Impossible to find?

[Skhosu]

Ok, so basically we're looking for something that is a bombproof hack, for nervous mum to hack out with the youngest child (9) but that can also step into do a bit of into/PN level eventing if one of our (two) competitive animals go lame or have to miss something etc. Ideally it would be reasonably young, started in the basics and reasonable flatwork plus started jumping. Having hunted would be a plus and it must be honest. Doesn't need to be a world-beater, just able to jump 90cm/1m.
Has to be sound yadda yadda, good doer or easy to keep, not a bad doer.
And hopefully not too pricey?
A friend has one, but won't part with it as it is very much in use.
Where would I find one?
What might I expect to pay?
Do they exist?!

ETS:and must be between 15hh to 16hh, prefereable medium build, but build not most important thing!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

you would do better looking for rocking horse poo.....
lol, no seriously, they are about, but expect to pay for what you get. I would look at the 3-4k mark.
I do know of a 14.2hh coloured bomb proof tb type...if you're interested pm me.

 

[Parkranger]

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that you'd pay a premium for the sort of horse that is both bombproof and able to jump/event.......

Hopefully I'm wrong though!

 

[Skhosu]

Hopefully! It doesn't have to be able to be a star, but 90cm isn't asking too much? Even just to intro, PN is not a huge requirement.
I think my head may hurt before we find the right horse!

I was thinking around the 3-4K mark..

 

[S_N]

If you're willing to put some work into a horse - you could get a fabulous ex-racer..... They've been there and done that and are usually SO safe! There are PLENTY of chunky ones about - hell I used to look after some broodmares that were like the proverbial outhouse, not height wise, but bone and strength!! Just an idea...

 

[Christmas_Kate]

i know of something that's perfect for eventing, dressage and sj, however I wouldnt describe it as a novicey horse...

 

[Skhosu]

Good idea, the only thing is I'm not sure it would be safe enough for my mum? Has to not have any silly moments on the road etc. would be perfect otherwise!

 

[S_N]

Would be worth contacting racing yards near you - NH yards esp....... All horses can have silly moments on the road, but to my way of thinking ex-racers have usually had quite a bit of exposure to traffic etc... and are generally good in it.

 

[Parkranger]

I was thinking the same thing SN - some of them really are bombproof in traffic - if you can get a genunine temperment too you might be onto a winner!

A girl at my yard has a beautiful full section D mare - with a rider on her back she looks stunning (and I've always been a TB/WB girl) - she jumps like a star too - she paid £1000 for her so they are around.

 

[Parkranger]

I've just totally contradicted myself - oooooops!

 

[PeterNatt]

Forget the ex-racehorse - whatever anyone says they can not be relied on for the use you want them to be put to. They loose their bottle too easily.

What you want is something that 100% in the heaviest of traffic and will go first or last by itself or in company

The only types with that type of reliable temprement would be a native or a cob type.

 

[S_N]

I think the same can be said for any horse PN! I've never met an ex-racer that was bad in traffic - wooden to ride yes; forward going, but controllable yes; IME it's the ones that were bred to race and didn't, that are the ones to be weary of.....

 

[Skhosu]

Actually PN, I find that very stereotypical as I have a native who is the biggest wimp in existance and his half brother is also not the best for 'good temperment'. I also have known of several cob types who are difficult rides and too silly to put a novice on! It depends on the horse. I think an ex-racer would be ideal, but possibly too forward going for a nervous mum, will certainly discuss it though as if we got the right one, you never know!
You see, whilst we are competent riders (my sister and I who it wouldbe a stand in horse for) our mum would not be confident to ride anything that she feels is too fast, so maybe a racehorse that didn't have the speed or something? However, I'm not sure that in a pleasure ride or something an ex-racehorse might get over excited? Anybody any experiences of this?
Also, I am seventeen and would be doing most of the schooling. I have always ridden reasonably sensible beasties, done PC stuff and am now riding an exciteable tb x at PN/novice level with reasonable results, I have no problem with anything unless it rears, I wouldn't buy a horse that did. We have a good support network of brilliant instructors and so on. I think I'm ready for a project, would an ex-racer be too much or not?

 

[PeterNatt]

I am not saying that every native/cob would do the job but what I believe is that the temprement of a native/cob type is more likely to be able to cope with what you want and if this is your specification you are more likely to find the horse you want by looking at native/cobs. In an emergency situation or in a group of horses (such as a sponsored ride) a thoroughbred is far more likely to loose it's bottle and bolt off with a nervous rider on board.

If your mother wants to ride then get her something that is steady and patent safe as you do not want her to loose her confidence or have a fall. (As you get older ones rubber content - or ability to bounce is much reduced).

As regards not knowing an ex-racehorse that is not good in traffic I can not agree with that statement as they may be fine in the company of others but most do not settle when going out by themselves.

