Well, let's see... my personal experiences...

1. Cob-type mare, purchased from a dude string that couldn't handle her. Obviously wouldn't have sold her back to them. Sold when I moved, to a family with 6 kids. Buyback clause was verbal, mare stayed with new owners until she passed.

2. Morgan gelding, picked up on side of road as he was being loaded on way to auction. Wouldn't give the former owners a mouse, much less sell the gelding back to them. Sold to a ranch family, no buyback, stayed with family until he passed.

3. Morab gelding, love of my life. Bought when owner finished college and went to be a missionary. Verbal buyback to them, horse lived with me until he died, would have gladly given him back to the parents if the need had arisen.

4. TB/QH mare, bought from "puppy mill" breeding facility, not a chance in hell I would have returned her. Sold to close friends, buyback verbal. They contacted me when the mare was 24 years old, saying they had not intended to sell, but an older woman had fallen in love with her and wanted her as a pasture pet. I checked out the woman (perfect home, btw) and released my privilege. Mare is still with woman, who knows I will take mare back at any time for any reason.

5. Pinto pony mare, bought from herd dispersal. No place to give her back to. Sold to young boy, last seen galloping her bareback across their pastures, carrying bow and arrow and racing imaginary buffalo. No buyback, as there were 3 other children in household waiting their turn at her. (She was sold once before, with a buyback clause, and I bought her back when that family moved into town and couldn't keep her. I was 1500 miles away. Called a local friend, who hitched up trailer and went and got her, and boarded her for me for two more years.)

6. Kip. Again, wouldn't send him back to where he came from. Now placed with BO, buyback in place, but I don't think I would be able to afford to buy him back after another season racing successfully. But if he's ever retired and needs a home, he is welcome back with me, and BO will honor that.

I think I've been insanely lucky.