|
|
 Expert
Posts: 1432
  
Location: Never in one place long | Over the years I have downsized and currently only have 2 horses (one barrel horse) which I rarely ride, I have become busy with other things and plan in the next year to do some major traveling.. I'm debating selling him or trying to keep him but he's 17 and only getting older.. an AWESOME horse I should add.. I don't know what to do.. sell him to someone who will use him or keep him only running him a few times a year.. I'm worried if I do sell I might not be able to find one as nice as him when I decide to get back into horses but I don't see that happening for about 2-3 years until I'm done traveling the world... Anyone have any insight or advice?
Edited by DLV 2016-06-14 3:23 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: NE Texas | DLV - 2016-06-14 2:50 PM
Over the years I have downsized and currently only have 2 horses (one barrel horse) which I rarely ride, I have become busy with other things and plan in the next year to do some major traveling.. I'm debating selling him or trying to keep him but he's 17 and only getting older.. an AWESOME horse I should add.. I don't know what to do.. sell him to someone who will use him or keep him only running him a few times a year.. I'm worried if I do sell I might not be able to find one as nice as him when I decide to get back into horses but I don't see that happening for about 2-3 years until I'm done traveling the world... Anyone has any insight or advice?
think you're going to have to make this decision yourself..... if you think you will get back into horses or even want to ride, keep him. If not - find someone that will take care of him and give him a job. Make up your mind. :-p |
|
| |
|
Location: NE Texas | reese_tx - 2016-06-14 3:06 PM
DLV - 2016-06-14 2:50 PM
Over the years I have downsized and currently only have 2 horses (one barrel horse) which I rarely ride, I have become busy with other things and plan in the next year to do some major traveling.. I'm debating selling him or trying to keep him but he's 17 and only getting older.. an AWESOME horse I should add.. I don't know what to do.. sell him to someone who will use him or keep him only running him a few times a year.. I'm worried if I do sell I might not be able to find one as nice as him when I decide to get back into horses but I don't see that happening for about 2-3 years until I'm done traveling the world... Anyone has any insight or advice?
think you're going to have to make this decision yourself..... if you think you will get back into horses or even want to ride, keep him. If not - find someone that will take care of him and give him a job. Make up your mind. :-p
possibly lease him out on a yearly basis until you decide if you find someone you trust that wants to lease? Family friend or any kids around that will use him and trade for work/feed? Lots of options. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I would sell.
The constant hassle and stress of making sure you have someone to take care of him while you're gone would take some of the fun out of travelling. Lease? Just do a search on this forum to see enough horror stories to last you a lifetime.
By the time you're done travelling he'll be in his 20's. Not to say that plenty of horses in their 20's aren't competitive, but generally the ones that have been a pasture ornament for a few years don't come back nearly as easily as they get older.
When you decide to get back into it, just expect that finding the right horse will take some time. You're probably not going to find it right off the bat, but there's plenty of good ones out there. With patience you can definitely find it. |
|
| |
|
 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I would sell. If you are planning on traveling the world for a few years he will be 20-21 when you get back anyway, and you may find that you want to start fresh with something new. If it makes you sick inside to think of you not being his owner, then keep him. If you feel OK with it that you can find him a new home, then sell. |
|
| |
|
 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| I have sold everything to travel the country. My barrel horse was 19 at the time.
I didn't want to put that on someone else while I was out gallivanting around.
I kept one saddle and a 2 horse bumper pull just in case...
A year later I was back into horses full force and have zero desire to up and leave.  |
|
| |
|
 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | do what you feel is right |
|
| |
|
Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | What are your intensions on horse numbrr two????? |
|
| |
|
 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I'm in the same boat. I have only ridden a handful of times because of a medical issue so here I am feeding a 24 year old horse and if I had a crystal ball I would have sold him when he was around 17 but now he is my responsibility until he dies. Really messes up traveling when you have to try to find someone to take care of your horse. |
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | A horse his age, put on the back burner for a few years will not bounce back to what he once was. I vote sell him to a kid that will use him and appreciate what he has to offer. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | jake16 - 2016-06-14 5:55 PM
What are your intensions on horse numbrr two?????
