Buying a horse - how did you know they were "the one"?

[Highlands]

My boy went permanently lame after months of struggling to keep him sound. He was ok to hack if walked but lame in school the year before.

Was looking at pictures and highland pony studs and his picture justbtook my breath away. He was 3. Left it, showed mum. Went up to royal highland, spoke to friend said I had seen this pony. She answered, this is freddies owner, Dawn she's sitting next to me! Saw the pony win his class at a show and judge whose a friend said he'd suit you. Saw him at home, loved him. Brought him.

No been plain sailing, we sent him to local person to be broken, it was a disater. Had him back and rang a producer, Matthew was wonderful, I rode pony a week later. Love him to bits

 

[LuandLu24]

I had loaned horses for years and felt like it was time to get my own horse since I'd left school and began college where I'd only be there 3 days a week so I had more time. My cousin loaned a beautiful cob and when the owner of the cob came to the yard she began talking about the cobs foal that was for sale, my aunt suggested I get it and with me wanting to get a pony I could keep for years i decided to have her. The woman sent me one very badly pixelated picture of her so I couldn't really make out any specific markings on her, all I knew was that she was a 9 month old piebald filly cob. The week after I was at school finishing off some course work that the school had called me into finish and my mum called me and said she'd arrived. Nothing could describe how excited I was (even without knowing what she looked like) when I arrived at the yard my aunt pointed to the stable and I launched myself out the car -nearly tripping in the process- and looked to the floor to see a beautiful little cob laying down on the floor, I went in and sat with her and as soon as I saw/touched her soft baby fur I was completely in love. I still have her, she is never being sold as she is my world. She didn't have a name so i decided to name her Luna when you know you know, its amazing how no words are needed with horses and you can still feel like you know each other better than anyone. Sorry for my sloppy little story guys haha, it was just the best day of my life

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

I had a conversation with my OH last night about how my buying experiences haven't been as 'normal' as other people's. My first pony was a freebie from a riding school that was closing down, I don't think my parents would have picked him if they'd had to pay for him because he was 27 and had a head like a bucket and was as stubborn as a mule but he was the best pony ever for me.

When he passed away and we were looking for a father/daughter horse I tried a mare who would have been as close to perfect as I could have got. She did it all; hunting, jumping, hacked out alone and in company...when I rode her I fell in love. But she was too much and my dad passed her up. Next thing I know he's come home with a barely broken Standardbred mare that was wholly unsuitable for us both, because she was stunning and she was cheap. If I'd tried her myself she definitely would not have been 'the one' but she grew to be, in a strange way.

The closest I've come to knowing a horse is 'the one' myself was when I started riding my dad's homebred Standardbred filly. Despite being a newly-broken 4 year old she was calm, sensible, honest and she looks after herself in all situations so all I ever needed to do was hang on. I was gifted her prior to my move to Scotland and she's staying with me forever.

As for Missile, he's also become a bit of a revelation in the same way my first Standardbred mare was. I bought him at public auction unseen based on his race history and we rub along after a fashion. The first time I hacked him out (which was his first time hacking) he was so similar to my other horse in his calmness and sensibility. He's never going to be 'the one' because I have Star and even if I kept him forever we wouldn't have the bond and level of trust that her and I have. Thanks to my OH and his family breeding pacers to race I don't think I'll ever be in the position to need to buy another horse to ride, because there will always be something that doesn't make the grade and turns out to be a gem to ride. I don't know if that makes me lucky or means I'm missing out on the wider experience of buying the 'perfect horse'.

 

[Carefreegirl]

I compromised in that I didn't want a tb or a mare or an ex-racehorse.......

I knew as soon as I went into the stable :smile3:

 

[Jinx94]

I've put a deposit down on a foal, he'll be with me early in the new year so once I have him there is a possibility that we won't get along as well as I hope!

I actually went to see his yearling half brother, who I loved, and only had a look at Tristan to humour the breeder. She'd sent me pictures of him the week before and asked me to come up with a name. I didn't really like his face and was completely unconvinced when a friend told me that she was certain he'd be the one I bought. I refused to be swept away by his colouring or the fact that he was a cute foal only a week and a half old. Softened when I saw him but was adamant that I wouldn't put a deposit on him, but as soon as I saw him move, my gut was saying that he was the one. I agonised over the choice between him and his half brother for a few days, but went with my gut.

