Share, loan, sell, retire? Thoughts please

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MyBoyChe

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I have just bought myself a highland pony so that I can safely hack out with grandchildren and am in a quandry over what to do with Che. He is 13, 15.3hd TB, fit and well and suitable as hack/riding club horse but in reality of little value (ex racers are ten a penny aren't they, sadly) I just dont know what to do for the best so would appreciate some thoughts from a non emotional viewpoint. Im happy to let him retire completely, live out and be looked after, but not sure this is the best for him. Alternatives are to sell, if I could find a buyer, but would worry about him being ill used, to try and loan him but you all know why Im worried about that, or to find a sharer, who in reality could ride as often as they want and treat him as their own, although he would have to stay with me and obviously if he's being ridden he suddenly becomes more expensive to keep (shoes, insurance, more feed) so a sharer would have to be prepared to pay a fair contribution. Have I missed another option, what do you think I am best to do. Looking after him is not a problem to me, he's such a sweet horse I just want to do right by him now and am not totally sure that doing nothing is the right thing, although he is pretty chilled physically its probably better if he does a little work.
 
Is he straight forward to ride, safe in traffic & vice free?

If yes, i would try & sell him, might he suit a PC home?

I do know of a lovely family who are looking for an in-expensive horse as a mother/daughter share. PM me if you like :-)
 
I dont think i would advertise for a sharer as such as that implies limited riding, id possibly advertise him for loan from your current yard (loaner has full responsibility of all costs & rides as & when they want), if you are worried about selling & loaning & dont want to retire him then i think that is really your only option.
 
I'd also advertise for full loan or share , to stay at current yard. If you're happy to retire him and foot the bill, then you could ask the sharer/loaner to pay for the extra expense of keeping him in work. It gives you the most choice of people because you're not limited to those with the funds to pay for full costs. By advertising for full loan/share you won't put off people wanting lots of riding or people who can't afford full loan. You can then explain the situation when they contact you. Like you, I worry about a horses future once sold, that's why I wouldn't sell.
 
Try to find a sharer who would be willing to pay the extra costs in him being ridden and then you retain control over how he is cared for. Or loan on current yard.

The minute you sell or loan off yard you loose control over his care.

Paula
 
Thanks guys, it's really bugging me, trying to make the best decisions for him. He is fairly straightforward but at the end of the day he is a TB and he needs a bit more care than a native so isnt everybodys cup of tea.
 
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