Need help with ad : trying to find senior horse new home

midnyte · 04-25-2008, 02:13 PM

Here's the ad:http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org...291948?mm=3112
I'm not sugar-coating anything here. General is not a warm-fuzzy type and would be happy to bite or kick you. The problem is for us is that my husband's job will likely go to India this year (he gets to train his department's replacements) and we're losing our board. So, yes, we're getting ready to be hit financially hard. So I'm trying to find a good home for the old horse to live out his days. He's a cranky guy and isn't too fond of kids (when we picked him up last year as a very skinny horse, one of the teenaged kids was slapping his face around like you would if you were playing with a large dog). He bit my young son on the stomach a few months ago (I keep the kids away from him at feeding time, since he is food aggressive.). He can be a nice horse, though, if kept in a pen to himself. He cannot be ridden. I'm pretty sure I have that in my ad. So far I've had two responses on him from what I perceive are minors, and the fact he's FREE is the only thing they are interested in. And riding him. I do have an adoption contract and will want to see where he's going . I've put lots of TLC into this horse and don't want to let him go to a neglectful home or worse. Is this a common problem? Not being tech savvy, I also received a text message asking me to call them. Maybe I'm showing my age, but this seems a bit inconsiderate? Anyhow, its unpleasant enough having to part with our old guy without having these kind of inquiries. Any suggestions on how to write my ad better? I've recently added "serious adult inquiries only". This past week's sale barn sold unregistered colts for $10 each, so the market here is flat. I don't want my guy to end up there.
Thanks for your help.

lopintoo · 04-26-2008, 11:04 AM

Honestly I don't know of anyone that would want a horse that is that ill tempered and totally unuseable. If you could do something with him then the grouchiness may be overlooked, but for a pet, it is a bit difficult. Have you checked with any adoption agencies or retirement facilities for the older horses? No offense, but I know of people that are putting their old horses down and giving them a denent ending instead of selling them for a few dollars or giving them away and wondering "what if".

ilovepaints1 · 04-27-2008, 03:24 PM

Yeah I kinda hate to say it but in this case with all the issues that(euthnasia) may be the safest thing for everyone.

midnyte · 04-29-2008, 12:26 PM

Thanks for your suggestions/thoughts. I've contacted rescue groups, managed to talk to one but it is full. The local humane society referred me to rescue groups, so I haven't received any help on the matter. I know this day and age its hard for those groups financially so I can't blame them. I've done rescue/fostering for dogs for many years, so I know how it goes. I may have to make a hard decision very soon.

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04-25-2008, 02:13 PM
midnyte Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 153	Need help with ad : trying to find senior horse new home Here's the ad:http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org...291948?mm=3112 I'm not sugar-coating anything here. General is not a warm-fuzzy type and would be happy to bite or kick you. The problem is for us is that my husband's job will likely go to India this year (he gets to train his department's replacements) and we're losing our board. So, yes, we're getting ready to be hit financially hard. So I'm trying to find a good home for the old horse to live out his days. He's a cranky guy and isn't too fond of kids (when we picked him up last year as a very skinny horse, one of the teenaged kids was slapping his face around like you would if you were playing with a large dog). He bit my young son on the stomach a few months ago (I keep the kids away from him at feeding time, since he is food aggressive.). He can be a nice horse, though, if kept in a pen to himself. He cannot be ridden. I'm pretty sure I have that in my ad. So far I've had two responses on him from what I perceive are minors, and the fact he's FREE is the only thing they are interested in. And riding him. I do have an adoption contract and will want to see where he's going . I've put lots of TLC into this horse and don't want to let him go to a neglectful home or worse. Is this a common problem? Not being tech savvy, I also received a text message asking me to call them. Maybe I'm showing my age, but this seems a bit inconsiderate? Anyhow, its unpleasant enough having to part with our old guy without having these kind of inquiries. Any suggestions on how to write my ad better? I've recently added "serious adult inquiries only". This past week's sale barn sold unregistered colts for $10 each, so the market here is flat. I don't want my guy to end up there. Thanks for your help.

04-26-2008, 11:04 AM
lopintoo Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,223	Honestly I don't know of anyone that would want a horse that is that ill tempered and totally unuseable. If you could do something with him then the grouchiness may be overlooked, but for a pet, it is a bit difficult. Have you checked with any adoption agencies or retirement facilities for the older horses? No offense, but I know of people that are putting their old horses down and giving them a denent ending instead of selling them for a few dollars or giving them away and wondering "what if".

04-27-2008, 03:24 PM
ilovepaints1 Long Yearling Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,072	Yeah I kinda hate to say it but in this case with all the issues that(euthnasia) may be the safest thing for everyone. __________________ "To many, the words love, hope, and dreams are synonymous with horses" - Anonymous

04-29-2008, 12:26 PM
midnyte Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 153	Thanks for your suggestions/thoughts. I've contacted rescue groups, managed to talk to one but it is full. The local humane society referred me to rescue groups, so I haven't received any help on the matter. I know this day and age its hard for those groups financially so I can't blame them. I've done rescue/fostering for dogs for many years, so I know how it goes. I may have to make a hard decision very soon.