Horsey shopping woes...thoughts on this little mare?

Michen

Michen

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So fed up! Have started actively looking as realised fairly quickly the market was not full of lovely, perfect horses and this may in fact take months...Drove a 5 hour round trip today for a horse that really was lovely but totally rubbish feet.

After Torres and baby welshie I really just want something simple and straight forward. Not high maintenance, loads perfectly, not spooky, not a hot head, capable of going XC/SJ with a novice jumper etc etc. Budget of around 4k.

6 months ago I wouldn't have considered anything under 16hh but now I've found myself leaning towards small horses. Trouble is, the type that excite me are the TB/Warmblood, flashy sorts. But I KNOW that they are not what I need right now! I need something that I can really enjoy and not have to stress about.

Saw this little mare today. She's 15.1hh, jumps really nicely and very confidence giving. Totally sensible, calm, sweet and straight forward. Beautiful trot and a pretty rubbish canter but that's ok. But she didn't enthuse me at all, and I can't figure out if it's because these types just don't in general or whether it means she's not the horse for me?

Anyway a few pics... taken quickly so sorry they are rubbish and not standing square. On paper she is exactly what I'm after, maybe I'm not giving her a fair chance just because she isn't what I'm used to?

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She's sweet but there's nothing special or eye catching about her.

You can get some really nice looking irish horses which would be exactly what you are looking for, what age range you looking at?
 
Don't buy a horse that leaves you cold. There has to be something about them that attracts you, that makes you want to take them home.
 
kassieg said:
She's sweet but there's nothing special or eye catching about her.

You can get some really nice looking irish horses which would be exactly what you are looking for, what age range you looking at?
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Nothing younger than 5 and even that's pushing it. I really want something established and safe and easy but flashy ... Impossible unless I havr 10k it seems
 
The only advice I can give you is that 7 years ago I bought my dream horse. Always wanted a bay sect d preferably a mare. So I found an extremely handsome 15.1hh bay sect d gelding. He was stunning and I bought him against my better judgment as he was only 5 and had done very little. Didn't take me long to realise that although I loved the look of him he wasn't the horse for me. He is still with me and always will be as I can't bear to think of him being passed around different homes because of his quirkiness. So don't go on type or breed but how the horse feels to be around and to ride. If this little mare has everything going for her except the fact she is not the look you admire most don't worry about it. Mine looks perfect and I still think he is one of the most handsome horses I have ever seen but he is useless as a ridden animal.
 
Michen said:
Nothing younger than 5 and even that's pushing it. I really want something established and safe and easy but flashy ... Impossible unless I havr 10k it seems
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It shouldn't be impossible unless you are want it to have done BE then its impossible but if you just want something that has done a bit of everything unaff then you should find something although I would still say your at the cheaper end (not meaning to offend! ) because you are wanting something straightforward & safe & that will always carry a price tag. Have you considered looking in ireland?
you will definitely get something like that for your budget easily over there :)
 
Where in the country are you?

I found when I was looking that asking for videos in advance of viewing saved me so much time and money driving round the country. Even in something very short you can get a good snapshot of what the horse is like (and if it is sound, so many I saw weren't!).

Don't buy one you don't love. The right one will be out there.
 
Well I like her. You will grow to love a horse that does everything you want and well and dislike a flashy horse that won't do either or those things. My best horse ever was a bit boring hacking but he would jump anything and I had the most fun.
 
Her feet look rather long in the photo. It is much easier to improve the trot than the canter. Having said all that she did give you confidence. Go back and try her again and see if you like her any more.
 
If you don't feel "this is the one" when you ride her, she's not for you. By all means choose which ones to view according to your criteria on paper, I often feel that people don't narrow down their shortlist enough in that way. But when you view, it doesn't matter how much it fits the bill on paper, if you don't feel it, unless you are buying to bring on and sell, leave the horse there and go and look at another. And tbh even if you do intend to sell on, you need to get on with the horse.
 
Michen said:
the type that excite me are the TB/Warmblood, flashy sorts. But I KNOW that they are not what I need right now! I need something that I can really enjoy and not have to stress about.
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If that's what you like, that's what you like - and it's VERY hard to go against what your heart is telling you you want! There are plenty of tough, sound uncomplicated versions of either, who are no more trouble than the sort that you think you need.
 
I too got very despondent looking for my horse, tried many that just didn't do it for me. Evevtually bought a cob who wasn't what I thought I was looking for but I loved riding her, she gave me loads of confidence but was also forward and fun! She is a little green and we have had a few ridden issues initially but we are getting there because every time I get on her I remember why I bought her!

I think you need to click with a horse or you could regret it, particularly if you run in.to issues.

Good luck with your search, let us know how you get on.
 
Auslander said:
If that's what you like, that's what you like - and it's VERY hard to go against what your heart is telling you you want! There are plenty of tough, sound uncomplicated versions of either, who are no more trouble than the sort that you think you need.
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What she said.

Seriously, Michen - don't buy a horse you don't gel with - as Auslander says, there will be something sane, sensible, tough and uncomplicated that still makes your heart go pitter pat.

P
 
Was the dun mare in Kent not suitable? I like the mare you have posted about today but, as others have said, if she doesn't 'do it' for you then maybe she isn't suitable.

I have bought 2 horses this year, a flashy VERY well bred warmblood mare that I just haven't clicked with despite 6 months of ownership and now a really super connie x tb that I have had for 2 weeks but it feels like I have had him forever. We just clicked in a way that I haven't done with the warmblood so I do understand how important it is to click with your horse. The connie is exactly the horse I needed (hacks, jumps, chilled and fun) and the WB mare was the horse I wanted (she can jump 1.30 and has had a great BS career to date but I can't ride her power for toffee)......

