07/23/2026
Great advice and when I've Paso's ready to find homes for again (as all current riding Paso's have found their forever homes) I am going to change my sale contracts to reflect these great ideas!
That whole ‘first right of refusal’ thing that people so love, thinking it safely seals their horses’ fates, should things not work out?
Depending on where you live, it’s not infallible in the letter of the law. In most jurisdictions, there is absolutely no legal ruling that says you, the horse’s seller, must be the first person given the chance to buy the horse back. This means that in most places, this offer must be the current owner’s idea; it cannot be a past owner’s demand.
Many of us grow irate when we learn that such a horse has later been sold on, forgetting the uncomfortable fact that we, ourselves, once dared to sell this horse!
There are a few practical things we can do for peace of mind, when it comes to safekeeping a horse’s future.
I make sure that I am easy to find, that my contact information is up to date on all my leasing and sales paperwork. I freeze-brand every single one of my horses with our family’s legally-registered brand (the Keystone). A lot of people know this brand, due to the popularity of the page. It comforts me, knowing that I have all these eyes on the ground, watching out for my horses.
I guarantee—in writing—that my sale horses and ponies will work well for one full year after purchase, or I'll buy them back, less a monthly amount that we refer to as a ‘lease fee’. This has proven to be a very sound business practice after thirty-odd years. No trainer worth his, or her salt wants a horse of theirs in hands where things are not going well. So often, all that is needed is more riding and then, a second chance to find these horses a worthy home.
In all these years, I have only been called upon to buy back three horses; all of whom sold later on, to wonderful homes. Two of these buyers went on to buy another of my horses that better suited their needs and skill sets, so it worked out, all around. Years later, they, as so many of my clients do, remain on friendly terms today.
I also make it known that I will take any of my branded horses back for retirement, years later on. A bill of sale is prepared in the usual way and I buy back these horses for an agreed upon amount of legal tender, usually one dollar. Once this happens, I have full owner’s rights when it comes to maintenance, veterinary care and ultimately end-of-life decisions.
Those of you who support my Buy Me A Coffee account through monthly or annual subscriptions (via pre-authorized credit card payments) are actually supporting the care and maintenance meds for these retirees. You should know how important is your generosity and I thank you hugely. Even reading, liking, loving and commenting on my daily Keystone posts means that monthly, Meta deposits money directly into my bank account.
If you’d like to consider supporting these horses further, this is my secure BMAC link.
buymeacoffee.com/horsewoman
If you do decide to join as a member, you will be invited to join our private group, Keystone Members Only. This is a hugely supportive, close-knit gathering of real horse people who openly share all our little victories and heartbreaks. It is a safe space to ask questions and talk about this thing that we so love.
I currently have five horses here, living out their final years. They love to be home on the ranch again, grazing with their old friends on the hilly pastures, swishing flies under the big cottonwoods along the creek. Three of them are still on light riding duty, checking grass and fence lines and occasionally, helping out with my lesson program. They give my students a chance to feel what it’s like to ride a bona fide bridle horse. Two others are now unridden, living out their happy last chapters as they deserve.
They nicker when we go out to them with their daily meds, fly spray and grooming mitts, for they know they are loved. They still have their feet and teeth done regularly, which your kind support helps with, as well. One of these horses is enjoying her last summer on green grass, for we will not ask her to go through another uncompromising Alberta winter. Knowing this is ahead of us is not easy.
None of this behind-the-scenes benevolence is a moneymaker for me. The healthy sale and board horses, the ranch’s hay sideline, my writing and teaching and sometimes, Mike’s and my joint household account, have all taken turns picking up the health ‘n’ wellness tab on the old-timers. And, of course, there is always a price to my heart, for while last chapters can be beautiful, they are also very hard.
It's bittersweet, this promise of care to these horses who have long ago done their part to sustain my business… but doing this for them is what allows this one horse dealer to look at herself in the mirror, every now and then.
Having a clear conscience and an open heart are important parts of my horsemanship. I harbour too many regrets, deep sorrows that still visit me in the dark hours, to wish for anything else.
Shown here, two of the old guard, Tee and Cinnabar. Most days, they're just hanging out but they're still happy to shine up and go to town with us, every now and then.
Photo: Maggi McIvor.
