[N. Beaujon]

I need some advice here and dont know where else to turn. I have two horses that are the love of my life. I am going though a divorce and it is putting a terrible financial strain on me, obviously, to own both horses. I fear I might lose both but I havent reached that point yet.

In a fit of panic I put one up for sale and have two very interested buyers (these are the ones that I have accepted as being really fine potential homes for my beloved horse having sifted through the inquiries.)

The problem is I am sinking deeper into depression the closer the time comes to "show" him. I just dont know what to do. I can afford to hang on to him for a few more months and, if the real estate deal a friend and I have been working on ever "closes" I could probably afford to keep him. But this deal isnt closing and I am so emotionally unprepared to part with this horse. (He is also so bonded with his sister I can bear to separate them, it kills me to think of it.)

I dont know what to do. If I sell now I am not destitute and have options, can pick and chose the best home and the best price. As the months go on, winter sets in, as does my negotiating power as well as my options. I may then just have to "dump" him if I run out of time/options/choices.I also really like the two potential buyers as well and dont want to deny my horse the best home possible if the worst should come.

What would you do? Does anyone have any advice? The depression that I have sunk in at the thought of separating from this horse is just paralyzing any rational thought process. They say, "when in doubt, wait it out" but the downside is, of course a rushed sale or no sale at all.

I am really sorry to dump this personal problem, here, on this board but I dont know where else to turn to sort it all out. Friends, fellow stable mates and so on have not really helped to shed any light or clarity on this predicament.

Can anyone here wrap their horse -loving heads around this problem and help me out? Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry if this is too personal or off topic to post on this board but I figure nothing is to personal for those of us who love our horses and I can tell by the level of love and respect that exists on this board for our beloved steeds, someone, somewhere might say something that makes some sense.

And yes, I have done everything I think I can do to try to lease him. People instead want to buy him.

Much thanks in advance for any advice.

Anne

[HairOfTheDog]

And yes, I have done everything I think I can do to try to lease him. People instead want to buy him.

Rats... that is what I was going to suggest. Heartbreaking problem, I feel for you. I can at least sympathize when I even try to consider selling mine.

If you could get through the next months to where you weren't driven by panic and the house deal works out, would it still be ideal for you to have them both? Or would it be better if you only had one?

What if you advertised to lease both to the same home for a year or so, where you could then have the space to deal with the rest of life, and be able to prepare for their return at the end of all this mess when things are calmer? I don't know. I wish there was some middle ground where you could pasture board them for not much, or maybe half-lease them with visiting rights to someone who could help with their upkeep in the next year...

[CindyDawg]

I'm sorry to hear that you are going thru bad times. Could you not put both of your horses to pasture? I could not afford to stall two and could pasture them both for about the same amount of money. Many around my stable also "help out" for reduced boarding. Maybe you could temp. work something out at your stable. The only other thing I could suggest is that if you are religious then consider turning this over to the Lord and just take it one day at a time.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Do a "free" lease, IOWs find someone who will take them both at no charge from you.

They can use them for free except for their up keep until you get back on your feet.

You should have no problem finding someone who would do this.

BigMack

[Duchess47]

I agree with Mack - let someone have them for a year to ride, they pay all the expenses. Possibly even let someone lease the mare for free to raise a foal.

If that fails, see if one of the buyers wants both so that they go together. I've been where you are and had to watch seven babies go down the road. I just worked the best deals I could for the best homes and managed to get three to one home and four to another. God works in mysterious ways sometimes. The people that bought them love them as much as I did.

Right now, I am "free leasing" a mare that a friend couldn't afford to take care of properly. She'll raise a baby or too and eventually go back to her mom (who comes to see her often)

[cowboyway]

Beaujon

This may sound cold, but you've got to prioritize. If the horse is more important than the house, make the sacrifice, buy a single wide trailer and keep the horse. Otherwise, sell the horse and be done with it.

Cowgirl Up.

(I think this is an example of compassionate conservatism)
btw, I've been through a similar situation recently myself....you know....divorce and all that goes with it.