Franklin Levinson's
Horse Help Center
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No time so horse's behavior is suffering. To sell or not to sell.
Hi Franklin,
I've had my quarter horse mare for about a year now. When I first got her she was extremely well behaved, which was what I wanted since I hadn't ridden for a couple years. I am a college student and between school and work I just don't have much time for riding. She has recently started rearing, while leading on the ground, while lunging, and while being ridden. I don't know if this is because I don't ride her enough or if it is something else. During our last ride she reared very high and almost went over backwards. Now I am scared of her. I probably shouldn't have bought her in the first place because of my lack of time and money but now I don't know what to do. I thought maybe it would be fairer to her if I sold her but I am afraid that someone would get hurt. Can you please give me some advice?
Hi Steffanie,
Horses, as you probably know, need consistent handling, exercise and some time doing different things (along with regular turn out and good maintenance). Your horse seems to be suffering from lack of attention and good handling. If the mare was great when you got her and now is 'not', it is because of neglect or improper handling. I can tell you are very well intentioned. If it were my horse, I would either spend the time myself or hire someone to 'tune' the horse up before I sold her. Her behavior is fairly easy to modify if you know what you are doing training wise. It would just take a bit of time and consistency. If you are unable, consider hiring a good, gentle horse trainer to bring her 'back' before selling her. Your costs would come off the top of whatever price you got for her. If she is very pretty and really immediately shows potential, perhaps you may find someone with the training skills to buy her and rehabilitate her. You would not get as much money for her, but it sounds like finding her a good home might be more important to you. Good luck and please let me know the outcome.
Sincerely, Franklin