Selling my horse

[feelguilty1]

Hi,

has anyone here ever sold a horse and given up riding? I’ve had a change in circumstances and have fallen out of love with the sport. I’m looking to sell my horse and quit riding altogether but it’s so hard to make that call and start the process of selling. I know it’s the right thing to do but I’m finding it so so difficult to accept and start the process. I’m scared I’ll regret it or make a mistake. But deep down I don’t have my love for riding anymore. I could loan him out but it’s just prolonging the inevitable and it would be fairer for him to sell him rather than back and forward with me and someone else especially if I’m just going to end up selling him In a few years down the line

has anyone ever done this? Sold their horse and given up riding?

feeling utterly shit and torn up inside about it all x

I think you'll get better answers in The Tack Room, OP. Have you tried posting on there?

MN doesn't take kindly to selling/re-homing horses, in general.

Not personally, I still have mine, but many of my friends over the years gave up and sold up.

It’s prettt straight forward- if you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it. It’s an expensive and time consuming hobby- why would you keep going if you get no pleasure?

On a practical note- send him to a good schooling livery for sales. Much easier when you don’t have to deal with the tyre kickers.

Thanks. I was going to but thought I’d post on a normal board because I figured that the people I was asking (ex horse owners and riders) might not be on the tack room board anymore x

I haven't sold but have pretty much given up. I never thought this would be me. Things change though, I'm a single parent, trying to balance work, primary chikdren, their interests, house etc. I have a very very elderly pony, who is living out her days. And the horse, who my friend rides and does most of the looking after. He's not young, and is quirky. Wouldn't be easy to sell and I'm sure would be returned, so he's staying . My friend loves him and keeps him ticking over.

A horse is a huge commitment as you know, and not one that many people can see through til the end. They're not like dogs.

Different situation as I lost my mare and decided to take a break from horses. There is no shame in selling your horse - it is supposed to be fun and is too expensive to be something you don't enjoy.

Unless your horse is chronically lame or otherwise hard to place in which case you should do the responsible thing and guarantee their future.

Have this moved to the tack room :) I’d personally if you’ve really had enough go for sales livery. The good ones really are fantastic

If you're worried why don't you loan him out for a year and have literally nothing to do with riding in that time. If you miss it he's still yours. If you don't, sell him. The loaner might even buy him.

Yes I gave up after 40 years of pony/horse ownership. Sold my horse and haven’t regretted it at all. I ride other people’s horses as and when the fancy takes me but I really don’t miss having my own at all!

I had to do this last year. A cancer diagnosis and lack of time forced my hand.
It was really hard. I sold two horses including my home bred youngster. I have loaned out my pony as he is a handful and I needed to ensure his future - he is the type who could easily end up in the wrong hands and I vetted his loaner very thoroughly.
A year on and I miss them. But I don't miss the constant worry and stress about the cost of them. Or me being well enough to look after them. I don't miss the overbearing field owner who had very different ideas about how I should be looking after them.
I hope and pray one day I will be able to get back to it and have him home and buy myself a riding horse more suitable to my needs than the two I sold.

It's really hard and I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do

I'd do as someone above suggested, loan him for a year and see how you feel.
It is a huge commitment and if you don't love it then it's hard work-I'd love to own my own but simply don't have the time with work, kids etc-it's the retirement dream.

I did. I had owned horses from the age of 3 up until I turned 30!

I lost all interest in riding which in turn knocked my confidence. The hacking around us also became really dangerous as all of the fields were taken by housing developments and turned into rat runs. I also have small children and felt guilty about the time and money spent on the horses and the risk element was constantly on my mind with having a family to look after.

I loaned out my lovely mare and pony and then sold once I could see they were settled and well looked after (better than I had cared for them since the new owners actually had interest and time!)

I miss horses a lot but I don’t miss the money, stress, livery yards and constant need to be back by X time otherwise horse will be at the gate. Oh and winter is lovely without being constantly cold and soaking!

I gave up for a while, my life took several turns and I just stopped. Found good homes for my two.

Some years down the line I found myself able to get back into it, started again with loaning. There's no shame in it, and no, I haven't seen any of the judgy stuff on mn. Please do be careful who you sell to, if you care about where your horse goes. There are so many awful stories - to the horse and the riders! If you want to be more sure of where your horse goes consider sending him to a rescue, there are many good ones out there who will rehome him carefully. Don't feel guilty, as you say it would probably be fairer on him.

Gave up, came back, gave up again, came back.., again
Currently without a horse and no plans to return