I have an OTTB that I love very much and he's a good horse. I've had him for four years and I don't think that we're a good match anymore. For several years he was able to teach me as I taught him (which I know isn't always the best way to learn but it worked for us!) and we've reached a brick wall where that isn't possible anymore. So I made the decision to put him up for sale so I can buy my dream horse.
The woman that is interested in him is very nice and very educated in Dressage. Her goals fit very nicely with my horse and the place she runs (she owns a boarding facility) is very nice and the horses are all well fed and happy.
I am very sad at the thought of my big guy, my buddy going away and I'm sure I'm going to cry when he gets into the trailer to leave. If you've sold a horse that you loved - how did you know you made the right choice for you and your horse? Did you feel happy for the horse when they left or were you sad to lose your partner of however many years?
Also, have you ever traded a horse that you knew exactly who and what s/he is for an unknown? I am getting a weanling ($$ because of the bloodlines and the breed) so I'm also worried about trading the horse I know because I trained him for an unknown!
The woman that is interested in him is very nice and very educated in Dressage. Her goals fit very nicely with my horse and the place she runs (she owns a boarding facility) is very nice and the horses are all well fed and happy.
I am very sad at the thought of my big guy, my buddy going away and I'm sure I'm going to cry when he gets into the trailer to leave. If you've sold a horse that you loved - how did you know you made the right choice for you and your horse? Did you feel happy for the horse when they left or were you sad to lose your partner of however many years?
Also, have you ever traded a horse that you knew exactly who and what s/he is for an unknown? I am getting a weanling ($$ because of the bloodlines and the breed) so I'm also worried about trading the horse I know because I trained him for an unknown!
Im so happy to hear that he did sell, thats great! She sounds reasonable and someone who takes into account all that he needs......thats cool....Of course you will be sad but if she seems nice ask if you can keep in touch and possibly visit him...If she understands your history and bond that should be an accommodation she can afford you.
I have sold 2 such horses. the first was a horse I had gotten as a 2 year old and trained for 5 years. We eventually just weren't growing together. I sold him to a 4-Her and later regretted it. the reasoning was that they stopped caring for him, ruined his training, and abused him and then they sold him to a unknowing beginner as her first horse for twice the price and I got called in to re-train him. (that was until the mother stopped paying me, saying I should do it for free because she was in 4H)
That was was my bad experience.
The second was good. I had a 3 year old I had for 2 years and trained. I had bought her with the purpose of barrel racing, but she was too laid back (I prefer to have to put on the brakes more often, then have to punch the gas every other step) I sold her to a nice family that was going to use her for trails and maybe ponyclub. She is doing great and I know she is in a good home. I don't regret selling her.
So it really depends. It can go both ways. If you are unsure write into the sale contract a first option of buy back (if the buyer decides that she/he no longer wants the horse they have to contact you first).
Sometimes the unknown is better. If you and your horse are no longer improving its time to move on.
That was was my bad experience.
The second was good. I had a 3 year old I had for 2 years and trained. I had bought her with the purpose of barrel racing, but she was too laid back (I prefer to have to put on the brakes more often, then have to punch the gas every other step) I sold her to a nice family that was going to use her for trails and maybe ponyclub. She is doing great and I know she is in a good home. I don't regret selling her.
So it really depends. It can go both ways. If you are unsure write into the sale contract a first option of buy back (if the buyer decides that she/he no longer wants the horse they have to contact you first).
Sometimes the unknown is better. If you and your horse are no longer improving its time to move on.
Maybe you can ask if she will lease your horse for a couple of weeks so that you can tell whether or not they are right for each other. And yes it will be hard to say goodbye but you will know you did the righ thing in the end...
I always love my personal horses. They are like a member of the family to me. But as I grow and change as a rider, eventually most of them have to be sold to someone else.
I can assure you, I normally cry a bit with each and every one. But in general, once they're gone I'm okay. Most of my feeling okay with it is - I am very careful who I sell to. I ask alot of questions, and I am very open with my horse's training, behaviors and manners. I do not white-wash my horse's weak areas, so when they get a new owner that person is equipped to handle them, and they will be a truely good match. This helps me alot.
A few years ago I sold a horse that I loved more than all the rest put together. I'd bought him as a 2 year old, did all his training, shown him successfully and had a great time with him. He was one of the best natured horses I'd ever owned.
Except he didn't have the ability to move good enough to show at the level I wanted to move up to. I did cry alot as I advertised him for sale. Sometimes I bawled like a baby, just thinking about it all, and I hemmed and hawed for a long time. Eventually I found him the perfect home, and while I'd cried alot before he sold, once he was gone I settled down and was fine.
I used that money and bought myself a show prospect. Now I'm showing on the APHA breed circuit, and earning points. The things I've learned and achieved along the way could never have been done if I'd have stuck with that special other horse. I love my new horse, too, even though she has her good and bad points.
One day in the future I'll have another new horse.
That's just how it is if you have riding goals. You need to ask yourself, do you love riding for the riding goals, or because of the specific horse. Then go from there.
It can turn out well.
And yes, when you buy weanlings you are taking chances. You know that. That's why they're cheaper, even the pros can't predict how a weanling will turn out. If you have a new riding goal, it often is just as cheap to buy a horse that's trained in that area, than to try and buy a talented prospect. Why? Because you are going to go through a few prospects before you find the right one. You are going to have to pay their feed, board, health care until then. You are going to have to pay for training and coaching, no matter how much you do alone.
The broke horse is different. You start riding right away. So it isn't always a bigger investment than the other.
Good luck and happy horse shopping.
I can assure you, I normally cry a bit with each and every one. But in general, once they're gone I'm okay. Most of my feeling okay with it is - I am very careful who I sell to. I ask alot of questions, and I am very open with my horse's training, behaviors and manners. I do not white-wash my horse's weak areas, so when they get a new owner that person is equipped to handle them, and they will be a truely good match. This helps me alot.
A few years ago I sold a horse that I loved more than all the rest put together. I'd bought him as a 2 year old, did all his training, shown him successfully and had a great time with him. He was one of the best natured horses I'd ever owned.
Except he didn't have the ability to move good enough to show at the level I wanted to move up to. I did cry alot as I advertised him for sale. Sometimes I bawled like a baby, just thinking about it all, and I hemmed and hawed for a long time. Eventually I found him the perfect home, and while I'd cried alot before he sold, once he was gone I settled down and was fine.
I used that money and bought myself a show prospect. Now I'm showing on the APHA breed circuit, and earning points. The things I've learned and achieved along the way could never have been done if I'd have stuck with that special other horse. I love my new horse, too, even though she has her good and bad points.
One day in the future I'll have another new horse.
That's just how it is if you have riding goals. You need to ask yourself, do you love riding for the riding goals, or because of the specific horse. Then go from there.
It can turn out well.
And yes, when you buy weanlings you are taking chances. You know that. That's why they're cheaper, even the pros can't predict how a weanling will turn out. If you have a new riding goal, it often is just as cheap to buy a horse that's trained in that area, than to try and buy a talented prospect. Why? Because you are going to go through a few prospects before you find the right one. You are going to have to pay their feed, board, health care until then. You are going to have to pay for training and coaching, no matter how much you do alone.
The broke horse is different. You start riding right away. So it isn't always a bigger investment than the other.
Good luck and happy horse shopping.
i havent sold my horse. i probably wont but i almost did. i know it will be sad but alot of people sell horses and buy new horses. just be happy that hes going to a kind knowlegable home. and even ask if you can keep in touch and come see him.