Need advice - just viewed a horse

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SKW

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I've been looking for a quality allrounder for around a year, to go out and have fun with across all disciplines without taking life too seriously.

I've just viewed a horse for the 2nd time and I'm feeling really confused. She's a lovely mare, 8 years old, warmblood. Been out competing BSJA at NC and doing very well. Easy and straightforward to a fence. Not the world's best flatwork but not bad. Had the odd spook while I was riding but nothing too dramatic, and temperament generally seems very laid back. Needs a bit of leg to get her moving (they normally always ride in spurs, but I would not be), but she's not a plod. My instructor saw her today and really liked her - said she would buy her if she was looking for something of her kind of age.

For some reason, even though I like her a lot, and could see her teaching me tons, I'm not head over heels like I was with the others I have had vetted, and I'm not really sure why. She's a perfectly nice horse, and reasonably priced. I could see myself enjoying her, but there's something holding me back.

Has anyone else had this kind of experience? If so, what did you do????
 
If your not 100% don't buy her. I had one horse that I viewed that I liked, good on paper, good when viewed her but there was something missing, never did figure it out but I didn't buy her. The horse I did buy however I had an instant attraction to and is just amazing :) wait and find the one that is amazing :D
 
I did and left it. Ticked all the boxes on paper, on the ground and under saddle but I just had an odd gut instinct that said no. Sent mum and OH's mum down separately and they came back saying all fine and they'd be happy so God knows where I got it from but didn't regret going with my gut. There will be others, even if on a long road. Comes down to value you place on gut instinct!
 
yep had that when I was looking, sort of couldn't justify not making an offer on the horse as it ticked all the boxes but when it came to picking up the phone and making an offer I found myself not wanting too...

In fact I've had the same when buying a house in the past, in both cases (horse & house) I've walked away, I'm a firm believer that when you find the one you just know and it's got that little bit more which you couldn't even describe to give it the proverbial box to tick ;)
 
The most important question is can you see yourself riding this horse every day, not just once every so often and would you enjoy riding it? If there is a any sort of question mark, then she's not for you.
 
Thanks guys, I guess I was getting worried that it was just that I was so fed up of horses failing the vet, and feeling a bit down about the whole thing. I think your advice is good though - there's a reason I'm not head over heels. Actually an old instructor of mine who I sent the videos to has just emailed back telling me she thinks I'm right and there are some issues in her way of going, so perhaps I do need to learn to trust my gut instinct a bit more! I'm just so fed up of looking, and want a gorgeous neddy to be coming home!!
 
its a tricky one and i went through similar before I bought Ruby tried several who I liked and on paper loved but didn't float my boat, on paper I liked Ruby but didn't love her photos and videos didn't inspire me at all 'nice but not special' were my words. I tried her and simply had to have her totally head over heels and despite her tantrums still think i made the right choice. Gut instincts when buying horses in my opinion are crucial when you sit on the one you just know
 
I tried a horse on paper and pictures it was great , all singing dancing etc. it would have taught me lots as it was a very well schooled horse. Just didn't get that thing about it

Years later I know the horse again and it's a bloody night mare am so glad that it just didn't make me feel how mine did.

I look at its owner and think I had a lucky escape.
 
I felt the same about my horse when I first tried him but am thoroughly glad I got him: give her another go and if you're still not feeling the spark, walk away.
 
You pour blood sweat and tears not to mention cash when you have a horse. For that to be worth it you have to love it rather than like it. When you view 'the one' you will know. I would trust your gut and leave this one.
 
Good lord people; it's a horse, not a husband! Maybe I'm a jaded old pro, but horses are there to be made, not dropped from heaven with a bow round its' neck!
 
Cortez said:
Good lord people; it's a horse, not a husband! Maybe I'm a jaded old pro, but horses are there to be made, not dropped from heaven with a bow round its' neck!
Click to expand...

true but in the current market it's much easier to get rid of a husband than to sell on a horse that didn't work out :D
 
Cortez said:
Good lord people; it's a horse, not a husband! Maybe I'm a jaded old pro, but horses are there to be made, not dropped from heaven with a bow round its' neck!
Click to expand...

That's true - if you're a pro - or if you're an amateur who likes making a young horse and selling on anything that doesn't 'work' for them. But most amateurs are looking for more than just a horse - they're looking for a friend!!

I sell a lot of youngsters - backed and unbacked - and I almost always spot exactly when a horse takes a grip of a buyer's heart! Like the lady who came looking for a young grey gelding - and fell in love with a chestnut filly! :D (And waited for us to back her.) Or the nervous lady who sat on an angelic 3 year old - frozen with terror - and slowly started to relax - and then came the big grin! (And 2 years on, she's still grinning!)

