Just for fun - did you buy what you wanted?

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KikiDee

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Off the back of another thread about buying a particular coloured horse - how close was the horse you ended up buying to the shopping list you set out with?

I wanted a reasonably established 6-8yo ISH/warmblood type, around 16-16.2hh, dark bay or chestnut (no coloureds or greys!), that would do a bit of low-level eventing. Sane and sensible, bold into a fence (after previous horse was a serious stopper). I'd been to view a nice 8yo full ID that was just a bit behind my leg and a few 5yo's that were just too green as I wanted to crack on.

I ended up with a 15.2hh, 12yo, coloured (!!) unknown breeding with probably some cob chucked in there at some point, came off the hunt field 6 months beforehand and prone to serious bouts of hooliganism. I will say he ticks the box of being seriously bold into a fence though (actually terrifyingly so) 🤣 Ironically I didn't want a 'youngster' as didn't want to invest 3 years before being able to get out and do much.... here I am 3 years into re-schooling this one. 😂

Wouldn't swap him for the world mind you 🥰
 
I was close but it wasn't the sensible buy for someone who hadn't ridden in 3yrs almost... I wanted something unbacked but ready so 3-4yo, ID, not grey, sensible size so about 16.2hh, gelding

I got that but he was an unseen off of FB buy which I thought I would never do, and rising 3 and grey.... he was advertised as to make 16.2 but he actually arrived at 16.2 and is now standing a smidge under 17.3hh at 5yo so whilst I love bigger horses, my attempt to be more sensible failed. One thing I did luck out on though is his brain, he is so willing and engaged and doesn't have a bad bone in his body. I wouldn't change a thing if I could go back!
 
Yes and No. My old man how I lost on Friday after 21years was absolutely perfect. He was a top level comp pony stepping down a level, when I got him and was just the most perfect creature to ride, but a miserable horrible git to handle. Then 15years ago I bought a baby cob and after many tears and false starts and threats to give up. She is now a well mannered, lovely person who will hack anywhere and everywhere and does all other lovely stuff too. Loading is a challenge but she will go on a trailor now.
 
I wanted a 10 plus cob,been there,done it and got the T shirt.Steady,sensible and a gelding as I had always had geldings.Bought a 4 year old trad mare!!She did have the two things I wanted most though.Very sensible head on her shoulders and sound.
 
Yes - wanted a grey thoroughbred, bought a grey thoroughbred. Then wasn't particularly looking for another horse but was told but someone very trustworthy that a particular horse coming out of training would be ideal for me. If I had been looking he would have been what I was looking for - thoroughbred and a stunning deep bay. Both have taken me to places I could only have dreamed of.
 
No - I don't think I ever have bought what I set out to buy.

Current ponies are as follows,

Ben - to look at and breeding absolutely perfect in my eyes. Wonderful person to be around with lovely temperament. Not a ridden horse at all - so just a very pretty field ornament. In fairness to him he was free!

Robin - wanted a 3 year old welsh section B to make full up 13.2hh to back and bring on. Bought a 9months old Section C that only made 12.3hh - fully supported by HHO I may add!!

Reggie - wasn't looking. Felt sorry for him. HHO convinced me to persuade OH to buy to set him up and sell on. Now my only practical riding pony. Turns out your find them when your not looking.
 
I was buying my first horse 7 years ago and wanted something older/been there/done that/confidence giving type. Ended up buying a rising 2 year old WBxTB colt 🫣 I fell in love with him from the advert and couldn't stop thinking about him, and fell even more in love with him when I went to see him. He was in the stable when I went to view him, and had no friends in, and he was as quiet as a mouse and super friendly/affectionate. He was the type I really wanted but knew I couldn't afford something ready made at the time. It was a big risk and many friends told me not to do it, but I'm so glad I did. I had lots of professional help along the way and I've really got my horse of a lifetime now.
 
I wasn’t looking (just casually googling haflingers for sale to have a look 😂) and bought a 14.2 haflinger mare. Since I was searching haflingers I guess I did buy what I was looking at but I didn’t actually plan to have a 3rd. I managed to persuade myself it was a solid plan though 😂

Absolutely no regrets. She’s the best thing I’ve ever bought! I just love her.

Big horse I needed a second horse. She doesn’t go through fences and doesn’t get fat so she does a grand job at being a second horse. Just big 😂
 
Somewhat. I wanted either a OTTB chestnut mare with 4 white legs OR a sibling to my 3* horse(Whos sire had died).

I ended up with a sibling to my own girl, chestnut mare with 4 white socks LOL
Shes not as bold and brave as her sister or going to jump 120/130 or 2/3* tracks, but she is great fun!
 
I’ve always stuck pretty close to what I wanted, I’ve always narrowed down suitable adverts quite intensely to reduce travelling to view (have always lived in the middle of nowhere type areas).

