How did you know?

Bustalot

Bustalot

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Well now into my 5th month of horse hunting. I have seen plenty of horses I have liked but have felt I haven't liked them enough to buy them.

So how do you know the difference between like and like enough to buy?

How did you know your horse is the one you wanted?
 
We went for a hack. Huge lorries and a bus rubbled past and he barely seemed to notice. Then we turned a corner and a man appeared waving a 'house for sale' sign. Horse carried on walking, totally unperturbed. At that moment I had no doubt, he was coming home!!
 
Ah, before I saw my horse, I would have settled for one that I thought was going to be OK.

But with George, I just knew. He walked out of his stable and I knew immediately he was the horse for me. I had almost not even gone to look at him though, as I thought from his advert that he was going to be too much for me (he was pictured out hunting jumping a 6ft high/wide hedge :eek:)

When the owner was riding him, I just wanted him to hurry up & jump him, so I could get on & try him myself. I didn't realise you could feel so strongly about a horse. I've had him 4 months, and am totally in love with him still :D

With my first horse, who's now my veteran, he was the first horse I looked at, and I loved him at first sight too, but at the time I just thought I was going to love all the horses I looked at :rolleyes: I then went round looking at others, half the time I didn't even bother getting on them as they were not going to be the horse for me.

I was very lucky finding George, as I had only been looking for a couple of months, but I know it does get you down. Chin up - right time of year to be looking now, as people will be selling :)
 
I just knew when I saw mine in the fields:D I hadn't sat on either of them when I decided they were 'mine':D

I rode the cob a couple fo times before she came home:D and when I ended up with my WB I wasn't really looking and got him on a months trial - he camehome with me before I had even sat on him!:eek:

BUT I got them both checked by vets, dentists, my RI (who has forgotten more about horses than I have ever known :D)

As JB said if I had seen my WB advertised I wouldn't have gone to look at him - way out of league in terms of his ability, beeding etc :o - but he is just the most adorable horse and 3 years on he still is:D I have learnt so much from him and he suffers my numptiness with good grace:D
 
To be honest, my horse is everything that I didn't want in a horse! At 5'4" I like little powerhouses, about 16hh, bold jumper and I was looking in the region of 5 to 7 years old. Naturally enough, I ended up with a leggy 17-something hand 13 year old that spent most of his life as a man's competition horse, is the spookiest horse I know and that has way too much white for my liking.

My riding style and his way of going are worlds apart, but even though I think we're totally mismatched, something in there seems to work :D I don't know what convinced me to buy him, it's one of those combinations that can go either way. There's just "something" but I don't know how to define it :)
 
Murphy - I knew when I tried him and despite jelly legs, he didn't bat an eyelid at anything!
Ed - I didn't try him so I only knew once he came to me and I hacked him bareback on the next day ;) :D
Clo - Didn't try her either, were a few things I wasn't sure about, but when the trusted friend who tried her for me said "if I had the money to buy her, I would!" I knew she must be good :D
 
The only one I've felt "wow, I've found my horse of a lifetime" about was a total disaster. All the others I just liked to look at, liked to ride and passed vettings. They've turned out well, generally speaking except for soundness issues.
 
3 of my TB's I worked with in training and when they retired they were going nowhere else :D But it was an entirely different story to start with!

Kyle was a pocket rocket and we blasted about the countryside having great fun in his racing days. We just clicked. The first time I ever saw him was when he was at the races with his previous trainer and it took 3 people and the jockey to get him round the parade ring and onto the track where he promptly fecked off at the speed of light to start, raced and a furlong from home, made his move, looked the clear cut winner then jinked and dropped the jockey :D Gotta love his sense of humour!

Jeff was one I was never allowed to ride to start with. I had just started in racing and he was a big, gangly, nervy 17.2hh who really was a boys ride. I had to take him racing one day where he promptly tried to kill himself. WHen he came back into training the boss gave me the chance to ride him seeing as we had been through hell and high water and we clicked. 4 years in training and nearly 4 years at home now and he is with me for life! I couldn't wish for a more special horse!

The first time I ever saw Gray I said I wanted him when he finished racing as he is so incredibly stunning he would set the showing world on fire! I rode him out at work and when he injured his tendon for the 2nd time he retired and is home with me now. He is such a character, he is STUNNING and he knows it!

