new horse try out - opinions albeit nice ones please

ceiron

ceiron

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3 May 2007
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Bedfordshire, luton.
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right, this will be long so if you just want pretty pics then heres the link

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6161&id=100000817196857&l=3a3da344de

her name is riley, she is a 12yr old 16hh irish draft x warmblood.

has done xc, ode, dressage, hunting, fun rides, jumping.

has been ridden by all the family from 8yr old to adult.

hacks alone/ in company.

good to shoe, clip, box etc ...

i went to view her today and the owner is lovely and very genuine

i got her in from field, groomed her, tacked her up and then the owner rode her in the school first and popped her over a jump.

i then got on and as you can see had little trouble with ill fitting stirrups but managed to walk, trot and canter relatively ok.

so no harshness on stirrups please.

i then took her out completely alone on the road and she was an angel.

described as a novice horse which she is but forward going but not at all strong and snaffle mouthed.

she will take a little bit of time to bond with but will be so worth it i think.

gets her confidence from rider and as i was little nervous she was a little hesitant but did not nap at all and just ambled along til i asked her to walk on.

changes pace effortlessly and bends like its so easy.

rides from the seat which is very new to me but i sort of got the hang of it and thus means very little pressure on the reins which again is new to me.

respondent off the leg but comes back to voice or gentle pull on rein.

she has had winter off and done very little work so isnt the fittest nor most muscled but looks relatively good i think.

i am quite proud of my riding seeing as its been 6 weeks since i rode and ages since a proper lesson.

so please be nice there also.

i am going back weds to hack her out in company for 2 hours approx :S where we will cover roads, fields, bridges, gates and galloping across a field.

nervous i am but excited also, i do trust the mare to keep me safe.

any questions or comments muchly welcome

plus what do you think is a fair price for her?

i do have a figure but was wondering what everyone else thought if you would humour me.
 
Sorry, that's a very nice horse but you are way too big for her. The 'picture' is not good and you look completely underhorsed.

I really don't like seeing big people on quality horses and though she has bone of sorts, she doesn't look like a weight-carrier.

Do her a favour and leave her for someone a bit smaller.

ETA - nothing wrong with your riding!
 
Agreed, she's too small to carry you comfortably. But a lovely looking little mare, similar dap to my horse.

I think you need something with a lot more bone and bigger.
 
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I think that a horse that takes up your leg better would be more suitable :). As you relax over time and practice, you'll find your leg will drop and wrap around a bit more (as your seat gets deeper) and you may well find your legs run out of horse.

She looks lovely :)
 
I actually don't think you look too bad height wise (so many riders over horse themselves) but I do think you look too heavy for her. Something of a similar size but of heavier build would carry you easier and take up your leg better. Good luck with your hunt - its not easy!
 
Sadly, you are whaaaaaaay to big for her:eek:. Just look at the front view, you'll see how narrow she is and under that winter fur, how fine. Keep looking for something with bone. It's a shame as she could be wonderful, just not for you to be fair.:(

Good luck in your search. I'm sure there's one put there just waiting to be found.:)
 
I did see these photos last night and as I have already said to you she is a lovely looking horse! I didn’t comment any further as I know how it feels to be on the heavy side however as a friend I feel it is only fair that I do comment and be open and honest with you. I don’t think she is suitable for you she looks very fine under that winter coat and not at all built like Daisy. IN MY OPINION Even when you lose weight something built like Riley wouldn’t be suitable. This is just my opinion thought if you are happy she is comfortable carrying you and she is not struggling then go for it! Personally I would go for something heavier built like Daisy – There are plenty of cobs out there who are more than capable of doing dressage and jumping to decent levels my HW cob Billy was schooling elementary competing novice and jumping 3ft courses when he retired.
 
Hisorry but have to agree - that horse is way too small for you, as a 'larger lady' I know what its like....my ideal horse would be a TB but due to my height and weight I got a clydesdale (trying to lose weight, lost 1 stone since dec) however just because a horse can carry you, doesnt mean it should.....keep on looking I say, you need a nice stocky hunter type at the very least.....x
 
Cieron, have you decided what you are going to do? It must have been hard reading all those replys. I think even though she could and did carry you, she is slight and under that winter coat even slighter, it would not be comfortable or pleasant for her, especially on 2 hour hacks. We have all wanted unsuitable horses, just the way it goes sometimes, there are some fab choices above though, good luck.
 
Agree with everyone else, she just isn't big enough and at times I think she does look as if she is struggling to balance with you. At the risk of sounding very critical I wouldn't be hacking a horse out for 2 hours with gallops etc if she is so unfit and unmuscled - which shows in the pics.
 
Oh dear I am sorry I agree with the others too. Must be horrible reading all these replies having thought you might have found the perfect horse, but I honestly dont think she is the one for you
 
First I want to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with your riding, you actually have a very good position in the saddle.

Sadly I agree that the mare is too small for you, you look very underhorsed - sorry:(
 
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