Tough choices

So.....I really want to get another H/J prospect. But I have 2 horses and 1 pony and I think my husband would shoot me if I got another. I wont sell Aidan, I just wont...had him to dang long and love him to dang much. The pony isn't an option she's awesome for the kids. That leaves poor Sonata whom I adore but I worry because she's so small and I haven't really caught onto the idea of getting into reining or cutting which I think she'd do better at then the stuff I like to do.

I just don't know how to really make the decision to go ahead with it. Part of me wants to watch her grow up into whatever it is she will become. She's an awesome little horse and has a great personality.

I have never had to make the choice to sell. My pony died when I was a kid, my first horse we were forced to sell when we moved (parents did that), retired my old jumper and just found him a retirement home but didn't sell him. Part of me feels like I will have just given up on Sonata :( I did buy her as a project just to play with and see what happened and I am proud of where she is. I guess it's just hard to let go.

It's always hard to sell a horse that you have grown fond of. I've had to do it one time, and I swore that I would never do it again. It was sad, but after some time I was happy that I made the decision. She was older and needed a home where she could roam on pasture, not be stabled in a barn day in and day out.

The best thing to do is make sure to choose the next owner by the way that they act around the horse. If you have ideas for another project and this horse seems like she would be better in a different discipline I bet that she would make someone in that disclipline very, very happy.

It's ultimately your choice. I'm here to listen and to talk if you need it. Horses are our best friends. I can guarantee you that it doesn't seem to me like you're trying to give up on your friend. You see her potential and you're willing to see her go through with it. (: Most days people stay in contact with previous owners. I know I stay in touch with the previous owner of my NSH. I send her pictures all the time.

Whatever your decision, your girl is lucky to have a caring owner like you. <3

If you truly feel that she is best suited for something you do not have an inclination to pursue, I think you should consider you would be doing you both a good turn by allowing her to go to a place where she can grow and develop into what you feel she can be.

Ive been trying to figure out how to word this for the past 10min or so. But IMO, if she is not what you are looking for in a horse than you need to do what is best for both you and her. IMO, life is too short to have something that is not suited for what you are looking for.


Good Luck, and keep us updated! I know it can't be an easy decision!

I really do appreciate ya'lls advice and I couldn't agree more csimkunas.

I spose this will be what it's like when my kids go off to college LOL!! I am still on the fence, going to enjoy her for a bit more. Have a lady I would LOVE to sell her to, who's a fantastic person and would give her a great home and we're going to ride together this weekend. She would just have to ship her to her new home so she has to decide if she wants to do that and it gives me time to think to. Certainly not something I am going to rush...but I do feel like my ultimate decision will be for us both to move on.

I have actually sold Sonata....to a wonderful woman who rides at the barn that I work at. The best part is that she is moving her to the barn and I will get to see her for 5 more months till her husband gets out of the MC and they will move. But she is going to be moving to within a couple hours drive of my Mom's town so I can go see her whenever!

I applied to New Vocations in hopes of adopting one of their thoroughbreds. I am still waiting on my approval and excited to see new horses listed!

This all couldn't of been more perfectly timed.

Congratulations. I think this will be a great stepping stone in your horse adventures. Glad she's going to a person that you have seen interact with horses. Makes the stress of selling much easier...

Congrats CB!!! I know it was probably a hard decision, but I am so happy for you that you found a place that works for both of you!! Look forward to hearing stories, and adventures of your hopefully new horse

Congratulations!! I know how you feel. It's tough. My favorite mare got a stifle injury so I can't use her for what I want. Instead of selling I free leased her to a gentleman that oversees therapy riding. She's happy, he's happy, I'm happy.

Fingers and toes crossed NV gets your application approved soon and you find your horse!!!

Thank you all for the encouraging words. It has felt so right and the process has been very fluid between the two of us. It's just icing on the cake I get to continue to see her for a while :)

I am so nervous about NV and I know they have had a bit of difficulty reaching one of my contacts because they were out of their home do to some remodeling. But hopefully I will hear from them soon. If that doesn't work I will be actively seeking one on the CANTER site. I still remember my OTTB from my teens who I had to help bring along and what an awesome partner he was :)