Like I've said, it could go horribly wrong! But we'll have to wait and see

 

[freckles22uk]

I wanted an Appaloosa, so went along to a stud had a look at all the foals and youngsters they had for sale, and in the last paddock was a 4 month old leopard filly..... love at first sight, 16 years later and shes still with me

 

[only_me]

I just knew - had that feeling!

Everything felt right, he was willing, forward thinking and wanted to work even as a baby 4 year old. When the stride was wrong to the fence he still kept coming, didn't worry - and he tried his best to get his feet out of the way.

It's all very well having a horse that could jump the moon or move like Valegro - but unless the horse wants to work with you it will be very difficult to do anything!

 

[Woolybear]

He arrived on the yard I was working at as an unbroken, slightly wired! rising 5 year old. I hadn't had my own horse since I was 19 and if I was rationally, seriously looking for a horse to buy it would have been about a hand and a half to two hands bigger, perhaps a bit more quality and 'ready to go' (broken and experienced), at 44 years old I'd had enough of risk taking with youngsters and I was thinking about a future with a safe, comfortable schoolmaster... BUT, while I was working with him, we just clicked. He has a huge personality, he can be a bit naughty and a lot of fun (and I've always had a soft spot for the cheeky ones) He was a gelded late, had delusions of stallionhood, he was a bit feral and terrified of his own shadow, but I 'got' him, He is consistent in his inconsistencies, he trusts me implicitly, he's my buddy and I realized that I couldn't leave that yard and leave him behind or I'd regret it for the rest of my life. - so I guess should ask him how did he just know I was going to be his human?

 

[roz84]

When I was looking for a horse, a friend had just bought one, only tried by her daughter once, which had promptly proceeded to pull her over face first into the mud a couple of times, undoing 6 months' worth of physio. I got a phone call - 'if you want her come and get her'.... so I did - neither myself or my friend had ridden her, she wasn't exactly what I was thinking of getting anyway (she's a haflinger), had no idea what she'd be like...... she's been absolutely fab and I don't regret saying yes to having her for a second! We get along quite nicely and do everything we want with no problems, we have an understanding, which is that she has to be nice and not barge, she has a lovely character and I bet my friend regrets 'getting rid' every day but ho hum!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

With Jeff it was more of a case of admirationfear at first sight. I'd just started working at the racing yard and he was a big, gangly, 17.2hh highly strung bouncy ball. Entirely unsuitable for a 16yo who had only ever ridden natives. I never rode him, just looked on from afar and admired his head.

A few months passed and I was asked to take him racing to Huntingdon with the partig words from the head girl of - dont get killed! It was the other way round. Jeff fell, landed with his foot in his chest and severed his heart off bar one artery. I held his sedated head up in the vets box and promised to always look after him. What else could you say to a horse that would be dead 10mins later?

4 years of racing, 5 wins, numerous places, another life threatening injury in between times and he came home to live with me! The boss gave me the chance to ride him when he came back into work after his heart op and we just clicked. I am his and he is mine.

8 wonderful years I have had the pleasure of looking after the Hocamaffe for. I just need to get a lorry so he can go out and be a show horse again as he is far, far too big for a trailer!

Jeff is my soulmate and will be with me until the end.

 

[slumdog]

Well I got Gambler who is my horse of a lifetime, but with him being 21 I decided I need a slightly younger schoolmaster to jump alongside him. My friend had a quirky 15.2 mare for sale on her yard that wasn't really what I was looking for but I vaguely knew her and I knew she had a nice jump so I went to have a look. She was a bit stuffy and started to nap quite badly, I gave her a kick to move her forward and she went up and flipped over backwards, through the post and rail fencing of the arena with me still on her and landing on top of me. I broke my leg really badly, open fracture of my tib and fib.

