Musings: A horse in the "wrong" home- thoughts & a 'how much'?

vermillion

vermillion

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Not sure if this is better in here or in CR; but hopeful I may gain a wider view of opinions in here
Cut a long story short, I bought a smart TB gelding as a rising 4yo.
The plan was to bring on, event him and keep as my next 'forever horse' alongside my established chap.
I really like this horse, he is well put together and pleasing to the eye, the sort of horse you look at and admire and is nice enough to show. Brought him on slowly, allowing time to mature into himself; at no point has he been rushed as I was only producing for myself.

This is where the plan comes to a resounding halt :o :

I simply do not enjoy riding him. And its for no apparent reason :(

He is a doddle to hack out, in company and alone, lovely cuddly person (I always wanted an affectionate horse as my other two are quite distant by nature). Super to do, loves kids and is very gentle with them despite being 16.2. Always a polite snaffle mouth, even out hunting at the back having a gossip. He is almost happy being not pushed, he is the antipathy of a thrusters ride; and I enjoy being a thruster!

I just cant bring myself to persevere with him to push him round a BE90 knowing I will detest every minute of it because it is on him.

I love riding my other two, who are both cranky and feisty and require tactical riding but will try their hearts out for you. I just find this particular horse to be 'nice', but in the bland context.

What would you do with him? To look at, he is every inch a good event prospect, 6yo and so easy to do but green in the school as I cannot bring myself to do any more with him in case I ruin him :( I cannot afford to send him to a Pro to sell, mainly as a) I know I will not recoup my costs on selling him and b) I haven't got the funds for £150/wk schooling and sales livery.

I feel as though he is in the wrong home, but I cannot figure out how to do best by him in this current horrific market, where anything TB fetches nil money and could end up in awful hands. Do I loan? Give away? Try to sell? I have explored loaning but so far the people have been the non-committal type and I really want a longer term home for him where he would be enjoyed. Is there a 'market' for a clean slate sort of horse to permanent loan?!

Belvita breakfast biscuits and a scrummy Peruvian coffee on offer!
 
I think there certainly would be a market for him - do you think he would be suitable for a competitive teenager? (given his 'nice'ness).
 
I think I would be inclined to loan him out but take time finding the right person

The danger for someone loaning is that they will do the work needed to school him up and you will ask for him back so I'd offer him as a long term loan and draw up a proper contract

It seems a shame that he doesn't spark your enthusiasm but if you have hunted him and not felt any better about things it doesn't sound like things will get any better

I guess its just one of those things. He will be ideal for lots of others so don't feel bad about it
 
I'll swap you a nappy, opinionated, sharp ID/TB mare for him. ;) Seriously though I hope you find the right home for him, he sounds lovely. Would be very interested if I had the time (chastises and reminds herself she is not allowed another big TB type!!)
 
Sounds like my type of horse. Shame I can't afford another.

You can either take a risk and sell him and try to be picky about the buyer, or find him a loan home, or perhaps a loan with a view to buy. To be honest, if I was horse hunting and I saw your lad for sale, I'd go look at him. If I saw him advertised for loan, I wouldn't. I guess I would not want to put the work into a six-year old horse that the owner could take back any time.
 
That is the thing, he is lovely. I have never loaned before (it fills me with dread if i'm totally honest) but I think it might work for this horse. I wouldnt want him back though; unless he was unhappy or being mistreated etc. A contract would have to be mandatory; are there any basic ones that I could use as template? Does such a thing exist?!

He would probably be ideal for a teenager- he is a caring sort; although not sure how competitive he would be, probably easily BE100/ maybe Novice in the right hands. He isnt a fiery sort and will do minimal effort where possible! I think he is a cobbly-bobbly in a jazzy body!

Would that significantly narrow our field do you think?
 
I bought most stunning filly ever easy to back though a real handful at times. My dream horse. Gosh she grated on me. Couldn't take to her at all. 4 years on I sold her to a lady who just clicked with her.
 
Spotsrock: That is how I feel! And it isnt his fault, although I was beginning to wonder whether I am totally in the minority- nobody admits to disliking riding their own horse, for no tangible reason!
 
such a shame but it is a partnership and if it doesnt work.....
Perhaps advertise on the pony club site he sounds perfect and there are some very talented kids that wouldnt be able to afford a cracker like yours .
Good luck
 
I had the same type of horse tbh and I do know what you mean - it seems bonkers that i had no attachment to him after a year as he was just so 'nice'. Im not the bravest of riders so you would think something like him would have suited me too. He was just so easy and quiet, went like clockwork. Hacked out like a dream, you could put your granny on him. However he didnt do anything particularly well if that makes sense? He never sparkled :( He would do a decent test, he was forward going enough but he was never keen about anything we did.He never pricked his ears with interest even when we went out for a hack. He also didnt have the greatest jumping technique and needing pushing round and I just didnt enjoy it. He was easy to sell, he was a smashing looking horse and safe as houses ! He too was a really cuddly person but he was almost apathetic about everything :(
Im really not brave, but I have a Sec D now who suits me down to the ground, she is forward and fun - you get the feeling she loves whatever you ask her to do. I took her xc, her first ever one, and she took me into every fence and was practically grinning! She will have a little jog and yee-hah but nothing more (thank God:D).
 
