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Back to Rocky

1K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  my2geldings 
#1 · (Edited)
So, back to my "need to have a horse" urge. I've done well with ignoring for the past few months but its back only now I've almost got enough to actually own a horse!
There are, of course, a few issues that may arise. I have been extremely interested in Rocky since the lady messaged me. I had placed an add a while back that I was looking for a horse and Rocky wasn't technically for sale but she thought he would be a great match for what I was looking for.

The issues that may arise are..I'm planning on moving out of state in the next 6-7 months. That isnt too much of an issue since my boyfriend is asking around for places that I could possibly board a horse should I get one. The next is that we want to travel. I want to go to Scotland/Ireland and he wants to go to South America. I honestly don't know if I want to travel or have a horse more..I suppose we could do both if we really pinched pennies.
The last issue would have to be my parents. Granted I'll be 21 in June, they insist that purchasing a horse is a massive waste of money and that I should be focusing on purchasing a house instead. (I kinda want the horse more?) I hate to see that I've disappointed them though. :(

I've owned a horse before but when I owned Samson I had no money saved up and I was living paycheck to paycheck trying to pay for all of his needs. I'm terrified of ending back up in that position. Granted now I'll have quite a bit saved up beforehand I'm still very worried about that.

Anyway..back to Rocky. This is the lady's message that she sent me and his picture. She wanted $800 for him and at the time I told her I sadly didn't have the money to support him. She said she would hold onto him since she wasnt sure if she could actually bare to part with him anyway.
I've just sent her a message asking how they were doing. I want to see if maybe she will allow me out once a week to groom him and get a good feel for him.

What do you guys think of the whole ordeal?

Her message:

Draft Gelding:
Hello,

I have a 2002 draft cross gelding who is 16.3 hands tall. I bought him when he was 9 months old and he has had the best of care with me. He is great on the ground, good for the vet and farrier, easy to handle. He isn't trained to ride. To the right home, I would be willing to sell for $800. I haven't been trying to sell him but when I saw your ad I had to write, I believe in things meant to be. He is just too big for me and too nice to be a lawn ornament. He is my baby though and I would want him to go to a permanent home (not bought to resell).

Rocky mostly stays in the pasture but I occasionally keep him up at night. He doesn't like being in the stall much so turn out every day would be important.

Let me know if you like what you see and we can talk more.

Thanks,

Second Message:

Hi Sara,

He had his shots done in November, his coggins is up-to-date, and he had his teeth done I think a year ago in October. The vet did check them this last time and said he was still good. I could get a copy of his records. I do have a copy of the coggins. As for worming, I will be doing all three in February. I worm them every 2-3 months since no horses are coming and going.

He has never had an injury that the vet had to treat. Last year he had an abscess on his back left hoof and was lame for a couple of weeks with it. The only other thing he ever had was a cut on his leg which healed up fine.

I've never tried trotting him on the lead line but I have lunged him and gotten him to trot. It's hard for the big guys to go in a circle for very long in the round pen so I never really pushed him too much on that. Basically he's been a big pet. If he is tied for very long, he will paw but stops if you yell at him. He is fine for a bath. I can't really think of anything he really minds, except getting impatient waiting for his feed.

I have my horses on Purina Strategy which is a pelleted, low starch, high protein feed. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and you only have to feed 4 pounds a day to maintain them. I feed him 1 to 1.5 scoops a day (depending on if I feed him twice in the day or only once.) I have also fed him Manna Pro High Performance which is a low starch feed too. As for hay, I feed coastal and occasionally will get a bale of T&A and feed them all a little of that with the coastal every day for the extra roughage. I don't know how much per horse per day but I have three horses and they get it twice a day and go through 11 bales a week. Currently I have no grass which is why I feed so much hay. Rocky could probably stand to loose a little bit of weight which I am sure he would do if someone was working him.

Last Message when I told her I couldn't afford his care:

Hi Sara,

Why don't we do this. Contact me when you are ready. I am not trying to sell him so he's not going anywhere. In fact, when it comes down to it I'm not for sure I can do it. Like I said, he is my baby and I worry about him. When you get your money back up, we can meet and you can see if he's the one you really want. Maybe I could come out and see where you would be boarding him. Also by then, he will have shed off his shaggy coat. I swear, the hair on his face is so long he looks like a billy goat!

Talk to you later.



 

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#2 ·
I had my answer for you all set in my mind....until I saw the photo of that hunk! :shock: :lol: :D

I just went thru this. When I had my baby horse, I worked as a casual at work which also meant I lived on the edge, just being able to afford owning him. That meant I had to sacrifice time with the boyfriend AND friends. I also had to sacrifice being able to go out and spend time outside the stable because I was paying so much for one horse(which I adored).

If you are moving away(to settle with your man) and still want to travel, buy a house etc etc, I REALLY STRONGLY suggest that you focus on that. Those are big decisions to adjust to both mentally and financially, a lot more than you realize.

I've owned horses for 12 years. Always owned my own horse(s). My last one I absolutely ADORED but I am in the transition of settling down and the expense of a horse is just to real to have kept my horse(everyone here knew my boy).

He is one stunning horse, I won't lie and having that urge to own one when you don't REALLY sucks. But I would sit on that idea a little longer before making decisions. Make yourself a list of the pros and cons and what your plans are for the next few months. Owning a horse is a HUGE thing to care for financially, especially if you want to travel and you are still figuring out what you are going to do for house etc etc. It would not fair for him to have to spend time boarded without you around or having someone else care for him because you wanted to travel.

I feel for you. I had the same MAJOR difficult decision to make with my horse. Tho I really miss him and continue to have this BIG void from not owning a horse, because of my current life situation (I'm 24)horses are temporarely out of the question until probably the end of the year or the spring. Then once I am settled will I look for a horse, not before.

Hope it helps :?
 
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