For Sale?!

I was recently asked if any of the Sanctuary horses were for sale. I'm guessing that the person asking didn't know that we are a Sanctuary (we keep a fairly low profile). I'd heard the name before but hadn't put two and two together until I realized I think the person asking was a horse trader, at least in my books.

This person wanted to know if I wanted to sell any of the horses or the ponies. This isnt' the first time I've been asked but I'm a little blown away. I've never asked anyone if they wanted to sell any of their horses before, without even knowing them or hearing that a particular horse might be fore sale. I guess in most people's worlds, anything is for sale at the right price.

The problem is, I know exactly which horses were first in line if I were to say, "pick one, he's yours." Everyone would go directly to Chaos and then Dude. I'm not selling Chaos for a million bucks. I haven't taken pictures of him lately but man oh man has he beefed out. I've seen studs that aren't as muscular as him. Ok, so maybe muscular isn't the right word but he's big. And I'd never sell Dude. He's broke to ride and pretty well broke but he's lame. Oh sure I can hop on and ride him around but he's too unpredictable with that hip. Unless you know what is going on with his back end, no one would be the wiser. Even the farrier thought that maybe he could be rideable when he got older, not knowing that he has a major problem with his hip and is dangerous to ride.

And as far as the ponies go, they've been through enough and I can't guarantee that they would stay together. Most people would separate them. Never mind Skippy has a skin condition that is starting to flare up again.

So while the herd may look great from the road or standing at a gate watching them, unless you know them, you don't know that 99% of the horses at the Sanctuary have a health problem. Some might be minor but others are major and a real hazard to anyone that would attempt to ride them. So I am a little perturbed that someone would ask me out of the blue if I would sell them because they obviously don't know what we do or the promise that I make to each horse. The only way I'll work with a horse trader is to take on a horse, never to sell one. Don't tell me that you know of a family looking for a particular horse and that they would go to a "forever" home. YOU can't guarantee me that because you are going to "buy" the horse from me, and then turn around and sell it for a profit to someone else. You turn into the middle man and I am left not knowing where one of my beloved family members went to. So, no I will not sell. Asking me to sell one of the horses is the same as asking me if my son or husband is for sale (although I sometimes think the later could go for fairly cheap). So, unless you have 10 million dollars, the Sanctuary horses are NOT for sale.