buying a horse / what do you think???

soulfull

soulfull

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I have been looking as I just can't bear being without a horse and don't want to rush. I have been looking for only 6 weeks, and only tried 8 or 9 horses ranging from 7yrs to 14yrs.

I have found one I really like. He is a 16h 7yr old slightly chunky WBxID calm and gentle, a real armchair ride with a leg in each corner. Only done a few training shows but they are going to take him to one for me to see how he behaves.
The first time I tried him I even popped a few small jumps which is something I never thought I would do on a strange horse.
I tried one this morning and it was too much horse for me, while I felt safe in the arena I would have been nervous going anywhere on him. so then decided to go back and see the one I liked, all the way there I was so looking forward to riding him.
This time I rode in school then I hacked him out alone, (being watched) riding away from home, turning back towards home then back away from home again he didn't notice which direction we were going. I felt amazingly safe and secure (there is a difference)

His rhythm NEVER changes, he is nice and forward into the bridle. The only one question I have about him is in canter when I ask him to come back to trot he shortens his stride, now I know that is the way I must be asking and will be having a lesson or two from the pro that owns him. he is in no way running off or ignoring me, like I said his rhythm never changes which I LOVE and when he didn't come back to trot I just sat on cruise control and figured it out (amazing feeling)on any other horse this would have made me nervous

however a friend of mine and older lady has really upset me saying I should not buy one off a pro rider as when I get him home he will go nuts and I should buy a much older been there done that type. But the older ones have either been lame, or had bad habits, two were too strong another was too fizzy. Even before when I was looking for Micah I never found one I felt like this on I would quite happily set off on a fun ride tomorrow which is something I would never have imagined wanting to do on any horse I have sat on

So my questions are

From what I have said What do you think?

Do you really know the right one?? I didn't last time, I walked away at first thinking he was too green and sharp for me. But I had so much fun on him

Would you buy a RC horse off pro?
 
He sounds really nice! Maybe the pro is selling him because he's a nice solid amature type and not a top class nutty competition type?
At the end of the day you don't have to rush this decision but with the others you have tried there has always been something that you didn't feel comfortable with and this is the first one you have come on here and said is comfortable in every way.
WBxID sounds a good mix as well.
7 is also a good age as well, it's not like he is 4 and really baby but I like the fact he hasn't done too much as WB's and ID's can take a while to mature.
It's up to you as this will be your horse. Put it this way can you bear NOT to have him?
 
I bought a horse off a pro rider. He was the horse I tried out, when I got him home. And he never put a foot wrong with me.
 
Also the fact he shortens his canter before he comes back to trot could be him balancing himself. Which is actually a good thing, better he does that and comes back to trot properly then just flop into trot all of a sudden on to the forehand?! It could be the way he has been trained by his current rider.
 
My thoughts, how long has the horse been in the pro yard, why is he there? is he theirs or in to be sold, what has he done in his life other than training shows.

If he has been in a private home hacking and seeing the world and just sent to the pro for some schooling to enhance his sale value he could then be a very suitable horse for your purposes.

If he is theirs I may have a different view.

One thing about buying from pros is that the horses usually have good manners and should take everything in their stride, you also seem to have found helpful people to deal with that are giving you plenty of time to decide, along with the offer of lessons in the future so they are unlikely to be covering up any issues.
 
There will always be some minuses on every horse so eventually you have to just take the plunge. It will never by 100%, something can go wrong with every horse. On the plus side, he sounds as if you get him home and he really doesn't suit that he would be relatively easy to sell on.

Some horses are nicer if they are ridden every day though, so just ask the yard whether they think he is that type of horse - and cut out any hard food when you get him home if you decide to buy him (you can always add in more if you feel he needs it!).
 
Firewell said:
He sounds really nice! Maybe the pro is selling him because he's a nice solid amature type and not a top class nutty competition type?
At the end of the day you don't have to rush this decision but with the others you have tried there has always been something that you didn't feel comfortable with and this is the first one you have come on here and said is comfortable in every way.
WBxID sounds a good mix as well.
7 is also a good age as well, it's not like he is 4 and really baby but I like the fact he hasn't done too much as WB's and ID's can take a while to mature.
It's up to you as this will be your horse. Put it this way can you bear NOT to have him?
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that is exactly why he is for sale, will not make a top class eventer (olympic rider)
actually no I couldn't bear not to have him :D

Firewell said:
Also the fact he shortens his canter before he comes back to trot could be him balancing himself. Which is actually a good thing, better he does that and comes back to trot properly then just flop into trot all of a sudden on to the forehand?! It could be the way he has been trained by his current rider.
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good point

be positive said:
My thoughts, how long has the horse been in the pro yard, why is he there? is he theirs or in to be sold, what has he done in his life other than training shows.

If he has been in a private home hacking and seeing the world and just sent to the pro for some schooling to enhance his sale value he could then be a very suitable horse for your purposes.

If he is theirs I may have a different view.