I was in a similar situation to you. Fab young horse, loved her to bits but just didn't click with her in the saddle.
Got a friend to put some work in for 10% of the sale. Got her out winning a couple of competitions and advertised with some good photo's. Had lots of interest and sold her to the person who actually enjoyed riding her rather than rode her 'correctly'. The mare went beautifully and the rider was grinning from ear to ear.
That horse was capable of being exceptional but I deliberately chose a home where she'd have less glory and more fun. I still follow their competition progress and enjoy knowing how much she's done for her owner.
An honest horse deserves the right person and it wasn't me.
 
vermillion said:
Spotsrock: That is how I feel! And it isnt his fault, although I was beginning to wonder whether I am totally in the minority- nobody admits to disliking riding their own horse, for no tangible reason!
Click to expand...

I dislike riding mine - thats why I put her on loan (a raging disaster but for exceptional reasons I feel). Love her to pieces otherwise. I've been trying with her for 12 months - with lots of issues in between but I really just don't enjoy riding her :(. I would hazard a guess theres more of us in that boat than would readily admit it. It might even be being confused with loss of confidence? A general unwillingness to ride because you just don't gel, we twist in our own minds and interpret as nerves. I know that isn't your state of play at all. You event - says it all !

It's a horrible place to be, and I fully understand where you are now. Your's sound wonderful though - and will be wonderful for someone else, just not for you. If you put him up for sale you will have dozens of people asking about the loan option anyway, so that might be the way forward.

A safe teenagers competition horse will be snapped up. I do agree re the TB label though. Its totally unfair and totally wrong, they are some of the most beautiful horses in the world IMO. Graceful and strong.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :) And lovely coffee... thanks :D
 
Perhaps he just isn't the challenge you were looking for? I would put the word out via your vet and farrier that you'd like to either sell or put out on loan. At least that way, they can recommend a potential new home to you...
 
I had a horse I didn't really enjoy riding and wasn't going to do the right job for me long term. He had a veterinary disclosure on him and I was loathe to advertise him cheaply and risk him getting into the wrong hands and being passed around.

I did a loan with view to buy - kept him within an easy checking distance, took a deposit, had a contract, and took up references. It worked very well and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Obviously not without it's risks but it allows you to check he is in the right home before selling (and allows you to get him back if needed), it also gives the buyer some confidence in that they can try the horse out and that the owner is intent on a more permenant arrangement.
 
Op, you are missing a trick here. You are saying the horse is correct and show standard.

How about coming away from the event label. You say he is too polite to be a cut and thrust type across country, so it would always be in the back of your mind wondering if someone was thrashing him into doing something he does not like.

I am guessing he would be a large riding horse if shown. Could you spruce him up and take him showing for a few outings, gain a couple of placings and remarket him as a show horse. If he is a good type, genuine and kind he will fly off the shelf.
 
I have often wondered what will happen with my youngster, as I would like to see him out competing in the future but have neither the funds nor the inclination to pay a pro. I wondered if it would be possible to draw up a loan contract, stating a value that he is now, and saying if he is sold in the future the loanee gets 50% (say) of anything over that value? That would cover the work they would hopefully put in to improve him.
 
Shmoo : odd you should bring up nerves; I seriouly considered whether I was just getting a bit windy as I got older; but I think it is a lack of confidence in the horse. I put off riding for any excuse I could, weather, stress from work, bit dark etc but I think now I have faced up to it, I feel just relieved.

Will try an pull something together this weekend, maybe a sale advert with a 'would consider long term loan to right home' in there?
 
Am with Adorable Alice (us showing lot stick together) - why not remould him. He sounds ideal.

Also like the idea of putting in would consider loan.

Did he race? If not (and even if he did) you don't have to put in the advert that he is TB. If he did race it has the advantage of opening him up to ROR classes.

I bought a super TB chestnut mare years ago who took me from 2' local classes to the main ring at Hickstead. The advert didn't mention TB or chestnut mare. TBH neither would have put me off but at least it got people ringing! Neither fact was hidden when I rang up about her.
 
I had this with a mare of mine, we just didn`t click at all ... loved her to pieces and she taught me a lot, but we just didn`t "enjoy" each other.

