Looking for my forever horse!

G

gallopinghooves

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 January 2025
Messages
98
Visit site
Hi everyone, such a long shot but I’m so desperate to find my forever horse. It feels impossible at the moment.

I’m looking for a SUPER safe and reliable horse to mainly hack on and to take on some light hunts (non jumping field) and fun rides. Not bothered about schooling ability as I don’t do dressage or jumping etc. I’m just looking for a horse to have many happy adventures with.

The type of horse who babysits other horses and who you could lead another horse from!

Must not get strong or silly.

15.3hh - 17hh (ideally 16-16.3hh).

I’m based SE England. Any help would be amazing if anyone knows of anything!!

Horses I see are either competition horses or complete cob type plods. I just want a happy medium! 🤍
 
I think you will find something, might need to be a little flexible on minor ‘if’s’ eg a small sarcoids, or little quirk.
 
Yes, I went and viewed at both NT and NB equine, back in October. However, they very rarely have anything in that price range, and certainly not something already safe and reliable.
I was looking for similar, with budget of 10k. Knew I would not get what I ideally wanted for that money, so ended up buying a youngster and am making him a safe hack myself.
You may be able to get something older, with minor medical issues for that price
 
gallopinghooves said:
I saw him and enquired but turned out he isn’t aa established as the advert makes him sound. For example only been hunting once but he’s definitely an option!! A bit small for me but I might go for a viewing. Thank you, really appreciate it
Click to expand...

I think if you want really established/proven you might need a teenage horse for the price. You probably won’t get it in the 7-12 bracket unless there is a bigger ‘but’
 
ihatework said:
I think if you want really established/proven you might need a teenage horse for the price. You probably won’t get it in the 7-12 bracket unless there is a bigger ‘but’
Click to expand...
That’s fine. I think I’d prefer that in some senses - they just seem hard to find at the moment! I did see a lovely looking 6 year old well within budget as he’s green in the school but great out hacking / hunting, but they’re being a bit funny about sending videos 🫣
 
You also might get a TB/ex racehorse that would do your job. They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I sold one a few years ago who was safe as houses to hack alone/company - I always joked that you could send him off up the M1 with your granny on him, reins on his neck and watching youtube cat videos on her phone. I rode and led off him and he was super to hunt. You could park him up at the meet, glass in one hand, pork pie in the other, reins on his neck and he wouldn't move a muscle until you said to. Obviously they're not all like that, but don't rule it out if you see a bulletproof one, and they might fit your budget.
 
Gamebird said:
You also might get a TB/ex racehorse that would do your job. They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I sold one a few years ago who was safe as houses to hack alone/company - I always joked that you could send him off up the M1 with your granny on him, reins on his neck and watching youtube cat videos on her phone. I rode and led off him and he was super to hunt. You could park him up at the meet, glass in one hand, pork pie in the other, reins on his neck and he wouldn't move a muscle until you said to. Obviously they're not all like that, but don't rule it out if you see a bulletproof one, and they might fit your budget.
Click to expand...
100% agree. I’ve ridden sooo many just like this - they can be the complete
Opposite of the stereotype. Keeping an eye out ! Thanks
 
I bought exactly what you’re after a couple of years ago. He was 13 and £6k with his saddle. He’s forward, jolly but very safe. Oh he was in deepest darkest Cornwall though!
So keep looking. They are out there.
 
dixie said:
I bought exactly what you’re after a couple of years ago. He was 13 and £6k with his saddle. He’s forward, jolly but very safe. Oh he was in deepest darkest Cornwall though!
So keep looking. They are out there.
Click to expand...
Thank you, this is reassuring! I think my budget is pretty high for what I’m looking for!!
 
Gamebird said:
You also might get a TB/ex racehorse that would do your job. They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I sold one a few years ago who was safe as houses to hack alone/company - I always joked that you could send him off up the M1 with your granny on him, reins on his neck and watching youtube cat videos on her phone. I rode and led off him and he was super to hunt. You could park him up at the meet, glass in one hand, pork pie in the other, reins on his neck and he wouldn't move a muscle until you said to. Obviously they're not all like that, but don't rule it out if you see a bulletproof one, and they might fit your budget.
Click to expand...
Carl Belson has a handful of tb's in at present, (unless he's sold them all) based close to Bucklebury. Mixed ages and levels of ridden work, might be worth looking him up on Facebook, that's if you fancy a tb OP?
 
Carrie Massingham in east Anglia has some very nice TB’s. Simone Money in same area works with the Hunt. She could probably find you a good one
 
I've been looking for the same kind of height bracket and can categorically state that anything in that price range will be very hard to come by.

I've seen two horses recently that have been in the 15k price range and both horses have been reduced to under 9k and when you see their videos it is quite obvious why.

So if you should find something at that price just be careful it's not been reduced due to that from a higher price.

The horse I recently went to view had been reduced from 15k to just under 10k. And on viewing and riding it and getting a better picture of it, it became obvious why. And when I asked the seller "has this horse been reduced in price" and was told no it rang alarm bells.

P.s I've been looking for18 months plus.
 
I would highly recommend Amber at ALM Equestrian based just outside Lewes for this sort of thing. I bought my boy there and another lady on the yard bought hers there too, a year in both have proven as bombproof as advertised.
 
gallopinghooves said:
I saw him and enquired but turned out he isn’t aa established as the advert makes him sound. For example only been hunting once but he’s definitely an option!! A bit small for me but I might go for a viewing. Thank you, really appreciate it
Click to expand...
He looks a nice type. It says hunted in Ireland and hunted recently with us. So maybe they’ve only hunted him once? Might be worth an ask
 
Gamebird said:
You also might get a TB/ex racehorse that would do your job. They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I sold one a few years ago who was safe as houses to hack alone/company - I always joked that you could send him off up the M1 with your granny on him, reins on his neck and watching youtube cat videos on her phone. I rode and led off him and he was super to hunt. You could park him up at the meet, glass in one hand, pork pie in the other, reins on his neck and he wouldn't move a muscle until you said to. Obviously they're not all like that, but don't rule it out if you see a bulletproof one, and they might fit your budget.
Click to expand...
A good TB is really a dream! If only they were all like that. Definitely worth a look for OP though as some lovely ones out there
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top