BBP2
Well-Known Member
SorryGoing to be honest OP I really hate you for asking this question because now I'm thinking about lots of horses I've known (& being me, loved very much)that I don't know where they are now
The one that got away…
- Thread starter BBP2
- Start date
IrishMilo
Well-Known Member
I don’t know why but this horse is ringing a bell with me. Was it being sold by a lady Essex way who show jumped? The horse had just come back into work?
BBP2
Well-Known Member
My sister still kicks me for picking the arab over him (she is understandably not impressed by my decision and wishes she had bought the QH herself). He was a lovely horse but I really thought he would itch himself to death on all our shelters and be miserable. Had I had all the money and time in the world could have brought them both home for £7k!! I do wonder where he is.
BBP2
Well-Known Member
Some lovely stories here. Funny how some horses grab you so much when you barely even know them.
Lois Lame
Well-Known Member
I sometimes think about Paddy.
My best friend's brother once found a horse for me, a gelding, 8 years old, 15h I think (I'm surprised I can't remember this detail) and, in his words on the telephone, 'I wouldn't be embarrassed to take him into a lead class'. He was apparently a calm and sensible horse and David thought him suitable for me. He had the price of $2500.
I was expecting a phone call from Paddy's owner (some guy I didn't know) and as 8.00pm approached I was getting excited. On the dot, of course, I was right near the phone. As the minutes went by, I was a little, you know, walking around the lounge room no doubt.
And then it was quite a bit later, idk, maybe 20 past, half past, and I said out loud to my partner, "I wonder why he's late..." and do you know what my twit of a husband said? "He's probably calling the vet." My partner and I both have an appalling sense of humour at times and I yelled at him.
Well, Paddy's owner had had to call the vet.
He'd been late to feed the horses that evening, and when he got there, Paddy had had an accident and broken his leg. So he was put down.
So sad for all involved.
I never met Paddy. I've never met the man who owned him. I'm sure they were both lovely.
My best friend's brother once found a horse for me, a gelding, 8 years old, 15h I think (I'm surprised I can't remember this detail) and, in his words on the telephone, 'I wouldn't be embarrassed to take him into a lead class'. He was apparently a calm and sensible horse and David thought him suitable for me. He had the price of $2500.
I was expecting a phone call from Paddy's owner (some guy I didn't know) and as 8.00pm approached I was getting excited. On the dot, of course, I was right near the phone. As the minutes went by, I was a little, you know, walking around the lounge room no doubt.
And then it was quite a bit later, idk, maybe 20 past, half past, and I said out loud to my partner, "I wonder why he's late..." and do you know what my twit of a husband said? "He's probably calling the vet." My partner and I both have an appalling sense of humour at times and I yelled at him.
Well, Paddy's owner had had to call the vet.
He'd been late to feed the horses that evening, and when he got there, Paddy had had an accident and broken his leg. So he was put down.
So sad for all involved.
I never met Paddy. I've never met the man who owned him. I'm sure they were both lovely.
Jinx94
Well-Known Member
You sent me down the rabbit hole of trying to find B'stard (apparently he was... interesting as a yearling
then the name stuck). I remember there being a fb post about him shortly after he sold, but I can't find it for the life of me. Nor any other posts under his stable name, or his passported name. I could be misspelling the latter though.It definitely taught me that if I feel that strongly about an individual, I should go with my gut.
ponyparty
Well-Known Member
A yard I worked at had a young section D in on livery, to potentially be brought on and used in the riding school. Except he was a section D, a bit sharp and green as grass, and nobody really had enough time to put into him to bring him on. I absolutely fell in love with him - he was so beautiful it literally made me well up with tears looking at him 
When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to be suitable, the owner was made aware of how much I’d fallen for him, and she contacted me to discuss offering him to me on full loan. But I turned the offer down as I wasn’t in a position to at the time, and this horse deserved The Absolute Best of everything. I don’t think I’d have had the skills to bring him on myself, and I knew I’d need a lot of support, which I just couldn’t afford at the time. Think he just went back to his owner as a pampered pet. I still think of him sometimes!
But a few months later, when my circumstances had changed considerably, I started working with another of the school horses who was rehabbing from a fractured splint bone, and ended up buying him off them as he was proving too sharp once back in full work. And that was the horse in my profile pic
(edit for typo)
When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to be suitable, the owner was made aware of how much I’d fallen for him, and she contacted me to discuss offering him to me on full loan. But I turned the offer down as I wasn’t in a position to at the time, and this horse deserved The Absolute Best of everything. I don’t think I’d have had the skills to bring him on myself, and I knew I’d need a lot of support, which I just couldn’t afford at the time. Think he just went back to his owner as a pampered pet. I still think of him sometimes!
