Gamebird
Well-Known Member
Although perhaps 'successor' would be more polite than 'replacement'. Carthorse has moved to Shropshire to spend many happy winters hunting and summers living the Life of Riley. He emailed me last week and asked me to let you all know that he's settled in well, is enjoying grazing with his new friends all day every day and his new owner has never even heard of dressage!
I thought I'd buy a nice 5/6yo doing well at PN and ready to move up to Nov by the end of the season, until I saw the price tag that comes with that sort of horse (£18,000 anyone?
) and lowered my expectations accordingly. Yup, I'll be starting with a 4yo yet again.
I looked at quite a few but the one that ticked all the boxes turned up today. He's 16.3 (and the rest
), 4yo by Mill Law and out of a mare that was on Irish Junior teams. I don't know her breeding yet but will find out when the passport arrives (long story
....). When I went to try him I jumped him round a 1m course with paddling pools under the first fence, water trays, fillers, skinny etc. He was being ridden at home by the owner's daughter who is 13 and seemed very well-behaved
.
I've hopped on him today and he was fab, not at all worried by the new surroundings. He also got his first set of back shoes on which he was slightly less fab about
. There will be a LOT of practice in that department before the farrier comes again
(I slipped the farrier a tenner extra and told him to get himself a beer on the way home
).
Right, so now you're picturing some shining beacon of equine excellence I'd better shatter your illusions..... I'VE JUST BOUGHT THE UGLIEST HORSE EVER!!!
Not for nothing is he called 'Fuggles' (Fugly to his friends). He's all leg, with a pot belly, no rump or neck and is quite possibly the least attractive horse I've ever owned. Please, someone tell me that this ugly duckling will turn into a swan???
'Tea-time, did anyone mention tea-time?'
'No, I won't stop grazing for you to take my photo, not even for a second
'
Looking very stressed about his new home:
I thought I'd buy a nice 5/6yo doing well at PN and ready to move up to Nov by the end of the season, until I saw the price tag that comes with that sort of horse (£18,000 anyone?
I looked at quite a few but the one that ticked all the boxes turned up today. He's 16.3 (and the rest
I've hopped on him today and he was fab, not at all worried by the new surroundings. He also got his first set of back shoes on which he was slightly less fab about
Right, so now you're picturing some shining beacon of equine excellence I'd better shatter your illusions..... I'VE JUST BOUGHT THE UGLIEST HORSE EVER!!!
Not for nothing is he called 'Fuggles' (Fugly to his friends). He's all leg, with a pot belly, no rump or neck and is quite possibly the least attractive horse I've ever owned. Please, someone tell me that this ugly duckling will turn into a swan???
'Tea-time, did anyone mention tea-time?'
'No, I won't stop grazing for you to take my photo, not even for a second
Looking very stressed about his new home: