Need help to make a decision in real life

By Shining K, 28th December 2024 13:11:40
1
Hi guys,

In real life I have 3 horses.

I’ve had this Clydesdale cross in a really unique colour with perfect whites, since he was a 3 year old stallion and I had him gelded and I broke him. It’s been almost 8 years together. We have done a lot together and he’s like my buddy.

Recently I bought an ultra high quality Warmblood mare, and a perfect in every way thoroughbred mare. I want to breed some high end Warmblood foals and get into breeding (there is a high demand for these horses where I live, and the Warmblood mare’s full siblings sold in the $20K+ range).

I want a horse trailer so I can break and regularly ride my Warmblood mare and restart/ride my TB mare, so that they are proven under saddle before I breed them.

I have been tossing around the idea of selling the Clydesdale cross. I know he has excellent value. I can’t ride 3 horses at once (I work an unrelated full time job as well). Selling him would pay off my debt (unrelated, about $8000), and buy me a trailer to ride every day again. I used to ride 5 days a week when I had a trailer before but I used to settle for decrepit old trailers. Now I don’t want to let my horses in a low quality/old/tiny trailer because if there is an accident I don’t want them to be be hurt. Realistically I can’t ride 3 horses at once. And the Clydesdale cross is a hot horse that realistically needs to be ridden like 3 days a week to be productive…. I feel like he would thrive being a one-person-one-horse kind of guy again. It’s just hard for me because I love him so much like he I my puppy and family to me. But I watch him just sit in the field, fat and bossy, like he’s going to waste, when I know he could be eventing or jumping or just being somebody’s main mount. I don’t want to lease as I leased out a heart horse before and he passed away and they never called to say he was colicking I don’t want to go through that again
Shining K
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By Peacem4ker94, 29th December 2024 00:05:39
Hello,
I am sure this is a hard decision for you to make, I know because if have been in the same boat. I would look at it this way, he is probably use to all the love and attention that you were able to give him, not that your time is more spent with the others he is probably feeling left out. I know my moms gelding gets very jealous when I take my boy out for a ride.

I would sell him to people you know would take care of him and give you updates with the option to visit, I know he would make a special kid or adult very happy and he would be happy being the sole horse for that person. You can also have the people who buy him sign a first right of refusal meaning if they decide to sell, you will get the first chance to buy him back.

This would then free up money to be debt free and also get you the trailer you need. Debt free is the way you want to be here, especially with horses.

I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck with your decision! default smiley (l)
Peacem4ker94
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By miketg, 29th December 2024 02:24:39
I say this with all love and respect because I do believe you love him and are having a hard time making the decision... But the fact that you are even asking means you already know it is the right choice.

Take your time finding a buyer, be picky you don't have to let home go to just anyone. You can even write the contract so that if they decide to sell him they have to offer him to you first.

But some horse are happy to be pets or just chill in turn out and some need jobs to be happy. He sounds like he needs a job. And since you want him to be happy... Sounds like selling him is the best choice. And if you're planning on breeding you're going to have to get used to letting the babies go.

Besides, emotions aside, the horse business is hard enough and starting out in debt is just going to hobble you going forward. You owe yourself the best start possible.

Best wishes and good luck!
miketg
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By ReaganOSampson, 29th December 2024 04:17:21
I know it’s hard when you have a horse that you can’t work with I have had to sell my heart horse and it was hard. But we also need to think what’s best for the animal. He is for sure happy with you (I’m not tying to say he is unhappy) but I’m sure he would love to have quality time spent with him. So you could try selling him which is hard to do if you sell him to close friends or family you can check in with him. I also understand you don’t want him to be leased out you could try bring him to a lesson barn and having them use him for lessons. Like a free care lease And you would probably be able to check in often not sure if your area does that but mine does. I hope that helped.
ReaganOSampson
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