But a few months later, when my circumstances had changed considerably, I started working with another of the school horses who was rehabbing from a fractured splint bone, and ended up buying him off them as he was proving too sharp once back in full work. And that was the horse in my profile pic
(edit for typo)
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sollimum
Well-Known Member
Well I don't know. With a yard full of retirees and youngsters, I viewed a horse this week. He has not been advertised but strangely enough I saw his ad a year ago (4 hrs from me) and thought he is lovely and then he sold. He is looking for a new home and through a twist of fate I met him this week (moved slightly closer) and he was like an old acquaintance. He has to have a 'good' vetting though, as I have had so much heartbreak, so we shall see. Fingers crossed.
palo1
Well-Known Member
15 years ago I saw a 4 yo pure bred Arab mare for sale - there really was something about her for me. I arranged to see and vet her having checked out as much as I could but it snowed too heavily for me to get there from home. I asked the vendor to wait a couple of days for the weather to settle but was told the mare would go in a group of 10 to the middle East instead. I kept track of her for 6 months in Dubai and some time after that I read she'd died. I can't really bear to think about it even now...
Lois Lame
Well-Known Member
I hope you find him one day.
This could be a whole new genre of books - horse romance. I like it.
BBP2
Well-Known Member
I’m not sure that sounds quite right tho
SEL
Well-Known Member
Cassie
About 15h. Very feisty. The local riding school had picked her up from a dealer but she was far too hot for 99.9% of their clients. I wasn't earning enough to have my own but I did a deal with the RS owner that I could keep her there and she'd be used for a couple of lessons per week.
Was sorting out the £500 for her and bam colic. He called the hunt she was in so much pain. I was working away and was devastated.
In hindsight she was probably a vet bill waiting to happen (that kind of feisty!) but I adored her.
About 15h. Very feisty. The local riding school had picked her up from a dealer but she was far too hot for 99.9% of their clients. I wasn't earning enough to have my own but I did a deal with the RS owner that I could keep her there and she'd be used for a couple of lessons per week.
Was sorting out the £500 for her and bam colic. He called the hunt she was in so much pain. I was working away and was devastated.
In hindsight she was probably a vet bill waiting to happen (that kind of feisty!) but I adored her.
smolmaus
Well-Known Member
At one time, my old instructor, who has a soft spot for ponies in trouble, had taken a risk on a young sports horse who couldn't stop decking people at the same time as I was recovering from a very serious head injury. I wasn't allowed to ride for I think 4 months, I was barely allowed to go up stairs unescorted. The pony, Midnight, wasn't doing anything much either as there wasn't even really a rider for him. So we just hung out together while my sister had her Sunday morning lessons, I gave him a groom, we had a chat. He wasn't the most open creature I've ever met but he was very beautiful and a little traumatised and I was more than a little depressed so obviously I got so attached, so fast.
When I was cleared to ride again, and he had a bit of decompression time I did get to sit on him and he was the wriggliest little eel of a pony, I've still never sat on anything like him, and he tried very hard and he did very well but he definitely wasn't a riding school pony so when it came time for him to find a new home... the dream ended as I didn't have the money, didn't have the time going to university an hour away from the yard, still couldn't drive, mum couldn't help. So sold he was. Never heard anything about him ever again. I'm sure my instructor knew how he was getting on but I never brought myself to ask.
I heard someone talking to a pony called Midnight at an arena hire a year or so ago. Steel grey with dapples, the right height, young and wriggly looking, could have been his double but my Midnight would be in his 20s by now and pure white, so just a reminder.
When I was cleared to ride again, and he had a bit of decompression time I did get to sit on him and he was the wriggliest little eel of a pony, I've still never sat on anything like him, and he tried very hard and he did very well but he definitely wasn't a riding school pony so when it came time for him to find a new home... the dream ended as I didn't have the money, didn't have the time going to university an hour away from the yard, still couldn't drive, mum couldn't help. So sold he was. Never heard anything about him ever again. I'm sure my instructor knew how he was getting on but I never brought myself to ask.
I heard someone talking to a pony called Midnight at an arena hire a year or so ago. Steel grey with dapples, the right height, young and wriggly looking, could have been his double but my Midnight would be in his 20s by now and pure white, so just a reminder.
Chonkers
Well-Known Member
No, in Ireland on the Kildare/Dublin border. Would have been about 10 or 12 years back.