Even from my first pony/horse, I wanted a 15-16hh 4-8yo gelding, not grey or coloured and preferably not bay either. Even markings (couldn’t cope with 3 white socks, for example 🤣 ). Honest allround type, but with some talent. Must be excellent to hack. Ended up with the most amazing chestnut 15.3 warmblood gelding (with a perfect star) that was a perfect, competitive all rounder and the soundest, easiest horse who I lost in his mid 30s.

Current horse, wanted a sub 16hh unbacked young gelding. Ideally 2 yo ish. REALLY wanted a dun. Still can’t cope with wonky markings. Well put together, super feet. Ended up with almost exactly this only in a foal version, now 3 and definitely the right choice.

I’ve never had a big budget, never spent over 3k on anything.
 
I can still find my searching for advert. September 2021!

👀 Looking for 👀
6yo+
14hh-16hh
Cobs welcome, sorry no full TB/ ex-racers please
Mare or gelding
Prefer a forward going horse who enjoys their job
Must be able to live out 24/7 on grass in a herd and open to 5-stage vetting
For small, reasonably competent adult doing general riding club activities and must be a safe, sensible hack. Temperament and soundness much more important than talent.
Click to expand...

Now you can tell me if an unbacked, unvetted, at the time extremely obese and poorly socialised rescue fits that bill??? She is a cob and she is 14h to be fair 😂

The secret part of the story is that I already knew Sadie from working at the rescue and was head over heels in love with her, but assumed that they wouldn't let me have her as getting them to rehome ponies was like blood from a stone at that point. But things just work out how they're supoosed to.
 
I just have very minimal requirements now! My first horse I selected very carefully and paid an accordingly fairly high price for - found what I thought was a really reputable breeder etc etc, he was exactly what I wanted (bay gelding, 7-10 years, hacking nicely etc) except that he turned out to have disastrous behavioural (and possibly physical) problems that the breeder washed her hands of and he ended up being rehomed as a companion because even the vet and a kind professional couldn't "fix" him. I lost all my money and my confidence.

Second one I just needed a kind confidence giver who was nice to handle, which is what I bought - I got lucky and he wasn't expensive either. He's turned out to have incessant medical niggles (no fault of his previous owners) but all is forgiven because he is exactly what I needed.

Third one I was thinking about perhaps buying a chunky baby native type, and I knew it would have to be something with an outstanding temperament. When a friend of a friend was selling off some youngstock, I had the chance to buy a nice sensible Connemara yearling for a very good price, so I did.

I know it entirely depends on what you want to do but temperament is everything for me - if a horse is kind and sensible I'll have fun with it, even if it's physically limited in what it can do. And I wouldn't ever pay big money for a horse again.
 
nope.
wanted: a buckskin connie x tb mare (a yearly was for sale which started my shopping, but the owners decided to keep her) I ended up with an 18 month old bay connie x tb gelding! I still have him and he will be 16 this year.

wanted: a second mini shetland, to drive. I ended up with a 17'1 chestnut oldenbugh mare (best horse ever) doesn't drive haha
 
As you can probably guess 🙈 I wanted a NF, bought first one, dark brown untouched gelding 4 yo, who made a cracking jumping pony sadly lost to navicular aged 10, then bought another who went on to do great things in the show ring with a great producer, followed by a very sharp forest bred bay gelding who is still going strong aged 17 with owner I sold to. Then came my lovely Rio last year, with whom I had my ride/drive final story all planned out, until he was pts last August due to OCD/neck arthritis. Picked myself up again, and now have 🩷strawberry roan Chief to drive and enjoy being shown in hand (not by me as I can't manage more than a shuffle these day🤣). So yes, love the breed and wouldn't want anything else.
 
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I've never cared about colour or markings, so that makes things easier. My best mismatch, was when I was looking for a 3 or 4yr old to back, and produce for Burghley young event horse classes and then sell, I wanted to do this to make some money as I had a 3K budget, and I'd worked for years backing and producing young horses, so it was a sensible plan. I ended up buying a 10yr old failed event horse, she had completely shut down and was so depressed I felt sorry for her, bought her for 2K and she came with two saddles included, I didnt vet her, I just wanted to take her away and make her happier, totally emotional decision.
She became the first horse I trained to Grand Prix and she changed my life.
 
Surprisingly, yes, although my criteria was simply 'not a lunatic, suitable for hacking and fun rides'.

I have always loved hairy cobs and had the choice of two. The other one was much smaller, but I do think of him sometimes. He was a lot of fun when I tried him and absolutely superb out hacking in traffic (the lady was based in Wokingham and the road scared the crap out of me). I chose the bigger of the two only because I'd always had ponies and decided to be a grown up for once. 😄
 
I wanted a 16hh, 7-10 yr old warmblood gelding, bay. - the aim was something a decent height with some experience. Got a 13hh, 4 yr old Highland mare, grey. Not backed.

Then I was after a companion maybe a Welsh C but got a New Forest.

