Selling your horse: What does the horse think?

[NeilM]

Having recently read War Horse, I was talking to my OH about the history of our two ponies before they came to us, and how Fol had started out with a loving owner and somehow got past to a completely brutal and ignorant (as in, total lack of understanding) owner, before being rescued by my OH.

This lead me to consider a change of owner from the horses point of view.

We credit our equines with varying degrees of intelligence and understanding, and we know that they are super sensitive to body language and surroundings, so what do we think they make of being sold?

 

[Renvers]

Interesting idea ... I do wonder whether the honeymoon period is them testing the new situation and how quickly they then settle is an indication of their acceptance/approval?

One of mine was an unsuccessful racehorse who has taken to dressage quite well, keeps condition much better, is generally more chilled out, maybe this is him showing he's moved to a life more suited to him.

 

[Rosie Round The Hills]

I am in the process of finding a new home for Rosie, because we are moving to Canada (it is a 'forced' re-homing, not because she's no longer the horse for me)

The potential new home has been to see her twice, and rode her the second time. I think that Rosie is:-

Anxious
Worried

But now a little bit reassured as New Lady is a nice kind considerate competent rider.

I know (from my past experience) that when she moves home it will bring out all her old separation anxiety issues. But that as she receives good care she will settle down and blossom again.

I don't think she will 'question' why she's moved from me, nor will she 'wish' she was back with me. That's anthropomorphising a step too far.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I think the change of surrounding and "herd" members, people included make the horse feel - as Rosie says, worried and anxious.
But I don't think their thoughts go further than that and they settle in time usually.

 

[Merlin11]

when i got my first horse he got really anxious with travelling as i think he had only been transported when he was sold. once he realised he was coming home again he is an excellent traveller. he had a few homes before i got him and he now has a home for life if i am at all able to provide that. being with new horses is probably most unsettling for them though. as long as they are with a kind and fair person who looks after them i think they would settle. they are very driven by food and companionship so if these needs are met they should eventually settle.

 

[ponypilotmum]

This is the very reason that I cannot sell any of mine. I sold a pony once and spent days in tears. The kids weren't all that bothered

I'm not one to be soppy over horses or a fluffy bunny of any kind, but I am sensitive to their emotional needs and worry a lot about their feelings.

Likewise, one of mine has only ever been travelled when moved, and it's something that upsets him a great deal.

 

[zaminda]

I recently split up with my long term partner, our horses had lived as a herd for nearly 8 years, with few changes except my pony occasionally coming back of loan before going again (always considered the interloper) and 1 new horse joining the herd. They were very quiet and dull for a long time. Then I decided to go travelling for a while, and my horses rejoined my ex, horses all now tearingly happy! I suspect they miss equine friends more than humans!

 

[NeilM]

I'm not against buying and selling horses, clearly in our case with Fol it was the best outcome possible for her, as she had become unrideable / bordering on the dangerous. But I do wonder what they make of the whole process.

I have to say that visiting Exeter horse sales on Tuesday really made me think hard on the subject.

 

[be positive]

I think this is similar to the post by rocksmum, a well cared for, confident horse that has seen some of the world, ie. been to shows or done plenty of varied hacking etc, is used to travelling and being with other horses, this type should adjust very easily imo.

The horse does not think in the way we do so a new home with similar routine should be no problem, I think they settle in really quickly if allowed a few days of careful introduction.

Horses that are already in the dealer/sale system may be a different issue, they are possibly already distressed by moving into strange environments with having no concessions made to their needs, having to fit in rather than being eased into new ways.

I have different horses coming to my yard, often new liveries or one getting sent for sale, they usually settle really quickly, enjoy meeting new friends, work hard enough that they keep their brains occupied and have their main priority, plenty to eat. I always allow time for a few teething issues to be resolved and will accept some minor bad behaviour while they adapt.

 

[floradora09]

I was discussing this with my mum coming back from a rally yesterday!

Obviously horses are not able to think about the future, and I guess you could say that as long as their basic needs are cared for and they have company then they 'should' be happy. As horses can only really think in the present it's probably safe to say that they will be unsettled by a move, and perhaps if they were much happier in their last home could become a little quiet for a few days..

I'll never forget the day we went to pick up my boy- previously he'd been hacking about once a week for 6 months, before going to a schooling yard for a few weeks to sell, the moment he saw the trailer he kept wickering, and despite being told he was good to load, he towed me at a trot onto the ramp! It's funny though as he is good to load, but has never showed a similar level of enthusiasm to go somewhere since!