Competition home only??

[huskydamage]

I came across this once when looking to buy and it transpired the owners live next to a busy road and never hacked the horse. I've known a few "competition" riders who are petrified to hack their horses for some reason. As a "happy hacker" I find it bizarre for something that is looked at as so simple. Perhaps people dont want to admit hacking requires a bit more skill/decent horse after all!

 

[Red-1]

I have sold a horse as a competition home only sale. I did hack her, all over and at all gaits. In company and alone. She would meet horses then split up again, with no issue. She was fine in traffic. Crossed water, popped ditches, uphill and down dale. She would (mostly) hack on a long rein, in front or behind. But, she would have scared most riders.

She was the sort who did need riding every day. If she had missed a day, she would need a lunge round or a schooling session. If she was wound up and you pulled the reins, she would explode. You had to breathe through the tension in her and direct her, not block her. I don't think many happy hackers would have known how to settle her and they would probably not have enjoyed the fresher rides. If you moved your leg offensively, she would buck. If she had a skit and you moved in the saddle, she hated it and would lose you.

She was immensely powerful.

It was mostly about recycling the energy not blocking it for her.

She would jump anything. Took me round SJ rounds up to 135 at home, 125 in competition. Had beautiful paces for dressage, was always sound. Did big events. Never said no. Realised my dreams.

Was not suitable for a happy hacking home.

If that offended someone, I am sorry, but it will have kept people safe.

 

[SO1]

I think happy hacking home is the best of homes for a horse that is a sensible hack. As long as the horse is ridden regularly and it is not just weekends and is kept fit enough for a good hack.

Intense training in an arena is very demanding on a horse and can cause physical problems. A horse that primarily hacks and does fun rides is more likely to stay sound and healthy than one that is out competing every weekend.

Lovely long rides through woods sounds wonderful.

 

[MagicMelon]

Nahh I get this. Most horses I dont mind if they just went to a hacking home but Ive got one (now retired) who I would have only sold to a competitive home as he did seem to thrive on it. He was too intelligent and wired to have just hacked. Even now he stands pathetically looking miserable when I load my other horse up to go somewhere. I think its like some dogs, our labradoodle was much calmer in general when we used to do agility regularly, she does get a bit bored of basic walks!

 

[Tarragon]

The reverse of this is the association of a "competition home" with terms like "jumping machine", "winning at all costs", and "trophy hunting", where the horse is possibly treated less sympathetically and more as a replaceable part of the took kit.
I agree that the Porche equivalent in the horsey world may not be the best choice for someone who doesn't need that power and speed, and I also agree that at the other end of the scale there are some very overweight horses whose lives would be much improved with some decent exercise. In the middle, however, I think that all horses that have a varied and active life are the lucky ones and will probably live longer and healthier lives.

 

[sportsmansB]

I would only sell mine to a certain type of home, which I may describe as a competition home as a convenient way of trying to ensure that the rider was balanced, confident, and able to put up with his occasional antics. Not necessarily that he has to do competitions. But a loose rider of any sort would definitely fall off him in the short - medium term
So maybe you need to just refresh your description to emphasise your experience, and the varied workload that the horse will enjoy.

 

[Leandy]

I think the sellers are saying they don't think the horse will be suitable for you. Whether that it will be too much for you, or that lifestyle won't suit it, or that it is not pleasant to hack. Obviously all they have to go on is your description of yourself and circumstances so take a look at that and see if you are underselling yourself!

 

[paddy555]

The reverse of this is the association of a "competition home" with terms like "jumping machine", "winning at all costs", and "trophy hunting", where the horse is possibly treated less sympathetically and more as a replaceable part of the took kit.
.

this.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I love being a happy hacker. Could I return to competition?, yes I could, do I have a suitable mount?, yes i do, do I want to? Not really. I love exploring, zooming about the countryside, love the common ridings and hunt rides with or without jumps. I love the lack of expectation and just plain fun compared to competitions where the ringside judging elite are pulling you apart whilst they clap and smile.

I may take Faran to shows and lower level jumping etc but my heart is no longer in the completion ring, that may change in the future but it’s not an aim. If happy hacker is seen as a derogatory term then consider me firmly put in my place ? but I’d rather an clever surefooted and self sufficient animal than one who needs 30+ hrs of work done to it each week to keep it from freaking itself out at a plant pot in an arena ?

 

[Birker2020]

Hi? (I will preface this by saying I'm in Australia, just in case that makes any difference)
I have been searching for a happy hacker for a while now. I'm in no rush but I have been looking online and messaged a few sellers for more information.
Nearly everyone I have messaged has come back to me saying ' sorry, this horse will be going to a competition home only'. This seems very odd to me, partly because I don't think the horse really cares, but mostly because the horses I'm looking at are not exactly world beater's, some may do ok in low level local comps but nothing amazing and certainly not in the price range I'm looking at.

I'm detailed when I message people and make sure to tell them my abilities, experience and that we have our own property with other horses, acre's of land, natural shelter and stables. Am I giving too much information? Is this turning seller's off?

Does the fact that I don't compete mean I can't buy a horse with some quality? I don't have much on my wishlist but I would like something half decent.


Has anyone else come across this? I'm starting to get a complex!

Yep going through this now, seen a smashing horse for sale, went to view it on Saturday and I've put a deposit down, subject to vetting which is tomorrow.

But it was advertised as 'no novices due to this being a competition horse' or words to that effect. Whilst I'm not a novice and used to compete practically every weekend for years on my last horse, I don't intend competing for a few months as I'm going to do things a bit differently with this one and start by going to the odd clear round and having regular lessons with a pro whereas the one before I was off out the following weekend. But I was 3 stone lighter then and could fit into my competition clothes.

But the caveat 'competition home only' I think means that the horse will be almost guaranteed (to the best ability of the seller) a rider that knows what they are doing, is familiar with the type of care that a competition horse might need and a home that will tailor for that type of horse.

Also the horses requirements may be different insomuch as they may be more highly strung, need riding more times than normal, food requirements may be different. The seller said the horse I've put a deposit down on, isn't the type of horse that can go a couple of weeks without being ridden and you can just take up from their because its not used to that type of riding/handling and whilst I don't intend riding much to start with (in terms of minutes in the saddle due to not doing anything for four years) I will ride it at least four maybe five times a week or it will go on the walker for a while if the weather is too bad to ride at times.

 

[Winters100]

I love being a happy hacker. Could I return to competition?, yes I could, do I have a suitable mount?, yes i do, do I want to? Not really. a ?

I really get this. I have hardly competed at all this season, because I just didn't feel like it. However I have 3 horses much fitter than many who are competing regularly, and I am also fit and riding every day. My horses work 9 to 10 days on and 1 day off, almost every day is one proper ridden session in the morning and some lighter exercise in the afternoon (sometimes lunging, loose schooling or hacking with 1 ridden and the others in hand). I would say that they are in as good a shape as they can be, but I suppose I would fall short of someone wanting to sell to a 'competition home', whereas some of my less experienced friends with horses who I would consider to be out of shape, would pass the test.