My 4th TB came from another yard, he came from a flat yard and I have never had much to do with flat horses and never anything to do with sprinters. I went to look at Laurel as I wanted a new horse to show. I saw a picture of him and didn't like him. He is dark bay with a mahooosive white blaze that goes down and over his bottom lip - yuk! And he has one half cannon bone height white sock on a hind leg - double yuk! But I went to see him anyway as I had nothing better to do thinking that he may be suitable for a friend that was looking. He was on the horse walker going crackers with 4 others when I got there, they pulled him off, tried to trot him up for me which failed miserably as he was dancing around like a loony and it was his charisma and presence that I fell for. So he came home :D

Of my natives the only one we went to try was my Fell pony. He was freshly broken and knew nothing but he had character and was willing to learn. He was also the prettiest fell pony I had ever seen to that was that. He came to live with me. 10years down the line and I would never part with him :D

I'm beginning to see a trend here - looks! If they are pretty they stay lol!
 
Saw her face over the door and fell in love. Watched her ridden and couldn't wait to try her, rode her in the school and enjoyed her even though she was green. Hacked her out, she went past everything and just did a tiny spook when two kids jumped out of a tree. Totally acceptable in my book.
Came back with a huge grin on my face and OH already had the money in his hand.
Every day she still takes my breath away when I see her, she's so pretty.
 
I think the right horse finds you. When he does, you will know in your heart. What are you looking out of interest? What about widening your search area/criteria?
 
It's years since I've bought a horse (although I hope to again soon), but I suppose there were several criteria that used to make it the 'right' horse/pony. The first was that I could afford it! May seem obvious, but I never went to see one outside my price bracket. This made it rather limiting as I never had much money. The second was that it was good to handle/quiet on the ground. The third was that it was sound. Other than that I don't think I have ever fallen in love at first sight - that came later, but not with all of them!
 
Ive, just brought a new horse last week, Ive been browsing web sites for a new coloured pony for a couple of years and nothings really taken my interest enough to buy.
When i went to see this little man the other week I instantly fell in love with his personality, he's only a baby but he's very calm, and friendly, and kept kissing me, I took him out for a walk and he was very quiet. I couldn't ride him as he's too young but I could tell from his nature he was going to be easy.
Ive had him home a week now and he's been perfect.

I guess you just know when you find the right one.

Are you looking at the right type of horses? I knew that this time i wanted a cobby plodder, not another mad arab x!
Have a good think about the type of horses you really feel comfortable around and not just the ones that you think would look good to everyone else, Dont feel bad about buying a scruff bag if thats what you prefure, or if you really want a grey arab for example then that's what you need to be looking for!
 
In 5 months of looking you have probably tried so many it will become almost more difficult to find exactly the right one and even know when you have tried it.
I think you just know but it takes confidence to recognise, they often do not tick all the boxes but there are many things that you can change, work on or improve.
If you havent already make a list, must be in column 1, hope to be 2, can live with or without 3, prefer not 4 and must not 5.
Then only go and try the horses that are in lists 1 -3 with more in 1 than 3 and none in 4&5 you may miss the chance to see 1 or 2 that may suit but if you are not going to buy a horse that for instance has a stable vice do not bother going to see it.
I rarely take clients to try more than 3 or 4 horses, provided I am in control of the phone calls, often buying the first we try although I do like to have another one for comparison just to make sure.
 
When I went to see my mare she was everything I didn't really want:
-TB type
-Bay
-And slightly bigger then wanted
But I schooled her and she was OK had a good action but didn't really wow me. I hacked her and she was good, she didn't bat an eyelid at anything and I jumped her. Her jump was amazing! Very scopey, honest and sorted out the striding perfectly everytime. She was the first horse that I felt like I trusted 100% while jumping. :D
 
I think it's not that different from looking for a human life partner - you just 'know' when you meet the right one, although I acknowledge it would be different if you were looking for a horse primarily for competing. On the horse-for-life front, I also think you know when it is the wrong one, then you have to decide whether it is worse to not even try the horse or worse to waste the seller's time :(
 
i bought the 3rd horse i looked at. I had been to see one that day that had been lame when we arrived so when i got home i looked online and saw one i liked. I phoned up but he had just been sold, however the seller said she had another similar that she was advertising that night and would i like to come and view it the next morning. I agreed to go and then looked at the ad when she put it online. Pretty mare, seemed suitable so the next morning i went.

I met the mare, she had a lovely disposition and was good to groom and tack up - at this point I liked her but wanted to ride her.

The seller got on and OMG, this mares movement just captivated me, i couldnt take my eyes off her and it was that moment i knew i had to have her.

I did buy her but was sadly forced to sell her again a year later, although i would happily buy her back in a heartbeat.

The moral of this little ramble is - adverts online are one thing but seeing them in person is another - perhaps something on 'paper' might not seem to suit you but it is always worth going to view them just incase, because you never know where the 'one' will be lurking.
 