The right horse is out there for you just waiting to be found, why not post your location and shopping list and we can all have a look for you?
 
Don't despair, I think horse shopping is no fun, no fun at all, especially when you've lost a beloved horse. If it's any comfort to you I've recently taken on a horse on lwvtb that scared the bejeezus out of me the first time I rode him because I am not that experienced and had never ridden such a big striding powerful horse. I was full of reservations, so sure it would never work, I'd never hack him out etc... not that he ever put a hoof wrong the whole time, the problem was me and my expectations, and lack of physical fitness. However, somehow we found each other and we're having a great time now and I am so glad I took the chance,. I can't believe I have had the opportunity to have such magnificent horse and I am worried his owner will change their mind and take him back!
 
You have got to have "that" feeling imo - thats not to say it won't all go tits up :) go with your gut, there is one out there for you :)
 
I have looked for the 'horse of my dreams' a few times in years of owning horses, I never found the one I was looking for but I did find, almost every time, with only one bought in error, a horse that fitted my abilities, with whom I felt the gel factor. There wasn't an excitement but there was a sense of belonging. It's difficult to put into words but I'm sure you know what I mean. These horses I have loved completely because they gave me joy. I know the 'horse of my dreams' would have been totally unsuitable for me, so I think that when the horse is right for you, you will just know and won't need to ask anyone else. Best of luck with your search whatever you decide.
 
The Bouncing Bog Trotter said:
Was the dun mare in Kent not suitable? I like the mare you have posted about today but, as others have said, if she doesn't 'do it' for you then maybe she isn't suitable.

I have bought 2 horses this year, a flashy VERY well bred warmblood mare that I just haven't clicked with despite 6 months of ownership and now a really super connie x tb that I have had for 2 weeks but it feels like I have had him forever. We just clicked in a way that I haven't done with the warmblood so I do understand how important it is to click with your horse. The connie is exactly the horse I needed (hacks, jumps, chilled and fun) and the WB mare was the horse I wanted (she can jump 1.30 and has had a great BS career to date but I can't ride her power for toffee)......

The right horse is out there for you just waiting to be found, why not post your location and shopping list and we can all have a look for you?
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Dun mare....

Squealed when they did the girth up. Repeatedly got the wrong canter lead with a very novice demo rider on top. They then got draw reins out and tied her up in them.... needless to say I didn't even get on. She wasn't my cup of tea anyway :)
 
This mare looks like she has a club foot, that's not ideal if you want to jump/do high impact work. I wouldn't regularly jump a horse with a club foot.
 
The club foot is the off fore, near fore is the flat foot (it's also called high-low syndrome). No need for more pics, it's clearly visible on the conformation pic you posted.
She also has the typical stance with flat foot forward (they tend to put more weight on the flat foot).
 
Palindrome said:
The club foot is the off fore, near fore is the flat foot (it's also called high-low syndrome). No need for more pics, it's clearly visible on the conformation pic you posted.
She also has the typical stance with flat foot forward (they tend to put more weight on the flat foot).
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Hmmm...I thin I'll just take my farrier shopping with me!
 
AdorableAlice said:
It's a no from me. The forelimb is very poor. The bone does not match the top.
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Interesting point- do you mean how slender her legs are compared with the rest of her? She has got very little, dinky feet. At least with every horse I see I'm learning something new!
 
Michen said:
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Hmmm...I thin I'll just take my farrier shopping with me!
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I would take my farrier with me when horsey shopping as he is a good friend. We both consider ourselves to have a good eye for a horse and like the same types of horses bur he would stop me going with my heary on a purchase if he really felt i shouldnt! Also the amount of unsound horses we have seen in past makes him invaluable!
 
I also took my farrier back for a second visit when I bought a horse, she sees so many horses day in, day out she could assess his legs and feet and also his temperament. I bought the horse and he has turned out fab.
 
Michen said:
Interesting point- do you mean how slender her legs are compared with the rest of her? She has got very little, dinky feet. At least with every horse I see I'm learning something new!
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Yes, look at the canon bone, she appears, and photo's can be misleading of course, to be very light boned. Looking at the whole horse she appears to have the front of the connie, the withers of the TB and the limb of the TB.

Dinky feet are fine if what they are carrying is dinky. To be fair I am ultra critical on conformation, but if the horse is to have a chance of staying sound and performing well, the better the conformation the better way of going it will have and be easier to school and produce.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Yes, look at the canon bone, she appears, and photo's can be misleading of course, to be very light boned. Looking at the whole horse she appears to have the front of the connie, the withers of the TB and the limb of the TB.

Dinky feet are fine if what they are carrying is dinky. To be fair I am ultra critical on conformation, but if the horse is to have a chance of staying sound and performing well, the better the conformation the better way of going it will have and be easier to school and produce.
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No you are right she is fine boned in real life. She does have a surprisingly nice trot, I was not expecting her to move the way she did.

Minefield.... total minefield! Thanks :)
 
Michen said:
Dun mare....

Squealed when they did the girth up. Repeatedly got the wrong canter lead with a very novice demo rider on top. They then got draw reins out and tied her up in them.... needless to say I didn't even get on. She wasn't my cup of tea anyway :)
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That will be a 'no' then! Don't get too de-motivated. If I were horse-shopping again I'd want to take Adorable Alice with me!
 
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