Littlest Hobo
Well-Known Member
OMG. SNAP! I actually had to count back on my fingers to make sure we were not talking about the same mare! I hadn't realised that this exporting to Dubai was so common, though I still have deep resentment towards the people who sent my 'got away' one there.
palo1
Well-Known Member
Yes, it really hurt tbh. I'm not sure what it was about that particular horse but I would have bought her. Whether we'd have made a ridden partnership didn't seem massively important at that time. I haven't got polite words for the mass exportation of Arab horses and now even part breds to feed Middle Eastern endurance. To think of that beautiful young mare in 'training' and then dying/abandoned in god knows what circumstances still really upsets me. I stopped supporting endurance a fair while ago but that is another subject....Sweet mare, I hope her passing was quick.
Cloball
Well-Known Member
Looking through ads for people on here is addictive but terrible.
I have to say though I've never had a relationship with a horse like I do my my little mare. She's so open with her expressions now, I feel like I know exactly what she's thinking.
I have to say though I've never had a relationship with a horse like I do my my little mare. She's so open with her expressions now, I feel like I know exactly what she's thinking.
Jinx94
Well-Known Member
@BBP2, thank you so much for starting this thread.
I've spent a ridiculous amount of time over the last couple of days trying to track mine down and I've found him. He's got his own Instagram and is absolutely adored by his owner. I can finally stop with the what ifs - he's happy, healthy and it looks like he has a fantastic, varied life.
I've spent a ridiculous amount of time over the last couple of days trying to track mine down and I've found him. He's got his own Instagram and is absolutely adored by his owner. I can finally stop with the what ifs - he's happy, healthy and it looks like he has a fantastic, varied life.
FieldOrnaments
Well-Known Member
Oh god my heart horse was called Cassie and also died of colic (not an RS though)
I'm so sorry about your Cassie
marmalade76
Well-Known Member
Yes, a couple. One was a 6yo TB mare, seemingly a saint and so affectionate (she immediately put her forehead on my chest and I cuddled her face). But I didn't like the person selling - a young woman producer/ dealer, she was awkward with questions and appeared to care little for the horse (eg, my 16st YO had gone along with me to view and said to the seller whilst I was riding how she wished she could ride said horse. Seller said why not? YO said I'm 16st, seller didn't seem to have a problem with that) and the mare's withers were rubbed raw, hairless and swollen, I felt that this was no state in which to sell a horse (and she was £2.5k so not cheap for a failed racehorse). I passed because in addition to that, I wondered what health issues the sad little mare was hiding and I was actually out shopping for a companion 
I later felt guilty but when I contacted again I was told she had sold.
Second one was a polo pony in the next village to my yard - advertised on retired/rehoming polo pony page where those looking for homes for their ponies may only ask for a maximum of £500 rehoming fee. This seller wanted the maximum allowed price for her "much loved unicorn", "forever home wanted, would like to stay in touch" blah, blah. I thought what better? A private yard you can see from your home? Another old polo pony for company? Polo pony experience? I thought I would be "picked" as the new home for this pony (a Hispano (sp) Arab and low goal ladies' pony so would have suited me better than the one I already have). But the best home thing was all balls, what she actually want was for someone to hand over cash and take the horse away ASAP. She was renting out her yard which she admitted was paying her mortgage and she wanted her horse gone so she could charge the tenant more money for the two tiny bare paddocks and used my interest to hurry someone else up. I was annoyed and my feeling was that she didn't really care where the horse went at all.
I later felt guilty but when I contacted again I was told she had sold.Second one was a polo pony in the next village to my yard - advertised on retired/rehoming polo pony page where those looking for homes for their ponies may only ask for a maximum of £500 rehoming fee. This seller wanted the maximum allowed price for her "much loved unicorn", "forever home wanted, would like to stay in touch" blah, blah. I thought what better? A private yard you can see from your home? Another old polo pony for company? Polo pony experience? I thought I would be "picked" as the new home for this pony (a Hispano (sp) Arab and low goal ladies' pony so would have suited me better than the one I already have). But the best home thing was all balls, what she actually want was for someone to hand over cash and take the horse away ASAP. She was renting out her yard which she admitted was paying her mortgage and she wanted her horse gone so she could charge the tenant more money for the two tiny bare paddocks and used my interest to hurry someone else up. I was annoyed and my feeling was that she didn't really care where the horse went at all.
BBP2
Well-Known Member
That’s lovely!
Boulty
Well-Known Member
I’ve had a few over the years…
First up was a dun Connie pony who I trialled alongside the Irish bog cob but was persuaded against as would have rapidly outgrown him (although I may have looked better in a saddle that fitted!). He was a bit green but super sweet and kind. He got bought by a much younger girl at the yard so I did get to cuddle him in the field (& curse him when he wouldn’t be caught) for a few years and have a bit of closure. (He also had sweet itch and was a rug trasher). I believe when the kid had outgrown him ability wise (he wasn’t the bravest jumper) he was eventually sold to a small adult to hack and ride on the beach.
