Absolutely Gutted!

Parkranger

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Took potential horse on Epsom Downs today - he wasn't bad but just freaked out a bit - spun in the road with me.....unfortunately after that I realised that he needed a confident rider who wouldn't get stressed when he decided something was too scarey.

So looks like I'm going to be looking for a while......just realised that I need something which really is near to a novice ride but also something that will want to do the things I do (jump, maybe hunt).....which I think is going to be near impossible.

Anyway, you live a learn and it was lucky I had the chance to test him before I brought him!
 
Oh that is a shame!
Not sure exactly what you are looking for but please don’t rule out a cob. After spending a year with a bit of a nutter ,TBxID, I brought a coloured cob (see below) and we are out jumping, XCing and having loads of fun!! They may not make grade A but you can do a bit of everything on them while feeling you have a leg at each corner, if that makes sense?
 
Actually, it is not a matter of getting a horse suitable for a novice, but more a horse with manners, particularly if you want to jump and hunt. And there are some out there, but it is often word of mouth.

At least you didn't make an expensive mistake with this horse.
 
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Oh that is a shame!
Not sure exactly what you are looking for but please don’t rule out a cob. After spending a year with a bit of a nutter ,TBxID, I brought a coloured cob (see below) and we are out jumping, XCing and having loads of fun!! They may not make grade A but you can do a bit of everything on them while feeling you have a leg at each corner, if that makes sense?

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Ah what a lovely horse!
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Actually, it is not a matter of getting a horse suitable for a novice, but more a horse with manners, particularly if you want to jump and hunt. And there are some out there, but it is often word of mouth.

At least you didn't make an expensive mistake with this horse.

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Yeah you're probably right - I know I'm not a novice deep down but I think that I lost so much confidence on Ty that I find it hard not to trust a horse not to rear and freak out with me......which is stupid as Ty was only a pig when you asked him to jump (or overfed him).

Hopefully something will come up.
 
Echo the cob endorsement! My new cob was an angel today, hacked past the very noisy tractor pumping in the yard, teeny spook at very noisy pheasants jumping about being fed, listened to the funny noises behind a high hedge but never thought for a second of turning round. Look for something Irish if you can and with recommendations! (My mare would have needed me to hold her hand and reassure her much more, they are all different).
 
I definately want something Irish! I know I don't want a warmblood as I find them hard work......just don't think they suit my style of riding...
 
I think you are extremely wise.

I am not very experienced at this horse lark, but my wife is, and in the many years I have spent around people and their horses I have lost count of the number of people I have seen who have bought unsuitable horses and then deeply regretted it.

I am sure it must by unbelievable aggravating not being able to find just the 'right one', but surely that is better than both horse and owner being miserable due to incompatibility.
 
I agree with above that it's not necessarily a novice ride you want, but just a horse with manners!!! Can 2nd the Cob vote (they're not all plods!!), but then I maybe a little bias.
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I would say not to rule out a particular breed completely. I was looking for a sensible cob with manners who would take me safely out on hacks so when a freind of a friend told me she had a 17.1hh trakehner for sale I told her I wasn't interested. I did go and try him though after some persuasion from a friend that he really was a lovely horse. Luckily, she let me have him on trial for 3 weeks and I soon found that he was an ideal hack - completely bombproof in traffic, had good brakes, doesn't rear, buck or spin, and has perfect manners so I bought him.
7 months on and I'm still wondering where his faults are because I haven't found any yet!
And I would never have looked at a trakehner as I knew I didn't need that type of horse.
Good luck with your horse hunting - hope you find your ideal partner soon!
 
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Ah, he may be a bit pricey then, but he is worth it, so easy to do, but not boring, got a pic somewhere if you are interested

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PM me details by all means x
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Your pms are full
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He is 7, based in suffolk, not been vetted yet, she gets everything from her sister in Ireland, (who was in the irish olympic event team) who knows how to pick them
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He is open to vet though of course
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He is 16.1hh

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Oooops - I've emptied them now! He sounds nice - just a shame he's so far away......
 
I adore my Irish traditional cob. When I bought him I only wanted a pony I felt safe on to plod round which he is. However now I have gained a bit of confidence we are going to dressage classes and I actually came second!!!
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Its only basic stuff but he looks fab doing it and he can jump so maybe a very basic hunter trial is not out of the question.
 
Funnily enough, I'd agree about not ruling out any breed. My 14yo gelding has taken me to medium dressage, rides and leads my 5yo girl on her pony, does pleasure rides, x/c, and hunts with Readyfield (known as a bunch of loonies). I got him as a 3yo and he turns his hoof to anything (looking for a side saddle for him atm, and hopi ng to have him broken to drive this year) - to look at, most people reckon he's an arab.

My trakehner mare, who's now 6yo is his apprentice, and is actually sharper than him, but does also hunt, ride and lead, xc and hopefully she'll go showjumping too when I get organised.

There you go, 2 of the more unlikely breeds doing what you want and doing it well.

There is a lovely 15hh quality coloured cob for sale on my yard atm (rising 11). Safe as houses, hunts, hacks and never puts a foot wrong, novice ride but the oomph for a more experienced rider if required. A really genuine horse. He pops a log out hacking, will jump a fence in the school and everything out hunting, not a showjumper though. CHAPS reg and has done nicely showing, would also do a nice dressage test. He's £4250, and I think he's cracking.

If you can travel to S Yorkshire (2 hours on the train from London) pm me for the number.
 
oh what a shame, don't give up though, George is a TB, shire, ID mix who was bred as a hunter. He loves jumping and has hunted quite a bit, but even at 8 he is still happy to go slow with me and do some dressage (sort of!) he's safe but not a plod - they do exist!
 
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Not impossible, my cob is suitable for a novice/nervous rider but jumps and has hunted in Ireland.

Keep looking good luck!

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I suppose that's the thing I just don't want something I don't feel safe on and behaves like an idiot in new situations - can handle the odd buck, high jinx on a hack so not a complete novice.....guess I'll just take my time!
 
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