Horse trying - my ponderings

[Flibble]

Just thinking out loud here. Have been horse hunting since June started very slowly cos I was post minor eye op then got enthusiastic and then went on wane cos it was hols time etc <-- this is just my excuses.

I have ridden about 10 some too small,too expensive etc etc fell in love and failed the vet.

Now there is a horse I am going back to see as colourwise he is what I wanted when I bought my first horse 30 years ago, temperament wise he is an absolute sweety. I rejected him because he was a bit of a plod out and felt a bit small.

--> Pondering begins

I of the horses I tried back in September was pretty stuffy hacking his owner rode him in spurs he was grey which I dont want but he was a prize winning show horse out of my bracket that they talked me into sitting on for feel.

Now I am schooling a small young horse for a disabled lady who I thought 'God this is awful' the first time I rode him but since then I have grown to like the little chap a lot and really enjoy schooling him although he is not 'my type'.

So I am sat here thinking if the temperament is right and you like the beast am I putting too much emphasis on how the ride feels as it may be I just need to get used to a different movement.
It should have some influence as one horse I tried was like cantering on a plank and actually hurt my back but maybe its true I am being too picky.

---> Pondering ends

So we will have to see what happens tomorrow as long as the weather doesnt wreck things the last ride Thursday was cancelled because of fallen trees and storms.

 

[be positive]

Temperament up to a point you cannot change, conformation also will not change, you can improve the overall appearance by muscling up .
The ride you can usually do a lot with, if the movement is good enough, by schooling, possibly changing the saddle, they often do not fit well, the horse can change immensely.
So I would go for the right temperament and good attitude first, movement and conformation second.

 

[be positive]

Just to add you need to like the horse, you spend more time looking after it than riding so do you have the desire to want to see it every day.

 

[Flibble]

Just to add you need to like the horse, you spend more time looking after it than riding so do you have the desire to want to see it every day.

You hit the nail on the head there one I didnt even ride because I looked and though you are not a horse I would get up in the morning for even on a nice day. The one I had vetted i dreamed about and tomorrows well he is not pretty but he is handsome and very appealing.

 

[depurple1]

I think it depends a lot on the age of the horse - if you are trying a 10 year old and you don't like the ride, it may not be all that easy to change/improve, whereas if it is a 4 year old there it is likely to get an awful lot better with decent schooling.

A year on, my 5 year old is a totally different horse than he was when I bought him. Thankfully I viewed him with a very experienced friend who saw his potential.

 

[JennBags]

Agree with depurple1

It depends on what you want to do with him. I was looking for a new horse earlier this year, and found a couple that I liked. One of them got sold before I got back to try him for the second time. The second failed the vet - and my feeling was that one of relief - I then realised that I had been prepared to settle for a horse who ticked most of the boxes.

When I went to see the horse that I bought, he came out of the stable and I knew immediately that he was the horse for me. Even more so when I got on him. A week later and he was home with me, 7 weeks on and I do not regret it fir a second.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, don't settle for a horse that you're not totally sure of. Unless you're planning on schooling him on & selling him on, wait for the right one.

 

[Flibble]

Well back from 2nd go and I was right first time too slow and dobbin. What I had anticpated would be a blast in the woods had me wondering if it would be quicker to get off and push. So home wet and cold but at least I know I am not desparate enuff to buy the wrong horse.