Tuesday, August 25, 2015

For Sale

I'm decided. Wilbur will be listed for sale with a lease option.

When I tell this to my horsey friends I get a sympathetic pat on the arm and a look that says, "it's time."
Non-horse friends have asked the same question- "isn't selling your horse like selling a pet, like a member of your family?" Yes and no. Horses are not a commodity purchase- they're meant to do a job and when they can't do that job their value then has to be taken into consideration. Wilbur is costing me about the same as raising a whole kennel of pet dogs.....dogs that I don't have time to walk so I pay someone else to do it.

Would it be different if he was at the same barn as Ellie? Would it be different if I made just a little more money? Would it be different if there were 5 additional hours in the day? Maybe.

But I think he can have more of a purpose to his life than he has with me right now. I could see him being a great husband horse, going out on the trails. I could see him as a fun project for a younger rider. Heck, I could see him enjoying life as a lesson horse.

I would love to find a lease option. Something to ease the financial burden while still allowing him to remain under my watch. But I'm also happy to find him a new owner and a new job, knowing that he has that "forever" home with me should he need it.

At the end of the day I think I've done right by him. He's had two years of R&R living the pasture life,  been in a training program for four months getting back into shape and assessing his soundness (and of course full disclosure to any potential buyer),  and I think it's time we found a good home for him.

Refer me back to this post when the bill of sale is signed please.

9 comments:

  1. The hard decisions are rarely the easiest ones to make. This sounds very reasonable and great for Wilbur too regardless of whether the lease or own option pans out.

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  2. Such a hard choice to make, but I know you will do right by Wilbur no matter where he ends up! <3

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  3. That's a tough choice to make but it sounds like hell only go to good hands!

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  4. It's always a tough decision, but the mark of a great horse owner is knowing when it's time to move on. <3

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  5. You have definitely done right by him. He's a lucky horse to have you as an owner, and you're looking out for his best interest even with an intent to sell!

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  6. You have done right by Wilbur for sure. Sounds like this is the smart choice for both of you :)

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  7. good luck finding the right home!!

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  8. The right situation will come along. Tough decision, but sounds like the right one.

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  9. So sad, but I understand your choice. Hopefully you can find a good home for him. I'd love to sell my gelding as he too would like to have a job and a more interesting life, but I worry so much about what would happen to him down the line. But Wilbur is much younger and sounder so it makes even more sense to let him find a new life.

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