So sad. Made a really tough decision

soulfull

soulfull

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 July 2007
Messages
6,506
Location
Staffs
Visit site
Due to my continued ill health, I have decided to sell my lovely 8 year old WB and get something more suitable for a mature disabled rider
I am so so sad but the reality is he is just a little too much for me now and I am losing my confidence


His only real fault is that he can have a buck, but he is an athletic young horse so this can unseat and unnerve me

So decision made. Now I just have to sell him and live with it. Then find something more suitable :(
 
Aww hun I feel for you, I made the same decision last year :( There are some lovely quiet types that are still athletic enough to get up the levels (am I right in thinking you're into dressage?), a show-type cob, or maybe the right ID or ShirexTB?
 
You have made a hard decision, it's going to be sad, but it's right for you and your horse. I hope you find him a lovely home where he can have some fun, and then you can take your time to find yourself a safe horse. Good luck. :)
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
Aww hun I feel for you, I made the same decision last year :( There are some lovely quiet types that are still athletic enough to get up the levels (am I right in thinking you're into dressage?), a show-type cob, or maybe the right ID or ShirexTB?
Click to expand...

Thank you. I so hope your right!!Yes I like my dressage. Also showing. With the right one would probably do some jumping too but Emil is just too athletic
For me to jump :(
hayinamanger said:
You have made a hard decision, it's going to be sad, but it's right for you and your horse. I hope you find him a lovely home where he can have some fun, and then you can take your time to find yourself a safe horse. Good luck. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you I hope so
 
soulfull said:
Due to my continued ill health, I have decided to sell my lovely 8 year old WB and get something more suitable for a mature disabled rider
I am so so sad but the reality is he is just a little too much for me now and I am losing my confidence


His only real fault is that he can have a buck, but he is an athletic young horse so this can unseat and unnerve me

So decision made. Now I just have to sell him and live with it. Then find something more suitable :(
Click to expand...

I'm sure you will find a fantastic home for him! And many people will keep in touch with old owners.... Keep in touch with mine and I've owned my boy for almost 6 years...

Have you considered a 'swap'? Someone who is looking for a younger horse, possibly able to work up higher through the levels....while their horse may be older, more steady and suited to your needs? It's always worth an advert on British dressage......people are very open to different ideas!
 
As I said have a look for a good show cob type, there was one at my old yard who was lovely to school and happily jumped over 3'3. They're not cheap though!
 
TandD said:
I'm sure you will find a fantastic home for him! And many people will keep in touch with old owners.... Keep in touch with mine and I've owned my boy for almost 6 years...

Have you considered a 'swap'? Someone who is looking for a younger horse, possibly able to work up higher through the levels....while their horse may be older, more steady and suited to your needs? It's always worth an advert on British dressage......people are very open to different ideas!
Click to expand...

It is something I would consider. Right now I have someone riding him and helping me try to sell him, so have to see what she thinks too
Broke_But_Happy said:
As I said have a look for a good show cob type, there was one at my old yard who was lovely to school and happily jumped over 3'3. They're not cheap though!
Click to expand...
that is what I'm hoping to get. When you say not cheap, what sort of price are you talking?
 
I had to do this a couple of months ago. My lad went to a wonderful home and is having the time of his life. Ive just agreed to buy a coloured 14.2hh mare who has a whp background, she will be able to do everything I want to do, and I got off smiling and looking forward to getting on again. She is probably smaller than you wanted but I've agreed to pay 3.3k for her, and I think she is worth more than that (shh!). As suggested above, you may find an ideal swap with another dressage enthusiast who has an older/quieter horse who's seen it all. Good luck!
 
SadKen said:
I had to do this a couple of months ago. My lad went to a wonderful home and is having the time of his life. Ive just agreed to buy a coloured 14.2hh mare who has a whp background, she will be able to do everything I want to do, and I got off smiling and looking forward to getting on again. She is probably smaller than you wanted but I've agreed to pay 3.3k for her, and I think she is worth more than that (shh!). As suggested above, you may find an ideal swap with another dressage enthusiast who has an older/quieter horse who's seen it all. Good luck!
Click to expand...

So happy for you!!

To make things more awkward I cannot have a coloured or grey as with my RA I couldn't keep one clean. Just makes the search 100x more difficult
 
soulfull said:
So happy for you!!

To make things more awkward I cannot have a coloured or grey as with my RA I couldn't keep one clean. Just makes the search 100x more difficult
Click to expand...

