Help Me Make a Decision.

[fairlady]

I have Sioned, Welsh x Traditional, now just 2, Skewbald Filly, have owned
her for just over a year, plan is to back her next year etc., etc. we have achieved quite a bit, she trusts me implicitly and we work well together, I love her to bits, think she is lovely, good temperament etc. and she has proved to be very calm with curiousity far far outweighing
any fear, she is going to be a 'good' Horse, she is totally unspoilt and trusting.

My friend bought a Welsh Cob a few months ago and the minute I set eyes
on him I was in LOVE, I think he is absolutely MAGNIFICENT, but it turns out
he has a stifle problem as in if not kept at a certain level of fitness his stifles slip as a past time......friend does not want him....sent him to a private yard to be fittened and sold on with a full Vets Report. The full story is on here if anyone wishes to read it.

Since he has been at the Yard and been ridden most days to get his fitness level up his stifle has only slipped twice, and that was in the first few days of him being there. He has been hacked, XC and has proved to be a safe and sane fabulous Horse;) Now over the Years I have seen HUNDREDS of Horses
on Horsemart, in person and think 'yeah he/she is nice, OK' but in all the years I have probably only ever seen A HANDFUL that I have honestly thought 'OMG that Horse is truly Magnificent' one I owned, lol, my Arab, never
to be forgotton AND THIS ONE!!!!

I had hacked him out day he was bought and once after before we realised there was a problem and OMG he is FABULOUS, MAGNIFICENT, GORGEOUS, and just confirmed everything I thought about him the first time I met him.:)

He is about to be advertised for sale, friend rang me tonight and I just could not stop crying:eek: She was also in tears and said 'Kay, you really should think seriously about having him, I know how you feel about him'

WHAT DO I DO...........I REALLY love Sioned, but I am totally BESOTTED
with him..........do I sell her on? Buy Him.....I can't afford both, I cannot bear the thought of her going, but I cannot bear the thought of him going
either, it just makes me want to cry quite honestly, I have already shed loads of tears about the whole situation.

My head hurts trying to think what to do, I know that sounds very dramatic
but its the truth.

[loubylou]

I would be looking at adjusting the situation I was in to take on two- thats what I have done! I may not be on a swish yard, but I can afford to keep my two at grass and really enjoy the benefits of having one ridden and one baby :)

Whatever happens you are going to be gutted, so think carefully!

[fairlady]

I already have TWO......I have a 2 year old Shetland that I bought
for my Grandaughter, he isn't going anywhere but I certainly could
not be having Three:)

[fairlady]

Come on you lot, I can see some of you are reading it....

Help....What would YOU do?

[SmallHunter]

I would keep sioned.

[No_Angel]

If you are not willing to sell your 2 yr old, and can't afford both, I would help your friend find a really good home for her boy:)

[fairlady]

I am really asking Do I sell my 2 Year Old and buy HIM?:)

[colleen&val]

go with your heart :)

[LittleChel]

How about a sharer or loaning one of them? Having a sharer (or even 2) could really help with money & time if you think you could find someone. Or else you could full loan Sioned as a companion know you could get her back any time you wanted or something like that?

[fairlady]

IF I could win the lottery and buy my Farm this would NOT be a
problem:rolleyes:

[Shansberry]

I would go for the welsh cob if I were you, only because you can ride him. It will be another year or so till you can start riding your girl. And eventhough a green horse can be fun and a good challenge, it can also be fustraiting, and you may end u finding out shes not the horse for you.

And follow your heart!

[Bronya]

Do you have the time to keep him in full ridden work? When they say the stifle has only slipped a few times, you need to know and have him on trial for a month at the level of work you'd be able to provide. Even if it's not slipping, look at the level of muscle on his quarters - is it 'normal' for a horse in full work, or does his front end look more muscled up? Often horses with locking stifles struggle to fully engage, and that would affect any future dressage/SJ/whatever. Your 2yo is healthy and will make a good riding horse. This one is lovely, but comes with baggage.

If you don't mind the baggage, go for it. My girl has locking stifles and has to be kept in a lot of work. If I'm ill I have to find someone to ride her, and that means riding her properly (on the bit, engaging hind end, circles etc) or there's no point. If I spend a week or so hacking and don't make her 'work', she gets upset as her stifles start locking again and I feel bad 'cause I know it's my fault. Two days off at a time is never an option for the same reason. I love my girl, she's got the most fantastic temperament and I've never regretted buying her - but she is high maintenance. Can you do that?

[Showjumper]

Ditto Bronya...it's also a bad time to be selling a youngster. I'd keep Sioned and let the Welshie go, but to a super home where he will be kept in the kind of workload he needs, maybe even somewhere you could go ride/see him occasionally? Do you reckon he'd work as a riding school horse for the more experienced students? Could be worth taking his photos and adverts to Kingsweston, the RDA and Tumpy Green.

