Next chapter in the horse hunting saga

TheBlackMoth

TheBlackMoth

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Ok - went for revisit to last week's horse - and unfortunately it was a no - the girls didn't even ride today. Although the horse jumped - it had the rider of once and got very over excited after every jump.

So today we have been to see a black mare - what do you think

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She looks really nice.


BTW, someone at my yard is selling her horse and I have just thought that she might be ideal for you, though I guess a bit of a journey. She is ref HM728D034.
 
Well she is only a baby - 5 and quite green - but shows tremendous potential and has a lovely temperament.

Abby would have to do a year or so of local shows again as she is not quite ready for BSJA. But at this stage we think she is worth it and Abby is only 15 - plenty of time to move to seniors.

Apparently, she has great breeding - she is called Vandelita.
 
I can't get Photobucket to work, video won't download. She looks very big and long. As she is green she won't be the easiest horse to jump.
 
She sailed over the jumps - with a lovely effortless jump. However, I am fully aware of my own greenness - so Abby is having a lesson on her tomorrow from her own instructor and we will get feedback that way.
 
She is lovely but as Diesel Dog says she is very big and long.Huge! More of a mans horse. She is far too big for your daughter at the moment and she will find it very difficult to keep her collected, balanced and together for showjumping.

This mare at 15.2 would be super but I honestly feel that she is far too big for your daughter at the moment. She doesnt look all that comfortable on her.

Nice horse tho.
 
She looks sweet enough, but I have to agree with DD's comment of "big and long"; quite hard work for such a slight young girl (albeit a nice looking rider
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I'm think Abby could have more fun on something a little more compact and older
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Abby has tried 15 1 and 15 2 - they have been too small. From our experience she needs at least 15 3 or 16.

This horse hunting lark is the most exhausting thing ever - and I cannot imagine anyone ever does it for fun.

From what I have seen looking around, I don't really have as much money as you would need to get the type of horse that Abby is looking for.

I am constantly aware that if we get something older - it could end up costing us a lot of money - and I could really do without that. Add to that we are on livery - if we had our own land I wouldn't worry about it. But the idea of having to try and find a loving home for an older horse because we can't compete him anymore fills me with dread. I know it can be done - but it's not really something I want to face.

And then you have the dilemma of why does an older horse not have over £100 BSJA winnings - is it because it can't do it or if not - why has it been off work for so long etc. My head is spinning with it.

Whatever we get is going to be a compromise - either older than we would like or younger. At this stage younger seems a better choice as we have plenty of time - Abby isn't rushing off to do BSJA tomorrow now she has decided to move on to seniors.
 
Just to add that Abby is a bit nervous at the moment as she hasn't really ridden since she broke her collar bone. It takes some courage to get on a strange horse when the last time you did you got chucked at a fence!! I am very proud of her.
 
How big is the mare exactly?

I think calling Steve Lamb would be a good bet. He is opposite ends of the country to you but he has about 100 of horses for sale,all dutch/belgain warmbloods with showjumping breeding. and many perfectly nice 3/4/5 year olds which he is selling for under £5 k.

Ive known of a few horses bought from him for £3-4k as 4 year olds -and theyve gone on to win everything ( with amateur riders) and then been sold for £20k when they are 6 !

Hang in there you'll find something fab in the end !
 
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Just to add that Abby is a bit nervous at the moment as she hasn't really ridden since she broke her collar bone. It takes some courage to get on a strange horse when the last time you did you got chucked at a fence!! I am very proud of her.

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Gosh, yes, I'm not surprised, and I am most impressed with her nice quiet riding in the pics.
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Abby has tried 15 1 and 15 2 - they have been too small. From our experience she needs at least 15 3 or 16.

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Oh I can relate to that.
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I think Abby is the same height as me (ish) and my v compact 16hher is spot on for me. However, my 16.2, (a mere 2 inches difference height wise) is in many ways a much larger horse (big neck, way longer body, more substantial type) and in that respect is strictly speaking too big for me - which is what I see with the one above that Abby is riding. Size isn't just about height, and I think that one may be a tad big for her. Having said that, I've had my biggy since I was 15 and always been safe on her, but it's not always been easy, hence my comments.

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This horse hunting lark is the most exhausting thing ever - and I cannot imagine anyone ever does it for fun.

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LOL! I can relate to that. I did 15 months of it to find my last one
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From what I have seen looking around, I don't really have as much money as you would need to get the type of horse that Abby is looking for.

I am constantly aware that if we get something older - it could end up costing us a lot of money - and I could really do without that. Add to that we are on livery - if we had our own land I wouldn't worry about it. But the idea of having to try and find a loving home for an older horse because we can't compete him anymore fills me with dread. I know it can be done - but it's not really something I want to face.

And then you have the dilemma of why does an older horse not have over £100 BSJA winnings - is it because it can't do it or if not - why has it been off work for so long etc. My head is spinning with it.

Whatever we get is going to be a compromise - either older than we would like or younger. At this stage younger seems a better choice as we have plenty of time - Abby isn't rushing off to do BSJA tomorrow now she has decided to move on to seniors.


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Oh yes, I can understand all that, it does make sense. But if you look for something around about 10 years old (ish) then I don't think the above should be too much of a problem
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Hope I am not sounding too defensive. I am taking everything on board.

I must admit I am so sick of hunting I just want each horse we see to be 'the one' so I don't have to put my heart in my mouth all the time watching the girls ride 'strange' horses.

We will see how tomorrow goes. Our instructor wont let us buy something completely wrong. She also thinks we need to look at something around 8.
 
Gosh, no, not too defensive at all
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I think you have a very good balance. In that you're very aware about what your girls need/suit and still prepared to take advice.
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I wish you lots of luck in your ongoing search!
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Just to say- I saw the videos and think your daughters riding is so calm and on point for someone who was injured by trying out a horse! My friend has a horse from Steve Lamb, wonder if it is worth your while to make a trip down and try out several in a day?
 
Is your daughter realy prepared for taking on a 5yo, we went down that route for my 15yo, she found that she just didnt have the time GCSE's etc, and maturity to deal with it. We got a 5 yo TB who was perfectly well behaved when she was being proffessionaly schooled and quickly went down hill. My daughter has really tried hard and the horse is now going forwards nicely and jumping, but she has found it blooming hard work and to be honest has missed the 'fun element'.

We have made the heartbreaking desicion to sell the 5yo (and will no doubt make a loss) and find something a little older (not over 10) and more established. This may not be the case for this horse but something to bear in mind if you dont want to be horse hunting (again) in 6 months time.
 
The other option is whilst the summer holidays are still just about wtih us, is for her to go to spend a week at a workimg jumping yard - chances are she would be able to ride several different types of horse and be assessed as to what would be the most suitable for her (and also what she enjoys riding the most). Silly things like a crap saddle or poor trial facilities could influence your decision, and if you try several horses at a reputable jumping yard then this could work well. Not sure who to suggest though, but I am sure that someone on here would be able to make some suggestions?

btw - not keen on the horse in the pics. She rides her well enough, but I once the horse is furnished a bit more, there will be a LOT of horse under her!
 
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