Advice please people!

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Sarah1

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Hi guys! Been asked to post by a friend for some opinions on her current situation please!
Friend lost her mare at New Year and has been sort of looking since for another horse.
By friends own admission she is a decent rider but quite nervous if given cause to be and would want something safe and sane to hack out and perhaps do a few low level RC shows with.
Anyway a woman on her yard has told her about a 7 yr old 15.1hh TB x gelding. He has SJ at County level shows but has been out of work for 6 mths as the owners daughter lost interest.
She has been to look at him a couple of times and on her 1st visit just watched him being ridden. She was told he was schooled and hacked in a snaffle but they used a gag for jumping. When she saw him being ridden in school on the flat, after having just been sat on after 6 mths out of work, the bit they used was a gag.
The owners have told my friend that he's safe and not fizzy but they have also let slip that he can be sharp!
My friend rode him herself and he was fine - faster than she is used to but seemd quiet enough.
The things is that she has a few concerns that when he's fit and back in work he might be a different animal to how he is now and not the safe ride she's being advised that he is. The issues with the bit concerns her a little too and also she was unable to try him in traffic as they are so remote, however, he didn't bat an eye at the farm traffic.
So what do you reckon and what would you advise her to do?
 
hard to tell off the limited details, but it sounds like it has definatly got something about it if it jumped at county level.
May well be that it turns into a little powerhouse once fit.
a gag is very strong for a horse thats been out of work
With time she could school it down onto a snaffle, it sounds a bti risky too me.probably very nice but maybe a bit much.Just my opinion thou! x
 
if shes got ANY doubts regarding how sane/sensible the horse is - tell her to walk away. he may be lovely but there are some equally lovely but sane and safe horses
x
 
Be wary. I bought a horse a few years back that had had 6mths off and seemed quite enough. However he was underweight and as soon as he put on any condition he was a nightmare. I really couldn't feed him anything without him getting fizzy and in the end I sold him.
 
Sorry about the vagueish details - I'm sure you can understand why I haven't posted in more detail! Thanks for replying though!
 
Could she have him on loan with a view to buy? They have had him sitting around doing nothing for 6 months so maybe they would be open to this, that way she won't have the worry about getting stuck with a fruit loop!
 
I would say if yor friend is ready to get fit and progress with her riding the horse sounds ideal - if she just wants a quiet simple hack maybe not.
 
I think 1st and foremost she wants a nice safe hack that she can enjoy! If it can do a bit more then great but the safety is a big part of it for her.
 
Nope, there's too many doubts there. I think she would be silly to continue with this horse. Tell her to walk away and looks for something that is really suitable.
 
QR - thanks for your advice guys! Keep it coming!
I don't want to paint a totally bad picture of this horse - he does sound like a thoroughly nice natured chap (for the time being anyway) and my friend is drawn to him but does have her concerns, which are also be my concerns for her.
 
If your friend just wants a quiet hack I'd get her to look at one. The horse you describe seems like he is capable of doing more which she isn't really after. Unless she can have a trial at their yard, even for just a few weeks, I'd tell her to look around and see what else is out there, the last thing she needs after losing her mare is to have the heartbreak of bonding with another horse only to find out he's not the one for her.
 
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