To sell or not to sell?

L

LittleTero

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 October 2011
Messages
85
Visit site
Hi just wondering if anyone has some general advice. I have a gorgeous little horse who I am rather attached too. She is the most darling little thing, I can put anyone on her to hack with total confidence, dream to ride and lead. Loves popping over a little fence, little logs ditches out hacking etc. was going to hunt her and think she would be as good as gold.
Only snag being that she isn't taking to the flatwork it rather upsets her. Been working on it v slowly but just feel it won't be her thing. Instead of working and working at it I'm thinking she would be much more suited to someone who wants to hack or a mother who wants to ride out and lead her children and be safe as houses. When hacking out on a loose reign she just looks so unbelievably happy I think it would be nicer for her to be with someone who will appreciate her for what she is. Unlike me who will want more. She's so on everyone's side and willing ATM that I don't want to ruin her attitude with all this 'dressage' stuff and stop her enjoying her job.
Just wondered what anyone on here thinks?
 
Well I guess it boils down to time and money - can you afford / do you have time for 2 horses? Clearly you want a horse that you can do dressage with, and she is never going to give you that so she cant give you what you want. However if you are really attached to her and dont want to let her go, then I would suggest (if you can afford it) to keep her and put her on loan (to stay at your yard) or find a sharer to enjoy her.

But if you couldnt afford 2 horses even with a sharer/loaner and dont want the hassle of a loan etc then I think the best thing for both of you would be to sell - horses are so expensive that you need to be getting what you want from that horse, otherwise she would just become a glorified pet and you would resent not being able to do what you want when you see other people out competing.

There are lots of good homes out there and she sounds ideal for someone wanting a good hacking / fun horse, those are quite rare so I'm sure there will be plenty of people who would love to have her and give her a good home, allowing you the opportunity to get a good dressage horse so you can enjoy yourself too.

There is nothing wrong with selling if the horse cannot give you what you want, as long as you find her a good home who will enjoy her and make the most of what she's good at then no-one can blame you for selling.

Good luck with whatever you decide
 
Could you loan her out??
In your position I would sell or loan...Ive learnt recently that keeping a horse that is wrong for you, no matter how much you love them, is just not the right thing to do for all concerned. Good luck with whatever you decide xx
 
If it isn't working out and she isn't up to what you want I'd sell her on. There are plenty of lovely hacking/fun ride type homes she could get. People shouldn't beat them selves up about selling a horses on because they aren't right for each other, there are so many other owners/horses out there that could make a better/more suited match :) Hope you find a nice horse :)
 
As others have said she sounds like a nice type and definitely one that people would snap up pretty quickly, but personally I would put her on loan rather than selling her. You don't mention how old she is, if she's a younger horse you may find she enjoys the schooling side of things more once she's a bit more balanced.
 
She's just turned 12, so not too old but not too young. I think I am going to sell her, because although I don't do tons of dressage I like to jump and its all the flatwork side that goes with it etc. thank you for your advice has made me feel better. It's daft because inside you know your being sensible and doing the actual best thing but you always end up feeling guilty! A really nice lady from near me is coming to see her for hacking around local woods while her husband rides his push bike. Sounds so ideal for her, and she would be living out with 2 retired horses she has and be a home for life. Fingers crossed they like each other!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top