is new horse a bad idea so i can help a friend out?

tuppence's fortune

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ok so my friend bought a "novice ride" and "totally bombproof" horse from a sales a few weeks ago. after me and alot of other people telling her not to but...
now she has discovered that it is a little bit highly strung and is definitely NOT a novice ride as she is very forward and likes to gallop at every chance, she trots sideways and trys to buck if you attempt a jump even if it is 3 inches of the floor!

she cant cope and has asked me to take her to give her a good home and sell her on if i choose to..... thing is i do have time to look after her ext but i dont really have time to do much else with her due to other commitments ie my youngsters and work, so she will just be a horse in a field at mine which is a shame as she has some real potential. i have the room to take her too but i just dont know if it is a good idea. she will find it hard to sell her on due to old injures and behaviour ext and even if she does it will take a while and i know that my friend will just sell her to meat man or a dealer if no one buys her. do i take the chance and see if i can do anything with her? do i take her and use as broodmare? or do i say no and let my friend sell her or whatever herself??? confused. ??? help please x

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Very difficult situation, has her back, teeth etc been checked ?

How old is the horse ? does your friend have any come back with the sales ? I don't know how it works, couldn't she say that its not as advertised, bombproof etc
 
I don't mean to sound cruel but the best lesson your firend can learn about buying horses is how to rehome an unsuitable one herself. If it hits her hard in time, money and emotion, she might take a bit of the advice she was given next time. It seems like she is dumping the problem on you instead and do you want to be the one she comes to next time she buys something unsuitable? As for selling her to a meat man or a dealer, is it possible this is emotional blackmail? Why not offer to help sell her rather than take all the responsibility yourself? I know I sound harsh but I knew some one like this in Ireland who was forever buying highsprited youngsters she couldn't handle, ruin them, dump them on someone who was likely to fall for a sob story and start all over again. Whatever you decide to do the best of luck to you and this poor mare.
 
Very difficult situation, has her back, teeth etc been checked ?

How old is the horse ? does your friend have any come back with the sales ? I don't know how it works, couldn't she say that its not as advertised, bombproof etc

back and teeth checked 2 weeks ago farrier did feet day after she bought her and she was very well mannered through all of them. just once that saddle goes on.... all tack fits well too. she was sold without warranty so it is going to be impossible to do anything about it unfortunately x
 
back and teeth checked 2 weeks ago farrier did feet day after she bought her and she was very well mannered through all of them. just once that saddle goes on.... all tack fits well too. she was sold without warranty so it is going to be impossible to do anything about it unfortunately x

Was it her first horse? Or first time buying from the market? Also in your first post the horse being ridden is that your friends horse?
 
I don't mean to sound cruel but the best lesson your firend can learn about buying horses is how to rehome an unsuitable one herself. If it hits her hard in time, money and emotion, she might take a bit of the advice she was given next time. It seems like she is dumping the problem on you instead and do you want to be the one she comes to next time she buys something unsuitable? As for selling her to a meat man or a dealer, is it possible this is emotional blackmail? Why not offer to help sell her rather than take all the responsibility yourself? I know I sound harsh but I knew some one like this in Ireland who was forever buying highsprited youngsters she couldn't handle, ruin them, dump them on someone who was likely to fall for a sob story and start all over again. Whatever you decide to do the best of luck to you and this poor mare.

it is not the money or emotional sidee of it that is hard for her it is that she is a novice. she has had one horse a very ploddy well mannered oldie and she wanted something else now the other has retired. she is not used to handling strong forward horses at all and doesnt know what to do in those situations. as for emotional blackmail, probably part of it. but again i understand that she doesnt really no how to cope and she thinks this may be the last resort, as she will be hard to re-home ext.
the mare is very well looked after by her :new wardrobe full of fancy rugs ext very good grass and feed hay ext she just can not cope. this is the problem... do i let her keep on trying to do things with her (oh yeah very very very strong when being led) or do i take her and see if i can do anything. i agree the horse shouldnt keep being past on, god no's where she has been before now. thanks for comments by the way xx really appreciate them all. x
 
