Talented youngster - what to do?

tabithakat64

tabithakat64

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 October 2006
Messages
5,942
Location
Herts, UK
Visit site
I have an unbacked 4 year old bay ISH mare, she was brought as a project to sell on but I feel I lack the facilities, time and money to do her justice.

Although I don't really want to sell her at the moment. :(

She has excellent conformation, exceptional paces, good loose jump and is a generally nice horse to have around.

I've been told by several much more knowledgable people than myself that she would easily show at county level and she certainly has the paces and attitude needed to do a decent dressage test, I'm also fairly sure with the right person she would event.

She is far too talented for me to keep and also too big if I'm honest. I would love her to eventually go to someone who would help her realise her potential.

In an ideal world if money wasn't extremely limited I would back her then send her away to be produced before selling her. However I can't afford to do this.

What is the possibilty of me finding someone to help her achieve her potential who would be willing to take her on and split the money when she's ready to be sold?

Is there a market for a quality unbacked youngster of her type? Or would it be better to back her and get the basics in place myself before advertising her?

I have no idea what she's really worth, I have an idea from having looked at similar adverts on here and horsequest so any help with finding other places to look so I can get an idea of what she is currently worth myself would also be great.
 
Last edited:
what about sending her away to be backed/produced and paying for it out of the sale money?

that way you don't need the money upfront and you can be sure she is getting the best start (obviously dependent on who you send her too :))
 
I would say you have a good chance. I trained a friends youngster for her to split the proceeds when she was sold. Actually went on to buy her at a vastly reduced sum as I had done the work - best thing I ever did :D
 
I have been asked to do this several times for friends, BUT, I dont have my own yard, so I have agreed to do this on the basis that they pay the stable rent, plus pay for hay, straw, feed & farrier - and guess what they then umm and ahh!!

One word of caution, be very careful who you send your mare to. There are a lot of good horsemen/women out there and there are also a few not so pleasant individuals.

To be honest to send your mare to a good trainer will cost you at least £150 a week (more probably!), you will also be responsible for shoeing, worming etc. And may have to provide tack. Then your mare will need to be there 6-8 weeks to do a nice steady job. Then you can add X number of weeks on for the time it takes to advertise and get a seller. This could be the next week, or a month of more! Then you have to give you trainer their cut, which could leave you with very little to show for it!

So unless your mare is worth mega bucks I think you would be better, spending the next few months gently backing her and getting her out hacking and popping a pole etc. Then advertise her in the Spring!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top