What to do about this Gelding?

Question

I currently am keeping a 10 yr old Thoroughbred gelding at my house.

The owner is a relative who purchased the horse to make their daughter behave so to speak.

It has now become that the girl is having him taken away and can only see him 1x a month, the girl doesn’t even care about the horse.

I have been doing my best to ride him as much as I can, but he is becoming field sour. He has realized he isn’t going to buck me off as he has tried to many times so now he pulls all kinds of stunts.

They do not pay board and I do all of his up keep also.

The decision is now to sell the horse or for me to take him as my own.

I feel bad and I dont want to let him down but I have my own horse, I am in college, and I dont know that I can afford his cost (he wears very costly shoes ect.)

I want to do best by the horse, I dont know that I am the best for him, it makes me sad as I am becoming attached.

I just dont know what to do?

I want the best for Robbie.

Any input would be great.

Thanks

Answer 1

Talk to the parents first before deciding to sell him.

It also shouldn't be your job to take care for him.

Answer 2

I don't really need to answer this, because Zephania expressed my sentiments verbatim.  I will just add that you will do well to learn this lesson while you're still young:  If you allow people to take advantage of you, as your relatives clearly have done, they will neither respect nor appreciate your effort or talent.

They ought to have been reimbursing you for your time. Sit down and add up the hours you figure you've spent so far.  Type it up and show it to your relatives.

Hopefully you'll be able to find a suitable home for this unfortunate horse.  It's a heartbreaking situation.  

If and when he sells, if indeed anyone is willing to pay for a horse who has now developed some nasty habits, the proceeds really should go toward  reimbursing you.

  

Don't feel guilty.  Care and training of one horse (your own) is demanding enough when you're in college.  The owners of this horse need to step up to the plate.  

PS  I speak from several experiences of having gotten myself into expensive and time-consuming situations because I couldn't bear to see the way certain horses were being taken care of, and the more I did, the more people expected.  It's very  frustrating for those of us who love horses, and are responsible enough to care for them properly..

Answer 3

If you really like him keep him if you can keep him sell him with the expensive shoes you probably could use that money. If you want you could charge a board fee.

Answer 4

The answer takes some thought...you already have a horse and you are in college, and there are financial concerns.  They own the horse and can move him if they choose to, or sell him.  If you have been affording his upkeep so far, then is time the major issue?  How much time should you invest in college studies?  How much time should be spent with your own horse?  Do you have a job to pay for the horses, or are your parents or a spouse footing the bill?  If you do have a job, attend college, and have your own horse I don't see how you could have much time left for this horse. If your parents or spouse are footing the bill, what do they think? Can you help to find a good buyer for the horse?  That's what I would suggest.

Answer 5

I'd sell him if you cant care for him and ride him...

If it's possible.

Just make sure to sell it to a real sweet family.

Answer 6

Your relatives have placed you in an unfair position, and your parents shouldn't have allowed it.

This horse is their responsibility, not yours, but they have abrogated that responsibility and put it on you.  They should have been paying you all along for taking care of it; they should not have punished their child by taking advantage of you, and now they've put you in the middle by essentially saying "Take this horse or else."  Not, not, NOT fair!!

You've done your absolute best with this horse, going far beyond the call of duty.  You are absolutely justified if you decide you can not do this while going to college and that you can not afford to keep him.  You should feel absolutely no guilt over it.  It's not your fault, it's your relatives'.

Easier said than done, of course, especially as you are attached, and especially because you have been the only one actually acting responsibly towards the horse.

You wouldn't be asking us this if you wanted him and could afford him; you don't.  You're just feeling the guilt the real owners should be feeling.

I think you should insist on receiving money for the work you do henceforth on the horse, and throw the decision back where it belongs.  Charge board in addition to expenses.  Don't make it cheap; make it market rate.  People don't appreciate what they get for free.

If they can sell him for a decent price, a high enough price that he's not going to Mexico, let them sell him.  It'll be hard, but you'll be better off and he'll have a chance at a new start.

I really feel for you.  Getting attached, and wanting the best for the horse, speaks so well for you.  And makes you a wonderful person who, no matter how she chooses, has a tough road ahead on this one.

Answer 7

The best thing to do would be to sell him. I know it's hard to do but if the finances and time just aren't there it would be best for you and the horse. Best of luck!