Stubbed When it Comes to Selling a Horse for the Heck of It

[GrungeEquestrian]

I have always found it weird when people decide to sell their horse just because they can. I see it all the time at my barn and I find it weird. I can understand if they and the horse don't click, not the type of horse they want, not enough money, changing disciplines etc etc but just because?!:huh:

One of the boarders who is my age has a wonderful seasoned quarter horse gelding. She does hunter jumper with him and he was a western pleasure horse before she got him. He can do anything and is pretty much bomb proof, has good confirmation, no vices besides cripping if he doesn't have his collar on, and they are a good pair together. The other day she stated that someone was coming out to take a look at him. :eek: We were all like WHAT?? you are selling him?? She said she was and said she wanted a nice seasoned quarter horse gelding :huh:...which she already has and knows it.

I guess I am just narrow minded when it comes to selling horses, I would NEVER sell Trouble unless I couldn't afford her, or couldn't give her the time she deserved and she could be in a better person's hands. But selling a horse and wanting the same exact thing just seems a little nuts to me.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I agree, that doesn't make any sense.:huh: I can't imagine selling one of my horses 'just because'.

[JetLagaside]

People do odd things thats for sure :)

[JackieB]

It's just a completely different mindset, I think. Some people view horses the way that I might look at a dirt bike or automobile. Buy one, play with it, maybe fix it up, and then sell it and get another.

In our family, the animals are just as much "family members" as the humans. For example, all of our financial planning begins with how we can pay for the needs of all four of us (me, my wife, Buster, and Betsy). I'm not judging people with the other mindset, just saying that it's different.

When I hear somone say that I may have to get rid of my horse someday because I really don't have a way of knowing what financial difficulties might visit me, I hear it as a family with children would if they were told that they may have to give their kids up for adoption due to financial trouble. I suppose anything's possible, but it's pretty well unthinkable to me.

[livaward]

WOW!!!!!!!! Today Pearl is acting like a BEEEEEEEP and I just felt like selling her and getting a horse that doesn't have her mood swings.......She is my baby and just like anyone she has her off days

[Dakota Sunrise]

It's just a completely different mindset, I think. Some people view horses the way that I might look at a dirt bike or automobile. Buy one, play with it, maybe fix it up, and then sell it and get another.

In our family, the animals are just as much "family members" as the humans. For example, all of our financial planning begins with how we can pay for the needs of all four of us (me, my wife, Buster, and Betsy). I'm not judging people with the other mindset, just saying that it's different.

When I hear somone say that I may have to get rid of my horse someday because I really don't have a way of knowing what financial difficulties might visit me, I hear it as a family with children would if they were told that they may have to give their kids up for adoption due to financial trouble. I suppose anything's possible, but it's pretty well unthinkable to me.


Very well said, Jackie.:) I agree 100%

[GrungeEquestrian]

It's just a completely different mindset, I think. Some people view horses the way that I might look at a dirt bike or automobile. Buy one, play with it, maybe fix it up, and then sell it and get another.

In our family, the animals are just as much "family members" as the humans. For example, all of our financial planning begins with how we can pay for the needs of all four of us (me, my wife, Buster, and Betsy). I'm not judging people with the other mindset, just saying that it's different.

When I hear somone say that I may have to get rid of my horse someday because I really don't have a way of knowing what financial difficulties might visit me, I hear it as a family with children would if they were told that they may have to give their kids up for adoption due to financial trouble. I suppose anything's possible, but it's pretty well unthinkable to me.

very well put JackieB you always know how to word things. Yeah I guess since I see Trouble more of a member of the family than an car I couldn't imagine just selling her because there could be something better out there. The funny thing my dad acts like cars are also a member of the family :rolleyes: he is crazy, but he loves his cars and has his car from high school. But its nice my dad has also become attached to Trouble so we aren't going anyway without her..."when there is a will there's a way!"

WOW!!!!!!!! Today Pearl is acting like a BEEEEEEEP and I just felt like selling her and getting a horse that doesn't have her mood swings.......She is my baby and just like anyone she has her off days
those silly mares :p

Ands thanks Lizzy and JetLagaSide, I am glad I am not the only one who see's this as strange!

[Vegashorselady]

I don't get it either. It would break my heart to sell one of my horses. I have two turtles that I got as a kid (didn't know how long they would live:rolleyes:) and I can't even give them away!

[Miracle Whip]

I don't know. I like my horses and I enjoy riding them, and I have an awesome bond with the one mare. BUT, realistically, I never ride either horse enough and the husband does not get much out of them. Not everyone has the time, dedication, etc to visit a horse at a stable 3 - 4 times a week like they should. Would I, if I was boarding? I don't know. The only things you can do is work in the arena, and ride on any trails if the barn has a few, or trailer to where-ever you want to go.. That gets old after a while - arena work I mean. I would probably be looking for a new challenge myself, if I had an awesome do it all horse. Sometimes the satisfaction comes from growing WITH your horse. Taking on a younger horse and working with it.

When Ginger was younger I put a LOT more time into her. Now she can be left in the pasture for 2 - 3 weeks or longer and she is fine when and if I do ride. Unless I have a show, and the money to pay the entries etc, I have no reason to work with her. Sounds stupid I know, but I need a reason to ride. I enjoy riding, but I am a lazy old fart pure and simple. I hate it. I have to keep track on a calender when I do ride and set goals or I won't!!

[Remali]

I know a couple people who think nothing of selling their horses.....even their dogs....I think it is so sad....and a couple of these people have had so many horses and dogs that I can't even count how many they have bought and sold. It's like it is a hobby.....buying and selling....I feel bad for the animals.

