Horse changes ahead...

I have had my two Paint "pasture ornaments" almost since they were born.

Zoe is the palomino, and will be 20 in June. We have had her since she was 2.

Betsy is a Strawberry Roan Sabino, and will be 16 this year. We have had her since she was 6 months old.

I know that some of you do not have kids this old...so as you can imagine, they are really part of our family and we are very serious about what happens to them.

My daughters almost consider them "sisters"!

So this is where we are. My husband and I are making decisions as to our future, and know that the horses really need to be somewhere where they actually are being loved on more (and often) and have a good horse life... 

We rarely ride the horses, and know that they are very expensive pets! We also think we are ready to size down as we prepare for retirement in the hopefully not to far off future.

They are great horses and were started with professional trainers when they were 3. I think they probably had about 3-6 months professional training, so are broke to ride with no buck in them. They are broke to ride sweet horse's, and easy to be around.

It is important that they are not split up if at all possible, as they are each of the family.

They are both healthy and sound and had not been abused or pushed hard when they were young, which is why I think they are still sound. 

We think we have found the perfect place...

The future home we have found is an answer to prayer, and a "God " thing we think! 

It is very difficult to know that the home you are sending your horse to, will be a good home. The home is more important then selling them to just anyone. 

Many folks would jump at the chance to take a horse, that is being given to them...but I would not consider that to someone I do not know, or cannot confirm that they will do as they say. 

Having a horse now days is not an inexpensive venture, even if you have your own property. Also, keep in mind a nice big grassy field is an invitation to trouble if you do not schedule their time on the fields... to much rich grass can lead to many health issues, some that will be lifetime (laminitis for one..and you want to avoid this at all cost..)

The cost for upkeep (feed being a really expensive cost) as well as trims/shoes, vet upkeep, etc is more then many can commit to. The decision to own a horse is a serious and expensive commitment.

So before I share our decision for my two girls (horse girls of course) I ask you..what would you do?

I am curious what others would do in my situation...