Help Finding a Saint - Experienced But Disabled Rider

[Vixxy]

Well it has happened finally I am moving back from Norway to South Wales within the next 4 weeks

I will be looking for a new horse to enjoy long hacks and some very low level competing in dressage locally. The new horse must be totally bombproof and unflappable but not a total plod. I am a rider that has a muscle disease and arthritis, it is important I have a horse that can be forgiving on my bad days but will be up to doing some local shows when I am in good shape.

Size must be over 15.2 and I prefer a chunkier type (cob, IDX), age not so important (I do not mind some age). Not a huge budget but then I am not looking for the ultimate dressage horse either, my mind is far more focused on a steady happy hack that would safely take me to a show to try a few walk trot tests and perhaps a little more on my better days.

I am an experienced rider/owner looking for a new friend to enjoy life with. We will be renting a cottage in a lovely horsey area and the horse will be kept on livery within the village. We own our own equestrian company importing tack, clothing and feed to Norway, this means we work from home and have plenty of time for horse ownership. We plan to live in Wales for 6-12 mths and returning to our Farm in Norway thereafter. The new horse will be coming back with us to join our childs pony who will be out on loan to friends until our return.

Does anyone know a horse that might fit the bill?

 

[Bri]

I know you are looking for something over 15.2 and I'm sure this is going to sound ridiculous seeing as you've been living in Norway - but I can thoroughly recommend a Fjord. My disabled mum has one and he is an utter saint and she can handle him easily both on board and on the ground!

 

[Passtheshampoo]

Hi hope you find something suitable. I too am an experienced rider but having had 3 major spinal ops and being left with nerve damage in my left leg and 3 vetrebra pinned and fused I know how important it is to find the right horse.
I got myself a 16hh IDx mare now 10yrs who is lovely to hack, you just point and go and she walks out beautifully no leg needed. She is great in traffic and would do a bit of low level competing with some schooling.
It's also important when choosing a horse to get something which you can handle on the ground easily as you don't want a horse that has no manners. I've only recently got back riding again and now hack out with a neighbour too. It's wonderful to be back in the saddle again, it's the best medicine going. I have got back my confidence to be able to make the decision to keep my full ID youngster who will be professionally backed and ridden away. My mare is going to be for sale as I have neither the time nor energy to ride two horses but I'm in West Yorks so will be a long way from you.
Good luck in your search.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Yep, I know what you mean about finding the right horse: I've been so fortunate to have had two lovely boys share many precious hours in the saddle with me, and they both looked after me so well; then as a forty-something I was looking for the Right Horse, and by golly there's nothing out there to suit!

What I did, purely because I just HAD to have a horse of my own on the place, was to have something on loan from a trekking centre, and guess what, fell in love with it and bought it. We had a few little issues to deal with but with help from a natural horsemanship lady we're getting there.

I believe the Right Horse will find you, rather than the other way round. All of my horses have "found" me - I believe they have a natural ability to search out the person who they want to be with. Don't be tempted, therefore, to go with something that you're not happy with, and ALWAYS ALWAYS if you go to see something, get the owner to ride it first, and also handle it on the ground before you go near it yourself. Obvious I know, but I've been shown some stuff that was frankly dangerous and you have to be careful.

Another thing you could do would be to approach your local Riding for the Disabled Branch and see if anyone there knows of any horses for sale that might suit you.

Another idea: go to a reputable (yes there are some still out there) dealer who will do her/his best to find you the right mount. I went to someone once to sell something I'd bought which was too sharp for me and she did her very best to find him the right home, but you do need to be discerning and perhaps ask around as to who is worth dealing with (farriers often have a very good idea - also they may know of horses for sale on their rounds; if its not good to shoe they won't recommend it!!!).

Well, good luck! Its not easy finding the right horse; its like finding the perfect marriage, but once you've got your "catch" there's nothing like it is there.