How do you know when it's time?

[xEchox]

How do you know when it's time to move on to another horse? I'm dealing with that situation. I'd rather not sell my guy as he's taught me so much, and he's 17 and doubt I could get much for him anyways. But he deserves a good home. Though, after a clinic today I kinda hit a wall and finally got myself to the point of listening to everyone. He can't do 3'+ anymore, he's had to much wear and tear but does the 2'6-2'9 amazing.. Just once he's at 3' he's twisting in order to get over it and it's sloppy and to much for him. Perhaps today was a bad day, as it was colder but I know in general what once was really easy is getting a bit tougher for him.... I'm in Florida so thankfully it doesn't get to cold..

I don't want to sell him, but I would like to move up and start schooling higher than 3'... I plan on taking my C-1 on him, but would like to show higher then 3' and do my C-2, but I know it's hard on him and I won't risk him for a selfish thing like that....

Like everyone else, the economy is hitting us hard, I can't get a job but he does live in my backyard... Is there any hope of selling him for a decent price? Getting a good lease on him? Or finding a free lease or something like that? I'd even work with a fairly green horse at this point.. Just need something younger with the ability to go over 3', but i'd train...

Or am I just wishing for nothing that would happen? Just confused, and having to deal with reality sadly.. Wish I was a millionaire haha.

[macmtn]

You already know its time...what about free leasing him to a youngster to grow up and learn on? You can keep control of him (make sure he is happy and not overworked) but make room for a new one for yourself. Kudos for you for realizing his aging limitations...

[xEchox]

I'd love to lease him out so I could afford a lease on another horse..but regardless, doubt i'll find anything in my price range.... =/

[unbridledoaks]

I have been where you are. I had a wonderful gelding that took me to the top in everything that I went into with him. I figured it was time to let him move on to another person, I sold him to a very young girl who was just learning to ride. I wanted to give her the chance to have a good pony to win on and have fun. He is still with her, after 5 years and they are winning and enjoying life. Believe me, it still hurts letting him go, but knowing he is giving someone the same joy he gave me, makes me very happy.

If you could, I would lease him. That way you can still have him, but he will be giving someone a good time.

It is hard letting a horse go that has given you so much, that I understand.

[Houdini1220]

I will say right off that I am of the horsy school of people that feel that when you purchase a horse, you should be willing to take care of him for his entire life. "Taking care" can mean different things though.

Put the word out that you are interested in leasing him out. Tell your trainer, vet, farrier to spread the word. Put up ads in your local feed/tack shop. Tell all your friends. Considering he is in your backyard, you could probably find someone who might be willing to pay you a few hundred a month to be able to ride him. That would get him ridden and his food paid for. Then you could focus on another horse. You could even keep him for sale during this time, but it would allow you some room to be picky about who you sell him to.

Then you could either purchase or buy another horse.

The only thing I would caution though would be make sure if you buy a second horse, that you could pay for both should the person who is leasing your older horse need to end the lease. I had a friend who did something similar to this, and she put half of the money that the person who was leasing gave her away into an "emergency" fund so that if she ever found herself having to pay for two horses again, she would have money to do it until she found another person to lease.

[xEchox]

Feed isn't an issue as we get round bales SUPER cheap, store them in the barn and feed off of them and my guy is a super easy keeper so it wouldn't be a big deal. Don't have a trainer, but i've posted ads online for him to lease.... So dunno what will happen =/

[FlightCheck]

erm...you don't have a job? Who pays for the horse expenses? Ok, I just went back and you are in Pony Club - what is your parents' input about this?

I agree with the "word of mouth" - wouldn't whomever you clinic'd with today have contacts? And if you are in Pony Club, there should be more contacts. Ditto vet and farrier.

17 is NOT old to be jumping 3' - I am assuming that you've done the proper vet and farrier care. What is their advice?

The horse market is in the TANK right now. Very nice horses are being given away. Through the contacts in Pony Club, you should be able to find something to lease.

[xEchox]

He's not that old, but he does have some arthritis, and he's just more happy not doing over 3'... I could tell he was struggling today, but only time will really tell....

[JohnDeere]

To go back to the original issue--

when the thought of selling/leasing ur horse is less painful than the hope of advancing.

We had a great kids horse that was a saint. Color would pack them around the ring all day long. Rarely put a foot wrong except when someone got too close :eek:. Not the brightbest bulb in the show ring but did a good job. Placed well but never would get any better. The kids were ready to get something more of a challenge and move to another division. So Color was sold to a beginning rider to do the same packer thing. They are glad she went to a good home. If Color hadnt sold she would have stayed with us. They miss her but will enjoy moving up.

[pj]

If you decide you really must go on and have only one horse I think I would try to free lease him. These really aren't good days to turn completely loose of a horse. You would still have control of where he went and how he was treated. As someone pointed out though you'd have to be prepared in the event that your leasor had to return him.
Really puts you between a rock and a hard thing but whatever you decide to do you must do the best that you can for the horse. He sounds like a wonderful boy who is deserving of being loved and cared for for life.

[xEchox]

If I could lease him or free-lease him, I wouldn't mind at all if he got returned back. But, I think i'm going to try and find somene who will lease him, and use that money to either lease another horse or see if I can find a free-lease on anotehr horse... Unfortunately, im in a mostly western area so might be hard to find a lease or free-lease on the right horse..

[BuddyRoo]

I grew up with a little different mindset than some....ie: you ride the horse you have and once you have a horse, it's a lifetime commitment.

So...if I had a happy 17 YO (and actually, I do!) I would keep that horse going comfortably at the level the horse was capable of. I would consider half leasing another horse to "move up" on, but I would continue to care for the critter that got me to where I was.

Until I could afford two horses--my steady eddy and a new one to meet my new needs--I would either: Ride the horse I have or keep the horse I have and try to half lease another.

When my old man was getting to the point that he really couldn't be ridden anymore, I still kept him...took care of him...felt like after 25 years of teaching me, I owed him a nice retirement. I kept him in light work right up til the last 2 years--that is one thing that kept him going I think.

I know that not everyone can do that though.

[xEchox]

I've gone through several horses and I love this horse. He's ornery and tends to be stupid at times but he's an amazing horse and he's taught me so much. So he has a forever home with me. I will never sell him, though at this point i'm going to see if I can lease him out to a beginner rider, so they can experience the stuff I got to on him. He's a great confidence builder for a timid rider so... And try to lease a horse..