I think getting a horse for someone depends on the person. And it obviously depends on what you want to do.

I can't give you an answer if Jake would be a good gift.

 

it is a tough call... is she able to support the horse money wise? Will she have time for the colt? I guess you just have to ask yourself if you feel that you may regret it in a few months. But at the same time it may be a joy to hand over a colt with a big bow around his neck. Has her parents talked to you yet? That would be a nother step in the whole process (I would hate to upset the BO)

Sorry I cant be more help

 

well, did you want to use him for something for yourself?? how old is the bo's daughter...does she like him bc he is still a baby. or will she really use him for something???...kudos to you for rescuing them!!! personally, i would love to get a colt as a xmas present!!! but like mentioned b4 it depends on the person. good luck...follow ur heart!

 

I'd love one as a gift! ahaha

 

If the new owner would be able to train support and keep the colt I say why not.

I would have LOVED a colt for Christmas when I was younger. However I dont know if I necessarily would have been able to raise it and teach it everything it needs to know.

If you think it would be taken care of like you would want it to, go for it.
But a colt is much more of a christmas present investment than any other gift she's going to recieve =P

 

i got a pony once for a easter present. another time...my mom blind folded me and drove me around town and then we went back to my house and she walked me to the barn and there was a new horse there for me(a lease) but i loved it! and another time she did the same and she gave me a little filly. She even named her after me...her show name was Fallals Nicole aka Nikki. If you know he would be going to some one who would love and take care of him and treat him well since he was a rescue...then i would do it.

 

I think it'd be an awesome present. But I think it'd be a good idea to have a deal going in that if it doesn't work out (they don't click) you get the colt back. Unless she already knows the colt and has a good bond with it. It's good that you'd still be able to keep an eye as sounds as though he'll be staying at your place.

 

I think it's only a good idea if the recipient knows in advance. With something as important and long-term as a horse all parties need to know what they're getting into.

 

Personally I think that this totally depends on the person, age, experience level, ect. This isn't something to be taken lightly and deserves attention- Just my 2 cents, but does her daughter have as much interest and love for horses as her mom- that is the biggest question I guess....

 

I'm sure everyone's offered opinions on the situation itself, but I thought I'd throw this in the loop if it hasn't been mentioned... how would you feel if/when she sold Jake?

 

If the future owner had the time, money and experience to work and handle the colt then why not. One of the reasons I hate horse selling. I have thought about that option a few times. What IF someone came along and randomly offered a ridiculous amount of money for my horse? would I be willing to do it? to me on a financial basis it would change my life but am I willing to let my horse go? amd I willig to deal with the fact that I would lose all control over what happens to him after I do sell him?

What are your feelings and attachment on that one?

 

Do you wish to keep him? Is your colt for sale?

 

I guess if she sold him I would be indiferent. I mean, sure I love the little guy, but if I bought/took every horse I liked...well, there would be ALOT less room! And a bigger barn. And less room. And a bigger barn. and....well, you get the idea.

The colt is not for sale, just because he isn't weaned yet. In the future I did plan on selling him anyways though.

I rescued Jake's mom, it was kind of a package deal. Not that I didn't want him, but he wasn't the direct reason for the aquizition.

 

im pretty new to horses...but I did wanna add that someone very close to me wants to buy a colt. She doesnt have any training experience whatsoever and I feel strongly that if she gets one....it isnt gonna turn out well. She is romancing the idea of starting out with a baby and training it and having a really really close bond with it cause you started out with it as a baby and it would have spent its whole life with her. Could this be the case with this mother for her daughter? Also...dont we all like horses for different reasons (color, size, temperment, personality...etc.)

 

If you were thinking of selling him anyway from the very beginning, I would say go for it because at least this way you'll still be able to see Jake since he'll be at the barn you're currently at. BUT.. You didn't mention if she wanted to buy the colt for herself, or as a gift for someone else. Perhaps her father or mother expressed an interest in Jake privately to her in passing and she thought the colt would make a nice Christmas present. So, is she wanting to buy it for herself or for someone else? Also, how old is this girl/woman?

 

As far as able to work with a colt, Katy is willing and able. I don't know this for a fact, but I'm certain it's for herself - she mentioned how much she liked him, and was asking if he was named already (she had a name picked out already).

Plus - there is a bonus - since Jake is at the barn - I can still work with him too.

Katy will be 17 next week.

 

Since she is still only 17 I would talk to her parents - the barn owners - to see how they would feel about their daughter purchasing the colt. I know I wouldn't want my son to purchase a colt or filly without my knowledge or approval. In some states you cannot sell an animal to a minor, only to their legal guardians. After all, if for some reason the daughter can't afford to take care of Jake (emergency vet bill) then he would become the parent's ultimate responsibility to cover those costs. Regardless of whether she is 17 or not, she is still legally a child so I would definitely, definitely speak to the parents about it and only sell Jake if the parents approve. Who knows - maybe the parents would want to purchase Jake as a Christmas present for her

 

I'm still not clear about the situation. Would aty be aware that she was getting the horse as a present?

I absolutely think it shouldn't come as a surprise on Christmas Day. She should have input on this as well for such a huge and personal commitment. After all, if she has the option of getting a horse for Christmas she may want something different.

 

I have already spoken with Dad (BO) and he is all for it (kind of let down....l think he wanted Jake...)

It would be a surprize, but at the same time she would be aware of it. You see she asked me if she could buy him. I told her I would think about it. Well, now I have told her that I wanst quite sure I wanted to sell him, and would rather keep him (so she THINKS I won't let Jake go.....that's where the surprize part comes in). Dad is aware of the situation, and is helping set the stage.

Places everyone...and.....ACTION!

 

I'm still not entirely comfortable with it. She said she'd like him, sure, but if she's given the option of a horse as a present would she want something else? Has she indicated that she truly is ready and willing for this horse? I really think high-commitment gifts such as animals should only be given when the recipient is fully aware of what they will be getting into.

 

Sounds like a good idea to me. You have a built in Plan B since Dad was thinking about him too; that way if daughter looses interest or needs help, Dad steps in.

 

That is kinda a back up plan, yes... and I'll still be around too, so in ANY instance - he'll be taken care of.

Katy is definatly capable of caring for him. She had interest in him when we got him. I thought the "novelty" would wear off, and it hasn't, so this isn't an infatuation that was conjured up overnight or whatnot. I was mulling this topic over the past few days - and since Jake will be staying at the barn, I feel more comfortable than if I outright sold him. Atleast I know he's going to(well, staying at) a good home now.