If you're going to spend a fair bit of money - now and forever more - and devote hours a day, 7 days a week, to riding and caring for a horse (through sickness and health!) then it has to 'talk' to you and tell you it IS the horse for you!
 
If she doesn't make you totally excited at the prospect of getting her home and then seeing her everyday, then walk away.

I have been horse hunting for the past 6 months and went through the same 2 years ago. I was looking for a plain bay gelding 2 years ago and ended up with a knabstrupper mare, I knew she was mine as soon as I saw her photo.

A month previous to this I went through xactly what you are going through - i found the nice bay gelding that ticked all the boxes but felt no excitement. But because i had viewed about 20 others, I thought I was losing the plot, so I bought him. Got him home, he took an instant dislike to my precious old boy, which left me struggling to like him, he didn't seem to like me (walked away from me in the field, just ignored me) and then it started to go pear shaped under saddle with napping, spinning and bolting. I managed to sell him on to someone else who had been interested in him previously.

Now I will always listen to my instinct. It is SO hard to walk away from a perfectly good horse that ticks all the boxes - but its a bit like blind date really, just because the boxes are ticked it doens't necessarily mean its going to be a match made in heaven does it??

As everyone advises, you will know when the right one comes along. Trust yourself and good luck X
 
Of all the horses I've bought, I knew straight away that I wanted them (and haven't regretted buying any). So, I have to conclude that if I have to go away and think about it, it's not the horse for me.
 
If it ticks the boxes thengo for it, I ummed and ahhed about mine and I cannot imagine where I'd be without him now. We weren't instant love.
 
When we were looking for my son we saw a couple that looked great in theory but just didn't have "it". When we went to see HP we were booked to see 2 more that day. We got stuck in a horrendous jam on the motorway so I said that if he wasn't right straight off we wouldn't waste time thinking, we would just leave. He was at the bottom of the size range & heavier than the ideal. We looked over the stable door & that was it! Even when he failed vetting we thought hard, re-negotiated the price & have never regretted it.
 
Great advice from a friend of mine about decisions. Flip a coin on it. Then think carefully - are you disappointed with the way it came up. There's your answer.

Paula
 
My current horse I got after I'd had a horse PTS because he had wobblers and the bought something that turned out to be totally wrong for me. So I sent him to a dealer to sell and then the dealer said how about I try a couple of his horses.

I unenthusiastically tried a couple and then one seemed "OK" as he said I could return him if I didn't like him. When people asked me what he was like I said "he is ugly, sludge coloured with small ears and a funny canter". :eek:

When he arrived I noticed he wasn't ugly at all in fact he is stunning and a bit of care his coat blossomed so that everyone now comments on how lovely it is all the time. He does have small ears and his canter is funny (SI issues) but I knew within a few hours of him arriving that he was with me for life and I could never send him back so I never had him vetted (I suspected he wouldn't pass) - he has the most lovely personable temperament and despite any problems over the years (which you have with most horses) we have had loads of fun together and my heart still sings everytime I see or think of him. :)
 
P.s. I'm not sure what point I was trying to make there as initially because ofthe other disappointments I was very unenthusiastic but as soon as I opened my heart a little he was right in there. It's a tough one - Good Luck :)
 
Do you think it was her spooking that's put you off? Even though on paper she sounds great. I have to say it would me especially doing it at home. But then it all depends what you want her for and that kind of thing might not bother you
 
You always get the bond with them even if its not straight away. Ive had loads of nags in my time and only one that i looked at and put it on the lorry before riding him! He was stunning. The rest we have built up bonds as they respond to you.

I have two filles at present. One i brought as she was what i wanted on paper and cheap, she was essentualy a "head" buy, the other moves and jumpes lovely and i wanted her straight away. I have to say after having them a year , the "head" buy is by far the better horse and the bond with her is better than that of her sister.

Dont write off this mare just yet, i think your suffering from "pre concieved idea syndrome" just as she isnt the horse you have in your head, or is different to what you have previously fell for, dosent mean she wont be an absolute pleasure to own and ride.
 
My yardstick when I am choosing for me is would I want to hack this horse on a rainy morning( I loath hacking).
For my other half I make it a more rational desision based on whether the horse will do the job
As for that special closeness I don't think you get that with every horse and sometimes it takes ages and it arrives when you don't expect it
You say the horse hunt has been a pain and that's is making you feel as if you don't want to commit to this one ride her again if you feel good get her vetted good luck
 
Thanks for all the great advice. I have said no to the owners. There was something holding me back and I wasn't sure what. When I showed the videos to a friend she felt that there was something not at all right with her way of going, so I think my gut was trying to tell me something.

The hunt goes on!!
 
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