just dont know what to do :(

[Mrsjenks]

hi all, I posted about a horse I have been looking at 16hh, 18yo tb x sb, I have just about fallen in love with, took my horsey experts with me today to see him and they said he was perfect as a first horse, however, his trot is extremely bouncy and he paces quite a lot, and is quite hard to get into canter. the worry is, that as it is my first horse I shouldn't have to be working to get him cantering, and he might slow down my learning. slightly heartbroken, just don't know what to do

 

[HaffiesRock]

I wouldn't be too worried about it to be honest. You are as new to him and him to you. Did you have the instructor try the horse also?

 

[Mrsjenks]

hi, the owner cant ride any more due to health reasons, but her daughter has been, she rode him the other day before I got on him,cant really take my instructor with me but my knowledgeable person knows my abilities. is it something I would be able to help him with by using floor poles etc ?

 

[vickyb]

Hi Mrsjenks. I have been following your posts re your search for a first horse. My gut reaction would be to pass this one by. You are not happy with the way he goes for you now, before you have even bought him. What if things don't get better as you hope? Trying to improve your riding on a horse that paces is going to teach you nothing. Honestly, there are plenty of lovely horses available, but it is very hard not to fall in love with ones that you view. You want something that trots diagonally and will pop into canter when you ask, you want to be able to concentrate on what you are doing, rather than what the horse is, or is not doing, at this stage.

 

[be positive]

I would prefer a horse that requires some work to get into canter as a first horse than one that is so easy you find it is too forward going, you will take time to find how to get him into canter more easily, the pacing should be something that once he settles he will stop doing it so much and polework will help as will you both being relaxed.
There is plenty to be learnt from the first horse you buy, finding one that is perfect for you now but will remain so over time is hard, if you are confident with this horse, have hacked him out, which, unless you plan on doing a lot of schooling, is far more important than anything else and are happy dealing with him on the ground again you will be likely to spend more time doing this than riding so it is very important, it may be worth going back for one more try, the problem with experienced friends is that they are not instructors and are usually expecting the horse to be perfect immediately, an instructor is often more realistic and can see how progress can be made given time.

 

[Mrsjenks]

Oh dear my head is hurting now, thank you for your responses ! My friend says he is too old now though at 18 to be taught anything new (or a different way of doing something) also both friends a few hours later have complained their backs are sore because he is such a bouncy ride , confused !

 

[brucethegypsycob]

Hi mrsjenks. I think you've already answered your own question because you are not happy with his way of going in trot and the difficulty you have with getting into canter. These things in themselves are not necessarily a problem but the fact that you are questioning them leads me to think that it is not the right horse for you. Keep looking and keep trying out potentials. Please don't rush into buying anything for the sake of having your own horse. The right one will be out there and you will know when it it happens. Good lick.

 

[Mrsjenks]

Thanks, yes he is quite bouncy in trot but it is my horsey friend who thinks the horse will frustrate me in a few months when I am more confident and wanting to canter him, I do love a canter. It is just heartbreaking because he is perfect in every other way I have been and had a look at another horse this tea time and I think it was trying to kill me lol

 

[Cortez]

Standardbreds are notoriously difficult to get into canter - it is just not natural for them, they are bred to pace at very high speed. If you wish to learn to ride the 99% of other horses out there I would suggest finding a conventional horse to learn with.

 

[ZoeF]

Its sounds as though this one is not meant to be although nerves, excitment and the unknown might be playing their part? Look at it as fate, theres bound to be the perfect horse for you just waiting round the corner and you will be thanking your friends when you find him/her! If you're buying its even more important to be sure about your investment, although if you're still in 2 minds about him is there the option to 'loan with a view to buy' for say a month?

 

[Mahoganybay]

I owned a Standardbred mare for 5 years, got her as my 2nd horse coming off a beloved schoolmistress. When i went to try my Standie i could not get her to canter, very bouncy trot and then into pace. Oh well, i thought, it's something to work on, she was perfect in every other way.

I spent 5 years trying to achieve canter, never really got it, got frustrated, then got over myself and gave up, just spent our time hacking in walk and trot. Unfortunately due to a hock fracture is was pts a year ago on Thursday.

I took over my daughters IDx when she went Uni at the end of Sept last year, apart from a few settling together issues, you want to see the smile on my face when i can have a lovely canter across a field / beach / through the woods, absolute bliss and i didn't realise how much i missed it.

My advise, based on my experience, walk away :-(

 

[Mahoganybay]

Added to say, if i was in the position where i was to buy again (touch's wood and praying the boy is with us forever) i would never take on a horse that during my 1st & 2nd try i could not do all three paces, pop a little jump, gallop and pull up across a field alone & in company, take on the road, hack out alone / in company.

 

[putasocinit]

if you love a canter and are capable of cantering and going over poles then you are capable of teaching the horse or making the horse canter, I can not understand how your friend can say how you will feel, if you like the horse get it and learn to go with it, they are not china dolls sitting waiting to be bought and 18 is a good age so if you do need to get a bigger, stronger more forward going horse later on in life you wont have to wait too long before this one needs to be retired.

 

[Mrsjenks]

Thank you ! After a few days of heartbreak and trying another couple of horses, one of which bolted with me on his back in an indoor arena ! I have been back today to hack out on Archie and got him into canter just fine ! He is as close to the perfect first horse as I can guess ! We've arranged a vetting for Monday, sohopefully all will go well and I will be the very proud owner of my first horse ������

 

[Duvetdays]

It's hard making the decision, isn't it? You must be very excited, lol! Hope the vetting goes well!

 

[Mrsjenks]

Me too ! Jumped the gun a bit and posted a pic of him on here in the 'gallery' section, have a look at him chilling out