever owned, and initially I thought he would be a really good fun all-rounder. In fact hes turned out to be seriously classy, and I think he's going to be a bit of a superstar. Hes rarely been out of the top 3 and never unplaced at all his competitions this Summer, is getting 70%+ unaff. drsg, was 2nd at his first ever event (unaff. intro), 10th at his first BE intro (26.7 drsg, would have been 2nd but for idiot rider getting lost xc!). I was a WP at a big event yard for 2 gap years before uni, and he really is in the same league as my boss' good horses (and without the quirks!!) - he'll easily step up to PN now, was 3rd at unaff. PN eventers challenge yesterday, and I think with a pro he'd easily be aiming at novice/1* next season.

Really don't want to come across as brat-ish about selling him or that I haven't appreciated having him just for a short while. I sold my mare 2 Summers ago before going to uni, and made that decision to give up full-time horses to get my degree. Thing is I really do think B is special, and worry that I'll never find one as talented/genuine as he is again (and certainly not within my budget!!!). I went to Gatcombe last weekend with friends, and was thinking of seeing B go round there - I just can't help thinking I'm going to massively regret selling him, and will always think what-if/could've been me!

SO! - do you think anyone would really be interested in a relatively short-term loan, i.e. about a year, until I graduate next year? Yes he is a classy horse and someone could have a lot of fun BD/BSJA/JAS over the Winter, but could understand someone feeling short-changed giving back the ride half-way through an event season.
I couldn't afford uni fees and to keep him at livery somewhere, thats not an option unfortunately!
Or am I being ridiculous -be honest! - and should I cash in now and sell him, and be thankful I've had the time I've had riding him, and enjoy watching him with someone else?
And if so, how much do you think I should be asking (6yo ISH gelding - as above, very genuine all ways).

Sorry this is so long-winded..I think maybe I do just need to be told to shut-up and get on with it
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thing is, I also think he is my horse of a life-time, I'm absolutely gutted..

anyone want to buy him from me, and sell him back to me this time next year???
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I think that you could find someone to loan him to for a short time easily, there are a lot of riders who are looking for another good horse just to bsja or jas over the winter, and they won't mind giving them back.
 
we have been looking since christmas for a NICE safe horse for BSJA. have bought 2 ( not what they appeared in a big way) who had to go back and sort of gave up. we are now thinking along the loan route short or long term as we thought if they are any good people do not want to sell them. if you have a good horse and do not have to sell i would put him out for loan. i have a similar situation. i bought a 12.2 for my nephew to ride when he is old enough only because she was 5yo and absolutely bomb proof and i did not think they existed. i am now trying to find her a loan as i will not part with her i will never find another like this. good luck
 
I have just done exactly the same thing with my mare Star
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We had just brought a house, so time and money where the problem - but as you said, she is by fair the best horse ive ever owned, always being placed and doing well and I just couldnt bear to sell her and risk not finding another that could take her place. Sooo i was lucky enough to find a really nice loan home on here (FinnMcoul) who has taken her on to compete for me while things get sorted
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So it is feasible to do. Good luck in finding somthing x
 
Thanks for the replies
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I guess I need to have a bit of a think and talk it through with family...tricky as you hear so many horror stories about loaning, but nothing would make me more happy than to be able to keep him!! But then at the same time, if I was offered decent money for him, would I then be silly to turn it down..argh!

I haven't advertised yet, but think I will put some ads up at his next events as a sale/possible loan and see what sort of responses I get.
 
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