Am i being unrealistic?

spacefaer

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I don't know if I'm being unrealistic or whether there is the right person out there.
We've got a lovely big ID who wants to step down in work so I thought I'd find a nice hacking/fun ride home for him.
Are there people who want a forward going hack who enjoys going out and about, gets joggy in company if he's not allowed in front but is absolutely safe as in never bucked or reared?
I'd specify no lungeing, no schooling in an arena, no jumping (Apart from logs on hacks or fun rides)
He has arthritic hocks and we'd be happy to pay for continued injections.
Everyone I know who wants a "happy hack" wants 15.2 or a cob or quiet. (Or all three!)
I'm not looking for offers of potential homes on here, just asking if the HHO hive mind thinks I'm being unrealistic in what I want for him?

ETA this would be a loan, never a sale
 
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Melody Grey

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I don’t think that’s unrealistic at all provided you’re clear with the expectations, as you have been here.

Not everyone hacking wants a plod- I used to work in horses and can handle a bit of character, but no longer compete or do anything above what you describe, so would suit me down the the ground (if I didn’t already have a herd of similar horses!)
 

wren123

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I think that would be a very attractive prospect for many older, experienced riders slowing down. Ten years ago I'd have been pm'ing you about him, he sounds lovely.
 

Peglo

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He sounds like he’d be great fun for someone. I would be happy to take him on, especially if you’re willing to keep an eye on his arthritis and help out as needed.
Wanting to be in front wouldn’t bother me, my first pony was the same and my cousins pony also had to be up front.
Hope you find someone to enjoy him
 

khalswitz

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I don't know if I'm being unrealistic or whether there is the right person out there.
We've got a lovely big ID who wants to step down in work so I thought I'd find a nice hacking/fun ride home for him.
Are there people who want a forward going hack who enjoys going out and about, gets joggy in company if he's not allowed in front but is absolutely safe as in never bucked or reared?
I'd specify no lungeing, no schooling in an arena, no jumping (Apart from logs on hacks or fun rides)
He has arthritic hocks and we'd be happy to pay for continued injections.
Everyone I know who wants a "happy hack" wants 15.2 or a cob or quiet. (Or all three!)
I'm not looking for offers of potential homes on here, just asking if the HHO hive mind thinks I'm being unrealistic in what I want for him?

ETA this would be a loan, never a sale
This is exactly what I was looking for back in April. I have a 17 yo 16.3hh ISH mare now who is just a happy hack.

For me, nice character, sensible in traffic, hacks alone and in company and genuine/not too sharp was what I was looking for. I didn’t mind something with something about it - I wasn’t looking for bombproof just genuine and would enjoy the job.

I used to compete when younger but not interested now, so didn’t need a ‘first horse’ type. And I’d have been happy with a loan for sure.

A good hacking horse is like hens teeth so yes absolutely someone will want him.
 

Kirstd33

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I’d have him in a heart beat! He sounds exactly what I was looking for 12 months ago when I bought coblet; a forward going happy hacker to take on slower paced fun rides and get out and about with! I detest lunging, riding in circles bores me and really want to see the countryside and peoples gardens over walls and hedges! If you’re near Shropshire PM me as coblet is out of action following surgery!
 

Nonjumper

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I don't know if I'm being unrealistic or whether there is the right person out there.
We've got a lovely big ID who wants to step down in work so I thought I'd find a nice hacking/fun ride home for him.
Are there people who want a forward going hack who enjoys going out and about, gets joggy in company if he's not allowed in front but is absolutely safe as in never bucked or reared?
I'd specify no lungeing, no schooling in an arena, no jumping (Apart from logs on hacks or fun rides)
He has arthritic hocks and we'd be happy to pay for continued injections.
Everyone I know who wants a "happy hack" wants 15.2 or a cob or quiet. (Or all three!)
I'm not looking for offers of potential homes on here, just asking if the HHO hive mind thinks I'm being unrealistic in what I want for him?

ETA this would be a loan, never a sale
I'd say both yes and no. There will be people out there who this horse will suit, but in my experience if someone wants something just for happy hacking, then no he will not be suitable.

The reason 15.2hh, cobs, and quiet horses are sought by happy hackers is because 15.2hh suits most adult people, Cobs also suit most adults (think weight carrying capacity), and few want something you can't have a nice relaxing ride on when on a hack. A lot of happy hackers are middle-aged and older people, often coming back into riding after a break. There are entire facebook groups dedicated to these riders and they nearly all have one thing in common, they all ride quiet cobs.
 

spacefaer

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I’d have him in a heart beat! He sounds exactly what I was looking for 12 months ago when I bought coblet; a forward going happy hacker to take on slower paced fun rides and get out and about with! I detest lunging, riding in circles bores me and really want to see the countryside and peoples gardens over walls and hedges! If you’re near Shropshire PM me as coblet is out of action following surgery!
We're in Shropshire. 😁
 

stormox

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I'd be concerned about no schooling, the roads are so busy and stressful to hack on every day I would feel a change from conti house roadwork would be nice.
 

spacefaer

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I think to guarantee what you want for the horse I'd be looking to loan to someone you know, not a total unknown from an advert enquiry.
Absolutely. He isn't advertised and won't be. I was merely wondering. We adore him and don't want to squeeze the last ounce of performance out of him for ourselves so if he could continue to have a fulfilling life locally with friends, then that's a bonus. Otherwise he can stay here!"
 

spacefaer

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I'd be concerned about no schooling, the roads are so busy and stressful to hack on every day I would feel a change from conti house roadwork would be nice.
We have quiet lanes and plenty of off road hacking. He has never been in a school in the 9 years we've had him. I don't want to subject arthritic hocks to unexpected arena surfaces and too many turns and circles. He's a nice ride and has been schooled out hacking. He works in self carriage, leg yields, does shoulder fore and quarters in and can half pass across the lane if required. Why would he need to go in a school? He's not a competition horse.
 

