Would you sell him?

[anewjourney]

I bought a horse a few months ago and have just found out I’m pregnant.

I’ve been bringing him on but he can be incredibly difficult to handle. He has a habit of tanking off both on the ground and under saddle. He is a born fatty and has been on a crash course diet since we’ve had him.

If he was the type who would do OK being turned away to pasture for a year or so I wouldn’t think twice, but chances are, he’s going to end up obese and/or get laminitis.

My concern is that he’s not the type of horse I’m realistically going to want to be around or ride once I’m further along or have had the baby. He hasn’t even been out on the roads yet so it’s not as if I would be able to plonk myself on and go for a nice hack.

He’s going to need a lot more schooling and life experience - something I thought I would be doing myself! (We were TTC but had no idea it would happen so quickly)

Can I ask WWYD here?

My head says find him a home where he’ll be used and enjoyed, put the money towards baby fund and see how I feel about horses once the baby is a bit older. But my heart says I don’t want to say goodbye to my gorgeous boy!

[Goldmandra]

Could you offer him up for loan as a non-novice ride that needs bringing on? Then you could see how he's going after the baby arrives.

[RiseToday]

He doesn't sound particularly desirable to be honest - tanking off in hand and under saddle is dangerous and he would need someone very experienced to take him on.

How old is he? breed? What is his history?

It will be an absolute nightmare trying to deal with a horse like this whilst being pregnant and once the baby arrives, you'll be knackered, stressed and more than likely won't want the hassle.

If he's sellable and not to someone with vastly overinflated views of their own ability then I would sell on. He needs consistency and a good education and unfortunately that just isn't possible whilst being pregnant. I mean you could do ground work with him, but if he's an arse then there is no sense putting yourself in danger.

[RiseToday]

Is he a Welshie by any chance!?

[anewjourney]

Gold I did think about doing that but TBH no one in their right mind would take him as a share or loan. He’s not nasty but he could be dangerous or cause real carnage if he wanted to.

Rise Thank you for the honesty. I do need to hear it. I’ve had horses for 16 years and my OH works with racers and TBH he’s a handful even for us when he feels like it. He’s a very sweet boy but can also be a real tricky customer.

He’s the type of horse who needs to be hunting and in hard work I think. My plan was to bring him on to do hunter trials and SJ with but that obviously won’t be happening now!

He’s a 14.2, 8 year old Welsh, built like an absolute tank!

[Goldmandra]

I and lots of other people I know became surprisingly risk-averse once we had children. The responsibility feel huge.

I think, given your latest update, you should sell him and look at buying a horse that suits how you feel once your baby has arrived and you feel ready to get back in the saddle.

[RiseToday]

I suspected he was Welsh. I've had a few of the buggers myself over the years and they are fab, but quirky.

Can he jump? Has he done much? Just wondering how sellable he is, realistically?

[anewjourney]

Lol Rise. They can be real wotsits can’t they?

Gold he is a cracking jumper but I haven’t done much with him at all as I was focusing on his flatwork. What you have said about becoming risk adverse is really what I thought may happen and even now I can’t see myself wanting to get on him afterwards. Especially after he’s had another year or so off.

[DontbouncelikeIdid]

Can your OH take on schooling him to get him to a point where he can be sold? I guess it depends on how big he is if the pony is only 14.2hh. Otherwise can you afford to send him somewhere to be brought on and sold? It does sound like he'd be tricky to sell as he is, but you can't realistically keep him.

[Lordasriel]

I’d sell him. However, it’s not a great time of year to sell. Can you hang on til Spring?

[QuestionableMouse]

If you're in a good hunting area and he is well behaved while hunting, could you offer him as a staff horse? Or offer him on loan for the winter?

He needs the barging off sorting. What do you use on him?

[anewjourney]

Dont He doesn’t have time if I’m honest. It’s his own yard and he usually has around 18 horses to look after on his own so he doesn’t get much downtime!

Lord Yep, I’m not in a rush to sell. He’s kept at home anyway (OH’s yard is on site) so he’s not costing me anything.

Questionable In the school a snaffle, he’s perfectly fine in that as long as you stay very relaxed with him. For fieldwork he’s in a French link two ring gag (which is where he’ll try to pee off with you if he thinks he can). He is slowly improving and as of late I’ve had some nice, calm schooling sessions in the open, but like I say he’s very much a work in progress.

His ground manners have improved and he no longer does stupid things like barge you to run out the stable, but again he’s going to need consistency that I won’t be able to give him.

I’ve probably made him sound like a nightmare and he really isn’t. He’s just green, spooky and very strong physically!

[Goldmandra]

I’ve probably made him sound like a nightmare and he really isn’t. He’s just green, spooky and very strong physically!

Some of them don't seem to have received the memo about not being allowed to squash humans.

I would have loved him before I had responsibilities

You aren't near anywhere like Hartpury College, are you? He sounds like he'd be a great project for one of their students.

[anewjourney]

Tell me about it Gold! Never seen a horse have such a bloody meltdown after having one inch of leg sprayed with the hose. Nearly killed my OH squashing him against the wall.

No where near Hartpury unfortunately! I’m sure I’ll find something and if not he’ll just be a big pet You have all made me realise it would be for the best though, so thank you

[QuestionableMouse]

Why not advertise him for loan anyway? You might get someone to ride him but you're not losing anything if no one replies.

[Frouby]

I knew he would be a welshy too

Honestly OP I would sell him to an experienced home. At 8 he needs to be being useful. And I guarantee once you have had the baby the last thing you will want to be doing is arguing with a big, strong pony with attitude.

I would probably place him on sales livery with someone reputable so any buyer can see him worked etc. He will stand a better chance of findjng a decent home that way.

[Scabbersley]

He sounds difficult and at 14.2 you wouldn't want him sold as a child's pony. You could sell him as a project? Sales livery is a good idea.

[Greyhorses]

I have a similar sounding mare and to be honest I would get rid if I could.

It's a year down the line now and she's only just getting the the point most horses are at when they are backed

Sell up and buy something sensible once baby is older is my advice or turn him away and see how he is once your ready to ride again!

[UrsulaPandress]

I bought a Welsh x for my dd.

It did not go well .......

[Lordasriel]

Is he a snorting Section D? I’ve known a few of those.

[anewjourney]

Lol Ursula and Lord. How did you guess.

[Lordasriel]

Ah, the joys of a Section D meltdown on a rainy day when you are two minutes late to bring in at night!

[Frouby]

Welshies are funny creatures. They can be absolutely fabulous. They are clever and funny and usually pretty talented if you can get the tune.

But I find mentally they often don't grow up until they are 8 or 9. If ever. My best friend bred them and each and every one was so different and quirky. My little mare was an absolute saint on the ground. I have photos of my 4 year old daughter showing her by herself in massive classes. The kids climbing all over her. Covered in soap and bubbles when they had bathed her. A proper kids pony.

Until they tried to ride her in the school. Could take her hacking down the motorway and she would be fine. On a 300 acre field with dogs and kids playing football or flying kites and not a bother.

Try and do anything in the school and she was a buffoon.

Little gelding we have is an absolute saint under saddle for them. Never put a foot wrong despite us breaking him in ourselves using then 6 year old dd as a jockey. I can do anything with him. Yet mate who bred him and owned him until he was 3 can barely catch him, he won't load for her and she can't even plait him up.

I bought a highland when we needed a bigger one. A baby, barely handled highland. She is so straightforward compared to welshies.

But if you find a good one that likes you, you won't find a better pony. They give so much and are so much fun.

It's just a shame they are complete drama queens. We call our little gelding Rylan sometimes as if he were a person he would be like Rylan. Lovely but bonkers and loud!

[anewjourney]

I find that Sec As, Bs and Cs are fine. It's the Ds who are such divas!

My D before this one was nuts. He spent more time on two legs than four and I LOVED him and he was such amazing fun. But I don't know, I feel like something has changed now I'm pregnant. I thought I would have a last ride this weekend and as soon as I put my foot in the stirrup to get on he took off across the field and left me in the dirt.

Feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. Gah, horses!

[IheartCaptainHolt]

I’ve only ever been a sharer or ridden at riding schools OP but I know what you mean about feeling vulnerable when pregnant.

When I’ve gone back to riding after both my boys I’ve been fine for the first few weeks and then I have a sudden attack of nerves. I think it’s because of our responsibility towards your child/children. If you fall off before children it’s an inconvenience if you are injured and need to rest or have time off work. The worst bit is waiting to ride again! Once you have kids though, it’s so much worse! I keep thinking how I’ll look after a baby and toddler if I’m injured?!

I’m not saying you won’t get over nerves/will get them at all but it’s just another way your life changes unexpectedly after DC!

[britnay]

my welshie is 13hh and I would not put a child on him. He's had two experienced adults off!