WWYD - selling the not in work horse

[CHT]

I recently had a traumatic riding injury on a client’s horse. I cannot walk, much less ride anytime soon, and it will be a long time before I jump again. I really doubt I will ever compete over fences again. Meanwhile I have a big goof of a horse that I had started really progressing with under an eventing coach. He is a talented and forgiving horse (not a big time horse, but some ammy would likely love his easy gaits and lack of shenanigans). Unfortunately he hasn’t shown, and I have no useful video. He is 8. I don’t have a client really suited to riding him. He is tall and pretty.

I think I should sell him. I could send him to be sold on commission and found three people that are close by. One charges $1000+ a month plus 10% but the other two have yet to give prices. I know “of” two of them.

Do you think it is worth putting feelers out first seeing if anyone is looking for such a horse that would take a risk with a lease to own ? Being generic enough with the ad to not mess things up if I go the commission sales route?

I have two other, smaller, less sellable horses I can ride when I am better. And I feel guilty every time I go out, and this muffin comes running over to see me…and I can’t even brush him or take him for a walk.

Alternatively I could keep him until I can at least flat on him and try to sell him then. Money isn’t really an issue.

Thoughts?

Edited to add: price wise thinking high fours low fives. Would like his custom saddle and blankets to go with him.

[vxf111]

I would only do a lease to own to someone very local and very known to you. I don’t think it hurts to put out feelers to see if someone wants a horse “as is” but I personally wouldn’t even mention lease to own. Just be honest about the situation. When they come out to try him, see how it goes and decide from there. In this market, a buyer will very likely take a chance on a well represented out of work horse from an honest seller even without bells and whistles video and a trial period. It’s a seller’s market and your horse sounds like what many buyers want for an under market price.

I hope you feel better and recover well.

[skydy]

No advice to give but hope you get well soon.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I’m jingling for you.

I hope you find a good buyer for your horse.

[Moon_River]

My first instinct is that selling him now while you’re in shock and really don’t know how things are going to progress is the wrong move. Selling him in the spring might be right for you, but generally in life it’s not ideal to make massive decisions when your world has just been rocked to the core. If you can let him sit over the winter, or know of someone that can keep him ticking over, I would look at doing that.

If you feel that selling now is what you want to do, can your eventing coach network him for you as is? If he goes out to be sold as you’re investigating now will he be able to command a higher price because of who is selling him than he would being sold from home, and will that make the fees a reasonable investment?

I am so sorry this has happened to you.

[NaturallyHappy]

This^^^

[vxf111]

I agree with the others who say “maybe wait for life to settle down a bit before making a major decision.” My advice was only how to handle the issue of selling him now, as is, assuming you decide to. I agree that maybe it’s not the best time to make a big decision and that waiting a bit won’t really hurt.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I’m so sorry to learn of your injury. I’ve always enjoyed your posts and perspective.

I know this may be a silly question, but have you any interest in competing in dressage if jumping is the issue and he is trained as an eventer?

I agree with other posters you may need time to rethink, unless you’re very committed to the decision. It would be one thing if you already had a buyer but is there a reason to sell him now, other than getting him off the feed bill?

[Warmblood1]

Hey, don’t sell yourself short. It sounds like you have a nice horse. The market is hot and you don’t need a world class sales ad to bring in what you are asking. Basic sound, broke horses are in that price range.

If I were you, I would get some quality pictures and get the best video you can of at least his movement at all three gaits and free jumping (since he is geared towards that) and ideally video under saddle if someone can ride. List him for sale, asking what you would ideally like to get. Don’t sell yourself short and don’t under price. A quality ammy horse will sell, prospects, too.

If that doesn’t work, send him to someone who has a good reputation and who can help you get better quality videos of him being ridden. Someone that ideally sells ammy horses or prospects. You don’t have to market him specifically for eventing - if he has a good brain he could go a lot of directions but if he’s a stellar eventing prospect, then push that. Just don’t corner yourself in a certain market.

I’m the type that is brutally honest about a horse and is reasonable IRT to price if there are flaws. BUT, I often under sell and cut myself short. I’ve noticed many other sellers who are better at selling than I am because they do not under cut prices, trust that people will recognize quality and are willing to put the sales ads out there.

I also agree that maybe give it some time before selling, but am the first to say that life is too short to ride the wrong horse and you should do what you feel is best. The horse can find another fantastic home, you don’t have to keep them forever out of guilt, obligation, etc.

[Fiesta01]

I vote with everyone saying to hold on to him. Since money is no object, keep him until you’re up and about again. With the emotional rollercoaster you’re on, it’s impossible to know how you’ll feel when you’ve recuperated.

