Buying dilema

[eahotson]

Way back, I used to teach and sometimes that would extend to helping a client buy a new horse.

One time, I was helping a client, who was a mature person and also nervous. They had a fancy horse and had gained confidence to ride in the arena but not hack. Sadly, that horse developed a physical condition and a new horse was needed.

We went to look at one, a 14.3 called Daisy. She was ugly! Hogged, fat, funny grey with odd splodges, back end bigger than the front, huuuge head that seemed to be always low (probably too heavy to lift), just all round ugly. We were early and there before the vendor but it was easy to spot Daisy in the field. The client wasn't that interested in buying just on appearances, but I persuaded her to at least ride and make an informed decision.

When the owner arrived, we caught her and I felt that she was the sort of mare I would have vaulted straight on and ridden in. She just had a lovely feel to her. The owner rode, Daisy would walk and trot in the arena but wasn't interested in canter. I rode, and she was great, canter was tricky, but she felt safe and sensible and, more than anything, she was in charge of everything, in a really nice way.

My client rode out on the road, for the first time in years, and Daisy controlled the whole scenario, keeping everyone safe in traffic, past ladders, a lawnmower, up a track and in an open field. I had a ride again and popped a small XC fence, Daisy liked jumping!

I was a little bit in love with Daisy. She made me smile when riding and made my client smile too.

I was surprised and disappointed when, back in the car, my client decided that no, Daisy wasn't what she wanted. I liked Daisy so much that I actually went home and had a serious conversation with Mr Red, as we had a 'companion' vacancy at home.

Mr Red looked at the photos and decided no :-(

I held photos of Daisy on my phone for years. I 'missed' her. She was amazing. I was sad to find that, even after being well advertised, she didn't sell and was sold for a knock down price to a riding school.

It was fine, my client did buy a better horse that did everything that she dreamed of doing, and looked smart in the process, but a bit of my heart was left with Daisy. To this day, I feel that she was the one that got away - from me, if not my client!

At the time, I was in to fancy pants horses. Daisy was different. I liked her personality.

I was hoping you had tried the ugly cob by now, loved him and were buying him!

I felt so sad reading that post.I hope the riding school were good to her and made her happy.

 

[Annagain]

We only take photos of Oscar's left hand side. I'd buy him in a heartbeat if my friend was selling him though, freaky eye or not.

Although I must admit I borrowed another friend's cob the other day. I've known him 20 years and never thought much of him but I'd never sat on him before. I absolutely loved riding him. The best bit was from where I was sitting, I couldn't see his head. I did joke I needed a bucket to go over it when we were in public. He's a real sweetie though, that's all that matters really.

If you don't want him and he's over 15.2 could you let me have some info please? I don't think you're miles away from me and I just want genuine and kind now, I don't care about looks.

 

[Red-1]

We only take photos of Oscar's left hand side. I'd buy him in a heartbeat if my friend was selling him though, freaky eye or not.

Although I must admit I borrowed another friend's cob the other day. I've known him 20 years and never thought much of him but I'd never sat on him before. I absolutely loved riding him. The best bit was from where I was sitting, I couldn't see his head. I did joke I needed a bucket to go over it when we were in public. He's a real sweetie though, that's all that matters really.

If you don't want him and he's over 15.2 could you let me have some info please? I don't think you're miles away from me and I just want genuine and kind now, I don't care about looks.

Buy him!!! Yay!

I felt so sad reading that post.I hope the riding school were good to her and made her happy.

I never got over Daisy.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

Buy the horse you really love to ride. Be the person who is always confidently up for the new experience/challenge - beach rides, summer camp, new XC course, fun rides etc, etc. Unless the horse has definate conformational abnormalities a fit, well produced and well turned out horse will always be attractive when it does it's job well - that's why we have them after all.
(Tho' I do love an arab x)

 

[Aperchristmas]

I'd go have a ride or two and then you'll know - you always grin after riding the good ones.

 

[Ahrena]

I thought my gelding was very plain (only a speckle of white hairs on his forehead) and boring at first. Not to mention the ugly big hole in his head where he’a missing an eye. However he was for loan and had competed affiliated which was a rare find.

After he gave me some of the best years of my life, I think he’s beautiful ? go try him, I think the saying rings true.

 

[Juniper Jack]

He was a Criollo. I was taught my second lesson on appearance at the Argentina/Chile border where was had to swap horses as the Argentinian horses weren’t allowed to cross (weird experience, up in a high mountain pass in the Andes, mountain peaks everywhere and we all took our horses bridles off and then just released them with their saddles still on to make their way back across the Andes to their home. But I digress). My steed for the descent into Chile was BEAUTIFUL. Everything I had imagined I wanted. Tall, elegant, beautiful head. Nuts. Was intent on taking the direct route down the mountain instead of the zig zag trail that we were supposed to take. My life flashed before my eyes several times. (I did get to canter along with a condor about 10m from us once we had successfully made it down the mountain though…digressing again!)

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