So I have one of my horses, Hope whom I am selling after 4 yrs. She has taught me so much, but I have advanced in a different way and she is just not comfortable competing beside me. She loves to work and she does not get the proper attention staying home with me. After deciding to sell her, I contacted the old owners and gave them first right to buy back, as was in the contract. They refused, reposted her ad and life went on. Fast forward a couple of months and we entered her in our local horse auction. The auction house does a really good job at weeding out 'bad' buyers, but I took it a step further for the sake of this mare. She sells with a reserve and there are a list of buyers that are approved. I have to get in contact with them before hand, get good word from trainers, barn mates etc.

Today I get a call from the past owners wanting me to take her out of the auction. I understand the concern, if I was not doing everything in my power to ensure her a good home. They know about all the regulations, so to speak, but still want her withdrawn. Do I withdraw her? I have owned her for just over 4 yrs, have given them first right of refusal many times and made it clear that at any time, they could purchase her back while she has been avaliable. Did I do something wrong in going about this?

So do they want to buy her back then? Or they want you to keep her?

You don't have to take her out of auction unless the previous owner wants to buy her back. They have no right to dictate what you do with the horse after they refuse buyback rights (unless there's something in the contract about that, but it doesn't sound like there is).

Update:

Got off the phone with them *again* . They decided they wanted her back, and were willing to pay half her original price. They wanted her tack, but I use it on all my other horses, so that was a no. We decided to just sell her back to them, knowing they took good care of her and, she will finally be back in work. Not the nicest way to go about it, but I am glad she is going to a good home.

That's so obnoxious and why I don't deal with "right of first refusal" contracts. But I'm glad you got her sorted and going back to a good home. :)

Yeah, note to myself for the future...

I suppose I can see both sizes, but either way I think you were in the right of this. You offered them her first, and they declined, so it should be up to you where she goes (especially with your good intentions for her home) so they shouldn't really have much of a say after you offered. Glad it ended up working out well though!

If you've got texts or other proof of them refusing I would have gone ahead with the auction. They said no, it's completely insulting how they refused, tried to dictate how you sell her, and then gave you only half of original and wanted her tack.

I would've told them to f-off. That's absolute bs and you took a loss.