He sounds like a sweetie. Who knows, you may want to go into dressage with him, or possibly even jump again. This isn’t the horse who injured you jumping, so I wouldn’t rule that out totally either.

Most of all, concentrate on your recovery. We’re here for you. Massive jingles continuing to head your way.

ETA: BTW, what is “Goofy’s” name? I always feel closer to COTHer equines when I know their names.

[paw]

I, too, would look for someone who might be interested in keeping him legged up (whether that’s a formal lease or not) at least for the moment, rather than selling a horse you’re attached to, if money’s not an object.

Hope your journey back to the saddle is speedy!

[Renn_aissance]

For another option… my sister is an amateur. She can’t afford to buy in this market. She has recently picked up a mutually-satisfactory arrangement on a lease of a horse who had been a fat, out of work, pasture puff who needed maintenance to be put back in work. (Owner off to college, owner’s family was fine with retiring the horse if they couldn’t find someone to lease him.) She has taken on his maintenance and the lease fee reflects that she is putting him back into work and putting current value into him. Meanwhile, she has the advantage of riding a very nice horse who would otherwise have been above her means, once she puts a few months of fitness and flatwork back on him. If the owner comes back from college and still wants to ride, then the family has a horse who has been well-cared-for and kept fit for her. If not, then they have a horse who has current life skills, and that is always a safer option for any horse.

Does your coach know of someone, or know someone who knows of someone, who might be interested in such a lease? You clearly like this horse, and you deserve to have a good egg when you’re back in the saddle.

I’m sorry about your injury, and I hope that your recovery is as uncomplicated as possible!

[2bayboys]

I’m so very sorry about your injury.

If you’re committed to selling now I would pay someone to ride him just to get decent videos of his movement and jumping potential. Then price him accordingly as a nice prospect without a show record and be upfront about his circumstances. But at least you’ll have the videos in hand if you get a serious buyer.

[CHT]

I have decided to advertise for lease/lease to own for now. A lease would have to go to a barn/coach I trust. Advertising him this way seems safe…can be more picky about where he goes (If I get interest)

“My” coach is an eventer, but he is not. I mean, maybe he could be, but I am not. I feel his nostrils are too small to be an eventer (which I know sounds stupid, but he has tiny nostril) I have talked to her and she thought she might have someone, but wasn’t sure on price…but the price I gave isn’t much more than what people are asking for straight off the track horses.

He could be a fine dressage horse, but he isn’t a “fancy” big mover, and I think he prefers jumping. He would probably love working equitation too.

I get what people are saying about not acting rashly, but even before this I was struggling with neurological issues, and was already questioning if will have it in me to compete over fences. ( I think the poor judgement that got me hurt was a symptom of my neuro issues. I made a similar stupid mistake this spring).

He is a very cool horse and this is just hard.

I still have two mares - dressage trained nut and fun pony - to ride when I get better. Pony is to be a lesson horse.

[NaturallyHappy]

My very best wishes to you…

[luvmyhackney]

Personally, if money wasn’t an option, I would put him training for 2-3 months and make a decision when you don’t feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster.

So sorry about your injury, but don’t sell yourself short this early.

[Jackie_Cochran]

@CHT

I get what people are saying about not acting rashly, but even before this I was struggling with neurological issues, and was already questioning if will have it in me to compete over fences. ( I think the poor judgement that got me hurt was a symptom of my neuro issues. I made a similar stupid mistake this spring).

I have a neuro issue, MS.

After 2 years of lessons I came to the conclusion that I can no longer jump, as much for the horse as for me. I talked about it with my teacher, she said that in an emergency I could probably stay on over a 2’ jump but agreed with me that it would not be pretty or safe for me.

I used to jump 3’6" decades ago. I miss jumping but right now it would just be too scary since my MS has royally messed up my balance and a nerve somewhere to a muscle in front of my spine that used to work no longer works, it is as if that nerve never existed, its just not “there” for me any more.

I am glad that you have your mares to ride when you recover.

[CHT]

I am sorry to read about your MS. You may understand why I don’t want the temptation/pain of having a decent jumping horse though. Having just “fun” horses will hopefully keep me out of trouble.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I no longer own horses. I am riding lesson horses now, it just seemed safer to me. At least lesson horses may get some of their ya-yas out under other riders, but since I am heavier than a young child (and some of the lesson horses give me their opinions about this) they sort of just want to trudge along when I ride them.

[vxf111]

Could your coach put a couple weeks of work into the horse and get you some videos in the process?