I'm home from meeting the mare

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PennywithHenry

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She was really nice. She's completely the opposite of Henry, he was bay, she's grey, he was almost 16.1hh, she's 16.2hh, she's a mare, he was a gelding....they're worlds apart really.

I caught her, groomed and tacked her up, then rode her around the paddock, before taking her out a little up the road. You could tell that if you gave her the word, she'd be off, but was very sensible and is very well schooled. I felt very safe, but not as though I was on a braindead mount, if you know what I mean. She's very soft in the mouth and responsive to the leg. I fussed around with her for a while then unfortunately had to leave, as I'd left Poppy with a friend. I'm going back again on saturday for the day, but so far so good. She's very sweet, but quite bland in personality, maybe that will come with time as she's been pretty much left for a while, or maybe I'm just used to Henry's larger than life quirks!

Either way, if nothing else comes of it, the owner will have a seemingly good share/loan situation loosely outlined for someone else.

She's a really lovely mare, and anyone would be lucky to have her, but I want to make sure 100% that we're suited before committing to having her full time. She was amazing to ride, but, since that's such a small part of owning a horse for me, the only thing that worries me is her uninterest in people, so I felt that taking time to see if her personality begins to shine through as we (hopefully) bond.
 
Well that sounds like a good start. I bought my mare fromn a dealer and I don't think she had ever had cuddles. It took about three weeks for her not to freeze every time, now I can't keep her off me, won't leave me alone, so it could just be how she has been brought up. Star didn't know what to do with a polo either, Bet your life she does now!!
 
if shes been left for a while she will not be used to all the attention, she will come out of herself given time and love, and you will soon discover the personality thats already there.
 
good for you, I wouldn't worry too much about the personality, I had one in quite a state from a dealers yard last year and he was hard work, he had no personality and was incredibly nervous - so at least you don't have the nervous side, within 1 month of having him and getting him into a routine I noticed what a lovely person he really is, so loving and affectionate. I can't shut him up for calling to me now, he starts calling when I'm not in sight on the drive - he seems to have some sixth sense!! Bonding takes time and if you feel that she's not right you will know.
i think it will be very hard not to compare personality with Henry as he made such an impact on you and he needed you, perhaps this one is a little more independent plus she hasn't had the traumas henry had. good luck and take it slowly, you don't have to decide straight away x
 
Brilliant news - no pressure to take her - see how you get on - you can always come up and see mine if you wat personality! (or dragging off your feet
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Just round corner from George's
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My mare has always been reasonably affectionate - you know the whinnying and the odd head rub on the shoulder. But last night she wanted serious hugs. I put her back out after working her and she stayed with me at the gate for about 10 minutes, just resting her head on my shoulder and loving the ear scratching. Almost had to persuade her to go and see her friends. After 4 years, finally felt like a proper mummy!! (sad I know!!)
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Sometimes it just takes a bit of time and a build up of trust. Good luck whatever you decide x
 
I think that's a terrific start. Just see how things develop. She's got to learn to love you as well, and trust you. Good Luck.
 
I have never known a mare with little character. She was probably sussing you out! LOL!!! I think that you will quickly find that she has a character that is just different from Henry.

Hope it all goes well for you.
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ETA
When i said little character i didnt mean they are nasty. My mares have all been lovely and seem to bond in a different and stronger way to their mum than the geldings.
 
oooh good for you .... if it feels right you go for it
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Been reading your posts on Henry and I must say what a wonderful home you gave him - he was a lucky boy to have such a lovely owner RIP Henry .... just think he is now at Rainbow bridge full of health and viatality bless him.

If I were a horse I should like to have you as my owner
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Mares IME do take a while to 'shine' - more so than a gelding, OH/s mare still pulls faces at me 20% of the time but rarely does to him!
 
Sounds like it went very well..really pleased for you...she sounds nice too.
I am sure once she gets to know you, her personality will come through. If she hasn't had any attention given to her one-to-one for a while she may just be a bit reserved for a time.
Keep us updated
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Don't forget generally with gelding what you see is what you get..................where as mares blossom over time, as you bond and get to know each other.
 
Well, you sound pretty positive!
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I'd settle for well-behaved under saddle and a bit reserved on the ground for starters. Mares have such totally different personalities than geldings and once you have a mare on your side - you have made it!

Don't be put off if she isn't throwing herself at you. She'll be weighing you up
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I'm so pleased to hear you remain positive and open-minded after the terrible shock and it's probably a good thing she is just about as different as you can get (except she hasn't got fluffy feet and black patches) as you can't compare.

All the very best and we do want to be kept in the picture
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She sounds nice.
I'd quite like the excess personality removed from my three...
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LOL I know what you mean! I adore Tobago, but he can be a bit overwhelming sometimes...

The mare sounds nice, OP, and you have time to get to know her.
 
She sounds lovely, don't worry about the personality. I thought my grey mare had no personality when I bought her but boy has she proved me wrong! Like you I lost my first horse and when I got my new one I wanted something completely different so I went from a sweet natured 14.2 chestnut arabx mare to a 15.2 grey irish mongrel mare with bags of attitude. Their true personality comes out when you've had them home for a few weeks.
 
She sounds like a sweetheart. I agree with what the others have said about mares, they do seem to take a bit of time to get used to people! Sometimes mine seems disinterested in people, but really she wants you there even if it's just to ignore you! I'll bet this marel will soon be needing loads of fuss and attention from you.

She sounds like just the thing to help you get over the trauma of losing Henry - I'm sure he would approve.
 
Sounds like areally lovely mare.

George's character came out loads after I got him, he'd previously been owned by men, but since I've been fussing him he's become more characterful!
 
I wouldn't worry about the bland personality TBH. I lost Higgs to GS and he had a huge personality
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I then bought Pidge 19 days later and thought OMG what have I bought he has no personality
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He had come from a hunt yard in Ireland and had been turned out in the field for 3 months over here. It took a while but slowly his personality came out and he now has as much of a personality as Higgs did
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Good luck
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Penny, she sounds lovely and I bet you are really looking forward to Saturday now
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I agree with the OP's that say she's probably reserved. After all how does she know you are going to stick around if she's been left with little contact. I bet her personality will come shining through once she starts to get to know you
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Good luck for Saturday and don't forget to let us know how it goes. I for one am loking forward to hearing about it
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