blood_magik
Well-Known Member
I’ve just started looking for a new jumping horse and I’m second-guessing myself at every turn so could use some help.
My ideal horse would be:
Gelding
17-17.2hh (prefer bigger horses)
Solid colour
Honest and brave at the fence
Forward going
8-10 years
Scope to take me round a 1.30m track so capable of up to 1.45m
Basically looking for a younger schoolmaster-type.
So far I’ve viewed:
Horse one - 7yo chestnut gelding:
Pros
🔹 trainer knows the horse and owner well
🔹 based locally so own vet could do the vetting
🔹 lovely and forwards once I found the right buttons
🔹 felt very safe on him
🔹 helped me out when I made a mistake coming down a distance
🔹 easy to handle.
🔹 good to load/clip/shoe
🔹 not been over-jumped
🔹 lovely scopey jump
🔹priced at what I’d like to spend
🔹 beautifully schooled
Cons
🔹 younger and smaller (16.2/16.3) than I wanted
🔹 hasn’t got a great competition record for the asking price
🔹 price not negotiable
🔹 massive splint on right fore
🔹 looked a little off behind at times
🔹 a little look-y - did spook a little while I was trying him
🔹 Shot off when we had a pole down - took a few circles to get him to settle
🔹 no returns policy if it doesn’t work out
Horse two - 10yo bay gelding:
Pros
🔹 established at 1.30/1.40m
🔹 great competition record from newcomers upwards
🔹 very safe - not at all spooky
🔹 very forwards from the get go but kept it’s rhythm before/after the fence
🔹 17.1hh and chunky built - took up my leg nicely
🔹 beautifully schooled
🔹 easy to do in all ways - stood beautifully while waiting for me to set up and get on
🔹price negotiable
🔹 have bought a nice horse from this dealer before and they will buy him back if needed no questions asked
🔹 feel happy that I would be able to relax once I get to know him a little better
Cons
🔹 at the very top end of my budget
🔹 very expressive changes. Felt like I got bounced about a little bit (very similar to my big horse)
🔹 did test me a little bit while I was finding the right buttons but nothing bad - just fell out through one shoulder a little until I said no and corrected.
🔹 didn’t feel quite as comfortable riding him from the get go but he’s a different level/model of horse.
I’m so confused 🙈
This is why I normally say to my previous trainer to find me something and then buy it unseen - I have no choice but to get on with it once the horse comes home 🤷â€â™€ï¸
That said, I’m going to try to view horse number 2 again. 🤔
Does anyone have any thoughts or comments?
My ideal horse would be:
Gelding
17-17.2hh (prefer bigger horses)
Solid colour
Honest and brave at the fence
Forward going
8-10 years
Scope to take me round a 1.30m track so capable of up to 1.45m
Basically looking for a younger schoolmaster-type.
So far I’ve viewed:
Horse one - 7yo chestnut gelding:
Pros
🔹 trainer knows the horse and owner well
🔹 based locally so own vet could do the vetting
🔹 lovely and forwards once I found the right buttons
🔹 felt very safe on him
🔹 helped me out when I made a mistake coming down a distance
🔹 easy to handle.
🔹 good to load/clip/shoe
🔹 not been over-jumped
🔹 lovely scopey jump
🔹priced at what I’d like to spend
🔹 beautifully schooled
Cons
🔹 younger and smaller (16.2/16.3) than I wanted
🔹 hasn’t got a great competition record for the asking price
🔹 price not negotiable
🔹 massive splint on right fore
🔹 looked a little off behind at times
🔹 a little look-y - did spook a little while I was trying him
🔹 Shot off when we had a pole down - took a few circles to get him to settle
🔹 no returns policy if it doesn’t work out
Horse two - 10yo bay gelding:
Pros
🔹 established at 1.30/1.40m
🔹 great competition record from newcomers upwards
🔹 very safe - not at all spooky
🔹 very forwards from the get go but kept it’s rhythm before/after the fence
🔹 17.1hh and chunky built - took up my leg nicely
🔹 beautifully schooled
🔹 easy to do in all ways - stood beautifully while waiting for me to set up and get on
🔹price negotiable
🔹 have bought a nice horse from this dealer before and they will buy him back if needed no questions asked
🔹 feel happy that I would be able to relax once I get to know him a little better
Cons
🔹 at the very top end of my budget
🔹 very expressive changes. Felt like I got bounced about a little bit (very similar to my big horse)
🔹 did test me a little bit while I was finding the right buttons but nothing bad - just fell out through one shoulder a little until I said no and corrected.
🔹 didn’t feel quite as comfortable riding him from the get go but he’s a different level/model of horse.
I’m so confused 🙈
This is why I normally say to my previous trainer to find me something and then buy it unseen - I have no choice but to get on with it once the horse comes home 🤷â€â™€ï¸
That said, I’m going to try to view horse number 2 again. 🤔
Does anyone have any thoughts or comments?