HGG Community Forums

((A little back story - I have a semi retired show horse gelding that has been suffering, for a few years, with a mystery lameness. I am working on getting to the bottom of this mystery but at this time he is no sound and is not being ridden. So keep in mind I already have a "useless" horse in my care lol granted even if he is never ridable again I absolutely love the guy and he will be going know where - hes my buddy, even if someone offered me millions for him, I would never sell him. Hes here to stay whether I ride him again or not - I don't care about usability in the typical sense (Hes shown me there is more to horses then just riding))

Now to the reason I am writing this epic story lol 9 months ago I purchased a bred OTTB sporthorse broodmare, great looking and phenomenal moving mare.
I'm torn between keeping the Mare or the Foal... both are great and with this crazy economy I'm not sure what the right decision is. I had originally intended to keep the mare and sell the foal but the foal is quite nice so now lol its a toss up...

Option 1 Keep the known, but permanently lame, MATURE Mare
- A known factor, I know what I have. I know she is a great quality broodmare and could easily make me many more great quality foals in the future. But she will only ever be a broodmare she is not a riding horse due to lameness issues and if she is not pregnant she is just sitting not serving a purpose other then to sit in the pasture and eat lol (Again, no riding, another unsound horse not fit for riding - would like to ride again before I die of old age lol (I'm 32 fyi lol))

Option 2 keep the unknown but promising filly
- Unlimited and unknown potential, which is a risk I could get everything I want and need or the foal could have issues later on.
- I do know that the filly will probably be tall - is already 10/11hh and is barely a month old but she might not be. She could potentially be a great broodmare in the future but may not, could be a great sporthorse but might not, and she could have a great temperament but again might not lol

*You have no idea what that foals potential will truly turn out to be until full grown around 4-5 yrs of age, you can make really good educated guesses but you wont know for absolute sure until maturity.

-So I'm torn lol im asking what would you do and why in my situation pros and cons. (Im trying to not let emotion rule my decision) A foal is adorable and who wouldn't want to keep an adorable foal right?? SO! lol try to be impartial to the fact this is an adorable foal were hypethically thinking about selling here lol

P.S. I know its hard lol

Realistic thoughts about future potential risks and gains here as the broodmare was not a "aww I want one" decision it was a business decision and I"m not sure what my next move should be. Id like to hear what others think and hopefully this might send me one direction or another as right know I'm smack in the middle and I cant keep both. As much as Id like to keep both I cant, so someone has to go sadly.