Anyhoo. Keeping Ri

There are many horror stories about buying and selling horses. For the most part I encountered normal folks, nice folks, and if it was not exactly "fun" it was not miserable either.

We've all read Black Beauty and we know how quickly a horse's fortunes can turn in one sale.  When you sell, you lost control of your horse's future. I felt responsible, and afraid, for Riley changing hands.

Talking to Buyers
I figured the best way to ensure a good home was to find the best fit for Ri. When people called I was honest to the point of being confessional. Ri had been going great, but he's a horse that needs a particular program to thrive. Everyone got "my spiel" about his history and the kind of program he does best in -- turnout especially.

A complicating factor, at least the first month he was for sale, was that after 3 years without losing a single shoe, he lost a shoe and stepped on the clip in February. It took about a month for that to really resolve.

What happened...

• About eight people came to try him. Most of the buyers were capable riders, but no one 'clicked' with him amazingly. I had really been banking on everyone riding better than I did -- didn't happen.
• His right front x-ray concerned people -- they either walked, or they used it to bargain price. I know those radiographs, and I know Riley and his history, but the buyers don't have that knowledge -- can't really blame them for skepticism, but it gave me pause.
• He was in training while he was for sale, and I didn't ride him most of the summer. Then I thought, what the hell -- I started riding him again after 3 months in training. He felt freakin' awesome.  A friend who had been goading me to sell him came out one day to watch a lesson. She took me aside afterward and said, "Don't you sell him now."

So Ri is not for sale. I'm now riding him 2-3 days a week myself, one lesson, and my trainer rides him one day.  I'm on a high after a super ride yesterday.

I don't know... The sales process may have just been the journey we needed to get to the next step. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted...