Horsey Dilemma

[tinlizzie82]

So I have this dilemma about finding a job/home for my former Grand Prix horse (jumper). My parents actually own him, they bought him about nine years ago when we had a farm together and he took me in my first Grand Prixs. He is now 16 and has some stifle issues that, although he is sound, prevent him from doing more than 3 foot jumps or dressage

Comments

[animalboything]

Idea to possibly consider:

At Hunterdon, we'd often get retired grand prix horses to be school horses. The horses always seemed to be interested rather than bored from the different riders, never jump too high nor too often, get lots of time off, and also were under top notch care. I actually traded in one of my horses who became the Hunterdon school horse for awhile before an injury, and I gotta say he absolutely loved it--he'd get bored with just me as a consistent rider.

Granted, you mentioned he's a difficult horse, or can be a bit up, etc., but I bet you could find him a really nice home with a top trainer as a school horse. Also, since you did the grand prix circuit before, you'd definitely be able to screen the barn, and probably could even call some of the trainers of your own initiative and talk to them about it. They might not be willing to spend 10K, but if you found a permanent, good home, it might be worth it.

Just something to consider.

[animalboything]

Also, totally just read your user info page. Torchwood and slash are love. <3

[tinlizzie82]

Really good idea, lots of people I could call and with most of them I wouldn't worry at all about the future for him. Now why didn't I think of that. Maybe because I'm stuck here in the southland and don't approve of the way most of the local trainers ride/manage their horses - but I know lots of people up north. Friended you BTW. Torchwood, slash and horses!!! Perfect ; )

[animalboything]

Added you back!!!

I'm glad that could help! Honestly, had my horse not become a lesson horse for George, I would have never thought of it either. At first, I was really hesitant about the idea, but then thought about it, and watched some trial lessons, and was amazed at how much he a) loved his job and b) had interest in all of the riders ranging from an 11-year-old to people in their 60s. He even did George's 4'3 clinic with a visiting rider from Hawaii, and showed Low Prelim with a man from Israel once, and when there were soundness issues later, due to an injury, they kept him at low fences, and eventually gave him to a girl who wanted a horse that she could ride a bit and said, "well, if there's a soundness issue, he'd make a wonderful pasture mate and has a home for life." I really couldn't have gotten anything better for him, so hopefully you find some of the folk up north! I bet you can.

And yes, Torchwood, slash, and horses are the BEST combo (and almost all of my posts have stuff about them--soon I'm posting up a review of

[brigidsdaughter]

...ship him to me in Chicago?

*coughs*

I'd actually love a horse like that, so there has to be a clone of me somewhere to take him around where you are. :) I would see his pickyness as a challenge to learn to do things correctly, and wouldn't care about his limitations because I take lessons just to ride-I have all the showing ambition of an overcooked noodle. But dressage and jumping are fun! Wee!

So perhaps a home with a comfident novice/intermediate rider who is riding just to feed the addiction would be good. :D

[tinlizzie82]

Yeah, thats just what we're looking for, the problem is everyone wants a free horse and that just makes me nervous. If they won't/can't commit to paying something, how can I trust that they can see to his upkeep in the future. I already have two old guys (30 and 31) so I know what it means to keep an older guy once their riding career is curtailed.

[miladyelizabeth]

I understand your point about wanting them to pay *something*, but in this market you may have to be really flexible on price if you want to place him. Just because he "was a six figure horse" doesn't mean he is now, sadly.

Also, because he is a challenging horse to ride, he won't be suitable for many people who are shopping on a "casual rider" budget.

[tinlizzie82]

There you have the problem in a nutshell.

[skyhuntress]

have you considered a free lease option?
find someone willing to pay for his boarding situation at a reputable barn that you could check up on him, but don't charge a lease fee. It's generally a great way to find riders who really want to learn from a horse but can't afford to buy one on their own

[taleofaredhead]

Deleted my previous comment because of LJ shortcut thingy fail. Sorry!

I apologize for sounding stupid, but why do you mean by "inappropriate inquiries"? Non-serious buyers, people whose names you don't know, people not talented enough to compete at the level he's currently able in? Just curious :]

I agree that you'll likely have to be even more flexible with his pricing, even if he's worth it because of the economy and his stifles. Just the way it is, unfortunately. Good luck though!

[tinlizzie82]

Well mostly I mean beginners looking for a first horse who call despite the fact that you make it clear that he requires an intermediate rider. Its a problem when this is not clear over the phone and then they come and want to ride but wouldn't be safe. I can't saddle my parents with that sort of situation. The big problem with a free lease is that he could come back at some point and once the two old guys die (and at 31 and 30 that could be anytime) my parents will sell the farm. I have a weird business in that I freelance and don't have a farm of my own so I might not have a place for him either. I really hope to get him settled once and for all. We are very negotiable price wise to the right situation I just want to know that someone values him enough to pay something and that should they later move or whatever they won't be tempted to just think "Well, he was free so I'll give him to someone else and be done with it." Understand that he has been jumping 4 foot+ at home and only stops if he gets in a bad situation. This

[hydrogen_atom]

I know you don't want him to be a "free" horse, and I totally get that--but there's a lot of room between "free" ~$10,000. I guess, what would be the absolute threshold for what you would ask for him and still be comfortable with the buyer?

Obviously with an older horse you want to be certain that the person buying him will have sufficient funds to cover the costs that come with an aging animal. At the same time, prospective buyers may not be as willing to shell out a large $$ amount initially simply because he may cost them more money to keep in the long run.

Good luck searching, though!

[tinlizzie82]

Actually its not really my decision since my parents own him but from our discussions I think it would depend on the situation. If some hard working person comes along with a few grand and is a good match and has a plan for how they will maintain him in the forseeable future I'm sure that would be fine. There was actually someone we were going to give him to but she discovered she was pregnant and knew that with a second child she couldn't do right by him so that didn't work out. We were really bummed to lose the chance to place him with someone we knew and trusted.

[hydrogen_atom]

Ugh, that really sucks :( Hopefully you will find somebody else soon!