She is a 5yr palamino grade Kill pen horse I broke out, I bought her just to have a project and save her. I never intended to keep her long term either so she is for sale also. :) |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 135
Location: louisiana | I was in this same predicament last year, mine was 13 and I was deciding to go back to school and wasn't going to have time to do anything, he was just going to be a pasture ornament. I made the tough decision to sell him so he could continue to do what he loved because in all reality by the time I would graduate he would be getting older and I wouldn't want him to have to endure the long trips in the trailer etc. but I did end up finding him a great owner that spoils him more than I did. |
|
| |
|
"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | I would sell. You don't want to see this horse through his old age if you don't have to. Make every effort to find a wonderful home.
|
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 286
| Lol traveling is very over rated
Keep your beloved horse. U owe him that.
A good horse is as hard to find as a good man.
 |
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I've got a few that I would sell this instant, even though I'm not considering international travel for years...
...but, I have a handful that will die with me. I owe that to them, because they've given me everything they have and always tried to be good horses. They're family.
If he's family, pay for a reputable barn or trainer for his care while you're gone. I recommend a good rehab facility, like ANHA in Oklahoma or similar.
If he's not family, sell him. The same goes for your mare. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 890
| DLV - 2016-06-14 2:50 PM
Over the years I have downsized and currently only have 2 horses (one barrel horse) which I rarely ride, I have become busy with other things and plan in the next year to do some major traveling.. I'm debating selling him or trying to keep him but he's 17 and only getting older.. an AWESOME horse I should add.. I don't know what to do.. sell him to someone who will use him or keep him only running him a few times a year.. I'm worried if I do sell I might not be able to find one as nice as him when I decide to get back into horses but I don't see that happening for about 2-3 years until I'm done traveling the world... Anyone have any insight or advice?
Pray. That's all I know to say. God will tell you. I am in the same delema with my breeding program & competing again. So I pray & I believe God will tell me what I need to do. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | okhorselover - 2016-06-15 9:06 PM DLV - 2016-06-14 2:50 PM Over the years I have downsized and currently only have 2 horses (one barrel horse) which I rarely ride, I have become busy with other things and plan in the next year to do some major traveling.. I'm debating selling him or trying to keep him but he's 17 and only getting older.. an AWESOME horse I should add.. I don't know what to do.. sell him to someone who will use him or keep him only running him a few times a year.. I'm worried if I do sell I might not be able to find one as nice as him when I decide to get back into horses but I don't see that happening for about 2-3 years until I'm done traveling the world... Anyone have any insight or advice? Pray. That's all I know to say. God will tell you. I am in the same delema with my breeding program & competing again. So I pray & I believe God will tell me what I need to do.
I too, find myself praying for the very same reasons as you. Traveling. We're out of the states for 2 months this year and currently booking a trip for early next year. I have a horse that can be competitive and hate that I have no real time for him. I also have three very nice two year olds that are getting placed on the back burner. I've thought about leasing the good horse and outright selling the colts but I love breaking so my new goal is 30 days on the babies and pray what to do with them during the process.
PS I've not had any problems leasing my good horses in the past. Except... hearing my horse was on the back of the stock trailer in the big lower stall next to the broncs got a little under my skin. But hey, he helped get a gal to the finals and seemed fresh while he was out on the road. He was one that could make little girls dreams come true I should have sold him when he was in his mid 20's so that he could do what he loved and not have a half!@# ranch job part of the time.
Putting the horses first is what I want to do in my heart but I've not really been able to do that with the job I've kept for the last decade. Now with wanting to travel I find myself looking at the calendar and moving breeding dates for stock and horses all over the place. I thought about selling all the horses but as soon as I would they would put a ban on travel to the area's hubby and I are wanting to go to.
Pray the right decision falls on your heart and mind. |
|
| |
Folks on-line