The Trauma of Losing a Horse
We all know how incredibly hard it is when a horse passes away. It’s even more painful when you are the one who has to make that decision. But something that is rarely talked about is the grief and trauma of having to sell your horse due to various circumstances.
When a horse dies, at least you know where they are. The grief is overwhelming, and we all process it in our own ways. But when you sell your horse, you usually have no idea where they will end up – and there’s always the risk that things won’t turn out the way you hoped.
Some try to solve this by loaning out the horse so they can keep an eye on them. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. Suddenly, the loaner might not be able to keep the horse, they might move far away, or their life situation might change – and then you’re left without a stable to put your horse in. The horse ends up moving back and forth, creating disappointment and worry.
Between selling and loaning, I would probably choose to sell to someone who can truly take care of the horse. But how can you be sure? You can’t be 100% certain. You can check out the buyer, talk to people who know them, and try to get a sense of whether they are responsible horse owners. You can include a buy-back clause in the contract, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always hold up in a legal dispute. And even if the horse does come back – where will I be in my life then? Will I have the time, space, and money to take them back?
Over the years, I have owned many horses and also traded them. The ones I bought and sold quickly were easier to let go of. But my “own” horses – the ones that had truly touched my heart – have sometimes been painfully hard to part with. I can tell you, it doesn’t get easier with age. They become almost like your children.
Sometimes, however, you still have to make the difficult decision when you can no longer give them the care they need. The only way to avoid this kind of trauma is to think carefully before buying a horse. Will I still have the time and money in five or ten years? Or am I buying just for fun, while I can?
Always think of the horse’s well-being. It’s not good for them to change owners often or be moved from stable to stable. A horse leaves its mark on your soul – and I truly hope you never have to experience this kind of trauma.
