book_lover
Well-Known Member
Hi there,
I rode a lot when younger, had my own horse (who it turned out needed a lot of work), worked in stables, exercised other peoples' horses.... then had a good 12 or more years off and am back in the saddle now, some riding lessons, some hacking out on an older Clydesdale X, etc. I still feel totally comfortable in saddle but instructors didn't give me any feedback on riding - other people in class were being corrected but not me - perhaps I have maintained my technique or perhaps they were just busy! My daughter has her own pony now, and I am looking to buy one for myself. I am struggling with all the cloaked-speak in these ads, and for example drove 7 hours round trip the other day to view a horse who was underweight with no muscle tone - an ex racer who was desperate to please but unschooled and without brakes. I didn't feel unsafe actually aboard this lovely gentle creature. But didn't want to take him as we are live OUT livery, and was concerned about getting his condition up and maintaining it. Also he perhaps needed someone with more recent experience than me.
I'm really struggling, when I do find an "ideal" horse, get chatting with owner by email/FB and it turns out the horse has some sort of vice - evades the bridle, tosses it's head and jogs when hot/sweaty, etc. etc. etc. Or the other end of the scale, the horse is a star competer and is totally out of budget. Advised to avoid TBs and warm bloods and go native, only to be advised that natives can be stubborn (we are having bucking/napping problems with my child's native pony and I don't want another dose of that!). My ideal would probably be a 10-12 yo 15.2hh medium-boned horse. I've been told to avoid Welsh Ds, Friesians, TBs, etc. etc. I'm basically quite confused. When I find a good horse it turns out to be 5 yo, too young. And so on. If you could help me get my list of priorities straight that would be amazing. I suppose what I want is the perfect horse! Well mannered, forward but only when asked, has brakes!, enjoys jumping - teacher rather than needing to be taught.... having said that I am happy to work on fitness or schooling with a horse who has been out of work - as long as he or she is safe and gives me confidence.
Does such a horse really exist? And does it exist in my part of the world for under £2,000?? (even better if under £1,5000). I would appreciate any help whatsoever. I'm starting to get distrustful of sellers which is not good.... As an aside, I would also consider loan and ideally LWVTB but I appreciate that sellers have reasons for not liking LWVTB. And I am away quite a lot in April so would be looking to bring horse home in May.
TIA!
I rode a lot when younger, had my own horse (who it turned out needed a lot of work), worked in stables, exercised other peoples' horses.... then had a good 12 or more years off and am back in the saddle now, some riding lessons, some hacking out on an older Clydesdale X, etc. I still feel totally comfortable in saddle but instructors didn't give me any feedback on riding - other people in class were being corrected but not me - perhaps I have maintained my technique or perhaps they were just busy! My daughter has her own pony now, and I am looking to buy one for myself. I am struggling with all the cloaked-speak in these ads, and for example drove 7 hours round trip the other day to view a horse who was underweight with no muscle tone - an ex racer who was desperate to please but unschooled and without brakes. I didn't feel unsafe actually aboard this lovely gentle creature. But didn't want to take him as we are live OUT livery, and was concerned about getting his condition up and maintaining it. Also he perhaps needed someone with more recent experience than me.
I'm really struggling, when I do find an "ideal" horse, get chatting with owner by email/FB and it turns out the horse has some sort of vice - evades the bridle, tosses it's head and jogs when hot/sweaty, etc. etc. etc. Or the other end of the scale, the horse is a star competer and is totally out of budget. Advised to avoid TBs and warm bloods and go native, only to be advised that natives can be stubborn (we are having bucking/napping problems with my child's native pony and I don't want another dose of that!). My ideal would probably be a 10-12 yo 15.2hh medium-boned horse. I've been told to avoid Welsh Ds, Friesians, TBs, etc. etc. I'm basically quite confused. When I find a good horse it turns out to be 5 yo, too young. And so on. If you could help me get my list of priorities straight that would be amazing. I suppose what I want is the perfect horse! Well mannered, forward but only when asked, has brakes!, enjoys jumping - teacher rather than needing to be taught.... having said that I am happy to work on fitness or schooling with a horse who has been out of work - as long as he or she is safe and gives me confidence.
Does such a horse really exist? And does it exist in my part of the world for under £2,000?? (even better if under £1,5000). I would appreciate any help whatsoever. I'm starting to get distrustful of sellers which is not good.... As an aside, I would also consider loan and ideally LWVTB but I appreciate that sellers have reasons for not liking LWVTB. And I am away quite a lot in April so would be looking to bring horse home in May.
TIA!