Whens the time to sell a horse?

[meganbirbeck]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for some genuine advice.

I have owned my lovely Irish Sports Horse for nearly 7 years now and I've had him since he was 4, so I'm very attached.
When my horse was 4-7 he as amazing, we were jumping 1 metre courses and looking to affiliate.

He ended up needing 8 months off, due to thickening in his front Suspensory ligaments and I brought him back into work. It ended up being more complicated than that and I ended up spending a lot of time with Physio's as he turned really spooky and I couldn't ride without a spin or a rear.

After a long battle, he eventually got going again.

And this is where I am now, I make sure I have a lesson every week, we have progressed up to novice dressage and I have kept hiring places and made sure I've jumped most weeks to gain his confidence back up.
I went to a competition at the weekend and he jumped amazingly in the warm up, but upon taking him into the arena to do his round hes refused on jump and ended up spinning at a marker and I had to retire. All i can describe it as is the same feeling as putting a really nervous person on the stage.

I fell like I have tried everything and I don't know where to draw the line? I'm not sure if I could just to dressage the next few years. But I feel like I can't keep trying to put my horse in these situations as hes really nervous about them.
He is brilliant to ride at home, however, is really spooky still.
I think I'm worried because I love this horse so much, but have considered selling him and getting something else that I could compete with. I'm worried that I won't know if hes okay, or if the new owner could keep in touch (I haven't made a definite decision that I'm going to sell him yet).

Anyone had a similar situation?

Thanks!

 

[Abacus]

My situation is similar. I have a lovely ISH who is also 11 and owned since 4, and I umm and ahh about selling him from time to time.

He's lovely to hack, school and compete, and has done well eventing. I find him too strong hunting but many people don't want to hunt, and although I know weight and strength don't matter too much, he's 16.3 and chunky/fast, and I am 5'5 and weigh 9 stone. He can be a touch spooky but nothing scary and is good past all traffic etc. Nice to handle. I do love hunting though and would love a horse I can do everything with. He has had arthritis in his hocks which have been injected; the vet assures me that the joints have now fused and he should be fine and not go lame again. But I would disclose this in an advert.

You could advertise and see if anyone perfect comes along? I did this and had a lovely buyer lined up but she changed her mind due to the hocks. This was fine, and I'm sure was the right decision for her. But it helped me to think thorugh whether I really wanted to sell him - it was somehow easier to visualise when faced with the reality. It did upset me and made me realise how lovely it is to have a big smart talented horse that I love to ride and to jump despite the hunting. I would definitely have gone through with it but also know that if he now doesn't sell, I'd be quite happy to keep him.

 

[meganbirbeck]

Thanks for sharing that, mines an 11 year old ISH that I've had since 4 too!

It seems like you had do a bit more than me, I can't hack out alone or event him because he's so nervous.
It's definitely difficult when there is medical issues involved too.

If I kept mine I would only be able to compete him in dressage.. and I'm not sure if I can stick with that.

I think your right it definitely is to do with a getting a good home.
I've go my instructor coming on Saturday so I'll see what she says, but then its ultimately my decision once I've talked to her.

 

[be positive]

Thanks for sharing that, mines an 11 year old ISH that I've had since 4 too!

It seems like you had do a bit more than me, I can't hack out alone or event him because he's so nervous.
It's definitely difficult when there is medical issues involved too.

If I kept mine I would only be able to compete him in dressage.. and I'm not sure if I can stick with that.

I think your right it definitely is to do with a getting a good home.
I've go my instructor coming on Saturday so I'll see what she says, but then its ultimately my decision once I've talked to her.

If I were your instructor based on just your posts here I would be suggesting that you get him checked over thoroughly by a vet just to ensure there is nothing physical causing his behaviour then if all was ok I would say send him away for a few weeks to a good pro and see what they find.
At the moment he is going to be hard if not impossible to sell unless you are dishonest, not many people want an 11 year old project that cannot hack alone, is nervous jumping and is only at novice level dressage however lovely he may be he will have a very small market and could well be picked up cheap to be sold on and you will have no control once he is sold, if he has a few weeks schooling it may get him going for you but if not it should make your decision easier, someone not previously involved can often solve issues because they come at it in a new way with a different approach.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If I were your instructor based on just your posts here I would be suggesting that you get him checked over thoroughly by a vet just to ensure there is nothing physical causing his behaviour then if all was ok I would say send him away for a few weeks to a good pro and see what they find.
At the moment he is going to be hard if not impossible to sell unless you are dishonest, not many people want an 11 year old project that cannot hack alone, is nervous jumping and is only at novice level dressage however lovely he may be he will have a very small market and could well be picked up cheap to be sold on and you will have no control once he is sold, if he has a few weeks schooling it may get him going for you but if not it should make your decision easier, someone not previously involved can often solve issues because they come at it in a new way with a different approach.

