Writing letters to old horse owners?

J

jethrojumper

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So recently, I've flicked through my horse's passport again and it seems that a lot of information on him is missing- like date of birth. So I thought I would write to his previous owners and see if I can get some information and old pictures of him (hopefully some foal pictures). I was just wondering where to start my letter. I'm terrified of saying something wrong and then they don't want to reply :/ Does anyone have any experience in this area, and if so would you be able to give me some pointers on composing it?

Many thanks,
Carys :o
 
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I was planning to write to Jazz's old owner but she tracked me down on here first! I did write to the lady who bred my sister's horse though. My letter basically said:

"Dear X

This might be a bit out of the blue but I'm writing to you about a horse that you bred in 2005, who is now owned by my sister. He is a bay 17hh gelding by X out of X. He didn't have a registered name when he came to us but is known as X. He is a fantastic big horse and we would be really interested in knowing more about him as a youngster and about his parents, and to see any photos you might have of him.

I enclose a couple of recent pictures so you can see what a handsome big lad he has become! He's so lovely to have around. My sister is planning to do some dressage with him.

My email address is X and you can find me on Facebook at X. It would be great to hear from you."

I sent a couple of photos, and she added me on Facebook 2 days later! Apparently she was delighted to get the letter and to see Harley looking so well :)

I'd definitely go for it, I was so pleased to speak to Jazz's breeder and got some lovely foal photos from her! Let us know how you get on.
 
Most people would be delighted to hear how their old horse is, so I'd say You know own him, and how happy you are with him, and you'd love to know more about this background. I'd include a nice pic too.

I'd also add in am email address (I know I'd rather email then compose a letter), and perhaps an SAE.
 
I got my french horse off a rescue forum and 5 years later keep them updated. I also wrote a letter in French to her original breeder i tracked down but they never replied (my french must have been bad!) I dont keep in contact with my other horses owner as she scammed me when i bought her so keep well away from her!
 
Be aware that you can open a can of worms.........

With my old boy: I'd bought him from the OH of a friend, and duly received the passport - passports were a "new" thing in those days (feels like a LONG time ago heh??) - and I thought I'd just drop a line to the previous-owner before the OH had him, just to let her know that I was the new owner and to basically reassure her that her horse was OK and had a home for life, and if she wanted to pop up (she lived an hours drive away, so reasonably easy) and see him, have a ride even, that was OK with me and it would be lovely to see her etc etc.

She wrote back to me, obviously very upset. She'd been told by the people she'd sold the horse to - my friend's OH - that they would give him a home for life, and he'd never ever be sold on. What had actually happened is that he had been sold on within a month of her selling him to them.............. OH and friend had obviously told her something very different when they bought him.

So be careful. That's all I'm saying.
 
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My horses breeders name and address were in her passport. I wrote a letter, which was returned, unopened, to say he had moved home only a few months previous. Thankfully, they had a phone number for him, so I gave him a call. He posted me up some pics and gave me some info on those few years I was missing in her life. Unfortunately, I still do have a gap of 3-4 years, and I doubt I'll ever trace that back now, but it was nice to know she was a carefree foal who loved life, unlike the 8yo mare I bought, who was so run down and sceptical of everything, she didn't dare believe or trust. Even now, aged 16, she's still a worrier.
 
I usually try to speak to previous owners before I buy as I just think you get a more honest picture of the horse. I'm in regular contact with previous owner who bought my new horse from the stud and she's really interested to know how he's getting on. Not heard anything from the woman I bought him from since the week I brought him home! so Yes, get in touch.
 
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