I disagree with the 'knowing' personally, not saying it doesn't happen but it doesn't have to happen IMO.

With ginger horse I just couldn't find any reason not to buy him, he was good to handle, well schooled and 'easy' to ride. Ticked all the boxes, if you like.

I would never expect to buy a horse that was 'my horse of a lifetime' when I went to see it. That only comes when you build the relationship with them :)
 
The longest I spent actively looking for a horse was just before I bought my horse of a lifetime (now retired) mare. I wanted something over 16 hh, preferably a gelding and definitely not boring bay. She is 15.3 hh bay and a mare! I knew immediately she was for me, as soon as I saw her over the stable door. I had looked at loads and travelled the country, even had two on LWVTB. I just couldn't get excited about any of them. I had started to think that maybe I didn't want another horse. But all that changed when I saw my mare. I was on tenterhooks waiting for the vetting to be done, and if I'm honest, I would have over looked anything that may have been found so long as it wasn't too serious. As it turned out, she did have a non significant rebound noise with her heart and one odd hoof. But I bought her anyway.

So in answer to your question, you will know when it's the right horse for you. If you just think 'its quite nice', or 'okay', or even if you can't find a thing wrong with it, if you don't feel it in your gut, then it's not the right horse for you. Unless, of course you are just buying it as a project horse to improve and sell on.
 
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Hard to say. I was totally drawn to my late mare Seren at the auction that day, did not want to walk away from her, we had 19 wonderful years, she was my horse of a lifetime.

It is not the same for my new filly. I am not sure on her yet but think she could potentially be a nice riding mare, I still do not know in truth. I am very emotional still about losing my mare and I do wonder some days if I rushed in and bought something for the sake of it :confused:
I do like her willing nature, that is what sold her for me, she does have a fairly quiet and very willing nature, she is just very green indeed

Just take your time, I think you know when you should go for it, and good luck
 
The minute he popped his head over the stable door, I knew! :D

On paper he was ideal for me but I think his previous owner slightly 'exaggerated' his abilities - but even so, it was too late - I had made my mind up!!
 
We have only ever bought 4 horses/ponies

1st two were mother & daughter shares.

No 1 we saw him in the stable and felll in love at first site - Welsh sec C, chestnut with 4x white sockes, long flaxen mane and tail - picture book pony and the best 1st pony ever.

No 2 we knew the owners and she had been on working livery at our RS, both me & daughter had seen her and thought 'wow', I had ridden her and liked her, but I bought her without my daughter trying on the advice of our RI (she had a broken arm at the time), D wasnt best pleased and it took her a good 6months to bond, but we still have her and love her now.

No 3 was my daughter first 'horse'. We bought in haste and repented at leisure. The cunning vendor had 3 purchasers view together. The mare went very nicely and had paces to die for but much of her 'history' had not been disclosed. After viewing around 8or 9 pevious unsuitable horses we were wowed and felt she was to good to loose so rushed in. After nearly 3 years there was still no 'click', just grind so we sold her.

No 4 - A replacement for no 3, wasnt realy looking, happened to notice her on the side bar of HHO. I didnt think much to start with, she was obese and carted off with me. But daughter said she knew the moment she popped her head over the stable door, she expected to see a knight in armour come out and get on (she was a chunky type). Sadly she only had about 2 1/2 years with her before she lost her to colic but she loved every minute, even her bad bits were good.

We are curently on the hunt for No 5 - Seen about 7, most of them nice (like OP) but D hasnt had 'that feeling' yet, saw one that got her a bit excited, but faded to 'meh' on 2nd viewing, have another to do 2nd viewing on Tues - bit of an ugly duckling but we both have a good feeling about her - perhaps that will be enough....
 
I fell for my mare's quirky and affectionate personality instantly. She spat a load of water into her old owner's welly and appeared to love it when everyone laughed! She is however, not what I originally set out for - she's spooky, a complete diva, has sweet itch, separation anxiety, eats me out of house and home and is the messiest horse I have ever come across in the stable. I wanted something fairly economical and easy to do. :rolleyes:

Wouldn't swap her for the world though and she will be with me for life. :)
 
be positive said:
If you havent already make a list, must be in column 1, hope to be 2, can live with or without 3, prefer not 4 and must not 5.
Then only go and try the horses that are in lists 1 -3 with more in 1 than 3 and none in 4&5 you may miss the chance to see 1 or 2 that may suit but if you are not going to buy a horse that for instance has a stable vice do not bother going to see it.
Click to expand...
,

This^^^^^^

The last 4 horses we've bought, we've bought either the first or 2nd that we've looked at (and we also restrict travelling distance) because we knew exactly what we wanted and so long as they were accurately described, we bought the horse.
I don't understand why you haven't bought one of the horses that you've looked at, that you liked. TBH I'd sympathise with the sellers if they thought you were just joy-riding.
 
