Have you ever sold a horse?

[Maria]

It's got me thinking after a discussion with a friend. Some horse owners are determined that, although deep down they know a horse isn't right for them, they insist on keeping that horse for life. And then there are others who are very keen to sell a horse or pony which is of no use to them anymore.
I suppose it would also depend on factors such as finance, time and what's best for the horse etc, but I have always managed when money and time has been extremely tight.

So if you've sold before, what were your reasons for selling? Do you think it was the right decision or do you regret it?

[loubylou]

I sold Chester because he needed more time than i could offer him. He really needed a 1:1 home, where he could have 100% attention and work. I was incredibly picky about the home he went to- I knew what he needed and I made sure thats what he got! I turned a couple of people down as I didnt think they were suitable. It was a really hard decision to sell him, but his new owner is fantastic, and to see him flourish with her makes it all worthwhile!!

[black crow]

I sold all but one of my horses a few years ago.

I wanted to go to the NRC [National Racing College], or do some other form of equine studying. I wanted to compete all the time still [i came out of school to do just that, having left half way through year 11] but i knew that if i focused on studies for a few years, my horses would be older and not in their peak performance level anymore, i know horses often live past 15, and still compete etc, but they would only get older, and work load would be lessened, so i didnt really know if keeping them was a sensible option, plus i wanted them to still do what they loved doing.

My family also pressured me into selling, especially my aunt and as i then wanted to move in with Jase, i knew that going to the NRC would mean no time to compete at all or keep them fit as i'd have a horse there to look after, plus livery near by was VERY expensive per horse, and keeping them on livery at home was no point.. I had to sell up.

It tore me apart, and i still regret having to do it, but there just wasnt anything else i could do apart from loaning. I kept Spud because we had a very close bond and he was a one person horse. Rocky was not an option to sell or loan what so ever. My other horses were all very well mannered and could be handled by pretty much anyone. They all got sold on to people who [all but one] kept on competing them - which in hindsight im glad about, as if id have kept them, they would have been out of work completley because i had to stop riding! So no competing at all!

I still plan to buy them back one day, but i dont know where one of them is now, and i dont know how id feel getting them back, i feel like its something i need to leave behind me :(

I planned to keep two of mine with me and see how it went. I lost my coloured cob, so ended up buying Rowan after id moved.

I told my welsh A a few years before, but he went on full loan for 2 years first as he was such a hell raiser, we luckily found a great family for him in the end. I dont regret selling him, as although i miss him, it was the best option all round. He was small and i couldnt compete him much, and i wanted to ride bigger horses and do better then he could take me. Im pretty certain he still does local showing now.

I still miss my horses, and i have a bad habit of living in the past because i miss them so much. Just not a great deal i can do about it now :( they went to great homes with lovely people, so as long as they are happy really

[gem]

Well I sold William but that wasn't exactly a straight forward story. He was mis-sold to me and turned out to be the opposite of what I wanted (I wanted something safe to have fun with, he turned out to be an ex-racer who only knew how to race and rear). I hated having to sell him, especially because I know he'd been passed from pillar to post in his short life, but I knew if I kept him I'd be too scared to ride him and he'd just be stuck in a stable. I made sure I advertised him exactly how he was and karma brought me a wonderful person to take him on. A year on and he's looking stunning and she is having him reschooled so he knows what's expected of him. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life but I couldn't be happier with it now :D

Oh and I wouldn't have found Saffy either :)

[Tiaki]

I recently sold Lewyn, a section A Pony I brought earlier this year.

I hate selling but I did buy Lewyn with the plan to sell him. I work a lot in horse rescue, all voluntarily and the money for this comes out of my own pocket. Lewyns sale gave me money to put back into other horses I work with. Lewyn was basically a rescue too. I brought him at meat price and he was in very poor condition on arrival. I got him back to tip top condition and started backing him. I didn't plan on selling him before next spring but a lovely family came along and I would have been silly to turn them down. They brought Lewyn and have continued his backing. He is now being ridden by a 10yr old girl, doing fantastically. They email me regularly with photos and updates.

I really couldn't ask for a better home for him. He will be showing locally and doing PC with the 10yr old girl. It's nice to see him doing things and living an excellent life but at the same time the money I got for him (long gone now :lol:) has gone into the other horses.

I don't regret selling him for one minute. I would love to rescue more and keep them all but at the end of the day it isn't possible.

xxx

[classic astra]

speaking as someone who buys and sell on a regular basis, i dont have a problem selling them, but i do like to be a bit picky where they go, as most of them i buy from homes that havent given them the best start or care they deserve. ive bought one or two in the last year that have been not really do-able by myself through to lack of facilities, as i dont have a school so sometimes it makes a project horse difficult. like the haffy i bought for instance, but i always make sure that even if i cant give them what they need i will go out of my way to find someone who can do the stuff i cant with them.

theres been one or two that ive kept for much longer than i want to, like cj for instance! i have no intention of selling him on yet as i know i can get him broken and schooled well before i advertise him, but to be honest im not even sure if i will sell him! time will tell!

and jazz!! i bought her to sell on nearly 10 years ago, and i still have her!! lol

[Loony]

I've never had the opportunity to own a horse, so have never sold one. But I would sell if I had financial troubles that made me unable to give the basic care a horse needs or if the horse was just too much for me to cope with either on the ground or under saddle.