So sorry that your having to make this decision ;o(

As for not having a coloured or a grey, there are some brilliant products on the market the take very little effort to keeping the whites white! so don't discount a grey or a coloured just yet.
 
soulfull said:
It is something I would consider. Right now I have someone riding him and helping me try to sell him, so have to see what she thinks too

that is what I'm hoping to get. When you say not cheap, what sort of price are you talking?
Click to expand...

I would think about £3.5k upwards for a good one, although if you're not into showing you might get one with the right temperament but not good enough for high level showing in terms of conformation etc.
The one I was thinking of does well at county so probably would sell for upwards of about 5.5k.
This is all estimation though as show horses aren't my area, if this is a route you are thinking of going then AdorableAlice may be able to help further.
 
A difficult and sad decision but it sounds like the right one for both of you. Hope you find a lovely home for your boy and find yourself a lovely something to get your confidence back on.

(((hugs)))
 
Hugs soulfull I have just done exactly the same and put my boy up for sale as his little hop skip and jumps were too much for me at 50. We will probably be chasing the same saint to buy as a replacement :). Good luck selling. X
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
I would think about £3.5k upwards for a good one, although if you're not into showing you might get one with the right temperament but not good enough for high level showing in terms of conformation etc.
The one I was thinking of does well at county so probably would sell for upwards of about 5.5k.
This is all estimation though as show horses aren't my area, if this is a route you are thinking of going then AdorableAlice may be able to help further.
Click to expand...

thanks not too horrendous then
 
My friend and I were talking about this the other day - it's supposed to be fun. When it stops being fun, you need to take a long hard look at what you want and what's right for you. And for the horse. Best of luck OP xx
 
Horsequest 63737.

Bernster has is in a nut shell. OP, you have done the hardest bit in actually accepting the situation.

I have been in the same situation, I didn't sell my horse because he was ancient and broken but he was ridden by a friend in competition because I am both past it and not good enough any more.

I downsized and massively downed the quality when I started looking for a horse to enjoy in my old age. I have not been too well this summer and there would been no way I could or even would wanted to have got on the good horse. My new purchase, who I have had for 12 months now, is young and bit green but genuine and steady enough, has let me really enjoy the tiny amount of riding I have been able to manage.

My love and speciality is heavyweight or middleweight hunters, but the time has come to be realistic about my declining abilities. I did buy a cob because I am no lightweight to cart about the countryside plus I wanted to be able to sell on easily if needed. Op, you mentioned you have RA, would a cob be a bit wide for you. A smaller ID might be easier on the hips/back both in ride comfort and quality of gait.

I realised I had done the right thing only yesterday. I pulled my cob out of the field, cannot remember the last time she was ridden, easily a fortnight ago. Brushed her girth and back, tacked her up and hauled myself on. She took me for a lovely safe hour around the lanes. The last ten minutes I had my hand in the neck strap because I was so tired. I have just finished 6 months of chemotherapy and having a horse safe enough for me has been a real boost in my recovery.

When I am better I will give her a go faster clip and stop hanging on by the neck strap. I can honestly say I got as much pleasure out of yesterdays hack as I had watching mega horse gallop round the ring at HOY's. Both moments took a lot of achieving in their respective ways. Our horses are to be enjoyed and I hope you find something to let you enjoy your riding well into older age.
 
Like its been said you have done the hard part you can take time to find the right owner for him and look for a perfect one for you.
I have to be more cautious now to but am lucky to have a great test pilot to settle them.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Horsequest 63737.

Bernster has is in a nut shell. OP, you have done the hardest bit in actually accepting the situation.

I have been in the same situation, I didn't sell my horse because he was ancient and broken but he was ridden by a friend in competition because I am both past it and not good enough any more.

I downsized and massively downed the quality when I started looking for a horse to enjoy in my old age. I have not been too well this summer and there would been no way I could or even would wanted to have got on the good horse. My new purchase, who I have had for 12 months now, is young and bit green but genuine and steady enough, has let me really enjoy the tiny amount of riding I have been able to manage.

My love and speciality is heavyweight or middleweight hunters, but the time has come to be realistic about my declining abilities. I did buy a cob because I am no lightweight to cart about the countryside plus I wanted to be able to sell on easily if needed. Op, you mentioned you have RA, would a cob be a bit wide for you. A smaller ID might be easier on the hips/back both in ride comfort and quality of gait.

