When do you stop feeling responsible?

[Paint Me Proud]

I sold my first horse Ruby a year ago. I had owned her for just 14 months and she was my first experience of horse ownership.

This is the first time i have ever parted with an animal that plays such a big role in your life (like a horse, dog, cat etc) and even a year on I still feel responsible for her.

When i think about her I almost feel that it is my responsibility to know where she is, how she is and to have her back if ever she needed it.

I was just wondering if this feeling ever passes. Is there a point where you just let go or do you always consider them to be 'yours'?

 

[quirky]

I never have and don't think I could ever sell a horse. Mine have all died with me so far and I would have to be in dire straights to sell the one I have now.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

I never have and don't think I could ever sell a horse. Mine have all died with me so far and I would have to be in dire straights to sell the one I have now.

i never thought i would have to sell her but it was either that or run out of money

If i ever find myself in the situation that i could buy her back I would do my darnedest to do so

 

[Spotsrock]

Depends how connected u were. I have 2 sold that i'd like to stay in touch with. Have sold several others that i'm not bothered about visiting and have totally lost touch with. Don't feel responsible for them. Some horses just feel more 'mine' than others.

 

[Hen]

I agree, I think it does depend on the connection you had with the horse you sold. I've just bought back my first horse - should I have? No probably not, and will I keep him? Probably not. But I sold him to what I hoped would be a forever home which sadly didn't turn out to be, through no fault of his. And because he is such a nice minded horse, I feel happier buying him back and spending a little time working with him because, knowing him so well, I do think I'm probably best placed to get a feel for the best type of home, permanent or loan, for him at this stage in his life.
It's pretty odd getting back on a horse you haven't ridden for a few years but it's also a lot of fun. We had a lot of fabulous 'firsts', first time around, so to me his welfare is pretty important.

 

[ausipaliboi]

It is never easy to part with an animal you have a bond with, either through selling or death.

I understand from your post that you had no other choice available to you at the time so that is no doubt a big part of why you are holding on to her emotionally.

Can you contact the new owners and just see how she is going? Let them know that if they no longer have a need for her to contact you with first option to buy?

I formed a close bond with a TB that my cousin owned. I was devestated when she sold him and tried for years to keep myself up to date with where he was so that when I was in the position I could buy him back. Even though he was not my horse I felt responsible for him because I cared about him even though my cousin didn't give a rats backside about him.

Looking back now I am glad that I never tried to get him back, he had a serious back injury when he was with my cousin and I would have ended up paying a fortune in care for a horse that wasn't my responsibility in the first place.

Not the same but just another example of the feeling of responsibility and how it affects people.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I always feel that I'm a lifetime friend of my former horses, someone who keeps in touch and if they need me I'm there.

I've had a couple back both permanently and temporarily, when the owners had finanical problems.

 

[Paint Me Proud]

I am in touch with her current owner and have offered to have her back should they wish to sell her.

Yes i think because i never thought i would sell her and the choice was out of my hands really I feel i have let her down. She wasnt the easiest horse but i knew her habits and foibles.

 

[FabioandFreddy]

Having recently found out that the horse we sold last year is up for sale again, i don't think you ever get over that feeling. Its lovely when you get the good updates, not so good when its something you don't want to hear.