FestiveFuzz
Well-Known Member
So following on from my last thread, I decided against buying the dressage horse unseen for all the incredibly valid points you folks made, so thanks for that. However I did go try the schoolmaster before we left for skiing. He's a 16.2hh 13yo ISH.
Initial thought was "wow he's pretty under weight given the winter we've had" think condition score 1 maybe 2 if I'm generous.
Watched him ridden by yard and seemed a nice sort, a little looky but not reactive at all. Had a rather enthusiastic canter but think that was partly due to the rider trying to fix his head into a false outline...was tempted to shout "forget about his head for now and just ride him" but instead wrapped up her ride and hopped on myself.
His walk needs a bit of work, his old owner was a complete novice when he was bought so I think he's been allowed to plod along a bit but soon responded after a few nudges with my leg. Trot was super comfy and left to his own devices he will offer up a nice outline naturally. He's obviously used to preempting things as as soon as I shortened up my reins a little he squealed, popped the tiniest little kick of the heels (so small I had to ask my trainer what he'd actually done) and bounced into canter on the wrong lead. Stopped, asked again and got a lovely rocking horse canter on the right leg. Gave him his head on the long side and pushed him on and he lengthened beautifully without getting excited. We had a slight misunderstanding on the right rein canter as there were jumps up and clearly he's used to being jumped as soon as he changes rein...motorbiked round the top of the school and panicked a little but as soon as I remembered to ride him and half halted he came straight back to me. Funnily enough even when he motorbiked I never felt unsafe on him, just think I panicked as I was bolted with at a viewing years ago and it has stayed with me. Checked our brakes round the top a couple more and then out of nowhere decided to jump him over a 2'3" upright...bearing in mind I rarely jump these days, could count on one hand the amount of times I jumped H over 2'3" and never, ever feel brave enough to jump a horse I don't know at a viewing.
We've negotiated on price...he's £3k including all tack and wardrobe and they'll do a new set of shoes too. There was a niggle in the back of my mind that he's overpriced given his current condition and that he's a little livelier than I'd expect for a schoolmaster (and realistically will only get more so once he's put on weight and is fitter). However despite all this I liked the way that even when he acted up I felt brave enough to ride him through it and am still beaming at the fact I jumped him and that's before we've even built up trust. However a few friends have since echoed my thoughts on price and I'm doubting myself. The owner won't budge on price so it's a case of continue with the sale subject to 5 stage vetting or walk away.
Help!
Initial thought was "wow he's pretty under weight given the winter we've had" think condition score 1 maybe 2 if I'm generous.
Watched him ridden by yard and seemed a nice sort, a little looky but not reactive at all. Had a rather enthusiastic canter but think that was partly due to the rider trying to fix his head into a false outline...was tempted to shout "forget about his head for now and just ride him" but instead wrapped up her ride and hopped on myself.
His walk needs a bit of work, his old owner was a complete novice when he was bought so I think he's been allowed to plod along a bit but soon responded after a few nudges with my leg. Trot was super comfy and left to his own devices he will offer up a nice outline naturally. He's obviously used to preempting things as as soon as I shortened up my reins a little he squealed, popped the tiniest little kick of the heels (so small I had to ask my trainer what he'd actually done) and bounced into canter on the wrong lead. Stopped, asked again and got a lovely rocking horse canter on the right leg. Gave him his head on the long side and pushed him on and he lengthened beautifully without getting excited. We had a slight misunderstanding on the right rein canter as there were jumps up and clearly he's used to being jumped as soon as he changes rein...motorbiked round the top of the school and panicked a little but as soon as I remembered to ride him and half halted he came straight back to me. Funnily enough even when he motorbiked I never felt unsafe on him, just think I panicked as I was bolted with at a viewing years ago and it has stayed with me. Checked our brakes round the top a couple more and then out of nowhere decided to jump him over a 2'3" upright...bearing in mind I rarely jump these days, could count on one hand the amount of times I jumped H over 2'3" and never, ever feel brave enough to jump a horse I don't know at a viewing.
We've negotiated on price...he's £3k including all tack and wardrobe and they'll do a new set of shoes too. There was a niggle in the back of my mind that he's overpriced given his current condition and that he's a little livelier than I'd expect for a schoolmaster (and realistically will only get more so once he's put on weight and is fitter). However despite all this I liked the way that even when he acted up I felt brave enough to ride him through it and am still beaming at the fact I jumped him and that's before we've even built up trust. However a few friends have since echoed my thoughts on price and I'm doubting myself. The owner won't budge on price so it's a case of continue with the sale subject to 5 stage vetting or walk away.
Help!