Was it her first horse? Or first time buying from the market? Also in your first post the horse being ridden is that your friends horse?

it was her second horse. first was a 23year old plod she bought from a ridding school. and yes it was her first time at sales and she went with just her partner who is NOT horsey. if sh had have gone with someone else i think thing would be alot different.

yes that is the mare with me on her. this was taken just after a mad bronco around the paddock about 3 seconds after i had sat my bum in the saddle and shortly after this pic was took she did everything in her power to try and get me off (apart from rear) until she finally managed a walk once around paddock without any hissy fit then i got off her had about 20 fags and a bottle of wine!
 
it is not the money or emotional sidee of it that is hard for her it is that she is a novice. she has had one horse a very ploddy well mannered oldie and she wanted something else now the other has retired. she is not used to handling strong forward horses at all and doesnt know what to do in those situations. as for emotional blackmail, probably part of it. but again i understand that she doesnt really no how to cope and she thinks this may be the last resort, as she will be hard to re-home ext.
the mare is very well looked after by her :new wardrobe full of fancy rugs ext very good grass and feed hay ext she just can not cope. this is the problem... do i let her keep on trying to do things with her (oh yeah very very very strong when being led) or do i take her and see if i can do anything. i agree the horse shouldnt keep being past on, god no's where she has been before now. thanks for comments by the way xx really appreciate them all. x

Well ignore my other post I feel very sorry for your friend but I also feel sorry for the poor mare. If possible maybe you can help her out and try and find someone that is capable of handling her and not fazed by her. Lets hope this has a happy ending:( Please keep us updated)
 
it is not the money or emotional sidee of it that is hard for her it is that she is a novice. she has had one horse a very ploddy well mannered oldie and she wanted something else now the other has retired. she is not used to handling strong forward horses at all and doesnt know what to do in those situations. as for emotional blackmail, probably part of it. but again i understand that she doesnt really no how to cope and she thinks this may be the last resort, as she will be hard to re-home ext.
the mare is very well looked after by her :new wardrobe full of fancy rugs ext very good grass and feed hay ext she just can not cope. this is the problem... do i let her keep on trying to do things with her (oh yeah very very very strong when being led) or do i take her and see if i can do anything. i agree the horse shouldnt keep being past on, god no's where she has been before now. thanks for comments by the way xx really appreciate them all. x

From what you just posted I don't think I would let her carry on trying with her - it sounds like a disastrous match. But the mare is her reponsibility and it doesn't sound like you have bags of time. I think an offer to help sell, ie school her on and give her a bit of manners with a view to selling in the spring would be a good idea. Could she ride and help with any of yours to help ease the time burden?
 
yes that is the mare with me on her. this was taken just after a mad bronco around the paddock about 3 seconds after i had sat my bum in the saddle and shortly after this pic was took she did everything in her power to try and get me off (apart from rear) until she finally managed a walk once around paddock without any hissy fit then i got off her had about 20 fags and a bottle of wine!

Oh dear! :(
 
it was her second horse. first was a 23year old plod she bought from a ridding school. and yes it was her first time at sales and she went with just her partner who is NOT horsey. if sh had have gone with someone else i think thing would be alot different.

yes that is the mare with me on her. this was taken just after a mad bronco around the paddock about 3 seconds after i had sat my bum in the saddle and shortly after this pic was took she did everything in her power to try and get me off (apart from rear) until she finally managed a walk once around paddock without any hissy fit then i got off her had about 20 fags and a bottle of wine!

Must have cross posted. Doesn't sound as though you'd be that happy to take her on? Would you describe her as dangerous? Please don't consider breeding from her just for the sake of it. Sounds like she may be in pain or just mental:(
 
Depending on where you/she is and if money isn't an issue then you could try and speak to the bluecross? I expect as all rescue centres they may be full, but they are pretty good at rehoming horses, and she'll know that the homes will be checked regularly etc?

Other than that as you are very well aware, the market is flat even good horses aren't selling, plus with youngsters ten a penny and indescriminant breeding I wouldn't be looking to consider breeding from her just because she's a mare. But that is just my opinion. I would try to advertise for a suitable home on a local riders website or the local rc and say suitable rider more important than price???

