Selling beloved pony and how to do it!

[Ponyclubkick]

My daughter has outgrown her beloved pony who we have had for the last 5 years and it’s time to decide what to do next which is absolutely breaking my heart.

I wish I was in a financial position with the option of keeping him with us or putting into long term loan but unfortunately we are not and with two girls and two ponies we now need to decide what to do next.

He is absolutely great and PC all rounder with a great jump and no doubt we will find him another local PC home which of course be vetted to an inch of its life but just not really sure how to go about it and also what to ask for him.

For context He’s a 12.1 19 year old Irish sports pony lots of life, energy, cheek in him, he’s done everything from camp to area dressage to PC games, and has qualified for mini champs with both my girls.

Would you sell locally enough/into the same PC so that’d you bump into him weekly, is that fair on anyone, or would it be better to have home close by so girls would still get to see.

What do I ask for him? He is obviously an older pony (not that you’d know it) and I want to ensure he’s going somewhere fantastic. Home obviously comes ahead of the money but I’m wondering if asking for that bit more will give me a bit more reassurance that his well-being is priority...

We also need to find something else for daughter and will obviously need more that buttons!

I could really do with some advice as just can’t think about if objectively without the emotional attachment involved.

I'd quite happily buy a 19 year old pony, if it was a good one. I couldn't bloody find one! Currently have a 36 year old pony who I took on loan as needed a companion for my horse. We adore her and she will have a lovely home to end of her days with us. Unfortunately she's just too elderly to be ridden by DD. There are good homes for older ponies out there.

To me @Dobbysgotthesocks very much sounds like an equestrian. Not everyone in the world of equitation buys into the idea that children should have a 12 hand pony, then a 13.2, then a 14.2, then a horse. Not everyone wants to buy and sell them, particularly as they get older. I had my last horse for ten years, six of them he was working, the last four he was retired. I still rode but I didn't have a horse of my own in that period. I appreciate it's more difficult to ask a child to do that. But I don't think you can castigate PP for not being an 'equestrian' simply because they're not chanting the received mantra.

So essentially you are asking his new owners to commit to him for life, which is what you are saying you can't do, which doesn't quite sit right with me.

I think this is what makes a bit uneasy too. I've seen it happen with a lot of horses and ponies. They get to a particular age and people sell them because it's the last chance to sell them without it being completely clear that they'll need to retire soon. It does mean that other owners can get the opportunity to buy a fantastic older horse or pony but I do think that unless that kind of home comes along, we do need to step up and take care of our equines, even if it means we don't get to do exactly what we want.

Could you loan him out and save the £££ costs you would have spent competing etc to save for another?

It’s a difficult one, I’ve sold many many good ponies in my time as I used to break, school and sell for a hobby but I would struggle with an older pony. I would have happily loaned out to a pony club family though, he could have loads of children out there to teach.

Saying that I have a retired 15.2hh that’s spent the past 10 years doing nothing…he’s almost 30 now!!

If you are in a pony club I would talk to your DC, they can often help find the right next home within the club (and next pony for you). I think you are getting a hard time on here, I am fortunate enough to have my most special childhood pony still, but many people sell on. If the home is well vetted and aware of what they are getting and the pony will enjoy being ridden and loved by another child that's much better than sitting in a field. A pony at 19 could have 15 years still to go, I know plenty of games ponies competing internationally up to 30. Loaning and leasing can be a bit of a minefield, if you have the contacts it can be great but I would be reluctant to do so to someone I didn't know. (Also there's not much point in getting a vetting done yourself before sale as many people would want to get their own done if it matters to them).

A pony can go on until 30 as in it is possible in the same way a 45 year old woman can wait until then to try for babies and manage get pregnant straight away, which having had many infertility issues and been told this I feel it is not too insensitive to say. So it is possible but for every pony that does there are quite a few that don’t. Year after year of PC activities take their toll. Meanwhile everything from laminitis to breaks and muscle trouble get harder to deal with and likelihood of Cushings increases……. Sorry I realise that sounds blunt but I think the idea that ponies can go on forever because a few do is not as straightforward as often presented…..

Hi @Ponyclubkick can I ask, did you see your lovely pony?

On the lookout for a 12h for my daughter who does PC

DDs 14 hand pony was £500 when we bought her aged 21.

It was more a nominal sum to cover the cost of her saddle.

I wouldn’t have wanted to pay more than that as she is now 25, and despite still going strong she could easily live another 10+ years and she will be retiring after this summer. Taking on an oldie is amazing but it comes with the huge commitment of seeing them through their retirement and the end of their days. Finding a home willing to do that is worth far more than the money.