I have a 17 yr old (18 this year) TBx mare who I've owned for 10 years. Over the last couple of years I've slowly lost the love for riding as much as I did, I do still enjoy it but it is becoming more and more of a chore, especially in winter and with 2 small children, time and money is v stretched.
My husband broached the subject of what we are doing with her the other day and I am really torn and could do with others' thoughts:
Reasons to sell:
- Lack of time and energy to enjoy her properly, riding has become a chore which I'm not enjoying as much.
- She is not ready to retire, is full of beans and would love to be doing more, so I feel guilty she has such a boring life and I can't give her the attention/exercise she deserves.
- If I were to sell, the money saved from livery/insurance would pay for so many other things for my kids, clubs, nice holidays etc.
- She might still live for another 10/15 years which is a lot of money/time to continue to commit.
Reasons not to sell:
- I'd have no control over what her new owner did with her and how she was managed.
- She has arthritis and probably wouldn't pass a stringent vetting but it is well managed and she is more than capable of a hacking/low level dressage home. Ideally I would sell her as a hack/field companion to someone I know or have good references for that would maybe mitigate this risk.
- I worry I'd feel judged if I advertised her (I know I've always judged anyone selling a veteran horse).
I'm not interested in making money from selling her and we can afford to keep her but I feel I'm condoning her to a boring life and I'm finding myself watching the livery money go out every month and thinking what else we could do with it- previously it was money well spent as it was a hobby I was so passionate about.
What are people's thoughts?