Or try project horses website??
 
From what you just posted I don't think I would let her carry on trying with her - it sounds like a disastrous match. But the mare is her reponsibility and it doesn't sound like you have bags of time. I think an offer to help sell, ie school her on and give her a bit of manners with a view to selling in the spring would be a good idea. Could she ride and help with any of yours to help ease the time burden?


she could possibly ride one of mine? most of mine are young or forward but yes i think i could maybe take her to school for a while over winter see if it helps a little. never thought of that thanks indiant x
 
Must have cross posted. Doesn't sound as though you'd be that happy to take her on? Would you describe her as dangerous? Please don't consider breeding from her just for the sake of it. Sounds like she may be in pain or just mental:(

im not "happy" about taking on a horse with problems although i have trained a few which have been like her (not as bad though) i think she could go either way, she could turn into a forward but good horse or she could just think ******* it and be dangerous, either way i know she doesn't like traffic so could never really be hacked out alone if at all.

if i was definite i could sort her out i would of just said yes and brought her up but because i really am unsure ...

every time i make a decision i change my mind again aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh x
 
Please,please don't be tempted to breed from her, it is NOT the answer!
My first (rather uncharitable, I admit) thought, was "what on earth possessed her to buy a horse in this way?"
It really is a harsh lesson to learn, as per indiat, but it is primarily your friend's problem.
I can appreciate you wanting to help her. If she is THAT novicy (and,sorry, uncharitable again) and lacking in common sense - would you really be happy with her riding your youngsters? Unless on your yard, and under your supervision?
None of my comments is particularly helpful, and I apologise for that. How much of her recent history can be dug up? Any details held by the Auctioneers about the vendor?
Given her issues under saddle and on the ground, it might explain why she was put through a salering in the first place. Good luck, let us know what you decide.
 
I think the fact that you are unsure about sorting her out really answers your question.
She's not your responsibility, and yes whilst its nice to help a friend out, I would say its not worth it if it means risking your neck.

You say the horse could go either way if you worked with her? What if she goes the wrong way, I dunno if you have kids to take care of, I do know you have your own horses to take care of though - not easy if badly injured!!

So I say dont take her, help if you can as friends do, but help her to sell, and as someone else has pointed out, it will make her take responsibility and maybe your friend will learn a lesson - that being its really not wise for novices to buy without expert help, never mind at a blooming sale!! x
 
Please,please don't be tempted to breed from her, it is NOT the answer!
My first (rather uncharitable, I admit) thought, was "what on earth possessed her to buy a horse in this way?"
It really is a harsh lesson to learn, as per indiat, but it is primarily your friend's problem.
I can appreciate you wanting to help her. If she is THAT novicy (and,sorry, uncharitable again) and lacking in common sense - would you really be happy with her riding your youngsters? Unless on your yard, and under your supervision?
None of my comments is particularly helpful, and I apologise for that. How much of her recent history can be dug up? Any details held by the Auctioneers about the vendor?
Given her issues under saddle and on the ground, it might explain why she was put through a salering in the first place. Good luck, let us know what you decide.

no she wouldnt be ridding a youngster she would ride one of my older horses which are all on my yard and i would be there anyway as i only trust one other person riding my horses and that is a woman that works along side me.
we found out a few days ago she was raced as a 2 yr oldfor 3 races then sold to unknown and somehow ended up at sales years later... not much history really.

breeding was a thought as have been looking for new mare for my tb boy or appie boy. so thought maybe have her health checked by my vet and see what we could do. but that only depends on finances and my time over the next 12 months as to that. not sure yet.
 
had convo with friend today.. i am having mare on temp basis for 6 months to try work with her and i am going to try help my friend sell her on while doing it.

i no it is not my responsibility but my friend can not cope. i have help on hand if anything happens to me but she is on her own with a few kids plus it is the experience thing again (she doesnt have alot) so i cant really say no. but i am not keeping her, as far as i know, although if she comes good i may do. lol

thank you all for advice and comments i will keep you posted x
 
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