How do you know when you have found the right horse?

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nedzy

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Hi,

I have been looking for a big all round horse, loads about, but the one I have taken a fancy to is not as 'perfect' as some of the others - he is lacking topline and although he jumps well, is lacking proper flatwork and although I think he will be a nice looking allrounder with some work, why am I drawn to him and not a horse which is better schooled? A friend told me that the right horse is never a certain colour or type, he just feels right. Would that explain it?!
 
i agree with your friend.

it's like when you choose a partner, some people you just 'click' with.... i think the same applies to horses.

go with your gut instinct
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When I have found the right horse, I've just known so
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BUT, that was because they fitted my criteria perfectly, not because I had a feeling about them that made me differ from it
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I also agree with your friend. When i went to see Lucy i knew she was the one as soon as i set eyes on her. I did buy her to sell on origonaly as i couldn't afford the right horse for me (she's only 13.2hh). But this is now a family joke as 11 years on i still have her and could never part with her. You just know when you find the right horse but it also depends what you want to do for example if i wanted to be a three day eventer Lucy would be the wrong horse for me. But i want a horse that does everything and thats what lucy is.
 
I was the same. I was looking for a 5 or 6 yo warmblood that jumps at least a meter and i bought a 3yo Sports horse x tb thats ribs were sticking out and had only had the saddle on 5 times. Me and Poppy just clicked, just like you and the horse you like. Now poppy has turned into a beautiful and quick learning star and thats only in 4 months. Youjust have to think about what they would look and act like with a bit of tlc and training. Hope it works out for you!
 
I agree you 'know' when you find the 'right' one.. I bought my beloved mare (sadly now no longer with me) in a way I really couldn't recommend - I found her on the internet one Sunday, - she was advertised as a companion but with vet clearance to be brought back into work in the future (damaged check ligament). went up to see her, brought her out of the field, took her for an in-hand walk down to the main road, brushed her down, fell in love and bought her on the spot. Went back up to Yorkshire to fetch her 2 days later, and took 3 hours to put her in the lorry (and some help from the neighbouring Rugby club!), got her home where she exploded off the lorry in all her gorgeous 16.2hh grey ID x arab cross glory! and I wondered what the hell I had done! She had another few months off with me, (Bought her without vetting which I would never ever do again!) and then slowly brought her back into work after my vet gave her the all clear - I had all her previous vet records etc. She had to be the most bomb proof sensible but fabulous ride I've ever had and I have tears in my eyes now I miss her so damn much :-( If my daughter fell over or was upset at the stables, she would go to Keltie rather than me, and I swear that horse used to cuddle her - she also used to lie down in her stable if I had my son with me when he was a baby, she would moon over him like a foal. She taught me so much, a one in a million horse and I hope when she died in her sleep that night at the age of 19 she did so knowing how much she was loved.. crying like a prat now so will shut up as this had totally deviated off the point! :-(
 
I agree with your friend, I just knew. As it would be my first horse I wanted something quiet, older, no bigger than 15.2 and probably a bit ploddy but well schooled. So I fell in love with an 8yr old 3/4TB shire x who was 16.3 and hadn't done a lot of schooling!
 
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That post brought tears to my eyes.

It's true though, you just know. My Horse I found through my previous one. Had to move to a road free hacking yard and he was there. As I got to know him and see him ridden I fell for him. My Mum always remembers me saying 'If I had the money I'd buy that Horse' and she said 'what - him?'. He was quite 'weedy' and his coat was dull. It was just the comedy expression in his eyes when he looked at me that did it.

Various coincidences brought us together and now I have the most fun loving, cheeky, sensible, reliable and shiny (!) boy I could ever have wanted. His eyes never leave me the whole time I am near him. Fate has a way of bringing you together....if you give it the time to do so.
 
Aww, that was a lovely post.
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But the same, i do agree with your friend.
You know it's right when you like the horse, and the horse likes you.

My horse gets wayy too over excited when it comes to jumping, but when you get to know each other, everything comes out okay, and today for the first time ever, he actually trotted over a trot-and-pop excercise. i was soo proud
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i agree with yur friend- i am looking at lots of nags at the mo after i lost 'the one' i have to say i have done alot of filtering before i go and see them. if they are not 80% what i want i dont go which some people may think is silly but it means i dont go and see anything thats over budget or needs to much schooling to get it to an aceptable level. We are going to see 1 on thursday and i really hope i click with him as he does sound lovely.

Go with your gut- only you can decide if hes right for you, if your worried about the schooling take a friend and think about lessons etc- i have already 'bullied' 2 of my friends to be the 2nd person to help me
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Good luck xx
 
I agree you just know when you have found the one, I was looking for a 6 / 7 yr old been there and done some, ended up with up with a lightly backed (sat on once) 5 yr old chestnut mare (don't do chestnut or mares) I just fell in love with her.
She came straight out of a field so nothing to look at either at the time.
She perfect x
 
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