Finally I was aiming for a 15hh Arab mare chestnut. To be fair I was fairly open minded.
Got a bay Arab gelding and he's around 15.1hh so not bad at all. Got him at 2yrs and he was 14.3hh at the time.
 
I was feeling my age so thought a nice cob would mean I could spend my older years doing a few riding club events, fun rides etc.

He does all of that but he is far, far hotter than the warmbloods of my youth! I've had to remember I can ride and drag out the brave pants a fair few times.
 
No and yes!
Late gelding (got in 2002), was looking for something a bit older with eventing experience to help me learn. Ended up with 5yo with no experience! But it worked out in the end, horse of a lifetime he was, with me for 21yrs.
Current boy, was looking for an exracer and that is exactly what I got! First one I viewed and only 10min up the road.. bonus that he is not grey 🤣 (the above horse was) which has been nice - not having to do so much washing when going 'out out'!
 
I wanted a safe and steady first horse that is easy to look after. Preferably bay with no white on legs, or a spotty or a skewbald and about 16hh for pootling around the countryside and some low-level competing, preferably jumping.

I have a black cob with sweetitch and a pink nose. Gorgeous, gentle manners on the ground which is why he was initially sent to the RDA but can be really quite sharp. Dislikes jumping. Given his sleepy, yak-like appearance he has a deceptively fast shoulder-drop, spin & tank. Also dubious conformation. I love him with everything I have and he has made me a far better rider.
 
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Nearly always. I tend to look round breeders and buy youngsters.
Current pony is a bit different in that I was after a new Icelandic but didn't want to spend much and I was taken by his cute foal picture on Facebook.
 
Did I get what I wanted? I wanted a pony suitable for an old lady, legs at each corner, not tall, would hack out alone.

Yes: he was a 13.2 seven years old hairy cob, bombproof in traffic.
No: he had obviously been roughly handled, was agressive, jumpy and on high alert the second he was out of his field.
Yes: five years later, he is the kindest, most obliging (and cleverest) chap I have ever had with a huge personality.
 
Yes and no...

1. Rigsby. I bought him when mum was struggling with rapidly advancing dementia and I was her only LPA and could not risk injury. I sold the posh horse and scoured Preloved for the most broken horse I could find that was potentially going to be rideable in the future. Rigs was just finishing 3 months on box rest for lami, was EMS and borderline cushings, had asthma, mallenders, wasn't good in traffic and didn't load. He also thought barging into people and knocking them over for fun was a good thing to do. Perfect! I return, I told the seller that I was looking for a horse to love and get better, to initially lead round the lanes, to get me riding again and last me a year, whereupon he could retire as a companion. He fitted the bill wonderfully. After a year, I bought another and by then he was fit and healthy as was an escort for no 2. He has also seen me through the death of my mother and my husband, then went on and taught my BF to ride. Rigsby was, and still is, epic! He is a black cob with some Friesian in his lineage. He is now almost 6 years into ownership and will be 20 this year.

2. H. Bought in 2021. I wanted any colour but grey, an older horse ready to do low level eventing, hunt, BS, BD etc etc, but also good to hack. In covid times, even when I upped my budget to well over 20K, such a horse was simply not available. Then I saw H advertised on FB. He was grey, 4yo, recently backed, a real chunk, ID X Connie. Something was nice about him both the way he is put together and his nature. I bought him from video and had him delivered to the front lawn LOL. He is not what I wanted in many ways, he is so laid back to be lazy, but also can be a little spooky, but has a heart of gold and tries so hard. We have done some things but his education was interrupted when Mr Red unexpectedly died and life threw me a few curve balls. His laid back nature has been a boon in that he can have weeks off, then I can climb aboard and go for a nice hack. He does a bit of jumping, has been OK at local dressage despite not really seeing the point, and has done hunt rides. He would, however, be horrified at the prospect of BE eventing. But, he lets the novice BF canter on the beach and in the stubble and does Somerford camps with good grace.

They were both unlikely but have been perfect for what life threw at me.
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My "I do not want" list read as follows: preferably no mares, no coloured cobs, no hairy-heeled cobs, no ponies (deffo something over 14hh), and absolutely deffo not a youngster!

So an old school chum had backed this little 4yo coblet at her yard, and it had gone back to the owner for riding-on, tho' she hadn't done much with it by all accounts. Go and have a look said friend. See what you think. So I went along. There were actually two for sale that day; a Welsh-type, and this "coblet". So this little scraggly creature came up to me in the field, sniffed me up and down, blew in my face, and I dunno how it quite happened, but something in the Universe shifted in that moment. This little pony was "saying" to me, "I want to be with you".

So we tacked her up, and with that, there was - out of the blue - this huge clap of thunder from somewhere just as I was putting my leg across her back. She didn't move.

She was everything but everything I'd said I didn't want; but I ended up bringing her home (profile pic). She's been an absolute sweetheart and I love her to bits.
 
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