Art Nouveau
Well-Known Member
I'm looking for a horse to buy as a project and currently have two options, both of which I could view this weekend. I'd love to pick the brains of HHO's collective wisdom My aim is to bring a horse back into work and sell at the end of about a year.
Horse A
11 years old, has evented and hunted but spent the last two years not doing much.
Pros: Sounds like a horse I would love to work with, intelligent and bold. Well established in jumping and fairly good schooling so just needs fittening up and refreshing, with a bit more flatwork.
Cons: Recently diagnosed with thin soles, farrier said this is due to the horse being out in wet weather 24/7 over winter with no exercise. Horse currently has pads on. As I'm intending to sell on again I won't have the time to take the horse barefoot.
(Can I ask to speak to the farrier about the feet, and would I need the owner to call first to give permission for the farrier to discuss the horse with me?)
Horse B
9 years old, did a little bit as a youngster then has been a broodmare for a couple of years.
Pros: no known foot or health issues Seems to be picking up schooling quite quickly
Cons: hasn't done much before so would need teaching rather than refreshing.
Heart says horse A, head says I don't know enough about working with/improving thin soles to risk it. I've had a quick look on here but everyone seems to be saying to go barefoot. If this were a horse I was going to keep then I would, but I'm likely to be selling on so don't really want to spend most of that time rehabbing to go barefoot.
Thoughts? Should I not touch thin soles with a barge pole?
Horse A is cheaper but may cost more if there are foot problems,
Thanks
Horse A
11 years old, has evented and hunted but spent the last two years not doing much.
Pros: Sounds like a horse I would love to work with, intelligent and bold. Well established in jumping and fairly good schooling so just needs fittening up and refreshing, with a bit more flatwork.
Cons: Recently diagnosed with thin soles, farrier said this is due to the horse being out in wet weather 24/7 over winter with no exercise. Horse currently has pads on. As I'm intending to sell on again I won't have the time to take the horse barefoot.
(Can I ask to speak to the farrier about the feet, and would I need the owner to call first to give permission for the farrier to discuss the horse with me?)
Horse B
9 years old, did a little bit as a youngster then has been a broodmare for a couple of years.
Pros: no known foot or health issues Seems to be picking up schooling quite quickly
Cons: hasn't done much before so would need teaching rather than refreshing.
Heart says horse A, head says I don't know enough about working with/improving thin soles to risk it. I've had a quick look on here but everyone seems to be saying to go barefoot. If this were a horse I was going to keep then I would, but I'm likely to be selling on so don't really want to spend most of that time rehabbing to go barefoot.
Thoughts? Should I not touch thin soles with a barge pole?
Horse A is cheaper but may cost more if there are foot problems,
Thanks