Am I looking for something that doesn't exist?

Pigeon said:
So am I, but there are a couple of mares in my life that have stood head and shoulders above all others, one now sadly passed away and if the other came up for sale I would seriously save my pennies. I can't think of any geldings that I could say the same thing about. I hate mareish mares, or temperamental mares, but a good mare is smart and tuned in, moreso than a gelding - definitely don't rule one out just on gender :)
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Agreed - a good mare is the best. If you wnt a horse you can really bond with do not rule out a mare!
 
EstherYoung said:
Also, don't rule out trotters (gypsy trotters/irish bog trotters, that sort of ilk). The lady I took Wolf to for our initial ridden training has taken several trotters to advanced and calls them her 'secret weapon' as they really can trot forever. You've 'just' got to try and find one that hasn't been too hammered as a baby.
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Not at all helpfulunless the OP wants a trip to France but I've just seen some beautiful just back 3yo trotters around the right height online (not sure what I was looking for) and well under budget :P (room for transport lol)
 
Sounds like the OP is looking for an over height Highland. Apart from that I couldn't possibly comment!

But unless you are going to chop and change every few years, why not have a horse hunting holiday and visit some studs that are further afield? You might find there is more choice and it's the cheaper option.
 
Sorry not to reply indivdually to people but it would take me hours on my phone!
Having looked at things that tick the boxes and things that are not even remotely close to the boxes and things in between I think I now know there is no point me looking at horses that aren't my type. I know that narrows the search further but i'd rather wait for the right horse to come up than go off seeing a million horses here and there and disheartening myself in the process. That way if the right horse comes up the other end of the country I wont mind travelling if ive not been all over the country already.
I would happily go to france/ireland/scotland on a horse buying expedition but would have thought the costs of transporting from those places to surrey would have to eat into the budget (i have extra money ready for fuel- have got transport- but not for those sorts of distances so it would subsequently have to come off the capital. And please, before people say if I cant afford to buy it can I run it, yes I can) id also want thorough photos and videos if I was going that far too but I guess that can be done. Trouble is I have no contacts as it were and id be wary going that far if theres not alot to see or its not on someones recommendation.
Ive looked at a hackney x trotter but it wasnt right behind so was no good but I definitley wouldnt rule a non-'hammered' (do they exist? ;) ) trotter out.
Arabs I have nothing against at all but although theyre generally safe they fall into that 'forward going' category im just not comfortable with.
Highlands could be a possibility, I just couldnt say I know much about them.
Having done lots of thinking, upon reflection I have been daft not to look at mares, now going to look at horses irrespective of gender.
And decided a connie x or welsh x is probably more the type to look for tho I probably wont just limit myself to looking at just those breeds, just more that 'type'.

So. I am going to look at the bay mare on saturday morning. She sounds quirky but not nasty so right up my street.
I am also going to look at a connie x cob who despite also being a green mare of similar height and age, sounds alot different temperment wise so it will be interesting to see how I get on.
 
Dry Rot said:
Sounds like the OP is looking for an over height Highland. Apart from that I couldn't possibly comment!.
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I was thinking just that and I'm not a huge fan of the *******! Can't move round here without tripping over one!

A highland would tick your boxes. Usually quiet sensible and sane, not lazy but doesn't have that 'flighty' feel you don't like (know exactly what you mean). Ideal size (14hh of highland is a LOT of pony and rides like a 15hh welsh) can have a go at anything. And a ready to be backed/sat on 3 or 4yr old would be in budget. The price becomes sensible once they get to 4yrs old and aren't quite good enought for the ridiculously competitive Highland show circuit up here.
 
There are some lovely mares out there, so I think expanding your search will pay dividends. Relationships with mares can be a lot deeper if having a close relationship is important to you, too. PS, don't think all Arabs are forward going or whizzy. Our Spud certainly isn't and I've known a good few others that are intrinsically idle. When you are equine royalty, you get your minions to do the work for you, y'see.... But you're right, you need a horse you feel safe on.
 
Ok, highlands duly logged as a possible option too. A friend of a friend breeds them, so if this weekend doesn't pan out I think ill look down this route maybe. Other than the normal things youd look at/ask when looking at any horse, anything highland specific I should be aware of?
Estheryoung, I had to giggle at that, valid, point concerning equine royalty! Totally agree theyre not all loonies tho, I am not anti arabs at all.
 
EstherYoung said:
There are some lovely mares out there, so I think expanding your search will pay dividends. Relationships with mares can be a lot deeper if having a close relationship is important to you, too. PS, don't think all Arabs are forward going or whizzy. Our Spud certainly isn't and I've known a good few others that are intrinsically idle. When you are equine royalty, you get your minions to do the work for you, y'see.... But you're right, you need a horse you feel safe on.
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I completely agree with this RE mares and not all arabs being whizzy. My grey mare is so ridiculously calm and just loves to pootle along, where as the chestnut gelding is the opposite and full of 'go, go, go.'

OP, I wish you lots of luck and I hope that you find your perfect horse - he/she is out there. :)
 
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