Introducing Toby

it has taken you a long time to decide he doesnt set you alight and even if he could do what you want he is not the horse for you. your friends sound ideal, please let the viewing go ahead and see how they get on with him. sounds perfect to me...
 
I had someone come and ride the microcob today. As loan homes go for a pony with a breathing problem she's perfect - so I started to wobble too! I'll have nothing to ride when she goes. I think it's important to focus on the bigger picture. Toby isn't going to be your eventer no matter how hard he tries and he will suit someone down to the ground and free you up to look for a long term Amber replacement.

And my little pony would be spoilt in a home where pootling on hacks will be her job.
 
Thanks everyone. I am feeling calmer. I am hugely fond of Toby but I like him most when I'm not actually riding him! I'd happily hang out with him forever in the field or stable but you are all absolutely right: riding him is relaxing and fun but it is not inspiring and exciting. I will never find another Amber but I do believe I can find a horse who makes me feel excited about our future. Amber had so much potential which meant she allowed me to chase impossible dreams. It's that dreaming and planning and working towards goals that I miss so much. Toby is not that horse and he should be with someone who thinks he's perfect, exactly the way he is.
 
It's so difficult isn't it...he really seems like a lovely chap but it just doesn't sound like he's "the one". If he was you wouldn't be having this argument with yourself.
Amber is very special to you and irreplaceable BUT there will be another out there somewhere who will light you up in the same way x
 
The messages are interesting, I have had about 60 pms. The ad is so detailed and makes it so clear that matching him to the right home is a priority. But at least half make no effort to explain why they might be suitable. JUst a 'price please' or 'has he hunted' or 'interested pm me'. Er, no.

On the other hand there are many people sending pictures, detailed descriptions of what they want and can offer, references etc. I have a shortlist to ring if the viewing today does not wok out. So I am confident he will end up somewhere decent. x
 
Incidenally I don't necessarily expect people to write War and Peace just to get to view a horse. But when you are inundated with messages you need to find a way to decide who to get back to and who to rule out. So I am grateful for the people really trying to explain why they might suit each other. It's making me feel a lot better to see how many thoughtful experienced people out there think they might want a Toby type. x
 
i have just messaged someone about their older horse ;looking for a hacking/dressage home which is exactly what i want so have put a bit of info about my experience and that i am an older person and that i keep horses for life and never sell or pass on. as he sounds so right for me i wanted to let them know it would be a forever home and hope they like the sound of me. fingers crossed....so its not too much to ask that people applying give you an idea of the sort of home etc....good luck
 
Ambers Echo said:
They adored him which helps. I overheard my friend saying 'he' just totally perfect for us'.
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I know you can’t be sure they will keep him forever, but much more chance of that when selling to a friend. I have sold to friends twice and both horses had wonderful homes and weren’t sold on. Had agreements with both that I would have the option to buy back first if they ever wanted to sell.
 
Ambers Echo said:
Well I have put a very speculative ad up for him. Let's see who comes along.... I am very torn but equally I think there are many kind, loving, patient people out there who would adore a Toby. And so it's arrogant to assume only I can give him a good home. I am not really giving him that good a home as I don't really like hacking!! I have several friends out constantly on all day fun rides, picnic rides etc who he would have much more fun with. Sadly none of them are looking but he'd fit right into that little group of hacking buddies. Someone suitable will come along and I'm in no hurry and can wait till they do.
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Just read this from start to finish and am sad you have decided to sell him. We are in the process of looking for another, low-level all rounder, to be here for life and he might do our job perfectly.
I hope you get a secure home for him after all he has been through.
 
Sometimes we are just a stepping stone to help them on to where they need to be and doing what they can comfortably do. I don't think anyone could have done more for him and I am glad that you will be able to keep a distant watch on his progress.
Time to think about your own equine future now!!
 
I should be excited about the search but I really am not. The current market is mad. Not just the prices but the pressure to make instant decisions etc. I am not indecisive at all but I think a lot of sellers are offloading suspect horses because people are making quick decisions under pressure. If you;ve missed out on 4-5 horses because you've not been quick enough, then I can see how you can feel like you HAVE to buy anything halfway decent even if the viewing facilities were highly limited and the vendor was hard to get info out of.

