How did you find your one in a million horse?

GinaGem

GinaGem

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I mean how did you know the horse you bought was going to be the right one - horse of a lifetime type? If you didn't know, when did you realise? What made you buy the horse?

Sorry just contemplating buying something else and it's quite scary. I don't even know what i want. How do i find that horse that is just right! I had a horse on loan once that i trusted 100% and felt invincible on and i felt he trusted me 100% - we just had that amazing bond. After loosing confidence I want that again!
 
still trying to find a one in a million horse...

the one i have now will do
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i love him really
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My horse is one in a million and I will never sell her. She wasn't what I was looking for but I just knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she was the one I would be taking home with me. It took about 30 seconds for me to realise! I don't know why I knew... one of those things. I don't regret buying her for a second and I love her to pieces
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You will just know
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I went to view Breeze when she was 4 days old, this gorgeous little face peered out at me from behind her mum and I was smitten. I went back to see her 2 weeks later and she walked straight up to me and snuggled...she is now 3 1/2 and I am so in love with her and we have just got closer and closer - I adore her and yes, I know I am a wuss
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Mine is a one in a million for me. When I went to see him I walked up to him and he snuffled my whole face with his moustache and I thought, that's it, you're the one for me. I had really lost all my confidence at the time and I just knew he was the pony to help me get it back - and he has been all that and more.

You will find the right one, just trust your gut instincts (and take a sensible person with you so you get the heart/head balance!).
 
When I went to see Ted I said to Super_Kat 'If he's sound and doesnt try to kill me I'm having him'

I got there he had legs like tree trunks, a bow in his tendon and had comeo ut of racing two months earlier and not been ridden since...

He was Sound CHECK!
he didnt try to kill me in walk trot or canter, and even the kamikazi sheep didnt put him off CHECK!

Et Vouzle, Ted came home and its the best thing I ever did!

Lou x
 
I found him in the trade-it (free ads paper!)

I knew he was perfect after popping a fence on him... after my 'quirky' jumping pony, he was bold straight and forwards... put a deposit on him straight away, no mind-making required!
 
well, I bought one 10 years ago...
It went like that - I've been riding different horses for different people, got some money (not a lot) s I thought: right, I don't need a competition horse as I have a string of owners, but I would really fancy a pet... So I went to annual Polish National Stud's sale and picked up an unbroken 5 yo little grey mare - a bit of a nutter, but sweet enough... 10 years down the line we have jumped together plenty of 1.40 and a couple of Nations Cup appearances for my country....... It just shows you never know... She takes her life a bit easier now, but is still with me and always will be..
 
NO GINA, YOU AREN’T ASKING TOO MUCH!

You obviously know mine and Bodey’s story, but do you think he is my one in a million? Well I bloody well do!! I love him more then I can put into words, we have a bond I could never explain!

You will find you perfect horse! I promise, and I will help you!!!!!
 
I think I've had more than my fair share
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but they tended to be friends' old horses that they had outgrown and were just perfect schoolmaster types. And the very best pony was the Fell that my mum bought as a yearling and we brought on ourselves....this is the key IMO

The youngster I have now is turning out to be pretty perfect......I'm not sure why, but I just knew when I went to see her that she was right.
 
In a riding school as a working livery. He looked me up and down and turned away as I was of no consequence to him. Over time, we developed a bond.

When Jake came up for sale, I knew he was the horse for me. It was just before my 30th and it was meant to be.
 
my current one is not, however my retired mare was one i bought 13 yrs ago, no one else wanted to ride her as she was too fizzy and as soon as i sat on her we clicked, even tho she was fizzy felt safe from day one. she was at the same yard as me at the time and i had to watch her go to trial home one after the next until my mum bought her for me and we never looked back! it is poss, dont always look for the obvious!
 
I do kind of feel that there is no such thing as a one-in-a-million horse... I think ultimately we are responsible for what we make out of them... and there are probably thousands upon thousands of horses that I would love just as much as the big grey one.... but I didn't buy them, so I wouldn't know.
 
Jo what you and Bodey have is exactly what i want!! You just have that knack of knowing exactly what you want though. I guess always having horses loaned/given to me I've never had to decide what i really really want - that decision has never been mine - even with Ru to a certain extent
 
I searched high and low for a horse within my price range and not too far away from me and it wasn't easy i came across a website I had never even heard of before (horsehunter) and had a look around that and came across him no more than 5 mins away from my OHs house (15 away from mine). In an advert consisting of only around 8 words!
Got a picture sent and fell in love, went to see him he was underweight no muscle covered in mud and looked like a right donkey bless but I could have taken him home there and then.
Despite the owner point blank refusing to even sit on him when I went to see him ridden, had a ride in the worst weather even in a arena full of jumps, bags, road signs and other scary things and it set in stone that I had to have him.
Took him on a very very short loan just to check he hadn't been drugged as the girl was very scared of him
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poor lad, wasn't naughty he is the most laid back horse in the world just was in in-experienced hands.

Would never even dream of selling him he really is my horse in a million despite not owning him very long and only hacking and schooling him at the moment.

When you find the right one you will know!
 
I have had a lot of nice horses - haven't found my 'horse of a lifetine' yet.

None of them are perfect - the marriage analogy is a good one - you need to find one that you like enough that the imperfections don't matter.

Bit scepticle about shopping for the one in a million horse - you might find it (but the odds are against you). Maybe better to shop for the 'really nice horse that you think you will click with'.
 
[ QUOTE ]

None of them are perfect - the marriage analogy is a good one - you need to find one that you like enough that the imperfections don't matter.


[/ QUOTE ]

That is very true!!
 
I know it hard Gina, I always loved the coloured cobs, but we know you love greys especially IDs, we know dressage is your thing over jumping, we know you want to hack on your own. So we have the start of a wanted list!

We just need to see loads and loads, and I’m sure when you sit on the one, you will know it! We also have Alex to help us don’t forget!

Don’t get down Gina I know it’s daunting but this is a FUN thing!!!!!
 
I'm VERY lucky... I have had several horses which I all consider to be 'horse of a lifetime' material - there aren't words to do them justice.

Boo - was a BOGOF
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We took her home cause we felt sorry for her. She is (was
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) immensely talented.
Cybele - heard about her through word of mouth. She had been in a polo yard and they had completely psychologically ruined her and she was heading for a bullet. Incredible horse.
Tills - She was advertised very cheap in H&H, and we'd driven 4hours to see her (with trailer). Got there and she was in a bit of a state, and I didn't even particularly like her, but there was nothing glaringly wrong so we took a chance as we had travelled so far to see her. Cannot even think of her without gushing, so will spare you the boredom!
Fia - yet to prove herself competitively (she's a 3yo), but she oozes talent and we have such a bond. Bought her unseen via word of mouth, again, heading for a bullet.
Molly - ad in the trade it. This was in my PC days; we bought her without really trying her. I cantered her up a common, no flatwork, no jumping. Considering I was after a PC eventer this was probably quite mad! She was amazing; we did everything together and she would jump anything and always, always, looked after me.
 
Sorry lol, i think i forget if i make a mistake it's not the end of the world. But i really don't want to sell another horse - it's horrible!!!
 
I found my horse in a million last year from a dealer who lives about a mile from me!
I wasn't really looking to own a horse having just lost my first beloved horse who I'd had for 10 years. But I had put word out that if anyone had a horse that needed riding I was available. Anyway, word had got to this dealer and she contacted me about this horse she was selling.
As I wasn't too desperate to buy a horse I was very particular about what it had to be like - and I was determined not to compromise!
It really worked because he was all I ever wanted in a horse and lots more! I took my non-horsey husband with me and he knew straight the way he was a 'good horse' (OH's words!).
I have had Jerry for 17 months now and I adore him - he really is a horse in a million.
Good luck with your hunt - there will be one for you somewhere!
 
I found mine at the notorious Horse Imports. He was nothing like what I wanted (went looking for a 15 hand cob type and ended up with an 18 hand tb) We had a tough time at first but I wouldn't sell him for all the money in the world (and I've had a few good offers!)

Stick with it and they will find you!
 
I was friends with the local riding school owner, and saw an ad for a cob x TB, 5 years, skewbald 100% green, moves straight, and thought he would be perfect for her school. We went to try him, she wanted to pretend that we were buying Harley for me, as she didn't think the owner would sell to a RS. Owner, RS owner and me all rode him, he was willing but very green, and RS owner decided no. When she told me she wouldn't be buying him, I just said, 'Well I'll buy him then'. No prior thought, I'd never owned or even loaned, and I wasn't looking for a horse. RS owned said (quite rightly!) that I mustn't buy the first horse I tried, so I saw a few others, but if I couldn't have Harley, I didn't want a horse at all. That was twelve and a half years ago - he's in my siggy, he and I have seen good and bad times, and I love him to bits, to the point that when he in gone I can see me not having another horse.
 
Forgot to say, I originally wanted an arab or TB chestnut mare, but Jake is a 16.3 clydey x highland grey gelding!

I love his attitude and personality. He is exactly like a 16.3 Highland and thinks like one too. It was the way he first looked at me, that I knew he had that special something.

What i am trying to say is keep an open mind when looking at potential new horses.
 
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