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What in the world do I do with this horse??

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  • #1

    What in the world do I do with this horse??

    Here's the deal.

    Norman is an unbroke nearly 5 year old Belgian/Percheron gelding. He is a Pasture Ornament. This was not my intention, but it is what it is. My mom's PMU mare had him and I have had him since he was weaned. He's beautiful, laid-back, the perfect POTENTIAL family horse.

    Well, now I have a family and wouldn't you know, I have no time for a family horse, let along an unbroke one! I have a two year old and another one due in July. If I ever get back on a horse I assume I would ride my pony, who pre-baby I used to actually ride and compete with. I always imagined that someday I would have my pony, Norman for my husband and a pony for the kid(s).

    Well - let me just stop for a minute and be realistic.

    I don't have time to ride! I have a job, a kid, a husband, an overwhelming 15 acres that I CANNOT wait to sell, two horses and two donkeys. When I have "free time" I like to spend it with my family. We have decided to downsize and sell the property and I am coming to the realization that keeping Norman is not in our best interest, and probably not in his, either.

    So - what the heck do you do with an unbroke draft horse? If we ever sell this house, I will send him to the trainers for a few months and get him broke. I absolutely 100% do NOT have a spare penny to spend until we sell this house (which is thanks to the house and the massive foundation repairs and subsequent remodeling that took place this last year so we could get this place on the market).

    I am super nervous about selling him. He is a really, really good guy. I hate to think about what would happen should he start getting passed around and fall into the wrong hands. So, do I give him away with a contract? If he were broke, I would call the local therapeutic riding center and mounted police - I think he would be suitable for either - but therein lies the problem - THE HORSE AIN'T BROKE.

    And of course, I think to myself that I will regret it - I am sure I will - but it's not reasonable to have him sitting around until I am ready to ride again. Who knows when that will be.

    Ideas??
    http://burpclothsandsaddlepads.blogspot.com/
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Shucks, if you were closer I'd offer to take him in a heartbeat....live on 40 acres in northern NV and want/need a draft to do some of the work (less expensive and more fun than a tractor!...maybe) plus use for cart work.
    Colored Cowhorse Ranch
    www.coloredcowhorseranch.com
    Northern NV

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    • #3
      I know a great draft rescue.

      But it's here in MD. (that said, I got my horse through word of mouth through them when someone called up with their mostly-unbroke former PMU baby last year looking for help. I bought him, sent him off to a trainer for all of three weeks and have done pretty much all the work on him since [so yes, all of his flaws are my fault, but he's pretty awesome so...])

      Er, anyway, you could contact Christine at the rescue and see if she's heard from anyone out that way looking for a drafty, maybe? I know she gets people contacting her from all over the country about adopting a draft.

      No matter whether you sell him or give him away, I'd do it with a contract and make sure whoever gets him knows you're available to help or take him back (er, if you are) if they can't keep him.

      Since you're in TX...maybe contact some of the renaissance festivals' jousting troupes (you've got several there). Maybe they have a member who's looking for a horse to bring along. (no idea, but figure it's worth a shot.)

      EDIT: Adding rescue contact info: http://gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.com/ContactUs.html
      The Trials and Jubilations of a Twenty-Something Re-rider
      Happy owner of Kieran the mostly-white-very-large-not-pony.

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      • #4
        I'd definitely re-home him with a contract, but just remember that contracts are only as good as the people signing them. Have sold horses with contracts and rarely do people follwo them as far as calling me first before re-selling. You have to be willing to enforce that contract once it is broken, and most people can't/won't. I still think they are a good idea, but definitely nothing to rely on - your reference checking and gut feeling about the person will be your most valuable tools. DO check references and do some research on the person.

        Good luck - you have a lot on your plate and I think this guy would do best with someone who has the time for him.

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        • #5
          COTH giveaway board, link to this thread, vet out who ever takes him.

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          • #6
            If he is sound, has a good temperament, and has good ground manners I wouldn't think it would be that hard to sell him as some OTHER family's "family horse".
            Janet

            chief feeder and mucker for Music, Spy, Belle and Tiara. Someone else is now feeding and mucking for Chief and Brain (both foxhunting now).

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            • #7
              You might check into donating him as a police horse. Some jurisdictions are willing to break them as long as they have good brains.

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              • #8
                WOF, boy do I hear your pain.

                I left the country and kept paying board on my pony for almost three years before I finally got my act together and found her another home.

                If you think you can sell him, there's nothing wrong with advertising him. I also think the giveaway board is a great solution, if you just want to rehome him.

                PM me if you want to commiserate in private about how hard it is to make these sorts of choices.
                Chronicles of the $700 Pony
                The Further Adventures of the $700 Pony
                www.blithetraveler.com <-- My Blog

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                • Original Poster
                  #9
                  Thank you for the ideas everyone

                  RR you have a PM. I'll apologize now, it is mostly me whining...sorry!

                  I talked to DH about this - I hadn't really broached the topic with him because I wanted to feel strong in my decision first - but I do think re-homing/selling/donating is probably in Norman's best interest. Boo.

                  I am going to contact the Dallas Mounted Police first (you would THINK they have a website but they don't) and see if they are interested. I think he would meet the size and temperament requirements. I feel like that's the best place to start. I think I'll just start there and see what happens...ugh. I feel sad/sick thinking about it. BUT...I also feel overwhelmed by the idea of NOT rehoming him. I'll keep you posted.
                  http://burpclothsandsaddlepads.blogspot.com/

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                  • #10
                    The Law Enforcement guys are great at re-training horses for police work. If he has the temperment for the work, they will train him to be a good police horse.
                    You are doing the right thing. He needs a job. And a rider he can bond with. You clearly have a lot on your clip-board. I haved been there. I had 4 kids. And tried to run a farm by myself. Hubby was not a horse person nor a farm boy.
                    I had to rehome all my horses and start over from scratch.
                    It will all come together OK.
                    Wishing you the best.
                    Kind regards,
                    sadlmakr

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                    • #11
                      I sold my Perchy/TB (purpose bred) to a fantastic family as a jousting horse after abdominal surgery left me unable to ride for 2 1/2 years.

                      Another possibility might be a vaulting horse. My horse would have been great at that, it really relaxed him to be longed on side reins.

                      If somebody who is good with drafts wanted him, and he has good brains, he could be broke over the winter feeding cows. They do pair colts with old-timers; perhaps marketing (as free, or not much $$) to ranch folks would be a good outlet.

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