I think in yours/his case i`d be doing a loan with view to buy, that way the "loaner" has the chance to get to know if he is right for them, and it limits the chances of him being sold on, and on again :)



Here is the loan agreement i used with my mare:

The AGREEMENT

This agreement is made on the ( ) between the parties ( )
(hereafter referred to as the OWNER) and ( ) (hereafter referred to as the BORROWER)
for the loan of:

**place horse details here**

- (hereafter referred to as the HORSE.)


The HORSE is to be used as (define use here) and not for hire or reward.

(1)This is a permanent loan

(2) The Loan may be terminated if:
2.1) The BORROWER no longer wishes to loan the HORSE. The
BORROWER will inform the OWNER in writing, no less than 30 days
before the HORSE (and all associated equipment as detailed in Section 12)
will be returned in a good condition to the OWNER.
2.2) The OWNER believes the HORSE is not being treated or looked
after in the correct manner. The OWNER may at his own discretion give
the BORROWER a specific period of time during which the BORROWER
must rectify any reasonable issues that the OWNER may have. The
OWNER hereby reserves the right to remove the HORSE at his own
expense from the BORROWER with no notice whatsoever.
(3) The HORSE is to be kept at ( ) unless it is agreed by the OWNER,
in writing that the HORSE may be moved to alternate accommodation.
(4) It is understood by the BORROWER that the HORSE:


**place any specific details/care plans here, eg, must be stabled in winter, etc**


(5) The BORROWER will allow the OWNER access to the HORSE at the address
specified in (3) at any reasonable time in order that OWNER may check that the horse
is in good health.
(6) It is understood by the LOANER that the HORSE…..

**place any horse traits/need to know stuff here**

(7) The BORROWER is responsible for ensuring prompt and required veterinary
treatment by a registered and qualified veterinarian which includes routine and timely vaccinations for flu and tetanus & anything else the horse is vaccinated against, the liability for payment of the aforesaid veterinary
treatment lies solely with the BORROWER. The BORROWER will notify the OWNER if the horse suffers any serious illness or injury and will notify the owner in advance if possible of any requirement for the HORSE to have surgery or general anaesthetic.
(8) It is understood by the BORROWER that he is responsible for ensuring that the HORSE is fully insured for veterinary treatment, third party liability, travelling, saddlery and tack, etc at all times for its full value and the liability for payment of the aforesaid insurance lies solely with the BORROWER. If the BORROWER fails to insure the HORSE and its effects the BORROWER assumes full liability for any loss or damage, including 3rd party legal liability. (The OWNER may have to arrange the insurance and reclaim the premium from the BORROWER, consult your insurer.)
(9) It is understood by the BORROWER that they are responsible for ensuring that the HORSE is suitably shod/trimmed at all times and the liability for payment of the aforesaid shoeing/trimming lies solely with the BORROWER.
(10) It is understood by the BORROWER that at NO TIME is he/she the registered OWNER of the HORSE and under no circumstances whatsoever is he permitted to Loan, Lease or Sell the HORSE to any third parties.
(11) The horse is not permitted to take part in any of the below mentioned activities under any circumstances whatsoever:
11.1) Any activities of any kind NOT covered under the INSURANCE


(12) The following pieces of equipment will be supplied by the OWNER to the
BORROWER and it is understood and agreed by the BORROWER that all items are in good working order and free from any defects not specified below. The BORROWER agrees that at the time of termination of the contract, all the equipment listed below will be returned to the OWNER in good working order.

**list all tack and rugs that go with the horse**


(13) It is understood by the BORROWER that horse care and riding carry their own inherent risks and at no time can the OWNER of the horse be held responsible for anything at any time.

(14) The OWNER agrees that if a VETERINARY SURGEON advises IMMEDIATE
euthanasia of the HORSE to prevent further suffering in the case of severe
injury, and the OWNER cannot quickly be contacted, the BORROWER may
give permission to the VETERINARY SURGEON on the OWNER'S behalf.


Signed

……………………………………..........................................(THE OWNER'S NAME PRINTED HERE)

Witnessed by

........................................................(Witness's name & address here)

Signed

……………………………………..........................................(THE BORROWER'S NAME PRINTED HERE)

Witnessed By

……………………………………..........................................(Witness's name & address here)


If you want to have witnesses to the agreement then there should be two. One should be known to either party. They should witness the signature and their addresses should be included. The OWNER and the BORROWER should each retain a signed copy of the agreement.
 
