Thinking of selling up...right or wrong thing to do?

hudsonw

hudsonw

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2009
Messages
493
Location
Cheshire - I'm part of the Cheshire Set!
Visit site
I love my horse but I'm also feeling bored and financially stretched.
I lost my job last year and although I was quite lucky in finding another soon after, it doesn't pay as much, almost 10k less. I've cut back on loads of things already apart from my horse but it's getting to the stage where I'm really starting to struggle. I'm not sure if my money worries are contributing to my mood but I'm also feeling like my horse is a chore.
I'm fed up of getting up at 5.30am to do him before work and for the last few weeks I've already had a friend look after him at night. Partly because of the fuel prices but also because I can't be bothered.
I love him to bits and I don't know if this is just a phase but I've already written an ad but I'm in two minds if I should post it.
The cash would be handy and pay a few debts but I worry about the home he would go to and what his future would be like?!!?
Maybe a break from horses is what I need to get my life sorted but am I giving up something that when it's gone it's gone and I'll regret it?
I can't loan him out at he doesn't turn 3 until August so nobody will want an extra mouth to feed that they can't ride.
Has anyone else ever given up and regretted it or was it the sensible and best thing you've done?
 
i gave up my first horse bobby as i was working full time and simply didnt have time, it was hard but i needed the time to have a break and get my life in perspective as i wasnt doing him any good. i got another horse a year after letting bob go and it was a better time, tbh i think i did what was best for him and myself. i think you should do whats best for you and your horse, no matter how hard it is, but rember! the lighter mornings will be here soon! every ones mood changes then :D.
 
There are times when I no longer enjoy having horses and running a livery yard. But then I look at how fit and young looking I am for forty eight (people think I am in my mid thirties). I am still as slim as when I was eighteen, and I think how fat and slobby I would look if I didn't have horses. It's true. I would never pay to go to a gym. I hate exercise, but horses make me do it, and I am so much healthier for them being in my life. So when I think I am not enjoying them any more, I at least then think 'it's cheaper and more pleasant than going to the gym and dieting'. Then, all of a sudden, when the sun is shining and a horse is really trying for me, I realise how lucky I am to have horses and how much they mean to me.
 
I think if you are feeling like that about him you would be better off selling him. You are possibly resenting him a little because you are on a tight budget and he is taking a big chunk of that. If you feel like that then it would be kinder to find him a home with someone who doesn't feel like that and can give him 100%.

I would think a break from horses might be a good idea, then you will either find you miss it alot and when you go back to it you will appreciate it or you will love your time to yourself and will never look back.

There is always a way back if you want it!
 
Wagtail said:
There are times when I no longer enjoy having horses and running a livery yard. But then I look at how fit and young looking I am for forty eight (people think I am in my mid thirties). I am still as slim as when I was eighteen, and I think how fat and slobby I would look if I didn't have horses. It's true. I would never pay to go to a gym. I hate exercise, but horses make me do it, and I am so much healthier for them being in my life. So when I think I am not enjoying them any more, I at least then think 'it's cheaper and more pleasant than going to the gym and dieting'. Then, all of a sudden, when the sun is shining and a horse is really trying for me, I realise how lucky I am to have horses and how much they mean to me.
Click to expand...

How very true......:)
 
brighteyes said:
Oh dear. Sorry to hear this - can't you turn him away somewhere for a year or so? Give you time to regroup? What type is he, anyway, and what is his potential?
Click to expand...

Don't want it so sound like an advert but he's...

he's a shire x TB, Currently 16hh but his dad was a 17.2hh dapple grey shire and his mum was a 16.1hh TB so he should make 16.2hh. He has impeccable stable manners, good with farrier, wormed, microchipped. He's been bitted, had a roller on and has been for walks down the lanes and is fab with traffic. He's a bit of a softie but loves his stable and prefers to be in than out!!!
He's cleared the lunge pit fence which is over 4ft and he's careful with his feet. I think he'll be great at anything in the right hands, but I'm sure every owner says that about their youngsters?!!?
He's ace but I just don't spend the time with him I should.
 
Sounds exactly the type I've been looking for!!! I need a field loving beastie though cos I don't do stables unless absolutely necessary. :D

TBH I'd find some where with fabulous grazing, throw him out (he'll learn to enjoy it) and give yourself time off all the 'chores'. It would be awful if you sold him after all the work you've done and regretted it.
 
I sold up last year for the same reasons as you - lack of time/started to find it all a chore rather than the enjoyable hobby it is meant to be. I do miss my horse and riding terribly (am now pregnant so having an enforced break anyway), but I do not miss the commitment of owning a horse and I have to say the relief from this does outweigh the sadness. That said, I did sell mid-summer so I knew it was the right move, so as others have said make sure your judgement isn't clouded by the cold dark days! I think sometimes you just have to be realistic about how much you can fit in and know when it's time to call it a day.
 
Agree with the others about turning him away (find supervised grass livery for youngsters, perhaps a local stud?) for some months, that will also give you some time to re-assess the situation. In the meanwhile, you don't need to get up so early & you can visit him every now and then for a cuddle.
 
Hi, the way I see this is:

1. Late foal so you really shouldn't be breaking till 2012
2. Bred quite hardy (not like mine) so should live out (mine all do unrugged and I'm in Aberdeenshire)
3. Don't worry about the time issue - loads of really experienced breeders only handle minimally untill 4 as overboldness and barginess can be a product of two much handling (think herds on the hill in Ireland).

So either get a good rug and turn out 24/7 this and next winter or you could sell. You won't get much though. Sounds like cobgirlie in the market and peeps like me but everyone is looking something for nothing atm and likely to get worse as recession deepens and public sector job cuts come into force. You obviously love him and (don't take this the wrong way) I'm not a doctor but you sound a bit depressed about the whole thing and I'm not sure selling will solve everything - but I could be wrong - rambling sorry will get back to marking A level Gen Studies now!
 
jendie said:
Whereabout are you?
Click to expand...

I'm in South Cheshire.

I think the whole situation is getting me down a bit, I'm not normally drepressed, lol.

I wasn't going to ask much for him as a good home which I will check is more important.

My plan was to long rein in the spring, lightly back in the summer and then turn away over winter until spring/summer 2012.
 
He sounds lovely, just think about it before you push the AD button.

Nobody knows your financial situation apart from you but if you've managed for this long then maybe give it a couple of months and see how you feel in the better weather?!!?

I think everyone goes though a stage of "can't be bothered" but i'm sure there are people at your yard who will help you out, maybe for a couple of weeks so you don't have to go down at all. This will give you time to think.

It's hard selling a horse that has been a pet for so long and you always wonder what they are doing now and where they are but if you do your part of selling him to a good home then that's where you need to stop your wondering otherwise you'll go mad!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top