Question of the week: Would you put up with a 'quirky horse'?

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bridgetjones

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Lookit, new question of the week! (Argh, I'm a geek) (Worse still, I just rhymed...)

Anyhoo, I have to say that I am renowned for having 'quirky' horses (or mentalists, as I fondly think of them). If I was given the choice beforehand, I think I'd rather have something lovely and straight forward.

Trouble is, I'd never give something quirky the boot once I had it, as I fall in love far too easily!
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And on reflection, don't we all love a challenge?! (e.g. Being able to say, "I tamed the mentalist frothing at the mouth ex-racehorse"...!)
 
i've waitedso long for a horse i think i would take anything! and also if i got summin rly quirky id never have the heart to give it bk orsell itim too much of a softy!
 
I often used to think it would be nice to hack out on a civilized horse, rather than a bouncing chestnut beast which threw foam from her mouth all over me, but to be honest, I would very soon have been bored. She has never done me any harm and we actually had some nice hacks occasionally.
 
OHH i dunno- would love a quiet safe feeling hack! instead of leaping around on my as yet untamed frothing at the mouth ex-racehorse!!
 
I waited all my life and ended up with a 'quirky' horse. but she's the only horse I've got or am ever likely to have. She was up for sale after she had 'settled', but She's not really going to improve temperament wise........and I love her for all her Diva ways!
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So yes, I put up with her ways (sigh)
 
as people we all have quirks, thats what makes us who we are, and our horses are the same. It would be awfully boring if they just behaved, what would we have to talk about!
 
I once bought a thoroughly safe competition horse on the advice of the OH that I should be more careful and I found him thoroughly boring! I had to sell him on (he was very easy to sell and found a lovely home) just because nothing exciting happened. So I suppose I deserve the quirky horses I have!
 
Don't worry, my ex-hurdler has only taken 3 years to learn how to go quietly on the flat and the road! He's a lovely bum now though
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doesn't even bolt at poles on the floor anymore, tis amazing
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Wouldn't be without him!

He's not actually badly behaved or difficult- he just has a VERY quirky sense of humour, is easily bored and will always look for ways to liven things up.

He makes me laugh which puts us in a catch 22, because he then assumes that I'm thinking it's as much fun as him and he plays up all the more! I need to learn to growl more.
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He's a bit spoilt.....
 
One of mine is very quirky, it would be nice for him to be straight forwards and easy in every way and in some ways I wish he was but he would soon become boring and if I hadn't of had some quirky horses in the past I wouldn't be the rider I am today. I am constantly learning and improving with one of my boys at the moment because he is quirky with certain things and sometimes like today he can be difficult in situations he is usually perfect in.
TBH for me all the bad days make the good days even better and more worthwhile if you are sat on something a little trickier.
 
The small ginger one used to be fizzy, couldn't hack alone or in more than a two, naps, bucks, did small rears, has bolted, had to be sedated to be shod or treat by the vet, and was a bugger to catch at times and I put up with her
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2 years on she's only silly in large groups and throws the odd small buck in when excited and is perfect and bombproof in every other way.
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I don't think I'd go through that again though.

Fudge was a real spooker, a bit nappy and very bolshy to handle and is now mostly an angel apart from the odd bolshy moment and being quirky to school.

I would say his behaviour when I first had him would be my limit on quirky or bad behaviour these days.
 
merlin is VERY quirky
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But then all talented horses are
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thats how it goes
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But he is a horse in a million - he acts up at home but does his job at an event!
 
All my horses have been quirky mares. Jenny is the quirkiest of them all. I love quirky horses. I enjoy getting them to work with me instead of against me and when you do, you generally find they go the extra mile for you. Jenny is a one in million horse to me - but definitely not an easy ride or most people's cup of tea. She's very opinionated and needs tactful handling and so long as you can make her believe everything you suggest was her idea all along she'll do whatever you want. I love her to bits.
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I've got both, you can almost see the horns and halo!

If I have to choose, the straightforward horse stays. Ten years ago I think I'd have stuck with the other mare.
 
i think everyone gets to a point where they have had enough of quirky horses- it also depends on what you class as quirky!

so many people class their horses as quirky because they aren't bombproof and hald dead; it really makes me giggle laugh that most livery yards seem to run an unofficial competition for the most difficult horse!

i have had my fair share of quirky horses and am now thoroughly enjoying my totally straightforward 4yro- i love untouched youngsters but wouldn't have a really quirky horse again.
 
I wouldn't have mine if it wasn't for his quirks, he was quite talented in his day, and the hunting or SJ home would have kept him if he was more straightforward.
I know I'm lucky, he was affordable and came my way.
 
My mare is quirky, but we are working through it. She naps and gets very dangerous on the roads if she is in "one of those moods"
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She is an ex racer and I bought her fully aware of her quirks and I was aware that she would be hard work, and she was only 4.
To be honest I think that if I bought something straight forward and "ready made" I would get bored. I need a challange!
 
lol if its not quirky I'd have to check its pulse!

However like a cat you only have so many lives, sometimes it nice to be able to leave the yard knowing full well you'll be back in once peice, not having to make sure you have your mobile topped up and be fully charged...keeping to areas where you have full reception!
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Yes - they are all quirky in their own little way!!
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Agree completely
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Couldn't vote on the Poll as I felt there was no answer to suit my thoughts. They talk as quirky being difficult/dangerous etc.
 
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