[shandy84]

I am on the other side of the fence, you have been through trials and tribulations with horses and if you find the horse of your dreams in this lad I would buy him. I have a pony with locking stifles, it is a pain that you have to work them, there are no lazy days, but do you know she sounds like this lad since being fit she hasn't locked at all but is capable of collection, jumping etc nothing is beyond her now.

Your girl is a sweetheart, being coloured and of a good nature she will find a good home, the fact you are even considering it tells me in your heart you probably want this boy a little more.

Good luck deciding, any chance your friend would be interested in your mare?

[Portia]

...Help....What would YOU do?

Ah FL. This is one of those crossroads in life, an opportunity which suddenly presents itself, and a choice HAS to be made.

From me, gut feel would be to find a lovely home for for Sioned, and take on the cob.

[fjordlady]

Personally I would not buy the cob, but that's easy for me to say because I am not emotionally involved;).
As everyone as already said his condition does have to be carefully managed and could limit what you are able to do. There will always be times when you cannot ride even with the best will in the world ie illness, comittments, holidays and you will feel guilty. Next year will soon be year and you will reap the rewards of your effort and bond with your youngester:).

[Mary Poppins]

I don't know anything about locking stifles. Are you sure that this problem will not become more severe and you could therefore end up with a lame horse that you could not ride or sell on?

I am very fussy about the horses that I ride and trust. In my lifetime I can only name 3 horses that I totally trusted and would have brought in an instant if I could (none of them were actually mine). When that special horse comes along you have to recognise that bond and go for what you feel is right. If you are sure that you can cope with the horses condition and if you are prepared to deal with any more severe problems which may arise, I would go for the cob.

[huskyfinn]

i'm not sure about this kind of 'problem' but personally i would keep sioned, there's every chance the stifle could get worse and he could even end up with arthritis.
you've already put the work in with sioned so you know everything about her, she will become what you want her to become.

i think what you will have to do is think about who would you be more accepting of finding a new home for, the cob or sioned?

where abouts in bristol are you (pm me if you want) as i'm not far away so was just wondering if you would be able to keep them either at different yards or move sioned and shetland to another yard so you could keep all 3.

if you ask sometimes people would be willing to give a discount for having multiple horses, i know we got a discount with our 3 ponies. ;)

[Ace87]

It's easy for us to say one way or another as we're not emotionally involved like you are FL :(

Could you get this welshie and get a sharer for him? And possibly a sharer for Sioned too? Then surely you could afford them both and have time for them both? I know that's quite hypothetical in that finding a sharer isn't the easiest thing in the world...

I can't advise you either way but honestly my head would be swayed towards sioned, she is in good health and is young and could well grow in to being your perfect horse. The welshie, as lovely as he is could go lame. I know stifle problems aren't the end of the world but they're damn hard to rectify if they go badly wrong. If you definately have the time to put into keeping him in FULL work all the time then maybe you should go for him, but Sioned has yet to prove herself under saddle...

[rookierider]

Can anyone else in your family finance the shetland? Please don't shoot me as genuinely trying to help here.

That way you can keep the 2 you really want. Assuming shettie can't be ridden for some time yet and will he be used that much anyway? Can your family help with the shettie and once rideable get a sharer to cover his work? Doubt he would be worn out by a little tot so a sharer would work well.

In the ideal world you want to keep both the horses, assuming your 2 yr old is on grass livery you could even get a sharer for her later down the line or loan at your yard.

Personally even with the locking stifles I'd not let him go, I'm sure as you say it is so rare you feel this way you will regret it. I'd consider loan/share on the other two before that.

Best of luck x x

[MrKia+Me]

I would keep you youngster in all fairness.

Buying a horse with a known condition is risky as if something goes wrong your insurance wont cover it and you will have to fund anytreatment.

Leave well alone and enjoy playing with you filly.

Nikki xxxx

[Daffy Dilly]

The grass is always greener on the other side..

I'd keep Sioned. Not a dig at you, but I hate to see youngsters passed around, and I agree with those that say the welsh cob may not be rideable for long.

[fairlady]

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I could not sleep last night, my head was turning it all round.

Friend has phoned me this morning to say she would have Sioned down
at her Farm IF I wanted out on grass whilst I tried to sale. Not an option, she stays with me.

This is the decision I have come to. I don't in all honesty want to lose
either BUT I don't want 3 Horses thats absolutely ridiculous, for me.....I have to be totally realistic.

Egbert Macmuffin, the Shettie, is going nowhere, I bought him for my
G.Daughter, Leilani, and he is staying. Sharers could be an option but tbh they are like 'fairy dust' non existent!!!

I have told my Friend to get the Cob advertised, obviously he will be advertised and
sold with 'full disclosure' and a full 'Vets Report'.

I have advertised Sioned :eek: Believe me IF I sell her, it won't be a 'quick thing' to get rid of, I would hold out for the 'right' home, same
as I did with Morse, she deserves that, she has done absolutely NOTHING wrong.

