[horseluver250]

I have been offered my sister's old gelding and am debating on taking him. She really needs to move him and her other gelding, so it would be a favor to her as well.
It came at a really funny time I had just posted "terrified of riding" http://www.horseforum.com/horse-talk/terrified-riding-49470/#post572816 a few days ago, she had texted me that night to take him. Only catch is that I have to help find a place for her other gelding.

The horse is either 21 or 22 I forget, we've had him in the family since he was 4. A solid paint, 15.1 hands. I used him in pony club and fox hunted him when my sister was at college. Hes the horse I used to jump bareback, we'd ride him double, pony my old mare off him. He really hasn't been ridden much since I moved away years ago, probably trail ridden 5 times a year at the most for the last couple years. He has his quirks, but I know them, and its nothin dangerous - little things like you can't cross tie him or he likes to prance on the trail and make loud snorting noises (sounds like the raptors on jerrasic park). I do have the room to keep him at our place so thats not a huge issue.
I guess the only thing that is holding me back is my own gelding. I wouldn't have the time for the 2 of them, plus its a bit of a stretch for me to buy hay, farrier, shots, etc for 2 horses in the winter months. If you read my "terrifed" post you will know I haven't really ridden him much anyways. I do like him, hes like a huge dog on the ground, I just dred getting on him. I could either keep attempting to ride him, lease him, sell him - He did come with a buy back clause with the old owner. I'm a bit hung up on selling another horse, I've tried 4 horses in the last couple years (one was just a lease). 2 horses I bought were NOTHING the owner said, quiet beginner safe horses that reared and spooked at everything ha.

Anyways, what I am really just looking for is your thoughts? I've been thinking it over the last couple days and just keep going back and forth. I don't have to make a decision right away, I can financially keep both horses here for the summer if I choose to. We wouldn't take my sister's gelding right away either, its a 5 hour drive and we have a trip planned for April for wedding meetings and such.
And I appologize, I just realized this got so long - thanks in advance to those that got through reading it all!!

 

[MN Tigerstripes]

I would take your sisters gelding and use him to help get your confidence back. On the upside you're giving a good home to an older horse that's been with your family for many years (that has to feel good).

Since you can keep both horses over the summer without an issue I would look into finding someone to lease your gelding. Even if they just pay for expenses (feed, farrier, vet). Then you would have someone to ride with too. It could be a win-win situation for all parties (you, leasee, and the two horses).

 

[iridehorses]

To me, it's a no brainer. I'm not the type to keep a horse that isn't going to work out for me. Horses require too much work and money to keep one that I'm not going to ride. There may be another time to own a horse like him but this isn't it.

If I were in your place, I would contact the old owner and make the arrangements to have him bought back under the agreement you had (though I would not be surprised if that offer doesn't apply any longer). I would then have the paint tuned up so that he gets into the grove of riding again. As for your sister's second gelding, I would work on getting a place for him.

 

[horseluver250]

I should have mentioned too that if I did lease my gelding, it couldn't be here. We don't own the property and don't have insurance for someone else to ride here. And I do have my finace to ride with (working on selling his cutting gelding at the moment to get a trail horse).
And I am pretty sure the old owners would take him back, they bred and raised him and are quite fond of him.

 

[MN Tigerstripes]

Ahhh. Ok then what Iridehorses said. As for your gelding it really is better for him to go back (or anywhere really) where he will be ridden more often. Then you'll have a horse you feel comfortable on.

 

[horseluver250]

Well I'm not sure if I will be taking my sister's gelding, shes kinda changed her mind at the moment and isn't sure what she wants with him, oh well we'll see. But I just got off the phone with my TB's owner, she wants him back, wasn't mad or anything that he wasn't working out for me. I was soo nervous calling her, but its a huge weight off my chest. I've been just stressing about it so long that hes not working, its been making me sick. Shes calling me back friday after they take some of their horses back to the track and have room in their privates stables.
So I am temporarily going to be horseless. However, I am about to hop my my future mother in laws horse in a couple minutes. Hes 20 something and just hangs our in our field, so I thought why not? Hes not sound for anything more than a short slow walk, but as nervous as I am to get on, thats just fine with me!!