I'm having the same problem with mine, he sounds very similar. He's just so nice! Good to do in every way, hacks alone or in company, first or last. Practically loads himself. Comes to the gate to be caught. Stands to be bathed. Would take a total beginner round a small course. Never, ever stops at anything (not particularly a good thing when were on a complete duff stride) I just find him blahhhhh! Hes not a particularly careful jumper so I'm starting having lessons with him from tomorrow and I'm hoping it ignites some spark and teaches me to get the best out of him.
 
Adorable Alice: I couldnt show my way out of a paper bag! :o
I think he would be a riding horse going on what I have seen but then he maybe more of a bigger hack type (slightly more light of limb?).
Do you have to qualify for the agricultural shows?

The more I think about it the more I think he is a mother/daughter share type although he is schooling green he is safe.

Thank you for the food for thought; can anyone give me a rough idea on pricing? (is that allowed on here?) I had estimated around 2.5k given his lack of consistent work, safe nature, the TB and the current market. Am I in the right ball park? What I paid and what I think I would get are two very different things!
 
I so wish I had the time for another one or I'd bite your arm off. He sounds just the type I like.

I think you will find someone who loves him :) Just be very picky about the sort of home he goes to!!
 
vermillion said:
Shmoo : odd you should bring up nerves; I seriouly considered whether I was just getting a bit windy as I got older; but I think it is a lack of confidence in the horse. I put off riding for any excuse I could, weather, stress from work, bit dark etc but I think now I have faced up to it, I feel just relieved.

Will try an pull something together this weekend, maybe a sale advert with a 'would consider long term loan to right home' in there?
Click to expand...

Totally off subject but I think this is absolutely it. Not lack of confidence in 'our' ability, but lack of confidence in the partnership with the horse. I think it's sometimes because we don't want to 'slow down'. I've always had flashy eyecatching, stop and stare, type horses. With that comes a price - the flashy one are usually more spirited. I've got that kind now, a very pretty flashy dancey prancey (downright cowbag the other day) TB who is beautiful. But she's not what I need at my time in life. I need the estate version these days...not the sports car. It's a tough one to admit :D.

You might be inundated if you put loan in the ad. Just omit the NO LOANS and that should do it :D. OP's point is a good one, pony club sites or similar?
 
We morphed a sour showjumper (previous owner, not me) into a top class show and dressage horse.

He was totally switched off when I bought him (just as a novice dressage horse that was nice to look at). He just bloomed in a small yard and one to one care.

We knew he had jacked the jumping, but 3 years into our ownership we put a cross pole up. Never under estimate a memory in a horse. He went berserk on the approach. Three days later he took supreme hunter at a county show.

Finding or recognising a potential show horse is tricky and many people cannot see one in the rough. There is a big market for correct horses and good money available.

Lets have a whip round for a very high profile horse that could easily be a champion middle weight. Chocolate button for the right guess of the name.
 
And 2.5k is very reasonable!! I paid 2k for mine, and he hadn't really done anything and wasn't a bold jumper. Of course this is going back a couple of years and prices were higher, but a safe, smart, sound horse will always fetch a good price, especially if you throw 'potential' in the mix.
 
OP re showing - hacks are 15.3 or 160 cms and under so could come down to his height. You can do some affiliated classes on a day ticket but not if they are qualifiers. Generally the ones at county shows are qualifiers so you have to be a member (British Show Horse Association). For ROR classes if he is an ex racehorse you join ROR, it is only £10. If you were going down the showing line I would suggest just find some decent local shows as in that qualify for some thing ideally but at least he then has the experience behind him.
 
AA - I watch racing eyeing up the next show horse!!! I had always though Barbers Shop would make a show hunter and he does seem to be doing really well. Totally off post sorry OP.

Thanks for the chocolate buttons.
 
vermillion said:
Adorable Alice: I couldnt show my way out of a paper bag! :o
I think he would be a riding horse going on what I have seen but then he maybe more of a bigger hack type (slightly more light of limb?).
Do you have to qualify for the agricultural shows?

The more I think about it the more I think he is a mother/daughter share type although he is schooling green he is safe.

Thank you for the food for thought; can anyone give me a rough idea on pricing? (is that allowed on here?) I had estimated around 2.5k given his lack of consistent work, safe nature, the TB and the current market. Am I in the right ball park? What I paid and what I think I would get are two very different things!
Click to expand...

You could, it's easy. Just take him local, agricultural shows can be entered on the day around us. County shows will have local and affiliated classes. Don't bother with registering him unless he won easily at local level. Stick a picture up.

If he enjoys his jumping to a certain level he would be ideal for a mum/daughter share or somebody who admits to being windy and sticks at a lower level but still likes to enjoy competing. There are plenty of people who never progress past prelim 2 and the clear round. Nothing wrong with that.

Price is tricky in this market but I think 2.5 would generate interest from both suitable and non suitable people.
 
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