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What to do with this horse?
Topic Started: Jul 20 2007, 08:32 AM (486 Views)
OpticalIllusion
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About a year ago I was given a pretty nice horse. Horse was 6, had no manners, had originally been race trained but not ridden sense then (3 years prior) and just needed to find a home. He was a cute enough mover and is pretty athletic, so I brought him home.

His attitude changed drastically and he became this giant happy puppy that was dyeing for attention in any form. I mean omg cute and lovable. He will do anything I ask of him. Me and my mom rode him for a good 3 months and he was very quick to figure things out. He was going wonderfully walk trot and we had started to canter and work over very low cross rails. As long as you work around his random quirks he is great.

Life happened, one thing led to another, and now he is standing out in my field doing nothing once again. I offered him to one of our girls to free lease. That situation is not working as she is not dedicated at all and has ridden him 3 times in the past 4 months.

I really like this horse, he has the best personality and I think he has good potential. He just isnt doing any good sitting at my place and I have to many to ride as it is. Ive put some adds up to free lease him long term to someone, but got no responses. I dont think I feel right selling him as I didnt pay for him. I considered putting another month or two back on him and selling him for a minimal price, but then were back to the selling problem. I wouldnt mind giving him to someone, but you know what happens when you say "Free Horse". If the right person came along, I would feel fine letting them have him. My biggest fear though is that he would get resold and end up at auction somewhere. I would rather him sit in my field and do nothing then have him end up in bad hands. He is a nice horse, just needs someone who can work with quirks. So what do I do? Do I sell him? Do I keep him? Do I give him away and hope for the best? Can I give him away with a clause in a contract that says in the event that person no longer wants him, they are to return him to me?

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boosma47
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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He sounds like a neat guy, and you, a responsible, caring owner.

The option of retaining control over the horse seems doable, as an official free lease with contract. Basically, a give-away with strings. With a written contract.

Did I mention, a written contract?

You can set up your terms, including the right to visit periodically, retain ownership and untimate control. Only question is, do you have any proof of ownership? Is it possible to get such a thing?

Just some thoughts.... Good luck! :luck:
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Lion1024
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I feel your pain. You're in a tricky situation and good for you for wanting what's best for the horse.

What do you think he's best suited for - Hunter/Jumper/Eventer/Pleasure? You never know what leads you might find here...
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vxf111
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Would I like him? ;) What are his quirks? Just the greenness and standing around for so long? I can put feelers out up here for long term lease situations. Kristin has a slew of very responsible pony club kids that would really like an opportunity for a nice horse, and are capable of finishing a green one off.
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Lawndart
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I'd vote for contacting your local pony club/4H. It would be good for a kid to learn to deal with all kinds, even horses with Quirks, as long as the horse can deal with a kid.
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OpticalIllusion
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He is a super neat guy and I think he could do just about anything. We even joked that he could do western pleasure because he will break down and jog as slow as my aqha pleasure horse. He is a little fidgety, but as long as you dont get annoyed with him its fine. He isnt spooky, the worst thing he has ever done to me was scoot forward 2 feet when the big blue horse eating tarp came flying at the fence. I think I was more scared then he was. He did buck with my mom once, the very first time he was asked to canter. He hopped in the air, then cantered. And his canter needs work, he doesnt understand to canter forward, just canters up. Its weird. He would need an experienced person to work him for now, but I believe with training he would be fine for an intermediate person.

I guess Ill go back to the trying to free long term lease thing. I always do written contracts with everything. Wonder how I would get something for proof of ownership. His papers got lost with someone along the way. I have his tattoo verified with JC but cant figure out how to get a hold of the breeder.
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OpticalIllusion
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Lawndart
Jul 20 2007, 08:27 AM
I'd vote for contacting your local pony club/4H. It would be good for a kid to learn to deal with all kinds, even horses with Quirks, as long as the horse can deal with a kid.

He is not kid ready yet, and my mom actually runs our local 4-H
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BABYGREENTB
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What about donating him to a university equestrian team? there are usually a good mix of experience levels, and since they work off of donations, they are willing to take on a few quirks. also, they generally provide long term homes since they are non-profit and can't sell the horses.
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OpticalIllusion
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BABYGREENTB
Jul 20 2007, 08:56 AM
What about donating him to a university equestrian team? there are usually a good mix of experience levels, and since they work off of donations, they are willing to take on a few quirks. also, they generally provide long term homes since they are non-profit and can't sell the horses.

