Saxon_Jasmine
Well-Known Member
I have officially owned my little TB for a year today so thought I'd share her story so far.
In Jan 2010 my then non-horsey (now loves riding) bf and I decided we were in the position to buy a horse. We found a few on the internet that we liked and arranged a viewing of an ISH sports horse. So, a few days later we went to view the horse, who turned out to be a nervous reck. We were about to head off when a dealer at the yard sugested we viewed a new horse she had in from Ireland.
We agreed and went to meet her. The apparent 'Irish sports horse' looked suspiciously Thoroughbred like, but I decided to give her a try anyway (we were looking to buy a sport horse or cob x gelding). The second I got on her my view of Thoroughbreds changed. I found her to be the most honest, willing, safest little horse I had ever ridden (all be it very green). We asked lots of questions, including suggesting that she was possible a TB (and were assured she was not), and arranged a second viewing.
At the second viewing I knew it was meant to be. We paid a deposite and arranged for her vetting. I think this has to be the most exciting moment of my life so far!
She passed the vetting, and we found out that she has a Weatherby's passport, so we were right after all. It turned out that she wasn't the 'been there, done that ISH sport horse' she was meant to be, but a TB straight out of racing. (This is currently being looked into).
Anyway, the poor little mite was in such a sorry state, and seemed such a lovely horse we couldn't give her back. So she arrived!
This is her first night at our yard:
We let her settle in for a week and then had a little ride on her. However we then decided she was in too poor a condition to be ridden so she had a month off. We spent a lovely month with her and getting to know her. We gave her daily walk outs in hand and re inforced basic manners. We also spent a lot of time pampering her
This is the first time I rode her:
And my bf sitting on her:
So after her month of chilling she we got a saddle fitter out and kitted her out with lovely new tack. Photo:
She then learnt to go on the lunge and over poles:
We then sorted a fitness and re schooling programme for her and begun getting her fit. It was such a rewarding and lovely process watching our beautiful horse become herself. A few months later we decided to have a pop around one of our yards anaffiliated sj comps. I was doing it to get her used to being in the ring, ect, but she had other ideas.. she was out to win
So we got our first clear round.
Photo:
We continued to play around and let her enjoy feeling healthy. We took her XC schooling which was great fun.
Photos:
She had a few weeks off relaxing in the field:
And then we entered our first unaffliliated ODE. Again, she proved herself to be the safest, most willing horse.
Photos:
We did a military riding comp:
Won our first SJ and qualified for nationals:
My friend taught her some DR:
More XC schooling:
Some bareback riding (with bf):
A showing show:
Tried bitless riding and jumping:
And recently, a bit of dressage, sj and hunting
And of course, numerous cuddles!
So... a year on. It still hasn't hit me that my dream has come true and I own (half) a horse. It hasn't been the easiest of years with regards to having to re register horse as being alive, paying lots of vets bills confirming she is alive and well, etc. However every second has been worth it
We have the kindest and most willing little horse with a super personality. She has exceeded our expectations by proving herself to be such a lovely alrounder, and she is still improving. She has put on stacks of weight, now has a lovely shiney coat, and is no longer headshy. She recently learned to work in a constant outline and is now enjoying showing off in the menage!
She is my horse of a lifetime, and I will always love her unconditionally.
In Jan 2010 my then non-horsey (now loves riding) bf and I decided we were in the position to buy a horse. We found a few on the internet that we liked and arranged a viewing of an ISH sports horse. So, a few days later we went to view the horse, who turned out to be a nervous reck. We were about to head off when a dealer at the yard sugested we viewed a new horse she had in from Ireland.
We agreed and went to meet her. The apparent 'Irish sports horse' looked suspiciously Thoroughbred like, but I decided to give her a try anyway (we were looking to buy a sport horse or cob x gelding). The second I got on her my view of Thoroughbreds changed. I found her to be the most honest, willing, safest little horse I had ever ridden (all be it very green). We asked lots of questions, including suggesting that she was possible a TB (and were assured she was not), and arranged a second viewing.
At the second viewing I knew it was meant to be. We paid a deposite and arranged for her vetting. I think this has to be the most exciting moment of my life so far!
She passed the vetting, and we found out that she has a Weatherby's passport, so we were right after all. It turned out that she wasn't the 'been there, done that ISH sport horse' she was meant to be, but a TB straight out of racing. (This is currently being looked into).
Anyway, the poor little mite was in such a sorry state, and seemed such a lovely horse we couldn't give her back. So she arrived!
This is her first night at our yard:
We let her settle in for a week and then had a little ride on her. However we then decided she was in too poor a condition to be ridden so she had a month off. We spent a lovely month with her and getting to know her. We gave her daily walk outs in hand and re inforced basic manners. We also spent a lot of time pampering her
This is the first time I rode her:
And my bf sitting on her:
So after her month of chilling she we got a saddle fitter out and kitted her out with lovely new tack. Photo:
She then learnt to go on the lunge and over poles:
We then sorted a fitness and re schooling programme for her and begun getting her fit. It was such a rewarding and lovely process watching our beautiful horse become herself. A few months later we decided to have a pop around one of our yards anaffiliated sj comps. I was doing it to get her used to being in the ring, ect, but she had other ideas.. she was out to win
So we got our first clear round.Photo:
We continued to play around and let her enjoy feeling healthy. We took her XC schooling which was great fun.
Photos:
She had a few weeks off relaxing in the field:
And then we entered our first unaffliliated ODE. Again, she proved herself to be the safest, most willing horse.
Photos:
We did a military riding comp:
Won our first SJ and qualified for nationals:
My friend taught her some DR:
More XC schooling:
Some bareback riding (with bf):
A showing show:
Tried bitless riding and jumping:
And recently, a bit of dressage, sj and hunting
And of course, numerous cuddles!
So... a year on. It still hasn't hit me that my dream has come true and I own (half) a horse. It hasn't been the easiest of years with regards to having to re register horse as being alive, paying lots of vets bills confirming she is alive and well, etc. However every second has been worth it
We have the kindest and most willing little horse with a super personality. She has exceeded our expectations by proving herself to be such a lovely alrounder, and she is still improving. She has put on stacks of weight, now has a lovely shiney coat, and is no longer headshy. She recently learned to work in a constant outline and is now enjoying showing off in the menage!
She is my horse of a lifetime, and I will always love her unconditionally.
