Am I asking too much??

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showaddy1

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Having recently bought a horse for my nervous teenage who, in retrospect, I think was doped (the horse, not the teenager!).... I am wondering if I am expecting to much?
I just want a quiet hack, under 13yrs, who I can trust most of the time (I say most, we all have off days). I dont care if it is ugly, has war wounds or odd little quirks, providing it is safe...
I am currently selling the cob as a second horse/ experienced rider only and I am expecting to lose at least half what I paid. I am scared to go looking again. Advice anyone?
 
I think its a difficult one because horses can react differently to a different rider, especially a nervous one. A horse can be very quiet and safe when ridden by confident riders most of the time, but being ridden by a nervous one all the time can change a horse. Not saying they're not out there, but everyone wants one, really depends on your budget and how nervous. I'd definitely go for something older and a cob type.

I'd try putting a wanted ad detailing your exact requirements.
 
I wouldnt post a wanted ad as so many dodgy dealers will reply saying we got excatly what you want this happened to use lots when looking for a safe hack for my mother :(
 
I would see if you could loan a pony through the pony club - then you'd have good references for the pony's character and help on hand to work through any teething problems.

Totally agree with LouS about the effect a nervous rider can have, despite the best of intentions it is a lot to ask of a horse to be 'in charge' all the time.
 
Find someone to help you, if experienced they should be able to remove some of the risk although there are no guarantees, do your research before going to try anything, get references and follow them up, google names and phone numbers, try at least twice and go to the vetting you may pick up on something then.

If your last one was possibly doped did you get the bloods run or was it not vetted?
 
It is much harder than you would think, to find a straightforward horse that is polite to handle and who will hack safely. Even if you are willing to pay sensible money, there is always a "gotcha". I feel blessed that after driving hundreds of miles, I have finally found a really lovely horse who was living just around the corner to me. The owner has told me the 100% truth about the horse, which is a rarity in my experience. He is absolutely fabuuuulous.

All I can say is - chalk it up to experience and try to be ultra cautious next time.
 
It wasnt vetted, something which I am seriously regretting. My daughter has only ridden him a handful of times, simply because he's a handful. I have been on him and he's spooks at everything... and I'm a quiet, confident rider (I think).
There are lots of little niggles with this boy, he mounts my mare all the time, he wont be separated from the herd, doesnt mind his feet being cleaned but hates the farrier, cant touch his ears so bridling very difficult.
He has been started on rigcalm, because I am wondering whether this behaviour is hormonal... but I still feel that he is never going to be the laid back plod I wanted..
I am in no rush to 'out' him, he can stay with us for as long as it takes to find him a suitable home...
 
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