Can I have a cyber hug? Just listed my homebred for sale.

[PhoenixFarm]

He’s perfect. Everything I wanted right down to the color. Big mover, fab jumper, huge galloper. When he was born he tried to come out upside down and backwards, and I had to reach in and right him. Did I mention I was 4 months pregnant and puking my guts out at the time?

But I’ve had to accept that due to my physical restrictions (among other things, cervical instability), I can’t ride the big moving, big jumping, big galloping horses anymore. It makes perfect sense to sell him. He’s way too nice of a horse to sit.

So why am I so damn sad? It’s breaking my heart.

Hugs please.

[Loopy]

I’ve got my perfect filly, right down to colour, and delivered her too, and I know EXACTLY how i’d be feeling if I were in your situation. I feel queasy even thinking about it.

Hugs. Lots of hugs

[horsetales]

I’ve got one of those listed. I love her, but a part of me knows she is not really what I need or be something I can effectively ride. As my friend says, the buyer needs a better vetting than the horse Hope you find her the perfect home where he is loved and appreciated.

[asterix]

I am so sorry! Big cyber hugs coming your way.
I don’t know if thinking about it this way is helpful. but you could break this down into – finding her the best home (which may take a while, but it is SO worth it, having lucked into a great home for my reluctantly-sold horse last year), and accepting the new reality for you as a rider that precipitated the decision. They are two very different challenges with different solutions.

Best of luck - finding her the right situation will be some comfort but it seems to me it is perfectly ok to grieve about this as much as you need to.

[yellowbritches]

Having sold a horse I adored and cherished with all my heart, I get it. Big hugs.

[CrowneDragon]

Any thought of keeping him and sending him to a good trainer for you to cheer on from the sidelines? I’d be just as heartbroken in your shoes.

[Zu_Zu]

This sounds good to one’s heart ````

This, CrowneDragon’s post sounds & feels good to one’s heart ~

[QUOTE=CrowneDragon;7452460]
Any thought of keeping her and sending her to a good trainer for you to cheer on from the sidelines? I’d be just as heartbroken in your shoes.[/QUOTE]

[jenm]

[QUOTE=CrowneDragon;7452460]
Any thought of keeping him and sending him to a good trainer for you to cheer on from the sidelines? I’d be just as heartbroken in your shoes.[/QUOTE]

The OP and her husband are fabulous trainers, so for her to write this post means a lot.

To PF:

Sending you many hugs. I have the utmost respect for you and your program and if I were looking for a new mount, I would have tons of confidence in any equine you guys have brought along.

You could get lucky and have a client interested in this gorgeous boy, you never know!

Fingers crossed for an ideal outcome for both of you.

[FlightCheck]

Sad for you…

[mkevent]

I am really sorry.

I will be selling my homebred too. I think it helps that he has been leased for the past year and a half and he is doing what he wants (which is not eventing). His rider loved him and they made a great team together.

I adore and completely trust the trainer and I know she will always do right by the horse, so it makes the decision easier knowing he is in good hands.

(((((((hugs)))))))

[bornfreenowexpensive]

So hard to sell the ones we love. Have you thought of syndicating instead? Finding a deserving rider that you think that you can work in partnership? That way you both make a little money but stay in involved with him? I’ve done it with one.

[Auburn]

I am sorry that you are having to go through this. I have worn your shoes, down to having to protect his head from squishing into the wall as he came into this world.

I agonized about my decision for almost a year, before I was ready to let him go. The same week that he went to a great home, I found Tess. She is the second heart horse that I have been honored to have in my life.

You are doing what is best for you and your horse. I wish that it was an easy choice to make. (((Hugs)))

[PhoenixFarm]

Thank you guys so much for the kind words, especially you jen, you are making me tear up.

bfne, would you mind sharing some details on how you syndicated yours? That is an avenue I’d consider, though I admit I figured it’d be something for a potential rider to put together, rather than me. I do have relationships with several riders I would trust/consider. If I had the finances, frankly, I’d send him back to Sharon White who I used to work for and let her compete him. She rode one of my other homebreds, and I trust her completely. But as a lowly trainer, it just isn’t in the financial cards.

My whole barn is sad about this–my working student cried, and one of my clients says when he sells we have to have a going away party. He’s such a puppy dog, everybody loves him.

Thanks for the love and support guys. I know it’s the RIGHT decision, it’s just not an easy one.

[gr8fulrider]

I’m so sorry, PhoenixFarm. Your love for him shines through every word.

As someone who had to give up some nice horses (and riding altogether for a couple of years) due to illness I know how it feels when the body says no way to what the heart wants.

If you don’t go the syndication route I hope you can find him a home with people who will stay in communication and that you can follow his career with pride.

In addition to your hug here’s another resource I like.

[Action42]

PF I’m so sorry. I just looked at his ad on your website and he’s lovely!

Chestnut, big mover, big jumper, right up my alley! If I could afford him I’d offer him a wonderful home.

Best of luck to you and to him. I know it’s hard to let them go.

[candyappy]

Been there , done that several times. I know you will wait for the perfect match for him. It is still hard but that makes it so much easier. HUGS.

[AmarachAcres]

My heart goes out to you. Maybe you can find one of those partnerships people have mentioned so he stays in your life.

[ambar]

Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.

[Fred]

I’m sorry too, PF. And I do understand, all too well.
A number of times I have waved cheerily as the trailer pulls down the drive, and cried my eyes out when they are around the bend.

As someone said already, there are two losses you are feeling - the loss of this lovely horse and changes in your own life, your self.

I know you will be sure to place him with the best possible person and cheer for him as he goes on in his life
It’s hard, hugs coming your way.

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=PhoenixFarm;7452145]
He’s perfect. Everything I wanted right down to the color. Big mover, fab jumper, huge galloper. When he was born he tried to come out upside down and backwards, and I had to reach in and right him. Did I mention I was 4 months pregnant and puking my guts out at the time?

But I’ve had to accept that due to my physical restrictions (among other things, cervical instability), I can’t ride the big moving, big jumping, big galloping horses anymore. It makes perfect sense to sell him. He’s way too nice of a horse to sit.

So why am I so damn sad? It’s breaking my heart.

Hugs please.[/QUOTE]

Think I’d have a hysterectomy and keep the horse! But only you know how you feel and what you’re comfortable riding. I passed up a gorgeous Hanoverian baby I foaled out for a friend two years ago; could have had her for a song, but she’s made for better things than goofing through the woods on the buckle. 20 years ago would have been a very different story!

All the best!