What would you do with this horse...

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Henry02

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Just general musings really... if this was your horse what would you do with it...

Owned horse for 18 months... during this time we have had several setbacks, including a bad case of gastric ulcers, and not settling on livery yards we have been on. Horse is a genuinely sweet horse, but (is 6), and has taken a lot longer to bring on than originally intended. Is currently on schooling livery, due to my commitments with work I haven't got the time, but we are seeing very good results from the schooling.

Horse was purchased relatively cheaply, but due to a few minor veterinary issues (nothing that will ever hinder him), would either not really be overly saleable, or really worth much more than what I paid for him. I have spent a fair amount in veterinary fees and on schooling livery for him, but it will be a while before I will be able to ride him properly. I like the horse, and think he will be able to do a decent job when things finally work out.

So if it was your horse, would you keep or try and sell?
 
If you like him, he should ultimately end up doing what you want and would be difficult to sell then I'd be keeping. I can't see the sense in selling on something you like that will do what you want/need? Particularly if not a horse that will sell easily, seems more hassle than it's worth.
I suppose then it really comes down to the reasons selling is being contemplated and if these outweigh the above!
 
Should have said in previous post that if I did sell, then the money I could save on livery etc could eventually be used to buy another horse, that would need less work doing to it!!!
 
Some times better the devil u know,

If this horse could turn into what u want and have a good relationship then keep him.

Next horse u buy to replace could well b stuck with all sort alot worse then that,

Money wise I'm no one to go buy as my boy has one serious injury and one bad abscess on different foot and ulcers flair up. Crippling me but is my dream horse and we achieved so much before all this.

Hard times makes u both stronger
 
In a years time you could spend the same amount of money and have a horse at the same stage either way- either you spend say £500/month on schooling livery (aware it probably isn't this cheap but it makes the maths easy) for 6 months, gives you £3000.
Or you sell horse for £1000 (just example, no idea of value of your horse again!) and save 6 months livery and buy a horse for £4000.
Is that extra £1000 going to make much of a difference in capital and in the quality of the next horse you can get?
If you can't go straight out & top up the budget after selling current horse (and therefore 'instantly' have a 'better' horse) & have to wait 6 months anyway to have that extra money, why not continue working with horse you already have if it's pleasant to be around & should in 6 months time (or however long) get to where you want?
You can always advertise, see if he/she sells, if not, keep going, if so start afresh. There's certainly plenty of choice out there at the moment, it just depends on what you want and what you've got but if it's safe & sound (for what you want) I'd be inclined to keep plugging on but set a time limit by when I want to have reached a certain stage, if not there when you reach the end of that time period then re-consider as ultimately they're expensive hobbies and it is supposed to be fun!
 
Sell him unless he is worth the time/money to get him up to a good standad in the job you want him to do & you have the time to compete him / get the results to prove he can do it. Far too many listed with the 'potential' to be a superstar, far fewer proven superstars.

It's like with our youngsters, we sold them very well handled but not backed (tack on & long reining), as the next step, backing & schooling would take serious time. So better for us to sell for a bit less & let their new owner put in the next step so they bring them on how they want them.
 
Hi Henry02 :)

Interesting thoughts put out there already. Just to add that on top of all the sums you might need to do, you also need to go with your gut instinct. Is this really the horse for you?? Maybe it's because you're trying to be sensible but your post gives the impression that he might not be - you say you really like him but if I was spending all that time & money it would only be if I really luuuurved him!

If he's the one for you, then absolutely continue with schooling livery to get back a fab horse at the end of it. But if you're really swamped at work etc. & you're not really convinced that this is the right horse for you, then there's no shame at all in selling him for what you can now & starting again with a new horse further down the line.

(I speak as someone who kind of did this, although in the end it took me 10 years to get horse number 2 - wouldn't recommend you wait that long!!)

D. x
 
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