[eeek]

We sold our pony when I was 10 because we were moving from the Czech Republic to here, and I was rapidly growing out of her, so if we'd brought her here we would still have needed to find her a new home within a year or two. She went to a lovely place with lovely people, and she is still there 10 years on.

I could never sell Vinny, he has given me too much. I owe him a happy retirement!

[chescar]

Yes, I sold Ben as he just wasn't suitable for me. Never regeted it as he is doing really well with is new mum and has now been re schooled.

[Loony]

Thats good to hear about Ben! I always wondered how he was getting on. Has she sent any new pictures or anything? He was going to a hunting family wasn't he?

[chescar]

No. Not a hunting family - thats one of the reasons i sold him as he couldn't hunt. Lost the plot totally.

Gone to an eventing family. Have got some photos - he looks well.

She took him right back to basics and totaly re schooled him. No where near ready for eventing yet, but hopefully in the next year he might be.

She had him about 6 months before she cantered him. if you remember he bolted when put into canter.

She had everything checked - he was just very green, nervous and confused.

Bless him - such a handsome dude - but i did not have the time or experience to make a difference to him.

[Loony]

Ahh I must've got confused with the hunting bit then! Yeah I remember him bolting with you, broke your thumb didn't he? Glad to hear someone is working through his issues with him!

[helena]

No, I've never sold one and neither has anyone in my family, and we've owned horses for around 50 years! We've been lucky in that all the ones we've bought/bred with only one exception have been exactly what we've wanted and have been sound/sane all their lives.

The one exception was a horse in the middle stages of navicular who we felt sorry for, and allowed to end his days with us instead of being passed through the sales.

They've all lived nice lives with good food, regular exercise, year round turnout, horsey company and lots of attention and are PTS at home in familiar surroundings.

I'll never sell a horse, I'm simply too soft!

[K8E]

I have sold three of my horses.

Candy was sold as both me and my sister had grown out of her and my other sister was a fair weather rider. My parents did it behind my back and I only found out when she had gone i didnt get to say goodbye which really upset and still does. I do regret she is gone on some days but other days i know that if she hadnt gone i wouldnt have Copper. She has gone to a riding stables and thats what she loved to do.

Melissa was sold for the same reason as Candy we had grown out of her. I knew she was going i went and dropped her off at her new home. I was sad that she was gone not as much as Candy, i didnt have the bond i did with Candy. She went to a family which was right for her.

Amber we didnt plan to sell her, we saw an ad in the paper asking for a haflinger that could hack and do a little bit of showing which was all that Amber could really do, so Lucy rang them up to see if they were interested we didnt think they would like her but they did so she went. I was really upset she went but it was best for as Lucy and her came as far as they could go.

[CityLights]

i can understand older people keeping horses forever but with me riding since i was little i always grew out of ponies and it was a case of you can have one pony so yu can sell it or give up,

its hard to sell things on but you have to trust you sell them to the right people

[My Crazy Clan]

I struggle now but I won't sell them, in a way I wish I could because they are wasted with me, I don't have the funds to do what a want with them but they are all looked after, at least they are happy and I know where they are.

[beks the artist]

Yes I sold my mare when I went to University. I wish I could get her back. I promiced her I would get her back but I do know she is in a home for life. I don't think I could sell either of mine (although I have often thought about selling Jakes, I just don't think I could, he has a very good life being a happy hacker with me!) Taran will never be sold.

[loubylou]

See selling Salsa or Chesney isnt out of the question if they dont make what they were expected to (although it will be hard to sell them) Lola has a home for life, and if I buy Uva she is a horse for life too :)

[gemma1309]

I sold Dilynn (my project cheap mare) bright bay 14.2hh 10year old mare Arab x NF as I believe some one could really take her to the top. She was a difficult pony who had been passed around and was not without her difficulties when I got her. I worked away with ehr quietly and slowly and done lots of ground work- I realised this pony had just been misunderstood and came on in leaps and bounds to be a lovely natured confident ride. Although never a plod was safe an fun with the odd spook. Her talent although pretty was her jumping the pony was a machine. Quick,nimble and jumped for fun I realised after her 2nd clear up at a competition that she could go further than I could take her as a young confident rider with abition could really take her far. I sold her to someone who had ridden her alot and I thought was perfect for her as really wanted to compete D was happy there but unfortunately a year ago they had to sell her as she was more interested in boys than competing or riding. I was angry cause I did not know until they had sold her they told me she went to a pony club home with 2 girls one who would ride her just now and then be passed down when she was outgrown. Apparantly she not only winning at Showjumping but is ODE and winning. Hope they were not lying to me. I worry that she reverted to her old ways I don't think she would but you never know. That pony had serious talent and I regret ever selling her now as I really don't know where she is or if they were telling the truth and I couldn't bring myself to think she is unloved somewhere.