My RI knows a horse in Ireland she thinks could suit me. I think I will wait for something like that - a horse to be found for me by someone that actually knows the horse really well. Trawling through ads is NOT appealing. At all.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I should be excited about the search but I really am not. The current market is mad. Not just the prices but the pressure to make instant decisions etc. I am not indecisive at all but I think a lot of sellers are offloading suspect horses because people are making quick decisions under pressure. If you;ve missed out on 4-5 horses because you've not been quick enough, then I can see how you can feel like you HAVE to buy anything halfway decent even if the viewing facilities were highly limited and the vendor was hard to get info out of.

My RI knows a horse in Ireland she thinks could suit me. I think I will wait for something like that - a horse to be found for me by someone that actually knows the horse really well. Trawling through ads is NOT appealing. At all.
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I am glad you have found Toby a good home.

I bought my pony last autumn without vetting. This was something I said I would never do. I cannot waste months of my remaining riding time looking for the non existent perfect horse. After viewing 5 unsuitable ponies I took a chance, so far all is well.
I had thought that horse sales would settle as we move out of lockdown but that doesn’t appear to be the case. I am glad now I purchased when I did as I am able to continue riding.
I don’t envy your search at all in these days of even more crazy prices and instant sales but wish you the best luck with your next as yet unknown horse.
 
Well he passed a 5 stage vetting today and he is off to pastures new. He is going to my friend and his wife. I heard the vet say 'there's a lovely horse in there' during the ridden work when he gave me beautiful paces in between the giraffe moves. He is so much better since the long and low work started and we talked about all that with the vet today who said the owners should continue hacking him in straight lines, working long and low, keeping up the ground work excerises. And I know they will. They are committed to him long term.

So end of one chapter and the start of another....

I could have got a lot more money for him in the current market but having a wide choice of homes was the best outcome for everyone. And no risk that I will see him on FB in a couple of weeks with a silly price tag!
 
Ambers Echo said:
Well he passed a 5 stage vetting today and he is off to pastures new. He is going to my friend and his wife. I heard the vet say 'there's a lovely horse in there' during the ridden work when he gave me beautiful paces in between the giraffe moves. He is so much better since the long and low work started and we talked about all that with the vet today who said the owners should continue hacking him in straight lines, working long and low, keeping up the ground work excerises. And I know they will. They are committed to him long term.

So end of one chapter and the start of another....

I could have got a lot more money for him in the current market but having a wide choice of homes was the best outcome for everyone. And no risk that I will see him on FB in a couple of weeks with a silly price tag!
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That's good news - and if he's with a friend then you can see how he's getting on which is nice.

Time to start looking again!
 
southerncomfort said:
This.

Don't know if anyone has watched Claimed and Shamed on BBC1 about shonky insurance claims, but it's now quite routine to check social media accounts etc while assessing a claim.
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I think it was pretty routine 5-10 years ago. I had a horse with more than one issue with a gap between first and second issue. The insurance told me they had stalked horse on line, and found competition records proving was sound in the interim, and was the only reason they agreed to pay.
 
splashgirl45 said:
i have just messaged someone about their older horse ;looking for a hacking/dressage home which is exactly what i want so have put a bit of info about my experience and that i am an older person and that i keep horses for life and never sell or pass on. as he sounds so right for me i wanted to let them know it would be a forever home and hope they like the sound of me. fingers crossed....so its not too much to ask that people applying give you an idea of the sort of home etc....good luck
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My friend is selling an older dressage/hacking horse if you are interested. He is very lovely. Forward but safe and a real sweetheart.
 
HufflyPuffly said:
I think this is where you need to have a very clear plan from whoever you’re using.

This ‘rehab’ was similar to what my Chiro vet prescribed (I would recommend her to anyone, and she 100% watches them move before and afterwards ?) but the idea was to do very short intense sessions, so 10 mins in walk over poles in that frame (the more stretchy canter one, stretched and engaged).

Work the core but do not fatigue it, preferably 3+ times a day. If a horse hasn’t been using the right muscles you need to ‘force’ them to until they are strong enough to hold themselves correctly.

If you remember Skyllas pictures the change in her stance was clear, once we got her using the right muscles, even at rest she had better posture.

It’s basic stuff, but sometimes certain horses need a bit of an intensive crash course in building certain muscle groups up.
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Which chiro vet do you use? thanks
 
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