What to do....decisions decisions?

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Teejay

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Hi all. I'm technically a newbie, but I've spent the past couple of years browsing this forum (just never got round to registering and posting!
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) so I know that there's a wealth of knowledge and experience here.

I am faced with a very tough decision, and I'd really appreciate some neutral opinions. I have had my cob, Jimmy, for 8 years (he's 13 now), and love him to bits, but I have completely lost all interest in horses and riding. I have been feeling like this for a while, (probably about a year), and I feel like I am just 'going through the motions' with Jimmy. I haven't ridden him consistently since last summer (I occasionally hop on for a quick hack, but I don't do that cos I enjoy it, more cos I think I should), and just don't seem to be able to find the time or the motivation to get him fit and back into work again.

So, I made the very tough decision to sell Jim, but I was determined that he would only go to the perfect home. I knew that a friend-of-a-friend was looking for a horse just like Jimmy, so I approached her to see if she was interested. She tried him in the school, popped him over a teeny jump, and hacked him out - and loved him. She definately wants him, and is just waiting for me to say "yes".

All the time, though, there have been some niggly doubts in my mind about her being the right person for him. It's definately not a case of "no-one's good enough for my horse", cos I am 100% sure that he has to be sold. I just don't think that she's confident enough for him, both in handling and riding - he's a complete dope-on-a-rope with me, but he can be bolshy to handle, and (with a nervous rider) he can be nappy and insecure when ridden (fine with a confident rider). He needs clear boundaries and firm-but-fair handling. I just have a gut feeling that something just isn't quite right, and I feel slightly uneasy about Jim going to this lady.

But, if I decide not to sell him to this lady, then I face the prospect of advertising him (I dread the thought of a line of people coming to try him out). To be honest, I dread the whole 'selling' process - with my work and family commitments, I don't have time to get Jim fit, and I'm worried about finding time to fit in prospective buyers (although I know I have to).

So, what to do?

Also, what do you think is a reasonable price for him? He's 13, handsome HW coloured cob, nice markings, 15.1hh, no vices, easy to do, never bites or kicks, 100% to catch, shoe, vet, dentist, etc. Good to load and travel, loves to hack, scrubs up well (very smart when hogged/trimmed, although a bit of a hairy scruff at the moment!). He's no superstar, but schools up well, and he could do a very respectible dressage test. He's safe, sane and sensible, and a reasonably confident rider could have lots of fun with him. I wouldn't say he's a novice ride, as he can be slightly nappy and insecure if his rider is a bit nervous.

Help....please?

Teejay x
 
I think anyone who buys a new horse has teething troubles to start off with, and if he isn't dangerous and she is aware of the issues I would sell to her. That's how people learn, at the end of the day, and if she is going to give him a good home and is aware that she would need some lessons to keep him in check, I'm sure she'd be fine.
 
Where abouts are you????

If your gut is telling you this is not the person to sell to - listen to it, would be my advice.

Has he ever hunted that you know??
 
if she'd be keeping him at a yard with a good YO who could keep an eye on her and stop him getting too big for his boots, i think it would be okay. otherwise, i think follow your gut instinct tbh. if he's a nice boy, and you're careful with your ad and you vet prospective buyers, he should end up somewhere that appreciates him but keeps him right too. best of luck!
 
Could you not loan him, rather than sell? Or perhaps put him out on a loan-with-a-view-to-buy type basis? It sounds to me like you love him very much, and if it is just the hands on and riding aspects of it that you are no longer interested in, then loaning him out would enable you still to see him, but to have all the practicalities taken off your hands. I say this because from you OP, you do not seem to be wanting to sell in order to get the money, but more because you feel you are doing him an injustice by keeping him! If you were to sell him I'd have thought you'd be looking at about £2500......

He sounds a lovely boy!
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We were the other way around when we recently bought a New Forest gelding. The lady selling desperately wanted my wife to buy him (as did his first owner), but she was not too sure, as he is a little smaller than we wanted (for me).

The solution was to have him on loan with a view to buy. We only had him for a month before we knew he was just fine, but you could offer a three month (or longer) loan and buy. Get it all written up into a contract (we didn't, but really should have). Then at the end of three months, you will both know if he is right for her.
 
Hi Kerrili, he'd be at a yard, but just a small place, completely DIY with a non-horsey YO, just someone who collects the rent, basically!

Teejay x
 
Hi MizElz, I've thought about loaning, but if Jimmy goes, I'll be getting out of horses completely (selling my gear, giving up my livery place, etc), so not sure I'd be able to have him back at short notice (have had a horse on loan before, and it didn't work out, so 'once bitten twice shy')

I do love him to bits, he is a really lovely boy, and I only want the best for him. Money isn't an issue, the right home is more important, but I'm (sadly) well aware that people put more of a value on something they've paid a reasonable price for! If I sold him 'cheap', I'd also worry about him being passed on for a profit, and ending up who knows where?

Teejay x
 
If I were you I'd suggest she took him on say a month's trial, and see how she gets on. Make sure you make yourself available to help her with any problems, and have a good chat with her about the horse and how he needs to be ridden/handled (without scaring her off!) - after all if she really wants the horse she may welcome the opportunity to have him on trial. As long as you don't make out like you don't think she's good enough...!
 
Hi there, I've been completely honest with her all the time, and she assures me there won't be a problem.

But I still have this niggly gut feeling, a voice in my head which I can't quiet! I'm not sure a month would be long enough for him to settle, and I really wouldnt want to put him through moving backwards and forwards, so that;s why I want to get it right for him 1st time.

Teejay x
 
I'm selling my horse. Had somebody come to see him who I didn't feel was right for him. She wanted to have him vetted and I told her how I felt about her suitability.
Although I am still stuck with my horse, with no other interest, I know I did the right thing.
 
I think you really have to go with your gut instinct as I imagine you would feel dreadful if you did sell to this woman and something did go wrong, plus if something did go wrong you run the risk of him being sold on to god knows who or her asking for you to take him back.

I always go with my gut instinct and its never been wrong so far!
 
Thank you all for your comments and opinions, I think I will go with my gut instinct - like you, princess_gem, mine tends to be right most of the time!
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Thanks again

teejay x
 
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