[flambards]

I have owned one horse, I guess we technically own Domino (owner's willing to allow me to take him 7 hours away and hasn't checked on him in two years, I think she considers him ours) so that's two... and I've sold zero.

I had to try and sell Flambards when I moved back from South Africa and I just couldn't do it. I was a bit younger and less practical and even though it made no sense I just didn't trust anyone else with him. A few people came and tried him but I was too precious and picky. I ended up giving him to the riding school in the end, which worked out fine. He retired with a young girl who loves him and is enjoying mowing their thirteen acre lawn now.

If Domino officially became mine, he would follow me 'til world's end, I'm afraid :P I couldn't sell him. If I wasn't able to keep him, he could go back to his owner and be a happy field ornament for the rest of his days. But I hope it doesn't come to that.

[Evening Star]

Yes.
We sold Lisa because i'd grown out of her, I wanted something I could compete with and I couldn't really do that with Lisi. She is now terrorising some other young girl ;)

Before her accident Echo was for sale because I was off to uni and there was no way I could keep her really

[Cinders]

Selling was always my biggest dread but if your careful i really don't think it's a terrible as people make out, i'd rather sell on than keep a horse for a life time never being truely happy with it!

We've sold 4 in total now..

Dermott- a little black cob who was bought as a replacement for cin but he turned out to be extremely green and in the end i chose to stick with cin over him. He went to a nice home where i was regularly updated.

Lizzie- was my mums horses but she was a bit of a live wire and my mum was scared of her. I rode her for a bit but in the end i chose cin again over her as at 14 i felt a 16.2 was just too much horse for me. She went to a friend of a friend who adored her!

Dave- my dads big cob, dad lost interest for a bit and he went nearly 2yrs as a field ornament. He was sold straight from the field to a nice home who had loads of huge cobs.

Cin- despite hanging onto her for years and years the sad fact was i'd hopelessly outgrown her and had to move on. She's gone to the most perfect home!

Overall, i don't regret selling any of those horses, there doing their job in fantastic homes, what more could i ask for! x

[Stacey]

I sold my pony before i went to univeristy, it was extremely hard and sometimes i regret it, I still keep his picture pride of place in my bedroom xx

[Tanner]

Technically I've owned 5 and I've sold two.

Dune - Was given to friends when he was ready for a quieter life but not to be fully retired with the agreement he would be retired with me. They sold him on without asking me but since it was to a good family I didn't take any sort of legal action. I have no idea if he's still alive, he'd be 26 now.

Tori - Bought as a project because I felt sorry for her terrible condition. Got her looking well and going nicely and sold her to a young girl. She developed some rearing problems and was sold by the girl and is now a pasture pet because those problems were not invesitgated :(

Tanner would have been a forever horse. You don't sell when you get one like him. Unfortunately his time ran out while he was far far too young and I never had to make that decision. I'm not sure about Markus. He is a total pain in the arse sometimes and I have considered selling him many, many times. The thing with him is he is so complicated and unpredictable I would worry about where he would end up if he didn't go to the right home. Thus he is currently a pasture ornament while I'm in the UK and will go back to work when I'm home in August. So many people told me to sell but I love the annoying critter, what can I say?

[Kilota]

I have sold a horse.
It was a fairly easy choice even though part of me wanted to not give in with her.

I was sold her as a 9 year ols TB mare, but in the end part x'ed her for my current chap. It turned out she was actually 19. She was fine in the field, good to travel but a nightmare with the farrier. I think the bloke we had only ever managed to get near two feet.
I tried to ride her but she had a jykell and hyde charecter. Fine one day trying to have me off the next. Don't even get me started on jumping..........everytime we jumped as soon as she laned she dropped her should and put me on the floor. And she not only did this with e but an experianced trainer/teacher/rider. She was that bad that my instructor was not happy for me to ride her.

Unfortunatly I learnt the hard way about trusting peoples word about an animal, but in a postive way it led me to the last 16 years with Blue .