The next few weeks I went through every emotion possible, I missed out on Hickstead and Gam injured himself in the field and had to be retired. To say I was gutted would be an understatement. I was browsing h&h adverts one day, about a week before my plaster came off and I saw an advert for a 17hh tb eventer gelding, just turned 7. Quite plain looking but the advert just caught my eye and I kept looking at it. I sent her an email, not really knowing why as I couldn't even ride him! She emailed me straight back and I found myself travelling 2.5 hours that night to go and see a horse I couldn't even ride.

First impression was he was huge! She tacked him up and trotted him up and then took him in the field where she rode him on the flat, popped some jumps and took him round their XC field. She had somebody else coming to look at him and she said that they just wanted him for hunting and they would have him, so after debating for about 5 minutes I handed over the cash and we picked him up the next day taking a huge risk!

I then couldn't ride for a week and 3 hours after my plaster came off I got on him! Hoping he wouldn't be mental or a cripple lol! He was lovely. He has a few quirks but I love him to bits, and I would never have had him if I hadn't broken my leg

 

[LittleGinger]

I wanted:

- Showjumper - already with experience of competing at least 90cm with scope to go higher.
- Gelding (non-negotiable).
- Warmblood or ISH.
- 16-16.2hh.
- Any colour but grey.

Tried a lot of lame horses. Tried a lot of quirky horses. Went through failed vettings. After a few months I gave up looking (because who buys a horse going into winter?!) and on the day I cried to my OH about how it was going to be at least two years without riding my own horse from the time my gelding retired to the time I expected to have a new one I got a phone call from my riding instructor. "Found you a horse. She's a couple of hundred miles away, but you should go."

I went, trying not to be hopeful and thinking more about how it meant a weekend away with the OH. Seemed a 'nice' horse but I wasn't sure. Then I took her for a gallop through a large field (alone) and when I pulled up, without thinking, I threw the reins at her so she could stretch and I could pat her neck to say well done. The moment I realised I'd let go of an unfamiliar horse, in a wide open space far away from any help, straight after a gallop I knew I was on 'my' horse.

She is the total opposite to my list - a white PRE mare, who'd never seen a coloured pole and will never get me to Foxhunter (although I hope she will get me to Medium plus) - and I'm so, so lucky to have her. She's peaceful to handle, sharp to ride and quick to learn/can think for herself (this is a blessing and a curse!), and she's intelligent and loyal... I could go on all day about how lovely she is. From what I gather, she's a typical PRE so she's definitely converted me to the breed.

Don't know how to add pictures

 

[VickyP]

I walked into a yard full of racers, atleast 10 on the left and same again on the right. I'd been told he was bay, well weren't they all! Saw Fridge on the far right looking at me, thought "if it's him he's coming home with me", realised it was him as we got closer, done deal. Total madness, my mid life crisis on four legs! No regrets.

 

[louf]

I'd had a horse on trial who had come to me lame (I hadn't been told she was lame until she arrived at the yard) and she ended up staying - being looked after by me - for 3 months. After that time the vet told me on the Friday she wouldn't necessarily be sound for at least another 6 months so the owner told me she would be picking her up on the Sunday morning. I was devastated. I looked at some ads and saw Els online and she was local. The lame mare left on Sunday morning. I went to see Els in the afternoon. She was a chestnut mare - something I said I would never have. She came home 10 days later. 6 months down the line I know she is perfect for me - despite some ups and downs - and I wouldn't be without her. It's true horses find you and come along at the right time. Lazy, mare-ish and tries it on, but she is also willing, gentle and safe and I love her to bits.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

When looking for a cob youngster to bring on, I went to view one which sounded perfect. She was advertised as a coloured 4 yr old but it transpired that the owner was such a novice that she thought that white stockings counted! She was advertised as 15.2, as that was what she had been advertised to make when the vendor bought her but she certainly hadn't got there yet, although she was bum high and might have grown a bit more. In spite of not really being as advertised she did tick my most important box, she was sane and sensible and good in traffic and I felt sorry for her and owner who hadn't got the confidence to ride her. There was no tack available, so I arranged to go back the next weekend and try her, with my own saddle.

During that week another cob, advertised to make 16hh, black was reduced to a more realistic price. I went to view her - and she really was perfect, I watched the vendor lead this 2 yr old through the town centre on a Saturday afternoon, ignoring all the traffic, the barking dogs, the man pressure washing his car and knew that she was the one.

