advice please

Hi. I would appreciate some advice. As I posted in the welcome section, I would like to help save another pony/horse. In the past I have found super homes for 3 horses (all trotters) without a problem. But I am becoming increasingly aware that when selling a horse at a “sensible” price (i.e. not a high price just because it has a certain colour etc.), there is always a danger that a prospective purchaser will not be the ideal owner & that the horse will end up no better off than before it was rescued. My current 2 horses are both Pur Sang Anglais (thoroughbreds) & therefore perhaps not so easy to re-home because of the reputation this breed tends to have, not because of problems with individual animals. I have become extremely fond of my gelding & I want him to go to a very good home. Unfortunately, even the best home might not be ever so I would like to safeguard his future by selling him with a contract, if this possible/viable. I have seen contracts referred to by official rescue organisations but I don't know anything about them. Can anyone help?

I have a second question - my other horse is a mare (well-bred I am told) & someone perhaps would like to buy her as a prospective brood mare. I have seen on some rescue sites that are selling trotters the phrase "interdite de repoduction". Does anyone know if this applies only to trotter mares, if it is a sanction imposed by the former owner or the National Haras ....? I have not been told that my TB mare cannot be used for breeding but I would hate to mislead a purchaser.

To use a French phrase - merci d'avance!

Hi jenny, sorry I can't help with this one I've never sold a horse here for exactly that reason, you just never know who you are selling to, could you perhaps let your gelding go to a permanent loan home? at least then you would have control. cally will maybe know the answer to the second part of your question, or [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Fingers crossed.
pen [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hi Pen
Thanks for your welcome & for your reply. I have thought of loaning my gelding but the main reason I might sell him is so that I can save another horse. Unfortunately even the rescue cases cost money (the meat value is so high) & if I loan him I don't get any money, so I can't save another horse (& my mare would be on her own, which is not acceptable) - a catch 22 situation! The other reason I have considered selling him is that, although he is only 158 cm (15.2hh), he is still a bit big for me. I am barely 152 cm (5 ft.) tall, I weigh 40 kilos (6 stone) & at 60 years of age I am not now very supple (never have been very gymnastic, to tell the truth!). I always use a mounting block. Now that my son has left home I ride alone & if I have to dismount (or fall off, God forbid) I can't get back on again! So something smaller would be sensible. But he is one of the sweetest horses I have ever owned so I am not over-anxious to part with him.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Hi and welcome
I'll be back later hopefully with some useful info , out delivering most of today so asap
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the phrase on trotters papers for mares about not for breeding refers to a scheme where owners of mares not of racing standard can apply to have her breeding status 'revoked' i believe the owner gains some money advantage?
it was to try to prevent the massive over breeding of mediocre trotters who usually don't get past their 3rd birthday before being 'scrapped'

if i understood it right they can still breed but the foal is not eligable for registration to race? but the mares are often now used to breed out to other breeds or even donkeys to get mules which are becoming more popular.

bloomin' red tape!.....the french can even get it into horse breeding!

bye [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thanks for the 'info Salee - that sounds about right. As you can tell I haven't a clue about the "official" side of breeding. I haven't enough land to consider breeding from my mare myself. I think she will make a good riding, even competition, horse. (That's if I ever get round to re-backing her - she's had some months off, since my son left); however, she may also be suitable for breeding. She has super conformation and standing at 15.1hh could be used to breed ponies as well as horses.