I hadnt even ridden him! I felt so sorry for the poor little guy. He had just been imported from Ireland, and looked so sad, skinny and lost. I looked over the stable door and he was stood right at the back, and didnt even look over, or come over.

I bought him, and although he was challenging at first, he has now changed into the most wonderful horse I have ever had, very talented as well!

I think sometimes we all need to take a chance on one that doesnt tick all the boxes...
 
Pearlsasinger said:
,

This^^^^^^

The last 4 horses we've bought, we've bought either the first or 2nd that we've looked at (and we also restrict travelling distance) because we knew exactly what we wanted and so long as they were accurately described, we bought the horse.
I don't understand why you haven't bought one of the horses that you've looked at, that you liked. TBH I'd sympathise with the sellers if they thought you were just joy-riding.
Click to expand...

I think that's possibly a bit harsh. It can be a scary thing buying a horse - having been stung myself before and losing an awful lot of money and confidence, then I can say I was doubting my own judgement when viewing my latest horse.

OP sometimes you just have to go with your gut instinct and pick out the one who seems to stick in your mind the most.
 
I fell in love with my loan pony the first time I rode her, she was nervous on the floor, there was just something about her though - I still visit her often and think about her every day.

Fudge was love at first sight, his owner was so honest I almost brought him without driving the 5 hours to see him. I'd sell my house before I'd let him go anywhere.

Each of my project ponies (Blue, Faye, Winnie, Bill) I thought they had lovely sweet natures when I first met them, plus they were good buys :)

I didn't take to either of my two project horses but they were cheap and I could see their potential :D

I prefer one of them to the other after 18 months of ownership, one I have no bond with what so ever despite him being very talented and a real sweety to handle.

Merlin and Lady were pity purchases :P

Lady was from a rescue sanctury, nervous and difficult to ride, I loaned her for three months to make sure I wanted her as she had been returned several times before. I lost count of the number of times during that first yer where she mde me cry and I thought I would never cope with her behaviour.

Merlin came from the local dealer, he'd had six homes and been through at least 3 sale rings in as many weeks. I was told he was bad mannered on the floor but the perfect confidence giver to ride.
Under saddle he was perfect but too insecure to hack alone when he first came, he loves it now though.

The first 48 hours he threw himself round the stable and squealed continuously, he bit, kicked out, was very difficult to rug or tack up, trampled people, pulled away when lead, was rude, bargy and massively food and water aggressive so much so you couldn't go in the stable with him, he paniced if you took another horse in before him or tried to bring him in on his own.

We refused to accept bad behaviour on the ground, used a bridle or chifney to lead him, tied him up to tack and rug him up and gradually improved. 18 months on he's pretty much perfect to handle and no longer agressive or insecure although he tries to intimidate new people.

I've since found out that he was badly abused as a yearling and left in a shed with no light, food, water etc, he was then rescued, rehomed but he attacked ladies child, rehomed again to the lady who broke him in and kept him for several years but he continued to walk all over people, eventually after she several accidents she was told he was dangerous and that he should be shot by a well known behaviourist. He was sold as a hunt hireling, lasted there a couple of days then was sent unwarented through the sales etc.

The first time I rode him I fell a little in love, he was meant to be sold after three months, but I decided I'd keep him for six to make sure his ground work was in place, he then had to have some time off due to a spavin and we really bonded, 18 months on he's not going anywhere and he's restored my shattered confidence.

I usually try a few, about 5 to 15 who sound perfect on paper ( I write a similar list to that suggested above) before I've found the horse I end up buying and when I was looking for horse two (Fudge) I probably enquired about 200 others as well as spending months travelling all over the country.

I think you just know, whether it's when you see their head over the stable door, when you ride or the first time they whicker when they see you after you've brought them home.
 
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I took my trainer on the first visit. We both rode him and he seemed OK. I did admire his bum as he rode away from me. (He is a Dun).

I went back a week later and hacked him out on my own. I was supposed to ride out with someone else but they couldn't make it.

It was very gusty wind, very. I nearly called it off.

Anyway arrived at yard and a hedgecutter was working behind the stables, no reaction from pony. I tacked up and set off with tractor still doing it's worst.

Took said pony on hack and part of the ride was down a narrow tree covered lane. Something between a branch and twig landed on his neck, no response other than to toss offending object off his neck, no break in pace. Did it for me.

He is no slug but not silly either and I have owned him for almost 11 years.
 
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