[mare]

I can only guess about the person's reasons, but maybe, although she says she wants[I] a solidly broke horse, she really likes [I]making a well-broke horse. Maybe it's the challenge, physically and mentally, and the achievement of a goal.

I have bought and sold more horses than I can count over the years. For me, it is thrilling to help a horse become a calm, fit, useful partner, helping the horse develop talents they are made for and like, and then get them placed with a person who just thinks that horse is the greatest one in the world. For me it is very fulfilling to expand the horse world with more happy partnerships.

[GrungeEquestrian]

I can only guess about the person's reasons, but maybe, although she says she [i]wants[i] a solidly broke horse, she really likes making a well-broke horse. Maybe it's the challenge, physically and mentally, and the achievement of a goal.

Maybe I really don't think she has the experience to do so. The horse she has now I have known since she bought him last year. He is dead broke and sometimes she has issues on him, the thing I am worried about if she gets a less broke horse she is will try to do the same things with it. Not understanding that that horse isn't bomb proof.

[mare]

GE said, "Maybe I really don't think she has the experience to do so. The horse she has now I have known since she bought him last year. He is dead broke and sometimes she has issues on him, the thing I am worried about if she gets a less broke horse she is will try to do the same things with it. Not understanding that that horse isn't bomb proof."

Then that is a completely different situation. Hope she develops the skills you suspect are lacking before either she, or a horse, get hurt.

[Cat]

I guess I am taking this different then. If the horse she has is truely "dead broke" even a rank beginner shouldn't be having issues on him. Maybe he is not as broke as another horse could be. From your point of view he is dead broke, but from her less-experienced view, he is not as broke as she wants and is looking for a horse that she won't have those little issues with. There are older well-broke geldings out there that are angels no matter who is on their back.

[GrungeEquestrian]

I guess I am taking this different then. If the horse she has is truely "dead broke" even a rank beginner shouldn't be having issues on him. Maybe he is not as broke as another horse could be. From your point of view he is dead broke, but from her less-experienced view, he is not as broke as she wants and is looking for a horse that she won't have those little issues with. There are older well-broke geldings out there that are angels no matter who is on their back.

Yeah everyone's opinion on deadbroke is different, I never really thought of that Cat. She is a hunter/jumper and he is good with that, but when she is just riding him flat she gives him mixed signals and yanks on his mouth so he gets confused and she continues to yell at him.:( She is not my favorite person in the world and doesn't have much patients or experience in anything besides throwing a horse over a jump.

But Mare and Cat I talked to her today, and Mare you are right she has now decided she wants a younger Thoroughbred....an off track one...that will "pick up on her cues" :rolleyes: O boy is all I can say.

[mtnmollie]

I have bought and sold more horses than I can count over the years. For me, it is thrilling to help a horse become a calm, fit, useful partner, helping the horse develop talents they are made for and like, and then get them placed with a person who just thinks that horse is the greatest one in the world. For me it is very fulfilling to expand the horse world with more happy partnerships.

I was that way for a long time, and now I get to keep what i have.

[mtnmollie]

Yeah everyone's opinion on deadbroke is different, ..., and Mare you are right she has now decided she wants a younger Thoroughbred....an off track one...that will "pick up on her cues" :rolleyes: O boy is all I can say.

O boy.

[oursarge]

It's just a completely different mindset, I think. Some people view horses the way that I might look at a dirt bike or automobile. Buy one, play with it, maybe fix it up, and then sell it and get another.

In our family, the animals are just as much "family members" as the humans. For example, all of our financial planning begins with how we can pay for the needs of all four of us (me, my wife, Buster, and Betsy). I'm not judging people with the other mindset, just saying that it's different.

When I hear somone say that I may have to get rid of my horse someday because I really don't have a way of knowing what financial difficulties might visit me, I hear it as a family with children would if they were told that they may have to give their kids up for adoption due to financial trouble. I suppose anything's possible, but it's pretty well unthinkable to me.

That says it perfectly Jackie B. We don't have kids either and if the animals are here when we die they will be provided for. They are our family not just a play thing but I know plenty of people who think of them as play things.

I know one lady who had the perfect trail horse but she wanted something prettier [It's all about pretty to her, it can be the best horse in the world but if it's not pretty she has no interest] so she sold that one [I thought she was a pretty horse] and since has had 2 pretty whackjobs she can't take on the trails and she's always whining about it. She says how much she loves her horses but if the right $ amount comes along bye bye horsey.

Our mare is boarded at my friend's place. She buys and sells horses. Getting them from auction, fattening them up, fixing issues then sells them to good homes if she can find a home, it is exciting when that match happens. That's how we got our girl, she was a skinny girl from an auction. She's nice and fat and shiny now! A few different times people have come for a horse and wanted our mare. I probably could have gotten anything I wanted for her one day, the guy was asking me all about her, I thought he was just being curious. He wanted to buy her! I told him she's not for sale. When you say that they look at you like "Why not?" Same reason I wouldn't sell my mother [Well on bad days maybe I'd sell my mother!!!! No not really just joking!]! My friend and her famiy also have their own personal horses that are not for sale but she tries to help people who want a horse find one that will make them happy and the horse happy too.

A friend of mine was at a horse convention and her horse was doing demonstrations. she has an amazing horse. My horse is in love with him! Some man was so impressed he told her give him any figure she wanted for the horse and he'd pay it. She told him she doesn't sell family but thank you for admiring him!