IF I can find Sioned an excellent home, I will have Bromley, IF Bromley
is Sold..........it wasn't meant to be and I will happily keep Sioned.

Problem with Bromley is one I know about, I know him he has been around
almost a couple of months now, quite honestly if I DIDN'T know him I would
not be contemplating buying him, I was there when the stifles slipped, I was there for the Vets Report so I know what I would be taking on. I am quite happy I could keep him in the levels of fitness he needs, I am quite happy
that if I couldn't ride him I know people who could, and would:) Have no doubt I love Sioned, but it was honestly love at first sight with this
Boy, I just can't explain it.

ITS all in the hands of FATE....if its meant to be, it will be, if not, it won't:) I do know whichever way it goes there will be tears!!!!

[Sunshine-x]

I would keep Sioned personally coz stifle problems get worse with age and i think it would eb easier to keep your baby.

[Daffy Dilly]

Friend has phoned me this morning to say she would have Sioned down
at her Farm IF I wanted out on grass whilst I tried to sale. Not an option, she stays with me.

But you are seriously going to try and sell her? Doesn't the "she stays with me" tell you something? :confused:

[fairlady]

Daffy, I know what you are saying and totally understand, I honestly do, where you are coming from. I am on a bit of a heartbreaking decision here whichever way it goes.

I would not upset Sioned in any way shape or form by letting her move to another Yard at this time, she stays with me, simple as that, IF Bromley is
sold Sioned stays, she has done NOTHING wrong, she is a beautiful filly with paces to die for, I love her to bits, I honestly do, and if she does go believe me it will be to an excellent home, if she stays I am more than happy to keep her and carry on as we are going.

If Bromley is sold and he goes to a good home, I am happy about that as well, I will be absolutely gutted to miss out on him, but it was not meant to be, simple as that. If Sioned goes, I will be gutted as well, but if I find her the type of home I found for Morse I will be OK and will have Bromley.

Its not a decision I have taken lightly, maybe selling a Horse on is never an
easy decision, selling Morse was HARD, but also the right decision for him as
much as anything, he has a fabulous life with Pam his new Owner, there
is no reason to believe that if I sell Sioned I would be looking for anything
different for her. IF Bromley goes, I will be upset, but it doesn't mean I would be thinking any the less of Sioned, I would happily keep her and
carry on.

[Mary Poppins]

I don't believe in fate, I think that you make things happen. If you want Bromley then you need to actively buy him and then find a home for your filly. I think that you need to make a decision and then go with it. Otherwise you may find yourself very regretful if he is sold to someone else and you then decide that he was the one for you.

[fjordlady]

I think its very likely someone may buy your filly before the cob - so be prepared!

You are going into it with your eyes open. Just ask your self one final question, if the condition worsens and you are unable to sell on or ride him would you live to regret your decision? Only you know the answer to that one. Good luck anyway.

[fairlady]

It was really strange whilst up at the field tonight somebody stopped to chat and asked me if I had thought of selling Sioned:eek:

Turns out she was the Blacksmith's Wife:) said she always stopped to see her and always thought how lovely she was. I explained that I had just
advertised her but it turned out she thought Sioned was much older but
said that she would pass on the fact that she was being advertised to another Friend who had commented how lovely she was and who she
thought may be interested. Well we will see if she rings.

I am still in two minds about the whole situation to be honest.

[domane]

I fell in love with a friend's mare and really wanted her, but just couldn't afford to buy her outright. I even helped him sell her and the lady she went to was lovely, which was my only consolation. I was heartbroken when she'd gone - I'd really clicked with her - it was only then that I spoke to my friend about how much I had loved her and he told me he would have taken instalments if I'd told him how much I'd wanted her.....

So I would say don't let this one get away if something is gnawing away at you.

Here I am kissing Rosie goodbye :(

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a179/domane/Rosie/2007_0226feb26th0008.jpg

[Howengold]

Ditto Bronya...it's also a bad time to be selling a youngster. I'd keep Sioned and let the Welshie go, but to a super home where he will be kept in the kind of workload he needs, maybe even somewhere you could go ride/see him occasionally? Do you reckon he'd work as a riding school horse for the more experienced students? Could be worth taking his photos and adverts to Kingsweston, the RDA and Tumpy Green.


I agree x

[**jet**]

I think what will be will be x

[cookster1975]

Ah mate, I'm thinking of you. I know this is a really tough decision for you and that you absolutely fell in love with B when you saw him.

I can't advise you one way or the other - nobody can, it's only you that can make the decision because you're the one who will live with it. One thing I will say, having thought about it in the car when I left and knowing you, is that I DON'T think you should leave it to fate. I think you need to make a decision and go with that. You could regret it not having been YOUR choice. I'll be there for you anyway, whatever you decide.xx:)

I've edited this, having thought about it some more! Having said what I did above, I suppose if someone absolutely PERFECT came along for Sioned that would be different. It's a very tough one.xx