[Sasca]

I may have sold one or two...:cheekywink:

[loubylou]

really sasca! Id never have guessed ;)

[fudgie]

i sold my lirrle fudge man and as much as i didnt want to i dont regret it at all i had grown out of him and he wasnt getting out as much, yes i miss him but i know i did the right thing, hes having a great time in his new home

[Welly]

I sold Moo and regret that - it WAS the right decision really because I'd never have been able to do all she can do with her as I was too big for her 13h frame, but I still wish I'd kept her or bought her back when I had the chance! Beautiful pony who I love to death, one day I hope and pray i will have her back, one day.. Seeing Grace on her would be my dream come true - my baby on my baby! xx

[bailey]

a few of mine were sold as i grew taller, but my mum kept my first ever horse, until she past away in 2000

we did sell one that we bought, she was a polly the pally, she was lovely to look at , really nice shape to her, i bought he as we felt sorry for her, but she turned out to be a nut case in canter and wouldnt stop, i was 14 at the time, so we sold her to a stud as a broodmare

then this year i had to sell my one in a million star due to the ressession, i vouch i would step away from horses and i did do for 4 month, but im looking for a share.

i will never full loan or buy again, unless i get my own land and stables

i could never sell again as it was too heart breaking..... i dont know how people can do it

[Loony]

bailey I wanted your boy so much!! I saw him on HM before you announced you were selling and just quickly looked at his pictures and description and thought, he would be perfect for me. Then I settled down and realised it was your boy!

[bailey]

bailey I wanted your boy so much!! I saw him on HM before you announced you were selling and just quickly looked at his pictures and description and thought, he would be perfect for me. Then I settled down and realised it was your boy!

aww thanx hun

we got tons of nut jobs and dealer ring, we also had 11 &12 ring saying my dad wont let me have that amout of money but i can offer this......it was pretty bad really

i dont think il ever meet or have a horse as good as him, as he was the perfect horse.

[Loony]

Must be hard, *hug*! Have you kept in touch with his new owners?

[bailey]

Must be hard, *hug*! Have you kept in touch with his new owners?

he's doing fine,settled in well
i kinda keep away as its an past chapter now, it prob how i deal with it in my own mind lol

[Loony]

Well its good to hear that he's settled in. x

[bailey]

Well its good to hear that he's settled in. x

Thank hun, its nice that you asked:kiss:

[annmarie]

selling aero was heart breaking but am in touch with his new family he is doing fab and i feel glad he is happy and being used he tried it on and dint win his family are kind, experienced and forever i told truth when people rang i think you just know who will be suitable dont you

[bimba]

No, Mac was my first horse! I'd like to think I'll have him until the end but if I could no longer look after him I'd give him away to someone who could. TJ will probably be sold at some point as my plan is to have him as a companion, back him and bring him on then sell him as I reckon I'll be too big for him.

[Zeitgeist Mom]

I've only sold one because he wasn't right for me. My grey ex racer, Syrius. He was great, nothing wrong with him, but I didn't feel 'in love' with him, and to me that was wrong. I was sort of talked into buying him, and I think I bought him because he ticked all the right boxes, but there was no chemistry with him. He went to a lovely home, and is still with them, 9 years on.

I had to sell all my horses when we left Zimbabwe, but only because I didn't have a choice. :(

[GreyEventer]

Out of the 4 i have owned 2 have been PTS and my last was sold as i outgrew him in both height and what i wanted to do...
Barney on the other hand is the type of horse we won't sell, the same as Claudia... dad loves him far too much- as do I to sell him... We have owned Clauds for about 15 years now so shes with us for life!
We have sold polo ponies but that was due to finicial reasons and also dads job...
I could never sell Barney, he has given me so much, and taken me so far he is my horse in a lifetime and one in a million. I owe him a good retirement with Clauds, although both not anywhere near retiring! but still!
Claudia has given dad so so much and she has taught me and brother to play polo so she is with us forever... plus who wants a 19 y/o chestnut mare who bites and will get you off at any chance!? lol

[chescar]

I sold one - Ben - we just didn't hit it off

[gemma1309]

I sold my mare dilynn almost 4 years ago. i bought her as a project as had been riding her for a friend anyway and although i was not looking to buy at the time got offered her for so little money I could not resist. She was 14.2hh and really a perfect height for me but i had no intention of keeping her. I bought her just before the winter turned her away and then brought her back into work in the spring, working on her issues of loading and re-schooling.

She was a total star and I loved her to bits, part of me wanted to keep her but as she was such an ace jumper and an excellent PC allrounder, I felt that as an adult I was not doing the justice she deserved it was a sad sale and I sold her to the perfect family or so I thought.. As it goes she was sold on again apparantly to an excellent PC home where she is doing really well PC and SJ but I am only going on Word of Mouth by people I sold her to. I really thought I was doing best by her but as she is such a sensitive sole I still worry about her even to this day and in hindsight if I knew she was going to be sold on (2 years later albeit) I would never of parted with her...

But then again I could never have kept 3 financially and if it was not for selling D on I would never of had the funds to buy Sasha who I love with all my heart... everything happens for a reason, I just wish I could trace my old mare to find out how she is.