This, your OP is screaming 'still in pain' to me. I would get him checked over thoroughly, probably by a different specialist equine vet from the one who treated him before.

 

[MissGee]

I'm assuming you're a hobby rider rather than professional rider.

Ask yourself this: Are you having fun?

If the answer is no, then it's time to move on.

 

[Charla]

It's such a difficult decision to make. I bought a British Warmblood gelding as a two year old. He was such a sharp ride from day one being backed, and although he did improve hugely, competed up to BD Novice and discovery BS, I can honestly say I never really enjoyed it as he was unpredictable jumping, and very sharp and stressy at competitions. A nightmare to hack alone, and schooling he was often very spooky. He needed riding five days a week to keep him sane and if he wasn't competed regularly, it would all become a big deal again. I finally decided to sell him an an 8 year old. He went to a professional dressage rider and is out competing at medium on a regularly basis and is thriving. The best thing I did for us both. And now I have a mare who is far easier to manage and far less stressful!

 

[meganbirbeck]

all done, checked by vet, physio and dentist.
I've also sent him off for schooling as well and have regular lessons from a pro every week. He is fine working at home or hiring places, its when hacking alone or in a competition atmosphere (but is fine in the warm up). What he struggles with only having a minute to start is show jumping round, its like he gets overwhelmed with fear.

 

[meganbirbeck]

all checked and done

 

[meganbirbeck]

yeah more of a hobby rider, but looking to do some BE80's and BE90's. The problem is I am enjoying myself some of the time, but I can't enjoy myself competing unless its dressage.

 

[meganbirbeck]

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing
Your situation sounds very similar to mine and I'm glad you've managed to find a horse better suited. It would be lovely to take a horse away and not go through the million thins that could happen! - I would love to see him going out and enjoying himself with someone else!

 

[meganbirbeck]

It's such a difficult decision to make. I bought a British Warmblood gelding as a two year old. He was such a sharp ride from day one being backed, and although he did improve hugely, competed up to BD Novice and discovery BS, I can honestly say I never really enjoyed it as he was unpredictable jumping, and very sharp and stressy at competitions. A nightmare to hack alone, and schooling he was often very spooky. He needed riding five days a week to keep him sane and if he wasn't competed regularly, it would all become a big deal again. I finally decided to sell him an an 8 year old. He went to a professional dressage rider and is out competing at medium on a regularly basis and is thriving. The best thing I did for us both. And now I have a mare who is far easier to manage and far less stressful!

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing


Your situation sounds very similar to mine and I'm glad you've managed to find a horse better suited. It would be lovely to take a horse away and not go through the million thins that could happen! - I would love to see him going out and enjoying himself with someone else!
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...-the-time-to-sell-a-horse#2hOVJ4ZAVDqDloi5.99

 

[meganbirbeck]

If I were your instructor based on just your posts here I would be suggesting that you get him checked over thoroughly by a vet just to ensure there is nothing physical causing his behaviour then if all was ok I would say send him away for a few weeks to a good pro and see what they find.
At the moment he is going to be hard if not impossible to sell unless you are dishonest, not many people want an 11 year old project that cannot hack alone, is nervous jumping and is only at novice level dressage however lovely he may be he will have a very small market and could well be picked up cheap to be sold on and you will have no control once he is sold, if he has a few weeks schooling it may get him going for you but if not it should make your decision easier, someone not previously involved can often solve issues because they come at it in a new way with a different approach.

all done, checked by vet, physio and dentist.
I've also sent him off for schooling as well and have regular lessons from a pro every week. He is fine working at home or hiring places, its when hacking alone or in a competition atmosphere (but is fine in the warm up). What he struggles with only having a minute to start is show jumping round, its like he gets overwhelmed with fear.