To find a race horse that would be a safe form of conveyance for your mum would be one in many thousands where as with a native/cob would be several in a hundred.

 

[henryhorn]

Some of the Welsh D can grow to 15.2 hh and are phenomenal performers. ours at 15 hh only started competing seriously in his twenties, and we were amazed to realise he could easily have evented and BSJA'd up to Newcomers'.
He competed un-aff and Pony Club with a ten year old child and made nothing of the heights or bogies of Open courses around 3' 6".
Had we realised my husband would have competed him, as it was he did some dressage with me with success and a Hunter Trial with him coming 5th out of 80 at his first attempt.
There are some bloodlines that don't perform like this, but the ones with Nesscliffe in seem particularly good, I traced a few relatives and they had all competed and done well jumping.
The sort of horse you're talking about in a 3/4 type would command a high price I think as it would also do other jobs, whereas a native would still be good enough to win at pre-Novice level but be sensible enough for fun hacking.

 

[eahotson]

I think you have to decide what you actually want. A project for your self or a steady hack for your mum. If its for your mum SAFETY and confidence have to be the only real priority, apart from soundness of course, especially as she will be escorting a 9 year old child. The sort you are looking for, nicely bred etc. can be found BUT will be very expensive. Your friend won't part with hers for very good reasons and if she did she would ask, and get, a very good price.

 

[SillyMare]

Virtually ANY horse can make it around an intro or PN event - if you go looking for an eventer (one with any past form, even unaffiliated) you will be straight into big prices.

I think the horse you are looking for does exist (there are hundreds of them in Ireland) - I suggest you set out looking for a safe hack / hunter type.

It is almost impossible to make a sharp horse or one that is bad in traffic safe for a novice, but if you buy something safe and sensible and school it properly there is no reason why it shouldn't event.

There are good and bad in every breed and exceptions to every rule. IN GENERAL I wouldn't suggest a TB because they can be a bit high maintainance (both mentally and physically). Warmbloods can be very 'hot'. My suggestion would be to look for a half-bred hunter type - TB crossed with Irish Draft or Welsh Cob (or another native breed) but to prioritise a good temprament above all else.

 

[coedcae]

What about this, I saw the ad the other day and thought he looked lovely http://www.horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM626CG71/ID//Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp

 

[Parkranger]

[quoteWarmbloods can be very 'hot'.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look at Quarter Horse crosses or Saddlebred crosses (with cob or TB) - you'll get the refinement and the QH I've had tend to be quite sensible geninue animals.....I'm sure GTS can give you some more background on them!

Both my QH and SB could jump for Britain!

 

[coedcae]

Or for a bit more http://www.horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM626CFD1/ID//Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp

 

[the watcher]

i would recommend native X, usually sane, easy to do but can fire up a gear if kept fit. Also they are usually not huge horses, it is very wearing for a pony to keep jogging or trotting to keep up with a big striding horse, and in the event of a crisis it is a long reach down!
Dales, Highland and Fell X are all fab, as are Welsh D, although they can be a bit more lively

 

[Skhosu]

Yes, I would agree with what most people are saying, and it isn't a made eventer we want, it's one that could just about do intro , doesn't really matter about PN. I would agree PN about the chance of an ex-racer getting wound up on fun rides, which woul dbe my only concern! I am in ireland so hopefully might be able to find something semi-sensible?
Those two adverts are both lovely, the second would be perfect, but a little too big! The first looks ideal, not a world beater and not perhaps the prettiest but might hack out safely etc and has done some pleasure rides.
Thanks for all the input guys, I think I'll go out mainly looking for something with a bit of native blood in it, mother was completely against the idea of an ex-racer! Got the paper here so time to start ringing!

 

[Parkranger]

OMG, if you're in Ireland then you want to get an ex hunter.....we believe that's what my boy was doing before he came over here. He's 10 years old, docile as you like and sold from a dealer as a TB X (read full TB, just no papers!)

I'd put my mum on him tomorrow - he doesn't spook, just looks at things and occasionally, if he does spook, it's a few steps of trot.....very genuine horse.

I hate to think what they paid for him in Ireland - probably about £1000........

Needs a bit of work as he's unfit and unbalanced but an absolute gem..... x

 

[charlie76]

I have a horse that is 17.1hh, he's an Irish Sports horse and he is 6yrs old, he has been placed at Intro, jumps clear SJ up to approx 3ft 6/3ft 9 and does a decent dressage test at Novice level, he is a snaffle mouth, TOTALLY bombproof, any ones ride and hes going pre novice this weekend(he has potential to do much more!) so they DO exist- however, wouldn't let him go for less than £15k as will be v. difficult to replace.

 

[Parkranger]

Holy crap - £15k?????