Info wanted on my Irish horse (2006 bay ge by Big Sink Hope)

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hollyzippo

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I know this is a long shot but worth a go!

In November I bought a 4 yr old, 17h ish bright bay (no socks) with a white star, ISH gelding by Big Sink Hope. I bought him from a dealer who had brought him over from Goresbridge the week before (this all checks out with sales catalogue etc).

So the story goes he is cheapish as "cold backed"- I'm a spinal therapist so not something I believe in- saw horse mounted, poor fitting tack and I know what Irish breaking is like so am hapy was just sore/expectant of something scary about to happen.

Once we looked in passport we saw he has been over before in dec 2009. Dealer does further research to reveal that he was bought from Ireland by Jill Daye for Robert Walker to show, hence came over, had vaccs etc. Not sure what was done with him during this time but he went back to Ireland with 8 others when Robert had his stroke. Assume then turned away and dragged back in to be pushed through sales in October.

I'm just wondering if this rings bells with any showing people?? He is perfect on the ground and I had completelt re-broken him (always my aim), started by just leaning over etc, all fine and no "cold backed" behaviour. Progressed to walking round school and up track a little, still perfect. Unfrotunatley just over 2 weeks ago, he got startled as a car came up behind him on track (been fine with all farm vehicles met during ground work etc)- just put head up and shuffled a step but then it was like he was expecting something to happen, launched into series of huge rear/plunges x7. This culminated in me staying put but had lost stirrups- hence now have fractured pelvis from impact :(- and cant ride til at least April. I have a friend taking him on who p-t-p rides and does a lot with youngsters so we plan to go back to basics - am hoping it was just a one off that can be got over once he realises nothing horrible has happened.

Any info on him would be much appreciate! :)
 
P.S. Also, should have said he has a largish white scar on the left hand side of his neck, about 1/3 of the way up from his withers, in the middle. This could ring bells if anyone had seen him when here before?
 
Ouch! Sounds sore.

However, don't agree with what you call "irish backing". My horse was superbly broken in, in ireland. There are bad backers in England too you know ;)
You will find that the good horses are broken in very well, how else would they go on and win world champs etc.!

Hope you find out what happened to your boy! Suspect he had a close call with a car out hacking, which I am sure you are aware, can happen in Ireland or in england.
 
The passport if it is an Irish one should state the name of the breeder and the last owner. Big Sink Hope produced some nice quality animals especially for the show ring. Any horse at Goresbridge will be shown off under saddle and if they are clearly uneducated or badly broken it will show so on the whole, given the expense of the horse being vetted and the cost of the entry fee into the sale you may have green horses but they will have been produced to a degree unless it is a 3yo.

It is not unusual for an Irish horse to be recycled through the Irish sales again as the buyers will be more plentiful for the type of horse than in UK.

Cold-backed? Would have needed to be declared in the catalogue as a rule, also horse would have passed vetting by the vet panel prior to the sale.

Think you will find quality Irish horses are well trained and schooled, the lower end tends to get rushed through for the sales.

The horse seems to have had an explosive reaction which is worrying as most Irish horses are really good in traffic and with tractors etc. I am sorry to hear about your injury and hope you recover soon. It may be a puzzle to solve as the horse could well have an underlying injury or ouchy pain but the nature of the reaction makes me think it is a one off event.

You could try ringing HOrse Sport Ireland quoting the registration number of the horse and they may be able to give you a list of owners although it sounds as if he has changed hands a fair bit so unlikely the passport has been kept up to date.

We show hunters and I don't recall any Big Sink Hopes certainly in the last couple of seasons anyway.
 
Thank you all for replying. Mybe I should have put "dealer backing"- am aware that majority of our quality eventres come via Ireland so certsainly not the norm! He has def. had the leg up and trot off form of breaking (apparently this is evident if you watch the seller in the ring).

Am hoping was just a reflex thing- is very good with farm traffic on the ground- had a digger bucket swung over his head whilst in the wash box as YO couldnt see us in there (Despite being 17h and 700kg!!). Have heard only good things about the sire, and he is a lovely chap to do everything with so hoping it resolves!

Chelle, we are ok thanks, Zip relishing being muddy and unridden, Jools very happy at loan home- part of the family! :) Have you found a horse?

P.S. Irishlife- thanks- will contact breeder and see how much he knows :)
Milesjess- cant find a number for either unforunately :( Hoping someone on here may have worked for Robert or something!
 
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Have you tried posting on the Horse Gossip forum which is all showing people? It may be that someone on there knows the horse or Robert Walker - he may even go on there himself.

Good luck with your search and hope you recover soon.
 
Agree horse gossip is best place to try for showing peeps.

You could also try sending a PM to FMM on here - she might know Jill Day.

Robert Walkers details easily accessable - he has an ad on Horse quest at the moment (under show horses) also phone number will be on Sports Horse GB as a judge.

Good luck.
 
Flamehead- We arent sure- I dont thin pain as done his back and has wow saddle so only air in contact. Also was like once he tensed up he scared himself so hoping can coax him through once knows he isnt in line for a hiding, poor thing.

Cronkmooar- Thanks for the tip- will look on Judges list, couldnt find him on google but would love to know more!

Thanks!!
 
Hi,

I would just cut the middle man and call Robert Walker. I hate to say this but if he were sortable and worth the bother Robert would have prob. done it himself so you may have a very unpredictable horse on your hands. There is no way anyone with half a brain would keep a horse who is this explosive in ridden work, which you have proved as you now have a broken pelvis.
 
Thank you all. Managed to speak to Sarah Walker- she was very nice and remembered him. Story is as I was told b y the dealer. Bought by Jill as a foal, broken by them but not got to stage of taking to shows etc. When Robert had his stroke a lot of horses were sold back to Ireland to reduce stck- he was one. She said never reared or did anything bad at all. if not ridden for a week then had to lunge for 5 mins or would be "cold backed" but didnt do anything horried.

Feel happier now as, as thought whatever upset him with rider on board happened when went back to Ireland so could have only been for a couple of months maximum. As its going to cost me a fortune to get him ridden while I am off I'm a bit happier to know he has been going nicely and she liked him.

Fingers crossed he will be a donkey once I am allowed back on- he was such a good boy until that day!!
 
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