Confused and worried, what do you think?

[Goldenstar]

A steady hack to take the grandchildren out? I'm kind of failing to see why a 2yo shire x trak is a good idea, irrespective of price!

I am agreeing with this draughts can be very stubborn indeed and trak's can be very difficult if the you get the best of both temperaments you would have a versatile wieght carrier that could do a lot of jobs well including hunting and it would be worth a good price , if it got the worse of both temperaments it could turn out be a compete git .
If your mum wants a steady hack for the grandma and kids outings buy a horse that knows that job or the kids could be doing GCSEs before the two yo is settled to the job.

 

[twisteddiamond]

sorry but OP, why has the age of the horse considering these are your children that you mum wants to take riding out, not been more of an issue for you rather than just its price?

its size and age mean you have no idea if it will be suitable for acting as a good influence for your children's ponies, more likely it wont, so why on earth wouldnt you be looking for a proven, quiet hack/cob cross/connie/native of smaller size and of which there are thousands available for sale in the uk (as your mother doesn't mind travelling), instead?

Because i will be leading my child and her pony, and if the horse is a nutter she can hack by herself.

 

[buddy's mummy]

would a 16yr old happy hacker plod be any good to her? free of charge to an excellent home?

 

[Arizahn]

Does she actually want a ready made horse or does she want the challenge of producing her own? Maybe the grandchildren aren't top of her priorities here. Maybe she just wants to bring on a young horse, and likes the look of this one. It's a nice solid animal, could go far. She should take a road trip and view it, maybe have a short holiday along the way. As long as she doesn't pay more than she wants to, and can afford it and cope with it, then where's the harm?

 

[Booboos]

the grandchildren are just starting to learn to ride, only being 22 and 18 months, so it would be left until the summer, backed and then when the little ones will be ready so will it
if i thought she was endangering my child i would tell her to get her head examined and do one, but thanks for your concern

Sorry OP but this is an insane plan! The chances of having a suitable horse to hack with the children at the end of this are almost nil. If she has a healthy budget why not buy a nice steady hack which is 7-8-9 years old now and in 2-3 years she will know the horse really well and have a much better chance of being able to take the children out safely.