I had to ring the vendor of the 4 yr old and say that I had decided that she wasn't really big enough - which was true if not quite the full story!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I'd seen about 10 horses, 3 failed vettings and travelled to Melton Mowbray for my first horse. I wanted something about 15.2, 6yo suitable for all RC activities. Paddy was advertised as a 15.1hh part TB out of hunter mare, bit younger than I was thinking of but as a 4yo he sounded lovely. I fell in love with him the moment I saw him, beautiful eye, standing quietly in the stable. He hacked down the road to the menage nicely, traffic wasn't an issue. Bit sticky getting into canter but went round the school well. He was my best friend and we grew together, I was only 15 when I got him. Mt parents couldn't understand when I let him off a few months off to mature, I felt he needed some time for things to sink in. He grew 2 inches in that time.

He was very much a one person horse and unfortunately after 4 years together we parted company. Two accidents in 6 months knocked my confidence and I made the difficult decision to sell him. I did go and see him in his new home and he went to a lovely person.

For me I just felt that instant attraction and went with it. I still remember that moment, it was 24 years ago now!!!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

For me...I was just nosing through ads and laughing at some on Preloved etc when Jester's ad caught my eye. Wasn't looming for another horse as I already had a youngster but found myself enquiring about him.
Went to see him the next day and we saw a rather sad looking horse on his own in a field. He wasn't good to handle and we couldn't approach him. I tried to chat to him but he threw his head in the air and pigged off down the field and and took my breath away. Loved him so much that I sold the other youngster.
Took him a while to really come round but after 2 years he us now 4 years old and currently off being schooled.
He is for forever horse and I cannot believe how lucky I am xx

 

[Nessa4]

In October 2010 my best friend (who owned my beloved loaned horse) arrived unexpectedly on my doorstep with the devastating news that Jasper had just died of a suspected heart attack. Nine weeks later my husband, best friend and soulmate died of lung cancer (not a good year that). I discovered that my husband had been adamant when sorting out his affairs thet I should buy myself a new horse. So the search began for an elderly, sensible, 'been there, done that', 15hh cob - since I was 60years old and fairly short of confidence. Looked at several (including one with no brakes or steering, and one described as 'full-up 15.2' who made our 17hand shirexTB look like a pony!) and eventually got a call from a friend asking if I would consider a youngster, as her daughter was looking for a good home for Eric, who she had bred, sired by her wonderful Trad stallion. I said not particularly, but we'd go and have a nosy. Long story short we went (Best friend and I) and met The Devine Eric, who lead in from the field perfectly, stood quietly while we picked up feet, prodded and felt him all over and then, when I stood back to get an overall view, walked up to me, blew gently up my nose then rested his chin on my shoulder and bleww in my ear. I mentioned that I wanted something about 15hands and she said that as Dad was 14.2 and mum15.2 he probably would make 15hands.
He arrived on 1st July 2011, aged 15months and settled instantly. He is in the process of being backed and started, has taken everything in his stride (though does have his moments), stands 16.1 at present and is only three, so lord knows what size he'll end up but ho hum - he's the wrong age, the wrong size, wrong level of experience and if I'm honest has far too much white on him and is the most disgustingly filthy horse you can imagine - but he is my love and my delight - and clinched it when he blew in my ear!!

 

[dibbin]

I felt totally safe on him, despite the fact he was a) bigger and b) younger than I was looking for. I felt safe enough to pop a jump my first time on him (I really don't jump, especially on horses I don't know!)

Ironic really, given that he ditched me 5 times in my first year of owning him

 

[Red-1]

I tend to know when I have the feeling that I couldn't bear for anybody else to buy the horse whilst I have a think about it so I have to pay a deposit there and then. If I need to go away and think about it then it's not the one

There's always compromises to be had but somehow they just seem less significant when you have that oh-my-god-I-must-buy-it-now moment!

^^^^^ this!

I clapped eyes on mine, and he clear as day "said" to me "oh, here you are, your'e late, iv'e been waiting" and that was that. He has such a bad reputation but I would have paid double, because he was "the one".

I did not need to ride him, but it took e 3 weeks to persuade the owner to sell as he was so naughty, and they fully expected me to be dumped. I only rode him as it was some sort of riding test that I needed to pass to ease the owner's conscience.

