Grrrr I am driving myself mad just can't make a decision!

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Tilda

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I am driving myself and I think probably half the people around me insane!

To cut a long story short I have just sold my sharp, stubborn slightly crackers mare who I had a nasty fall off a year ago and just haven't been able to regain the confidence I needed to ride her the way she needs to be ridden. So a couple of weeks ago my YM found me a horse to loan who sounded perfect, really local and happy for me to move to current yard. Said horse is a jumping school master, has done lots of competing and is a sane horse to hack. Been to see him twice hacked him alone and in company and he has been fab. Owners are happy for me to have him and he is coming next weekend and we are sorting paperwork out this week.

Anyway whilst I have been regaining my confidence I have been riding (mainly hacking) my other YMs 5 year old who is just brilliant. Steady as a rock and never puts a foot out of line everytime I ride this pony I get off with a smile on my face. My YM has told me that she would be happy to put him on permanent loan to me as she is considering selling him in the spring because she just hasn't clicked with him, but she thinks long term he is too small for me. It's not a weight thing it's more that he is 14.1 and the other horse is a hand bigger and they all think I look better on him.
The 5yo is overweight and unfit and he would need a lot of schooling to be the RC all rounder I really want and the other horse is the ready made article. But I feel so safe on the youngster as he has helped me get my confidence back whereas the other one is an unknown quantity.

Everyone around me thinks I should go for the older horse but I just can't get the other one out of my mind! I guess the best option would be take on the loan give it a couple of months and then decide but I just hate messing people around!

Arghhh i just wish I could make my mind up.
 
Assuming you aren't under horsed on the smaller one go for the one you feel most comfortable with, other peoples advice is fine but at the end of the day you're the one who will be riding the horse and only you know how you feel when you're riding them. Having said that bear in mind the unfit one may change as he gets fitter, would you feel the same about him if he had a bit more life in life?
 
It's up to you, whi you feel better on and who will make you happy seeing every day.

IMO, I'd have to day the older horses too.
It's a ready made horses, the youngster sounds nice but it won't be long term as its a bit small and if the owner has mentioned this, will they be happy for you to have the horse long term.
 
Thank you Spiritedly some good questions there. I don't think I would have underhorsed myself but he is an unknown quantity as all he has done is hack really. I have schooled him a couple of times and he would need a lot of work as he is not very responsive to the leg at the moment and very unbalanced in canter. He has jumped once and seemed to enjoy it but again this would need a lot of working on.

With the regard to him having more life I would not have an issue with this at all as I ride another horse who is the same breed as this boy who often throws in the odd buck and tries to tank off with me but because I trust him I can more than cope and actually enjoy it.
 
How tall are you and what are your plans for you and the horse? If you're not too heavy, and you are having a great time together, and your apparent "bigness" won't affect what you want to do - go for it. In fact, write up a loan with vtb agreement settling on his price now, in case you end up wanting to own him.
People say things like "He doesn't take up your leg" but if the horse is well schooled it will respond to your leg even if your foot is coming down slightly below the belly. You shouldn't have to have heels making contact in order for your horse to go well.
 
Blucanoo the size is not actually an issue my YM who owns him is 3 inches taller and a stone heavier than me and before she saw me on a bigger horse it never even crossed her mind. I feel a bit unfair on the older horse because he has done nothing wrong and I sure once I get to know him I will trust him as much it is just the unknown vs the known!
 
Thanks Tinypony I am 5ft 5 and weigh 10 stone, pony is a dales and I would like to do some low level dressage, showjumping definitely no higher than 2ft 6 and some fun rides.
 
Is less far to fall from a 14.1. If you feel safe and are enjoying it I think you've answered your own question.
Also I'm 5ft 6 (as is my daughter), heavier than you and sometimes ride my daughter's stocky 14h NF and no-one tells me I am too big (and nor does he, little monkey) but folk sometimes tell her she is getting too big as she has longer legs!
 
Blimey Tilda, I'm sure you'd be fine with him. Dales are often shown with quite large riders, certainly adults. And you're not large! I'm an inch shorter than you and happily ride my 13.3 fat pony and 14.1 Welsh x Arab. They are both also ridden by my mate who is 5'10". I know this one is a bit slow off the leg, but you can sort that out. Mine go almost from a thought, and certainly respond to that "rolling" leg pressure, so the fact that my mate's legs are a bit long is not an issue.
I think with horses, especially if you know you enjoy riding them, follow your heart.
 
Lol Elsbells you are so right! Thanks everyone you have been so helpful. I think I know in my heart which one I really want I just feel bad now for the other one as am letting the owners down. Think I will have a proper chat with YM tonight and see what we come up with. I just think that if I let her sell him in the spring I will regret it!
 
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