practical vs emotional

[horsemom4]

I am trying to make a decision. I have 2 two year old geldings that I think I need to sell. The practical part of me can look at the situation and say 'yes, I should sell them'....but then the emotional part of me takes over and I'm not sure I can do it...!!!!

The reason I would sell them is because they are 2 years old and will be ready for training soon. I don't want to do the training myself and if I did send them to a trainer I'm not sure I'm interested in riding a newly trained horse. I don't have a round pen or riding arena. If I would keep them I would have to buy one or make one. I have 2 other adult horses that I would rather ride. They are older (20 and 14).

So....this all sounds so easy....I should sell the geldings and be done with it....but then my emotions take over....I rescued these geldings when they were very, very young...they were sold at an auction at a young age and then ended up needing a home...so I took them home and have raised them up to this point. I am attached to them. They are so friendly and sweet. My family and I have watched them grow into nice looking young horses. The thought of selling them is hard but I guess if I knew they were going to a good home it would be easier.

I just don't know what to do. I am going back and forth with this constantly!!


Here are some recent pictures of them.


Hank









Hawk











I was just hoping someone could give me some advise. I know poeple sell horses all the time...why is it so hard for me???? I keep telling myself ... if I did sell them, then maybe in the future I could get a well broke Paso. I think that would be super fun...

[Iwasbornonahorse]

I've never sold a horse before, because I can't.

That being said, I think you should sell these two. You seem to know that the best thing for you and them is to sell them, now you just have to come to terms with the decision. They'll be happier with someone who'll train them and bond with them as horse and rider and you'll be happier with your well broke horses. Just find them a great home where you can get updates! You already did what you could for them and saved them, now find them a rider

[Stormy's Human]

I am exactly like you - I get too attached! I have a now 6 yr old who I got as a 1 year old. Had him in training for 5 months on and off starting at the age of 2 1/2. I started riding him myself and in less than 3 years I took 7 falls off him. The last one was the last one! I had told him if it happened again I would have to divorce him. Well, I got myself another horse who is 17 and has no buck in him - had Zero for sale - had people inquire about him - and then couldn't do it. So I still have him - other people have rode him in the last 1 1/2 and I rode him once in an arena. He's my baby and as I get to be a better rider and can build up my trust in riding him again - I plan to do so. Now in your situation - it sounds like if you could find them a good home - it would be the best thing for you. It is a hard decision I know - Good Luck.

[lbequ4002]

I say sell them. It sounds like you don't want to ride green horses anyway and they are both handsome and should find good homes. They look like ponies are they?

[Lady_MCSE]

I agree that it can be very hard to give up an animal emotionally. I'm fortunate enough that I've never had to sell a horse, but I know I will some day.

My advice to you is that if there is a "need" or rational reason you feel forced to sell, then get the ads up ASAP, and make sure you include something to the effect of "to an approved home."

You'll definitely have to put up with the hassles of selling (spammers, scammers, tire kickers, and no-shows), but ultimiately the decision to the let the animal go out of your care rests with you. You may find that the horses don't garner any interest at all. Or you may find that the world's most perfect prospective owner contacts you on the first week and you feel very confident and comfortable letting one or both go to that person.

Basically, you never know what you'll get until you try. Just be as prepared as you can to follow through if you get a decent buyer and a decent price.

[Crookedblaze]

I'd say sell them. With the money that you sell them for, you should be able to get atleast enough to by a nice and quiet well broke horse.

I had to sell 5 horses when we left Arizona, we just couldn't afford to board 6 horses in San Diego. I kept my first horse, and the rest found good homes. It's hard, but when you find them good homes and see the new family loving on them, you won't feel as bad.

[wildheartsranch]

It sounds like selling them and finding them a good home is what is best for your situation. That being said, I have yet to sell a horse. I can look around my herd and say to myself that it would be best to rehome a few of the horses that i have but, I just cant bring myself to do it. However, training isent an issue for me since hubby trains. Our issue is simply that we have 11horses and just dont ride or work with all of them as much as we would like to. I am far too attached to rehome them though and while they dont get ridden as much as I would like them too, they are feed well, feet always done and turned out 24/7, so i guess they are alright.

good luck with your decision, I know its hard but you will make the right choice. By the way they are really cute!

[Sunlei]

IMO, those horses need good homes of course. The best chance of them having a quality training experience is for you to be in charge of their training.

The best chance of them getting a better family home is to sell them trained.

People who buy unbroken horses to train and sell have thousands of cheap, young registered stock to choose from.

Those horses are beautiful. Sure looks like you did a wonderfull job caring for them. The ground manners and sweetness are because of your time with them. Many of the horses in the auction kill pens are young,grade, sweet and wearing halters.

[Soliae]

I really like Hawk

It's tough to sell horses - you never know for sure where they are going and how the people will treat them. This is one reason I no longer breed - I cannot stand to face the risk that a horse I loved and helped bring into the world was abused, neglected, or made into steak.

That said - when you rescue, you need to think what is best for the horse. In this case, if they stay with you they will not get the training they need - so it is in their best interests for you to find them a good home that WILL train them.

Which may also be difficult.

If you can find someone local to you that is willing to invest some training into them prior to sale, you could offer a portion of the proceeds to them. I would look at experienced younger people looking to get references for training - this would be a good opportunity for them.

