Advice needed, decisions about possibly selling my personal horse

[mirrorofagirl]

So about 6 years ago I got back into horses after a 10 year absence.  I purchased a wonderful OTTB named Neo. I've had him ever since, and he really helped me regain confidence in my abilities as a rider & ammie trainer.  He went from being a wild man to now packing kids around safely and is just the sweetest horse I own.  Fast forward, and we have

Comments

[candysgirl]

Can you offer him to them on a lease/free lease basis for X amount of time with the offer to buy him at the end of it if you/they/he agree its a good fit for him? Explain that he means a lot to you, but you think he'd be a good fit for them and you want to make absolutely sure that he/they are happy with his new living arrangements.

Now for the totally unemotional/practical/business side of things: Honestly, he's probably one of the harder horses you have to place. He's an older OTTB gelding with some issues. If you have someone that would be a decent home for him, let alone one where he'd be happy and spoiled for the rest of his life - jump at it. You need to get rid of some horses, here's a chance for two of them to go to a good home.

There is no shame in thinking about selling him even though he's your first horse. I'd think you horrible if you were just being callous and were ready to go ship him down the road to so some crappy auction, but you're not. You've got the prospect of a place where he'll be well loved and well cared for until the end of his days. What more can a horse ask for?

[mirrorofagirl]

Absolutely. I would NEVER allow him to go to an auction or even to someone I didn't know in some capacity. I seriously love this beast, and I'm in tears every time I think about letting him go. I just want him happy, and he's such an affectionate spoil-me sort of horse, I feel rotten not having time to dote on him like I did when we just had a couple of horses. I want these young girls to have a good experience with horses, and I know he's about as reliable as you can possibly get for what they want/need.

[candysgirl]

Its hard, but sometimes you may not be the *best* fit for a horse even if you do love them dearly. Not that you are a bad fit per say, but if this horse loves being doted on, what better home is there than with a couple little girls who will fawn over him and spoil him rotten?

My friend is facing this right now with his mustang he's training for the EMMC. He was dead set on buying him at the auction at the end of the contest. He loves the little guy to death and Gabriel is pretty bonded to him, but he seems to have decided he wants to be a kids' horse.

One of the boarders at the barn wants a second horse for another of his daughters. This guy is a former NFL player so has more money than God and is the most devoted horse dad/dad you'll ever meet. His daughter is sooooo adorable riding him. He walks around like an old schoolie, treating her like she's made of glass, never putting a foot wrong. He's been off the range for only 60 days, but you'd never know it if you met him. So my friend will still be training him for a while and will get to see and take care of him, but he won't own him. He says its bittersweet.

[squidypoo]

I think the above advice is really good. And I really do understand what you mean. I was in tears reading your entry thinking about Steph and Mac. That's not a good look when I'm at work! :P

[blitzen_]

this is great advice.

[skye_ds]

THIS. Absolutely.