Just want an opinion

I just wanted an opinion on what most people would do if they were in my situation. Now this moment is a long way off but it is killing me inside just thinking about it...

I am currently living in Germany and since living over here have gotten my very first horse. She is a lovely 17.1 hand chestnut Hanoverian. She turned 12 this year and takes extremely good care of me. I've had her for two years and basically I love her to death. Now, for me personally, I'm not one to get an animal and then sell it. I grow very attached and want to keep my animals until they pass on. Here comes my dilemma. This coming summer I am moving back to the states and will be attending college (I'm already in college I'm just doing a transfer.) My parents have said if I can pay for half of the cost for sending my mare back to the states they will help me with the rest. I have almost reached that goal. YAY! But my parents are now talking about selling my mare and just buying another one back in the states. I don't know if I can part with my girl. She has taught me so much and can teach me so much more.

I know it is ultimately my choice but I guess basically I just want an opinion on what some of you, more experienced (and knowledgeable! Lol) horse people would do. Is it worth selling a best friend or keeping her?


Thanks,
Aly

IMO- I would never sell my horse just to move back, they go where I got period! I love my boys and couldnt imagine selling them for any reason.

Logically, the best idea is to sell her and get a new horse. It's less stressful on her and cheaper.

Emotionally though, I'd want to being her with me. I have had the same dilema with Diesel.

I agree with Spastic - but I'd probably ship her myself too.

Thank you for the replies. I realize it would logically be cheaper and less stressful on her but I just can't think about parting with her! I also love the thought of how she would be in a better place in the states. Over here she has no fields to run in due to space issues.

Aly

Could you keep her over there and move over without her. Once you find a place and have enough money saved up, you could ship her over?

Unfortunately that wouldn't be an option. I have time to find a place to board her before I get back. If I left her here, my parents would say she needs to be sold. She either comes back or we have to sell her.

Again, my dilemma. I just feel guilty having my parents pay for the other half. It is an expenisve gift to ask for. BUT I adore my pretty girl. Lol

Its a big decision to make.

I would be inclined to sell her. As far as I can see you are only going to be losing money, shipping her across. In addition, she has to deal with all the stress, possibly quarantine and then get used to a different climate.

Personally, I cannot fathom how people spend that much money on horses. Shipping across would be really, expensive, and you probably forked out a bit for the purchase price. Wouldn't you prefer to spend the money you have saved as a down payment for a house or something?

Sometimes I wonder how people can be so different. I currently live of about NZD$180 a week, you would probably spend more transporting your horse than I get in a year.

Still, if its an option for you and you want to do it, then I guess you can do it.

That's why I am so torn. Like I keep saying (lol) my horse is my baby. I adore her so much. But I realize that shipping her would cost A LOT. She would be quarantined and I know she would definitely have to adjust to the climate. It would be nice to have the money I have saved up to transport her to go towards something in my future but I often wonder. How often would I regret selling my best friend?

I would ship her. I find it very hard to bond with a horse and no 2 bonds are the same. When I was 18 I sold my 4-h pony who I had the most amzing bond with because I wanted something bigger . Well 10 years later I JUST found a horse I bonded with like her. I mean I love all my horses and they are my babies but we just did not have the "connection"