[horsemom4]

Originally Posted by lbequ4002

I say sell them. It sounds like you don't want to ride green horses anyway and they are both handsome and should find good homes. They look like ponies are they?

I don't know what they are...but they might be a pony cross. They are somewhat fine featured and on the small side as of now...they might have some more growing to do.

[pasopony]

Sell Hank to pay for Hawk's training How's that for going both ways LOL? Hawk is the better quality of the two (conformationally, I don't know about their personalities). However, that would give you more money to sink into training Hawk and only give you one young one to ride - and last you for another 25 years....

[karenf]

You could advertise both and see what happens. Horses are hard to sell so it may take a while to sell both as they are unbroke and not registered.

[horsemom4]

Originally Posted by pasopony

Sell Hank to pay for Hawk's training How's that for going both ways LOL? Hawk is the better quality of the two (conformationally, I don't know about their personalities). However, that would give you more money to sink into training Hawk and only give you one young one to ride - and last you for another 25 years....

This sounds like a good idea....I know Hawk is better looking... I had actually thought of selling him because I thought he would sell faster ..... Hank is the one I worry about since he isn't quite as pretty and unique....however Hawk has this wonderful personality...he is always the first one up to the fence to get some attention...I just don't know if I can part with him....darn these horses!!!!

[horsemom4]

[quote=Sunlei;1373123]IMO, those horses need good homes of course. The best chance of them having a quality training experience is for you to be in charge of their training.

The best chance of them getting a better family home is to sell them trained.

People who buy unbroken horses to train and sell have thousands of cheap, young registered stock to choose from.

Those horses are beautiful. Sure looks like you did a wonderfull job caring for them. The ground manners and sweetness are because of your time with them. Many of the horses in the auction kill pens are young,grade, sweet and wearing halters.[/quote







I might work with them some more before I sell them (if I sell them!!!) ... thank you for your input...
My fear is that they would end up at an auction because they are the quality of horse that would end up in the kill pen.....they really are of no value to anyone else but me.

[gbarmranch]

If you sell them for a reasonable price, are honest about what they can do, I think you would have no trouble picking the homes they go to..

Many people want a good horse that is dead broke, but few want to pay for the cost of the training. Depending on the cost in your area, 60 days with a good trainer here would put another $1000 into each horse.. would you get that out of them...

[horsemom4]

Originally Posted by wildheartsranch

It sounds like selling them and finding them a good home is what is best for your situation. That being said, I have yet to sell a horse. I can look around my herd and say to myself that it would be best to rehome a few of the horses that i have but, I just cant bring myself to do it. However, training isent an issue for me since hubby trains. Our issue is simply that we have 11horses and just dont ride or work with all of them as much as we would like to. I am far too attached to rehome them though and while they dont get ridden as much as I would like them too, they are feed well, feet always done and turned out 24/7, so i guess they are alright.

good luck with your decision, I know its hard but you will make the right choice. By the way they are really cute!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that has a hard time parting with horses! My hubby doesn't train but he says that I don't have to sell them...he is very supportive and wants me to do what I think is best.

[horsemom4]

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

If you sell them for a reasonable price, are honest about what they can do, I think you would have no trouble picking the homes they go to..

Many people want a good horse that is dead broke, but few want to pay for the cost of the training. Depending on the cost in your area, 60 days with a good trainer here would put another $1000 into each horse.. would you get that out of them...

So true..and that's what I've thought...I could sell them cheap...the money isn't what I care about in this situation. They're my baby boys and I want what's best for them.

[gbarmranch]

In that case, list them and screen the devil out of potential buyers.. more like an adoption then a sale.. they are well mannered, well cared for, nice looking animals that should find a new home easily.

[lopintoo]

I know how hard it is to see one go. I look at it this way....If I can't, don't have time, or just don't want to continue training on a youngster I look at it as I gave them their "kindergarten" training and that by selling them they are able to go to "school" to learn to be a productive member of the horse society. If they stay here with nothing to do they become lazy pasture potatoes.

I had one gelding in particular that I thought I just couldn't part with. I bought him as a yearling, finally sold him when he was 7. I could ride him, he rode pretty good, even has great bloodlines and show potential, but for whatever reason he really wasn't fun to ride. Nothing wrong with him, just that I wasn't crazy about riding him. Oh, but I loved him. I kept him for 4 more years. When I finally reasoned with myself to sell him he went to some very nice folks in NC to be a lesson/show horse. They thought he was the very best and the kids loved him! If I had kept him he would still be a pasture ornament so I could look at his "prettiness". I did him a favor by selling to a good home where he could have a loving home AND a future.

If your guys are smaller have you considered finding them a home with a young person that will cherish them as much as you do. Since their selling prices wouldn't have to be real high, maybe market them as 4H prospects.

[nrhareiner]

You say that you could put the training into them but just do not want to ride a green horse. Have you thought about sending them to a good trainer have some solid bassics put on them and then see if there is someone in your area interested in Leaseing them to put some miles on them. I have found that if a horse has a good solid basice where they can be riden that it is not too hard to find a person who is a very good rider would love to have something to ride and work with with out having to buy one. This way you would get a horse back with quite a few miles on them you would have more control over what happends to them. It would be easyer to find them good homes after this the person leasing may even deside to buy them and at that point you would have an idea of what type of home they would be going tooo.

Any way just anouther oppsion to think about.

Heidi