The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Thinking about selling my girls...

2K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  Cowgirl140ty 
#1 ·
I've been toying with this thought for awhile. I love my mares, and while I have so far and can continue to care for them, my finances are so very carefully balanced, payday is always stressful, and I have to buy a car soon which makes things even more difficult. Without having a car now, it's very difficult to get out and see them, and I beat myself up over it every day.

The plans I had roommate wise for when my lease was up in August fell through. Some of you may remember all the drama I have had with awful roommates, and if I can't continue to live with this one, [the only one I have ever actually liked] I'd really rather live alone.

The thing I'm struggling most with is the guilt. Ricci is almost 21, so still full of life, but I feel awful at the thought of giving her up when she's already lived most her life without stress and well cared for. She is currently out of work, we've had some battles with her feet, but I am confident that with consistent monthly trims, she will be sound again, at least for light, pleasure work. I do fear it will be difficult to find a home that will keep to this, though, and who would not work her too early as her lameness is currently very subtle.

Gracie is a tough mare that will require a very stern handler who won't be intimidated easily. She is a frustrating mare to work with, but once you figure her out, she is a joy to ride.

I just don't know. I'm not in a rush, and I would work 20 hours a day before I just give them to anybody. I also have no problem keeping them through winter as they would be hard to place now. There is also always the option of working more and pigeon-holing money, but then I worry about spending time with them. Maybe if I work my *** into the ground this winter, when they usually get time off anyway, I can make something work. I would also consider surrendering them to the humane society I work at. I could be sure of a good home that way, they would be cared for until rehoming, and worse case scenario, could be humanely euthanized if they couldn't find a home.

This is all very difficult to wrap my head around. I am currently 60/40 on selling. I'd love your input, give me all the options you can think of that would allow me to keep them, any good reasons not to sell, etc. Just be gentle, this is already a very sensitive and tender subject for me and I simply cannot handle any harsh criticism right now. Thanks in advance.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
See less See more
#2 ·
If you work at a rescue that would take them and place them, then I would do it if you are struggling. Horses are never easy. I was lucky, when I divorced my x and lost my house, I had an offer to keep my gelding on 300+ acres with an old mare and cows. He stayed there for three years and I just brought him home in April. I wasn't sure I was ever going to be able to, and tried to place him in a home, but finances got better and was able to keep him. If your at a place.to where you are struggling for yourself, I would def let the rescue find them good homes. I tried to give mine to a rescue last year and everything was full.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#3 ·
Well it's an animal shelter that takes horses, not a horse rescue. We don't turn any animal away, no matter what, but if we are full, the process is usually to euth the newly surrendered animals. I wouldn't surrender under those circumstances. Since I work there, I'll know how it is first.

I definitely have time to take on another job. A car and a second job go hand in hand already anyway.

Obviously, I have not made up my mind yet. I can see how working two jobs goes this winter and re-evaluate then. If it can offer me more financial stability, it may be workable.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#4 ·
Don't lose heart, RiccilOve - Out Of The Loop has said that she had her horse elsewhere for 3 yrs then brought him home! I am not extremely wealthy, and had not anticipated owning 2 horses, let alone being able to have them here at home. But somehow things managed to work out, and a shed is built,fencing up a year ago, hay/supplies at the ready , and they're in my loving care! Don't ever lose sight of the fact that God is in the miracle business :)
 
#8 ·
I'm not sure, Alex, I didn't think about it. Not sure why I would lose it though, my girls are in great shape. If they were thin, neglected, suffering, yes, but they aren't any of those things.

Cowgirl, I've thought about it, but Ricci isn't rideable right now [mare managed to get three abscesses and take out a chunk of hoof, le sigh] and Gracie is so young and still green, it would just be someone paying to train my horse. So it really isn't a workable option
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#9 ·
:/ well I was not much help then. For Ricci about about a theraputic school? Where kids/mentally/physically handicapped could brush/pet her. And her rehab people? As for the young one, you could offer her for sale after the people take her on trial for a week or two. Make sure the people truly like her. Give her every shot of getting a good home.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
  • Like
Reactions: MN Tigerstripes
#10 ·
You could free lease them, so the people wouldn't pay you, but they would be responsible for the care. You could probably find someone to do that for the younger horse. If it comes down to it and you really have to get rid of both of them, unless you free lease your older horse I personally believe the best option would be to euth before selling her. Unfortunately an unsound older horse does not attract the good buyers.
 
