Elvis
Well-Known Member
*Warning-super long, I'm incapable of being concise it appears*
As some may already know, I'm putting Elvis up for sale. He's been with an agent for just under a week, I chose this agent as she has a fair reputation and makes an honest assessment and is quick with the selling process. She does not do long term schooling (max 2 weeks before advertised).
She has assessed Elvis, and the conclusion is that he is a project, he's got attitude in the school and won't hack alone. She's valued him at £2000 so we'd get £1800 after commission. My mum paid £3500 for him 18 months ago, I feel I owe it to her to return her initial outlay. (I have no savings). She has also kindly said the money we get from Elvis can go towards another horse if I wish. I feel awful, my mum supports my riding, and just wants me to enjoy my hobby, instead I chose a horse that has caused me to stop enjoying my hobby and now is worth very little. I've effectively thrown away £2000 of my mums money, don't have a horse I can enjoy and won't be able to afford the right one anytime soon, and couldn't ask my mum to add more to the fund as she's done enough and has no spare cash.
So the dilemma, do I tell this lady to go ahead and sell Elvis, but accept that I'll only be able to give my mum about £1500, or do I pursue my other option and use an eventer locally to me who does schooling livery, give Elvis 4-6 weeks to see if he can clean up his act and then try to sell him. Last summer he was a well behaved, talented horse heading for a hopefully successful career in eventing. But there is no guarantee he will return to this. Is it worth risking throwing good money after bad?
My instructors would advise to cut my losses and sell now. But I feel I owe it to my mum to try. WWYD?
To anyone who doesn't know already, I have done every medical check possible, my vet has been out numerous times, as has the saddler, dentist and physio. All agree this is behavioural. The difference of opinion comes regarding whether this is just a teenage phase that needs to be worked through-that a better rider could help, or if this is just him now.
Also I'm not some money obsessed owner who doesn't care about her horse, Elvis would never go to a bad home over a good one for money. I just know he has the potential and the behaviour in him to be a decent horse, it's just whether I put the money and effort into trying to rekindle that or just call it a day.
As some may already know, I'm putting Elvis up for sale. He's been with an agent for just under a week, I chose this agent as she has a fair reputation and makes an honest assessment and is quick with the selling process. She does not do long term schooling (max 2 weeks before advertised).
She has assessed Elvis, and the conclusion is that he is a project, he's got attitude in the school and won't hack alone. She's valued him at £2000 so we'd get £1800 after commission. My mum paid £3500 for him 18 months ago, I feel I owe it to her to return her initial outlay. (I have no savings). She has also kindly said the money we get from Elvis can go towards another horse if I wish. I feel awful, my mum supports my riding, and just wants me to enjoy my hobby, instead I chose a horse that has caused me to stop enjoying my hobby and now is worth very little. I've effectively thrown away £2000 of my mums money, don't have a horse I can enjoy and won't be able to afford the right one anytime soon, and couldn't ask my mum to add more to the fund as she's done enough and has no spare cash.
So the dilemma, do I tell this lady to go ahead and sell Elvis, but accept that I'll only be able to give my mum about £1500, or do I pursue my other option and use an eventer locally to me who does schooling livery, give Elvis 4-6 weeks to see if he can clean up his act and then try to sell him. Last summer he was a well behaved, talented horse heading for a hopefully successful career in eventing. But there is no guarantee he will return to this. Is it worth risking throwing good money after bad?
My instructors would advise to cut my losses and sell now. But I feel I owe it to my mum to try. WWYD?
To anyone who doesn't know already, I have done every medical check possible, my vet has been out numerous times, as has the saddler, dentist and physio. All agree this is behavioural. The difference of opinion comes regarding whether this is just a teenage phase that needs to be worked through-that a better rider could help, or if this is just him now.
Also I'm not some money obsessed owner who doesn't care about her horse, Elvis would never go to a bad home over a good one for money. I just know he has the potential and the behaviour in him to be a decent horse, it's just whether I put the money and effort into trying to rekindle that or just call it a day.