I realised I had done the right thing only yesterday. I pulled my cob out of the field, cannot remember the last time she was ridden, easily a fortnight ago. Brushed her girth and back, tacked her up and hauled myself on. She took me for a lovely safe hour around the lanes. The last ten minutes I had my hand in the neck strap because I was so tired. I have just finished 6 months of chemotherapy and having a horse safe enough for me has been a real boost in my recovery.

When I am better I will give her a go faster clip and stop hanging on by the neck strap. I can honestly say I got as much pleasure out of yesterdays hack as I had watching mega horse gallop round the ring at HOY's. Both moments took a lot of achieving in their respective ways. Our horses are to be enjoyed and I hope you find something to let you enjoy your riding well into older age.
Click to expand...


AA sounds like you found a real gem
i still wish to try and compete

the one you showed me seems nice, but I have had 2 horses now that were late starters, as in ridden but not asked much of/ as soon as the work increased in difficulty even tho VERY slowly done problems started :(
so next time if its older than 7 it has to have started doing stuff

I am worried I would struggle with the width of a cob, also I would ideally love something 16hh and cobs, especially non coloureds are so much harder to find that big

I have also thought of ID I have seen a lovely dark coloured mare online, could only find greys before
 
Last edited:
Sorry to hear this D. Have you tried either Janet George or Henry Horn? I think a smaller ID or IDx would suit you as you know how sensible their attitude to life and work is, plus no different to ride even if not sat on for a few weeks. Shame I can't clone Pidge and take a bit of his height and age off for you.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Keep an eye on the Irish Draught society (GB) website. Often a nice one on there.[/QUOTE)

I will. Thank you

Pidgeon said:
Sorry to hear this D. Have you tried either Janet George or Henry Horn? I think a smaller ID or IDx would suit you as you know how sensible their attitude to life and work is, plus no different to ride even if not sat on for a few weeks. Shame I can't clone Pidge and take a bit of his height and age off for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks Hun. Yeah Bit big for me lol
Everything on hold now while my fractured hand heals
Have someone fab riding him until he is sold

I think Janet only sells young horses.
Click to expand...
 
I know lol! Might be worth asking her though as a young sensible horse would be ok? Plus an IDx would not be as wide for you as a cob and you could easily do your DR and some jumping. Might also be worth trying Avonmill Equestrian, far away but have a good range of horses and very good rep. Can't believe you've done your hand in as well.
 
Pidgeon said:
I know lol! Might be worth asking her though as a young sensible horse would be ok? Plus an IDx would not be as wide for you as a cob and you could easily do your DR and some jumping. Might also be worth trying Avonmill Equestrian, far away but have a good range of horses and very good rep. Can't believe you've done your hand in as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah she does sometimes have sensible babies

Will look at Avonmill when he is sold

I know I'm hopeless. It was 2nd time riding after 2 weeks off with bacterial pneumonia :(
 
Joyous70 said:
So sorry that your having to make this decision

As for not having a coloured or a grey, there are some brilliant products on the market the take very little effort to keeping the whites white! so don't discount a grey or a coloured just yet.
Click to expand...

OP - you have done the hardest part and made the decision that is best for you and your horse.

Joyous 70 - which products, I really struggle keeping my girl clean :eek:
 
Really sorry to hear that :(

I have arthritis too, and it's okay but I don't think I could deal with a strong horse!

Just to say - we bought what we thought was a complete dobbin from a riding for the disabled centre, for my sister's first horse. He was a dobbin until she learnt to ride, at which point he revealed himself to be a dressage schoolmaster. Got a lovely pic of them at the PC champs at badminton up in my room. You can get quiet ones, and sometimes it's worth giving the less flashy horses a chance.
 
Pigeon said:
Really sorry to hear that :(

I have arthritis too, and it's okay but I don't think I could deal with a strong horse!

Just to say - we bought what we thought was a complete dobbin from a riding for the disabled centre, for my sister's first horse. He was a dobbin until she learnt to ride, at which point he revealed himself to be a dressage schoolmaster. Got a lovely pic of them at the PC champs at badminton up in my room. You can get quiet ones, and sometimes it's worth giving the less flashy horses a chance.
Click to expand...

Oh wow how lucky was that. Anyone that knows me, knows there's no chance of anything so wonderful happening for me lol

I certainly won't be looking for anything flashy. But in fairness the one I have now looks flashy in a photo but isn't one of the big flashy movers, I had deliberately avoided those.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top