One thing about buying from pros is that the horses usually have good manners and should take everything in their stride, you also seem to have found helpful people to deal with that are giving you plenty of time to decide, along with the offer of lessons in the future so they are unlikely to be covering up any issues.
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horse was bred by pro's mom. only backed last year as he got put on hold due to pregnancy and too many clients horses, while knowing he wouldn't make the grade as a top eventer. only done training shows, clear rounds 90cm hacking, little schooling. Also they know I work in the SJ circuit so wouldn't think they would want me telling everyone they sold me something not as
 
As it will be you that is rideing the horse it shouldn't matter what your friends say. If you like the feel of him then go for it, I am a great beliver in gut feelings and have always listened to mine. He sounds lovely.
 
canteron said:
There will always be some minuses on every horse so eventually you have to just take the plunge. It will never by 100%, something can go wrong with every horse. On the plus side, he sounds as if you get him home and he really doesn't suit that he would be relatively easy to sell on.

Some horses are nicer if they are ridden every day though, so just ask the yard whether they think he is that type of horse - and cut out any hard food when you get him home if you decide to buy him (you can always add in more if you feel he needs it!).
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he would be very easy to resell!

they say they leave him a week or two then just get on him as he is least priority because of Olympic trials and clients horses, and it does show in his fitness he isn't ridden everyday. we can get fit together :p
 
He sounds exactly like the horse type of horse you are looking for, you seem to feel really comfortable with him so I would say go for it!
Personally I'd see buying him off a pro as a huge benefit as not only has he probably been started correctly but a pro isnt going to want to risk their reputation with clients by selling on a dodgy horse.
Good luck with the search, I'm sure you'll make the right decision in the end :)
 
I bought the second horse I looked at- completely not what I was looking for- just because I felt the way you did trying her out. I have never regretted it! Other people said I was bonkers, she was unsuitable etc. Guess what? I got rid of them, still have her!
 
Sounds ideal:) the reason for him not doing much is probably totally genuine, if he wont be good enough for them he would be left in preference to the clients horses.

I would go for it, they do sound really helpful and the horse sounds fab:D
 
be positive said:
Sounds ideal:) the reason for him not doing much is probably totally genuine, if he wont be good enough for them he would be left in preference to the clients horses.

I would go for it, they do sound really helpful and the horse sounds fab:D
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:D they are a lovely couple, didn't mind in the slightest when I phoned today and said can I come back, in 40 mins lol bearing in mind (because its such a busy time) horse has not even been advertised yet, I only found out about him because I asked them a couple of weeks ago if they knew of anything
 
Go for it.

We bought our daughters first horse from a pro eventing yard. had the same things said - dont buy from a pro, as they will be too well schooled for your daughter, soon pick up bad habits from novice etc etc

Glad to say she is a star, hasnt put a hoof wrong. As they are pro's, they have reputations to keep.

Go with your gut instinct.

All the best x
 
pootleperkin said:
How often do you find a horse you feel completely safe on?!! Go for it - he sounds fab!
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never happened too me before :p

Asha said:
Go for it.

We bought our daughters first horse from a pro eventing yard. had the same things said - dont buy from a pro, as they will be too well schooled for your daughter, soon pick up bad habits from novice etc etc

Glad to say she is a star, hasnt put a hoof wrong. As they are pro's, they have reputations to keep.

Go with your gut instinct.

All the best x
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fab too hear :D

TicTac said:
Go for it! Sounds like you might regret it otherwise!
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yes I think I would :D
 
Princess Jess said:
He sounds exactly like the horse type of horse you are looking for, you seem to feel really comfortable with him so I would say go for it!
Personally I'd see buying him off a pro as a huge benefit as not only has he probably been started correctly but a pro isnt going to want to risk their reputation with clients by selling on a dodgy horse.
Good luck with the search, I'm sure you'll make the right decision in the end :)
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Exactly! Just because you might not be doing pro things doesn't mean it's a negative that he could go further and like you say it's not like he's not going to make it to that high level, I think he sounds amazing, WBxID! You obviously like him, don't listen to these people - I take it neither of them were there when you tried the horse? I am probably more novicey than you and would love to find something like that - if you don't want him send him my way! I know you couldn't bear that now ;-)

I am trying on tomorrow and another on Tuesday, hope they're better than the first one!xx
 
You know my views already as before when looking. Temprament is ok everything if not quite there can be worked on. If you feel safe that's a huge bonus. As to your friends advice, well what can I say other than let it go in one ear and out the other without staying in the middle :p That may be what they need or want but its a horse for you not them. Doesn't matter if he doesn't meet what your wish list was, its whether you click and feel safe and he'll do what you want to do :D Now where's the pics...............
 
Pidgeon said:
You know my views already as before when looking. Temprament is ok everything if not quite there can be worked on. If you feel safe that's a huge bonus. As to your friends advice, well what can I say other than let it go in one ear and out the other without staying in the middle :p That may be what they need or want but its a horse for you not them. Doesn't matter if he doesn't meet what your wish list was, its whether you click and feel safe and he'll do what you want to do :D Now where's the pics...............
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lol no pics until he is mine, don't want to jinx it. It is going to be a long 2/3 wks
 
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