#11 ·
Ask around, we run cattle, and lease out our grass, and one year we got a call from a woman who wasn't financially stable, had 3 kids, single, and 4 horses. It was in the dead of winter, so selling them wasn't an option, so we said she could "lease" one of the pastures until she got back on her feet. That spring she got everything settled, and paid us a small amount, even though my dad hadn't planned on charging her anything. There's got to be someone around where you are who has some space, or you could lease them to the local 4H or PonyClub until you get things settled/.
 
#12 ·
I'm sorry you're having to consider this Ricci. I would agree that euthing Ricci is a better option than selling her, though a therapeutic riding center may be interested in her is she's sound for light riding. You should be able to find someone to free lease Gracie, if not selling her isn't a bad option, I would just put a lot of work into her until the spring and sell her then.

You're the only one who can decide whether or not it's feasible to keep your horses. I've been there before when I was in college, if not for a monetary gift Soda would have been sold. It was either that or not be able to pay for school or his feed. Sometimes loving them (and being responsible to yourself) means finding them a new home or euthing if they don't have a good chance.
 
#13 ·
Ricci would be great as a therapy horse, I have a few connections in that area too that I planned on using. She isn't an "old, lame horse," but she does need monthly good trims to stay sound. She's only lame right now from abscesses. She hasn't had the best of luck at this barn. I would not object to euthing as opposed to selling, but that isn't a decision I will make lightly. If I feel it can work out, I'd gladly keep her to live out her days as a pasture puff.

I can always try to free lease Gracie, but again, I'm not sure ill find anyone to start taking care of my horse and then continue training it. If she was further along that'd be different, and she's certainly a great pony for only a summer's worth if work, but I know I wouldn't want to free lease a horse, put all this work into training it, and then have the owner take if back. Not that those are my intentions, but I wouldn't expect anyone to believe that.

I do like the idea of setting up a trial for Gracie's sell. I'll be totally honest about her, but she's a tricky horse.

Either way, I would utilize all my horse connections before I even considered Craigslist. I have all winter to figure things out, and who knows, I may be able to make it work to keep them. My goal for next year is to gain as much financial freedom as possible. I will also be trying to start school if I can get financial aid.

As it is, my horses are very cheap, $75 a month per horse for 24/7 hay and board through winter, $50 in the summer. $60 a month to have Ricci trimmed every 4 weeks and Gracie every 8. It is only the worry of living on my own that is making me worry about them.

Ugh. I'm no closer to a decision now than I was yesterday.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#14 ·
Tbh it might be a good idea to work the heck out of Gracie this fall/winter, find her a good home in the spring and then keep Ricci. If you're able to keep your horses that inexpensively one isn't out of sight to afford. Then if you have a hard year, you can see if a therapy barn wants to use Ricci for awhile.. She seems like she'd be easier to lease/loan like that (as long as she's sound obviously) long term. Whereas Gracie seems like she'll need more long term work to get to that point.
 
#15 ·
Yeah, that's a good point. Hopefully I'll be able to pull off a car in November, it's a two mile walk to and from the barn to the bus stop and walking that much has been hurting my hip, the primary reason I haven't been getting to the barn as much as I wanted this summer.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#16 ·
Well. I have a bronco. Ill sell you cheap. Problem solved lol.
But on a serious note. What about a lease with option to buy. And what I mean by that is, if you can find some one to lease her 1/2/3 however many years. And at the end have the option to buy for x dollars. That way they wouldnt just dump their money in a horse with nothing to gain?
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#17 ·
I would feel much better offering someone a lease with buy option.

I'll pass on the Bronco, lol, but my work is selling an old Buick for cheap that I'll probably take. It'll get me through to better times and I can trade in and help add a little bit to a down payment, haha.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#18 ·
There ya go. Ive always had to buy me own vehicles. I just turned 24 and i have my bronco now and a 150. They are my 8th and 9th vehicle. I have had some beaters. But they served their purpose. Lol.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#19 ·
This will be my third car. First was given to me by my aunt, needed a $5 fix. Sold that to get a down payment for my truck, just finished paying that off when some redneck without insurance blew through a red light and totaled it, so I've been without a car since January. So this is by no means a "I'm 23 and am finally thinking that maybe I should get a car" situation, lol.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#20 ·
Ha. I wasnt implying that. Just saying that I understand the cost of buying a vehicle. Lol. I just bought the truck of my "right now dreams" a year ago. f150 lifted 4x4 a year ago. And my sister borrowed it to go to work in July. When she was on her way home, she was stopping for a car in front of her. And the guy behind her rear ended her doing 55. Totaled it. Luckily he had insurance. Cause i only carry the minimum. So very grateful for that. And it was still frustrating. So i could only imagine your frustration!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
  • Like
Reactions: riccil0ve
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top