Wednesday 15 July 2015

Just Can't

So, I posted an ad for Ginger a couple of days ago. Then I pulled it down last night. In a 48 hour period, I got a few years worth of weird phone calls and emails. Horse people are crazy, in case you didn't know.

Some of it might be due to the fact that I tried to be honest in my ad. I wrote "...would suit confident, experienced rider, because although she is very kind and generous, Ginger is a very forward thinking and sensitive mare", or something along those lines.

I got people calling with comments ranging from 'she sounds fun" to"why would that require experience?" to "sounds like she just needs some groundwork/sacking out" (oh, to be a fly on the wall for that 'lesson'!), to (basically) "give her to me for free and I will save her from you, you just don't understand her" to "I could buy a super broke QH/TB, whatever, for what you're asking for your Welsh Cob that needs an experienced rider" (so why then are you looking at Welsh Cobs who need experienced riders?) I'm trying not to be offended by some of it, but I'm finding it seriously difficult to let it all roll off my back and sort out the legit people from the dreamers. I'm a super honest person who wants the best home for my horse that I've owned for 4 years. It's a hard decision for me, and I don't need to get rid of her tomorrow because she's a problem or because I'm broke or whatever else they seem to want to think. I'm asking a fair price for her age, breed, and level of training (someone is going to get a FANCY pony with a great start for well under the going rate because I am aware she's been ridden infrequently of late and we live in a remote location) I'm offended by the people who seem to be trying to accuse me of lying, not knowing my horse, or who are just generally pushy and condescending. I don't know why so many horse people have something to prove, but they apparently do, and they like the pretty Ginger pony a lot.

So, as mentioned, I've pulled the ads. I'm already having difficulty with this decision and I'm not the right personality to deal with some of those calls. I have a couple of people going to come meet her in the meantime, but the plan is to send her to a training/consignment barn and have the trainer there ride and evaluate her and find a good match. Worst case with that plan is she doesn't sell and my Ginger pony just gets some more miles being fancy and has to stay with mean old me for a while longer. Win/win, I'd say :)

I also may take a little blogging break as far as diary type entries go. I'm having a tough time with all the horsey things right now and am struggling with finding my positivity (spell check, how is positivity a made up word? If it's not real I think it should be). I need a little time out...or at least to not dwell on all the drama. Ignore your problems and they will go away, right? ;)


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22 comments

  1. Horse people are the craziest. Maybe one of the people coming to meet her will be a perfect fit :)

    I have been more strongly considering selling Henry lately...which leaves me feeling guilty and sad. I'm trying to decide if that's better than being broke all the time :(

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    1. I just keep thinking that once she finds her perfect person it will all be worth it...maybe! It's such a personal decision. One one hand I've made my peace with it, on the other hand I feel like I'm losing a big part of my life and am quite lost as to what (if anything) to fill the gap with. Good luck!

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  2. Sometimes I think one of the only reasons I still own my horse is because I've always been too afraid to ever list him for sale. Horse people can be straight up crazy!

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    1. I think you're a very smart woman :)

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    2. Ditto. I tried selling Lily 3 years ago and was also astounded by the level of crazy. I ultimately kept her bc I was terrified of the possibilities. Granted this was also in South FL, where horse people are extra-EXTRA cray-cray! ;)

      The consignment barn sounds like a great plan. Wishing for the best possible outcome for you and your Ginger Mare! :)

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  3. Gah, what a frustrating endeavor. I don't envy you at all!

    Could you let horse-friends know about you wanting to sell? That way it'd stay more in your "inner circle" and have less of the crazies calling you and accusing you of all kinds of stupid things.

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    1. I hate to say this, but the craziest of the crazy was someone who called on the recommendation of someone in my inner circle...which being human leaves me wondering what, if anything, was said when the recommendation was passed on.

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  4. I would be so sad if you stopped blogging! I know I don't comment a lot ( or blog a lot, or ride a lot) right now, but I have been following. If you'd like help placing her with Welsh Cob people, email me (my spam account, jalean11 at gmail dot com) her photos, registered name/pedigree and your sale blurb and I can have Connor's breeder network for you. It's tough to sell Welsh Cobs to people who don't understand. Hugs!

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    1. Thank you for the very kind offer! I will likely take you up on it when I am more organized/settled...with the new job and moving, house renos etc I don't think I took into account just how time consuming it is to set up appointments and return all the calls/emails.

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  5. *hugs* Don't stop blogging. Selling horses is the worst. I sold my mare - similar to Ginger, very sensitive and needed an experienced rider - and I had everyone give me different advice. And these were supposedly interested buyers, like yours! It's maddening. BUT when the right person comes along like they did for my girl, it will all be worth it. Hang in there, stock up on wine, and you will make it through. Super nice of Jen to hook you up with Connor's breeder - sounds like a GREAT alternative to posting Ginger all over<3

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    1. I really do believe the right person will find us - she's not a complicated horse, really, despite all her quirks. I just need to find someone who's ok with sensitive and likes that rather than seeing it as a problem/negative. Thanks for the virtual hugs, I love how supportive the blogger community is!

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  6. I hope you find the perfect situation for Ginger. Frustrating that you got so many calls like that.

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    1. Thank you. I am likely being over sensitive due to the emotions involved in selling her, but yes, I think would be frustrating on any level.

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  7. I'm sorry you're having a tough time and after dealing with some of the same things I at least sort of know what you're going through. I understand taking a break and I sort of have been recently as well. Hopefully you'll be back around the same time that I am so that I can keep reading your wonderful blog.

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    1. Likewise :) I love catching up with your adventures!

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  8. Ugh! I'm sorry to hear that. Selling horses sucks!

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    1. It really does. Thankfully, I got a couple of emails and calls today that have restored a little of my faith in humanity :)

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  9. i'm so sorry you're dealing with that. it's like the universe is bound and determined to make these decisions as difficult as possible for you. wishing you the best of luck - and hopefully sending her to the trainer will work out to be the win-win it sounds like! also i wonder if her breeder has any recommendations? in any case, i totally get needing to take a step back from blogging, but we're all here for you when you feel ready to post again!!

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    1. The lady I bought her from actually connected me today with a trainer who I am hopeful will be helpful in making everything a lot easier!

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  10. Ugh, it must be terrible dealing with all these folks when you are already conflicted about selling her. I would have taken the ad down too if I were in your shoes! I hope the perfect person comes along soon.

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  11. Several years ago I sold my 15.1 Reg Paint gelding, Tye. He was seriously bomb proof, more woah than go but jumped his heart out.
    For a tiny stock type guy he was a jumping machine! I remember pointing him through a 3'9 course the lessoner's on the big jumpers had set and literally sitting there, doing nothing, no problem!

    While I had him listed I had oodles of complete idiots email me until I eventually removed my email and listed a phone number with serious inquiries only. It helped but I still had several kiddies come out to 'try him out' when they were moving from pony to horse, they and their parents totally wasted my time. Eventually, I traded him for a younger but fancier type....

    Selling horses is beyond tough in many ways... Best if you can set up a deal with a local well known coach to get her sold.
    Best of luck!

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  12. Ugh, I'm sorry you got such crazies!! Some people turn into big bullies behind their computers.

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