Breather

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I'm selling my dog because he's arthritic. I can't walk him very far these days, only about 20 mins max, and he doesn't chase sticks anymore. I got him because I like long walks and throwing sticks.
I'm getting myself a different dog that can fulfill my personal needs.

Am I being too harsh?

A friend of mine believes that owning a dog involves the lifelong responsibility for the mental and physical wellbeing of that dog, and hence she's never owned a dog. She says she couldn't promise that scale of emotional and financial commitment.
 

spacefaer

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sounds right up my street. Big and forward but safe.
Could you loan him to stay at your yard if the hacking is good?
I have found in the past even if you strictly say no jumping/schooling you will find out they have been doing just that. 🙄
Yeah I get that. That's why he's only going to go somewhere local who I know or have personal references for.
No point in loaning from here - I might as well ride him myself. It wouldn't work having someone coming in to ride for various reasons.
 

SEL

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We have quiet lanes and plenty of off road hacking. He has never been in a school in the 9 years we've had him. I don't want to subject arthritic hocks to unexpected arena surfaces and too many turns and circles. He's a nice ride and has been schooled out hacking. He works in self carriage, leg yields, does shoulder fore and quarters in and can half pass across the lane if required. Why would he need to go in a school? He's not a competition horse.
I've got a 13h who hacks only. She pops in the school for saddle fitting checks only - dodgy legs and circles do her no favours

My hacking isn't even that great, but if they're good on the roads they're priceless. I think you'll find someone through word of mouth.
 

Mrs. Jingle

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I would have welcomed him with open arms if I was still physically able to ride and I'm 75. In fact very similar to the horse I did get when I was 70 except my one didn't have any health issues to worry about. If you want to be sure that he is only kept to the work level you think he is now able for, then I would strongly recommend you stipulate he has to remain at your yard or very local.
 

JBM

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I'm selling my dog because he's arthritic. I can't walk him very far these days, only about 20 mins max, and he doesn't chase sticks anymore. I got him because I like long walks and throwing sticks.
I'm getting myself a different dog that can fulfill my personal needs.

Am I being too harsh?

A friend of mine believes that owning a dog involves the lifelong responsibility for the mental and physical wellbeing of that dog, and hence she's never owned a dog. She says she couldn't promise that scale of emotional and financial commitment.
Scum
Don’t get another dog
 

stormox

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We have quiet lanes and plenty of off road hacking. He has never been in a school in the 9 years we've had him. I don't want to subject arthritic hocks to unexpected arena surfaces and too many turns and circles. He's a nice ride and has been schooled out hacking. He works in self carriage, leg yields, does shoulder fore and quarters in and can half pass across the lane if required. Why would he need to go in a school? He's not a competition horse.
Thats good, its just that very few places have quiet nearby roads for hacking every day. It limits the people who can loan him to those that have.
 

MagicMelon

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Not unrealistic but be so careful where you choose for him to go. Id suggest strongly he goes locally so you can keep a close eye on him. I made the mistake of finding what I thought was a nice hacking home for my WB a few years back. He was 2 hours away so no I didnt check on him as often as I should have and 2 months later I got a random call from a stranger who told me she was on the same livery yard he was on and that the people were bad sorts, she gave me a link to a court case (one of them had been involved in some sort of assault) and also told me they left my horse with a hot rug on on boiling hot days and that they were letting him get seriously fat. That was all I needed, I told the loanees Id changed my mind and I wanted him back immediately. Took my OH in case it got nasty, and got in the car the same day and picked him up. They were in tears asking me why, I didnt tell them what Id been told, didnt want an arguement. The trailed weaved all the way home as he had awful pinworm too and was rubbing his tail all the way home. Felt truly awful for him and will never loan out like that again, unless it was very local and to someone I knew.
 

Bobthecob15

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Not unrealistic but be so careful where you choose for him to go. Id suggest strongly he goes locally so you can keep a close eye on him. I made the mistake of finding what I thought was a nice hacking home for my WB a few years back. He was 2 hours away so no I didnt check on him as often as I should have and 2 months later I got a random call from a stranger who told me she was on the same livery yard he was on and that the people were bad sorts, she gave me a link to a court case (one of them had been involved in some sort of assault) and also told me they left my horse with a hot rug on on boiling hot days and that they were letting him get seriously fat. That was all I needed, I told the loanees Id changed my mind and I wanted him back immediately. Took my OH in case it got nasty, and got in the car the same day and picked him up. They were in tears asking me why, I didnt tell them what Id been told, didnt want an arguement. The trailed weaved all the way home as he had awful pinworm too and was rubbing his tail all the way home. Felt truly awful for him and will never loan out like that again, unless it was very local and to someone I knew.
How dreadful 😭
A friend loaned her horse out to someone she knew, she was very unwell and couldn’t care for him. By the time she was well enough to have him back (a year or so later) the friend said her horse had been put down because he was unwell! She hadn’t told her and had kept all his tack, rugs etc. My friend isn’t even convinced he is dead because she couldn’t provide proof of any of it..she suspected she’d just stolen him and lied to say he’d been PTS. She tried to get the police involved but they were not interested. You do hear horror stories!
 
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