Hmm, can you donate and have them send the horse back when done with him? This might be a perfect idea.
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Circuspony
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OpticalIllusion
Jul 20 2007, 09:25 AM
BABYGREENTB
Jul 20 2007, 08:56 AM
What about donating him to a university equestrian team?  there are usually a good mix of experience levels, and since they work off of donations, they are willing to take on a few quirks.  also, they generally provide long term homes since they are non-profit and can't sell the horses.

Hmm, can you donate and have them send the horse back when done with him? This might be a perfect idea.

A friend of mine did just that with her young horse. She had a bad fall off the horse and realized that he was a bit more than she was willing to take on at that point. He went to a college for about a year and did very well in their program. He came home a much more seasoned, better-schooled horsie. I do think most schools want a long-term commitment/donation, but you may be able to find something that works for you and your (cute, btw) horse.
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vxf111
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Circuspony
Jul 20 2007, 11:06 AM
OpticalIllusion
Jul 20 2007, 09:25 AM
BABYGREENTB
Jul 20 2007, 08:56 AM
What about donating him to a university equestrian team?  there are usually a good mix of experience levels, and since they work off of donations, they are willing to take on a few quirks.  also, they generally provide long term homes since they are non-profit and can't sell the horses.

Hmm, can you donate and have them send the horse back when done with him? This might be a perfect idea.

A friend of mine did just that with her young horse. She had a bad fall off the horse and realized that he was a bit more than she was willing to take on at that point. He went to a college for about a year and did very well in their program. He came home a much more seasoned, better-schooled horsie. I do think most schools want a long-term commitment/donation, but you may be able to find something that works for you and your (cute, btw) horse.

Research the schools carefully! Some are not places you'd want to send your boy. But I agree, some are great and it would be a way for him to get some experience while also being out of risk.
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OpticalIllusion
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Circuspony
Jul 20 2007, 11:06 AM
OpticalIllusion
Jul 20 2007, 09:25 AM
BABYGREENTB
Jul 20 2007, 08:56 AM
What about donating him to a university equestrian team?  there are usually a good mix of experience levels, and since they work off of donations, they are willing to take on a few quirks.  also, they generally provide long term homes since they are non-profit and can't sell the horses.

Hmm, can you donate and have them send the horse back when done with him? This might be a perfect idea.

A friend of mine did just that with her young horse. She had a bad fall off the horse and realized that he was a bit more than she was willing to take on at that point. He went to a college for about a year and did very well in their program. He came home a much more seasoned, better-schooled horsie. I do think most schools want a long-term commitment/donation, but you may be able to find something that works for you and your (cute, btw) horse.

I would have no problem with them keeping him for as long as they wanted him, be it a year or 20. I just want to guarantee that he has a happy ending.
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BABYGREENTB
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Check out William Woods University in Fulton, Mo...they have a fabulous Equestrian Admin program with a really good trainer. Also, Bridgewater, Sweet Briar, Mount Holyoake, Hollins, etc all have reputable programs.
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elle T
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vxf111
Jul 20 2007, 11:07 AM
Research the schools carefully! Some are not places you'd want to send your boy.


Hear, hear! I could give some horrible stories from my days of IHSA, but I won't. Luckily, the coach was eventually fired. Your guy sounds great - I would have been thrilled to ride a greenie with nice manners in college!
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varider
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Donating to a school is a good idea, but be very careful about what school you choose. Do your homework. Some will sell them immediately and never notify you. Others will stipulate you give up all rights to the horse and you'll never hear from them again. Some of the questions to ask:

1) What is the turn out situation for the schcol horses? Do they all have stalls? Box stalls or standing stalls?

2) What type of vet care do they receive? Does the school do joint injections if needed? or just Bute and keep going? Is there a place for lay up if needed?

3) What does the school do if a horse doesn't work out in the program? Will you be notified? How often do horses not work out?

4) What does the school do if a horse is injured and has to be retired? Will they contact you or just send the horse away?

You could also ask for names of other people who have donated their horses to the school and get references. Any school with nothing to hide should be able to provide these.

Good luck!
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