 

[Tobiano]

With Jeff it was more of a case of admirationfear at first sight. I'd just started working at the racing yard and he was a big, gangly, 17.2hh highly strung bouncy ball. Entirely unsuitable for a 16yo who had only ever ridden natives. I never rode him, just looked on from afar and admired his head.

A few months passed and I was asked to take him racing to Huntingdon with the partig words from the head girl of - dont get killed! It was the other way round. Jeff fell, landed with his foot in his chest and severed his heart off bar one artery. I held his sedated head up in the vets box and promised to always look after him. What else could you say to a horse that would be dead 10mins later?

4 years of racing, 5 wins, numerous places, another life threatening injury in between times and he came home to live with me! The boss gave me the chance to ride him when he came back into work after his heart op and we just clicked. I am his and he is mine.

8 wonderful years I have had the pleasure of looking after the Hocamaffe for. I just need to get a lorry so he can go out and be a show horse again as he is far, far too big for a trailer!

Jeff is my soulmate and will be with me until the end.

OMG this is so moving! What an amazing story. Soulmates seems to sum it up.

 

[flirtygerty]

I have been lucky enough to have had three must have moments, there was something about the ad for a trotter x, went to see him, arrived to see him being led down the lane, having ditched his rider, he was held in a stable, I offered to shut the door, but the old guy said, "no point, the ******'ll be out", he's still an escape artist four years later, a damaged knee prevented me from riding, but our rider didn't like him, nor did my OH, I did and he will have a home forever, we love each other and take care of each other, my WB mare was bought as a panic buy after losing my OH's horse to colic, my lad grieving terribly for the horse he bullied mercilously, I borrowed a temporary pony companion, then saw a thin, scrawny WB mare in a 'rescue', OH tried her, she came home and blossomed into a healthy all rounder, mardy when in season, but being an ex broody, not surprising, The third was my baby cob, the only one with a photo, went to view and he trembled when being tacked up, a year later, he's confident, trusts us not to hurt him and tries hard to please, regrets, not a one

 

[zoelouisem]

My daughters pony a friend sent me a picture and I knew from that picture we would have her!! She's everything we wanted and more!!

 

[celticdiamond]

I had one fail a vetting early this year and I had fallen in love with it, turned out it had underlying problems! I then spent a while trying a few and thinking "this will never be as nice as the previous one".
Out of the blue one turned up and I read the advert thinking "yes, this is for me". Not a native pony that I was used to but a warmblood. Practically sold before viewing. Felt completely at home and safe on him and he's been home 3 weeks and I love him to bits. Looks after me when I mess up striding and a pleasure to do, albeit with a few quirky habits but don't they all!

 

[OwnedbyJoe]

Brought Prycie home because I knew I couldn't leave him where he was... I wasn't looking for a Standardbred but he has since taken me through my first couple of 50 mile rides.
Joe I knew was "the one" as soon as I saw him move - floated over the ground, straight movement. He was hard to catch, wouldn't go on the float and was an all round cocky little s**t, but the day I brought him home my husband was pushing up fallen trees with the digger and Joe marched straight up to the cab and stuck his nose inside it while it was still running. I knew then that he might make quite a good endurance horse!

 

[fawaz]

I didn't!

Usually I got other peoples unwanted, badly behaved or off the track horses, usually sight unseen or unridden and made them into something I wanted!

 

[Wagtail]

Up until I bought my old girl, I had not gone looking for horses; horses found me. I loved them, but nothing like as much as my old mare or my new filly, both of which I went looking for and chose myself.

It was definitely gut feeling with both my girls. I didn't want a mare when I went searching for the first one. I put a wanted ad up on a website for a gelding over 16hh. My least favourite colour horse is bright bay. Someone answered my ad saying they had a 16hh mare. Even though she was 3 hours away, something told me to go and see her, and I wanted her the moment I laid eyes on her over the stable door. When I went in it was obvious that she was not 16hh either but 15.2/3. She was door banging and bucked all the way to the manege, and she was bright bay, but I loved her to bits. The vetting came back with a slight heart murmur but still I bought her. She was the best horse I have ever known, and the bond we had was out of this world. I miss her every day.

