Value of companion pony

[teddypops]

What sort of money would a 14yo, 14.3hh unregistered Connie mare be worth? She’s unridden as she sometimes falls to her knees (vet has investigated but no cause found). Anyway, a lady up the road is interested in her as a companion for her unridden sec D. I’m undecided whether to loan her (but don’t really want unexpected vet bills if she was returned ill or injured) or sell her. Lady is keen to buy as she needs a permanent friend for her boy. I tend to not sell as I worry where they will end up, but I know this lady and she is genuine. I’ve never really known people to pay for companions so have no idea how much to ask for! Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Auslander]

£1, to make it an official sale

 

[Annagain]

To be honest, if it's a good home for her and you trust the buyer I'd let her go for a token amount. There's no point in missing out on a perfect home and owner for her for the sake of a few hundred pounds. She'd cost that to keep for a year.

 

[[59668]]

wow, I literally could have written this OP. I have spent a year, and thousands, trying to find out/fix why my 15hh cob sometimes just smashes to her knees. She did it this week on the road and I have decided to retire her to grass livery. I want to find a companion home for her with me still as her owner, and local so I can still basically go every day, as she is my soulmate horse and I can't be without her, but homes that are good are right for this situation are so hard to find. If this home is right for you both, and you want to sell her, I would also say to just make it a token amount so it is official.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

£1, to make it an official sale

Completely agree with this.

 

[GG13]

I’ve bought 2 companions before, though both had potential to be ridden if I’d have wanted. I paid £200 many years ago and £400 for the other last year.

I know that many will think this is a lot but for me it was worth it as finding the right pony wasn’t an easy task. I actually think a good companion pony has some value whether it can be ridden or not, however if selling to a friend you trust then I would just ask for a token sum to make it official

 

[maya2008]

I bought a youngster that could be ridden in the future for £500 a couple of months ago. So agree with the £1 to make it an official sale comment, as yours is retired.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Good home that you trust, £1, we paid that for a companion we took on, just to seal the deal.

 

[rabatsa]

I agree a token amount but let her go for a trial period first to see if she gets on with the section D.

 

[SusieT]

I would loan on basis you can't trust people sadly.

 

[TwyfordM]

Sell for £1 with a contract in place outlining what the mare is (companion, not to be ridden due to... etc) so there’s no come back on you and ask to be contacted for first refusal if she needs to rehome in future so you know she’s secure.

That was the deal with my mare, no problems and I’ve owned her for 12 years nearly now. Keep old owners updated periodically. She has no “value” but she is a stunning and flashy mare with good bloodlines and was only 5 when I took her on so would have been easy for someone to offer what sounds like the perfect home only to sell her immediately so I understand completely why they asked me to sign the contract as they’d only met me a couple of times at that point. Don’t know how well it would have stood up if anything went wrong but better than nothing as it shows you both have a clear understanding of the situation

 

[planete]

I am fairly certain sale clauses are not legally enforceable and if people 's circumstances change drastically (worst case scenario owner dies, executor disposes of pony) the previous owner would be unable to secure the future of the animal. I would be inclined to loan the pony making sure that the loaners take out a good insurance to cover accidents and illnesses and make quietly sure it is renewed every year.

 

[fiwen30]

I would loan her. You’ve no idea where she may end up, and if she’s on loan then you know her future is safe with you. Not saying that this woman might sell her, but the woman might become long-term sick, or die, or have to move, or lose her job etc., all of which might impact her horses in ways which you can’t control if she buys your mare.

 

[teddypops]

Thanks all. I think I’ll loan her out for the time being.

 

[Reacher]

Thanks all. I think I’ll loan her out for the time being.

I think that’s a good decision