My new filly was another gut feel buy. She was way too small at 14.2hh but as she was only 2 and both parents were around 16hh I took a punt. I went to see lots of other horses before her, but just couldn't get that little filly out of my mind and so I bought her. I do sometimes worry that I made the wrong decision due to her size. She is still only 14.3hh nine months on. I reckon if I'm really lucky I might get another inch out of her, so I'm always going to look big on her being 5'10" and I worry about backing her as I'm 10 stone. Just have to keep hoping!

 

[ihatework]

One of mine was a long winded story.

I owned a 'bad' horse and eventually decided to sell him on for peanuts. At the time I didn't have a great deal of money (around 2K) so my options were limited. Under advice of YO friends I went off looking at a few to see 'what I could get for my money'. My options were - unbroken, showing vices, temperamental or won't pass a vet.

I saw an ad in H&H back in the days when they just had the cheap line wording. I read along the lines of 'Cheap competition horse. Evented to Novice. Capable all spheres. Won't pass vet'

So I called. Horse was on a pro yard and wasnt sound enough or good enough to go up the grades. Pro was honest about vet history. But came across very cagy about temprement. She described him as 'cheeky'.

Anyway without seeing any photos I drove 2 hours to see him. It was love at first sight.
I tried him, it went well.

I went home excited to tell YO all about this wonderful horse. She put the dampeners on it - he had suspensory issues and that combined with 'cheeky' she was of the opinion he would be too difficult to sell on if it didn't work out. After confirming things with the vet it was with a heavy heart I picked up the phone and left a voicemail to say how much I loved him but couldn't take the risk.

2 weeks later I got a phone call to say I was the only suitable person to try him and did I want him for £1. Looking back I can't believe how brazen I was but somehow I managed to negotiate him on permenant loan with them taking him back if he didn't stay sound.

Well he came home, and although he did indeed have a frequent sicknote, he also gave me so much fun & experience and restored the confidence I had lost on my previous horse.

I never did hand over any cash for him . The loan agreement ran out after 12 months. Every now and again is see his technical owner at an event and we would catch up.
She died recently (RIP Adele), so I guess he is now officially mine.

He is in his late teens, fully retired, as cheeky as ever and is now onto his 4th youngster to Nanny. I'm hoping his next will be one I have bred myself

 

[BlackVelvet]

I was offered him on part loan after my last loan pony was sold, he had a bad reputation for biting and being a brute. Owners said help yourself, hes in the field, so off I went up to get him and he was a complete mess. He was covered in sweetitch and had a completely matted up mane and tail. He walked up to me and put his head on my shoulder, I thought he was going to bite me! He just seemed to smell me and make friends, that was the first I noticed his beautiful kind chocolate brown eyes. I fell so in love with him that I couldnt bare to part with him. We just bonded straight away, he came up for sale two months later and I bought him. He was lovely to ride, if a tad headstrong! I felt really safe on him and my confidence grown masses. He even turned into quite a handsome chap after numerous baths in fairy liquid!

I kept him until the day he died, I could have never parted from him and risk him ending up in the wrong hands, he was a complicated fellow sometimes. We were definately meant to meet each other, people often commented how they couldnt imagine me having another horse.

 

[misskk88]

My first horse I just got on and felt 'at home'. He was sold as 'green', and I could barely get him over a small cross pole when trying him! I am not the most confident rider, but not once, not ever has fear or big nerves struck me while riding him, no matter what has happened and no matter what battle we have had going on, I have always felt a trust in him and felt that we would overcome it. I have no idea why, as to this day, I don't even get on my current horse and feel that way! Over the years though it was clear we both wanted to do different things, and it was not fair on him to keep pursuing my own personal goals with him.

My current one was a previous competition horse. She just plodded around with me, and when nerves struck just quietly carried me over a small course. I didn't have the same this is the one type feeling as I did with the first, but I did have that gut feeling something was right about her!

I wish I could afford two. I absolutely adore my old horse and he is still around, but someone elses. He would be an absolute dressage and hacking dream!! However I know with my new one I have the all rounder I always wanted- I just need bigger nerves of steel now!