Then there’s technically two… when I went to visit DryRot’s stud and ended up with the Fuzzball there was a mouse dun mare that followed me around the field and in different circumstances I would have bought her but she’d been kicked recently and was slightly lame & with distances involved I just couldn’t take the risk in case she didn’t come sound (she did, was backed & I think was sold as a mother / daughter share). She’s the one in the middle
He also showed me a very nice yearling who at that point still had his balls. Totally wasn’t what I was looking for as had nowhere lined up for something that young and balls would deffo have had to go sharpish and I wanted to get out & do relatively quickly hence buying a 3 yr old. (Oh the irony!) He eventually went overheight, got castrated and turned into an awesome looking pony. Oh and I believe his backing was completed before / at around same time Fuzzball’s was eventually. I think he’s the one at the back here.
Then this Summer I went to look at a Welsh D at Sophie Seymour’s yard who was a bit of a work in progress which I was well aware of when I went to look (wouldn’t have been able to afford the “finished” version of him!) On paper he ticked a lot of boxes, he was sound, he felt very surefooted, he was fairly unbothered by traffic etc on the short hack I took him on but was very tense and unsure in the arena (which again I’d been warned about and he did relax as he did a bit more). I just didn’t feel like I “clicked” at all with him and he just didn’t seem to want anything to do with me on the ground either. With some instructor support I think it probably would have worked out ok & I could have been back in the saddle doing stuff this Summer but by the time I’d worked through my thoughts about all that he’d sold. (So then I went off brief & bought a cute youngster although is morphing into the class clown & currently not growing quite as much as I’d like… erm at least I’ll not have far to get back on if I get off I guess?)
First up was a dun Connie pony who I trialled alongside the Irish bog cob but was persuaded against as would have rapidly outgrown him (although I may have looked better in a saddle that fitted!). He was a bit green but super sweet and kind. He got bought by a much younger girl at the yard so I did get to cuddle him in the field (& curse him when he wouldn’t be caught) for a few years and have a bit of closure. (He also had sweet itch and was a rug trasher). I believe when the kid had outgrown him ability wise (he wasn’t the bravest jumper) he was eventually sold to a small adult to hack and ride on the beach.
Then there’s technically two… when I went to visit DryRot’s stud and ended up with the Fuzzball there was a mouse dun mare that followed me around the field and in different circumstances I would have bought her but she’d been kicked recently and was slightly lame & with distances involved I just couldn’t take the risk in case she didn’t come sound (she did, was backed & I think was sold as a mother / daughter share). She’s the one in the middle
He also showed me a very nice yearling who at that point still had his balls. Totally wasn’t what I was looking for as had nowhere lined up for something that young and balls would deffo have had to go sharpish and I wanted to get out & do relatively quickly hence buying a 3 yr old. (Oh the irony!) He eventually went overheight, got castrated and turned into an awesome looking pony. Oh and I believe his backing was completed before / at around same time Fuzzball’s was eventually. I think he’s the one at the back here.
Then this Summer I went to look at a Welsh D at Sophie Seymour’s yard who was a bit of a work in progress which I was well aware of when I went to look (wouldn’t have been able to afford the “finished” version of him!) On paper he ticked a lot of boxes, he was sound, he felt very surefooted, he was fairly unbothered by traffic etc on the short hack I took him on but was very tense and unsure in the arena (which again I’d been warned about and he did relax as he did a bit more). I just didn’t feel like I “clicked” at all with him and he just didn’t seem to want anything to do with me on the ground either. With some instructor support I think it probably would have worked out ok & I could have been back in the saddle doing stuff this Summer but by the time I’d worked through my thoughts about all that he’d sold. (So then I went off brief & bought a cute youngster although is morphing into the class clown & currently not growing quite as much as I’d like
… erm at least I’ll not have far to get back on if I get off I guess?)
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Gosh there’s been a few for me! Lovely mare I did buy but was sadly pts at six years old with tendon damage. She was so lovely. Then when shopping for my highland I tried two others. A gorgeous little mare called Erin who I clicked with straight away but she was just too dinky. And a full up 14.2 highland called basil who was divine but was already showing melanomas aged six. He really was gorgeous. Glenwestcastle breeding.probably should have bought either one of those!
Oh and a Hispano Arab called Farouk who I really really loved but while I was trying to work out how to get the money together he sold.
There was also a little mare called Rhana who is now a broodmare. Really liked her too. Never met her as decided on Quin the week before. Sliding doors!
Oh and a Hispano Arab called Farouk who I really really loved but while I was trying to work out how to get the money together he sold.
There was also a little mare called Rhana who is now a broodmare. Really liked her too. Never met her as decided on Quin the week before. Sliding doors!
millikins
Well-Known Member
I have 2, both PBA. First was a fellow livery's, he was black, 14.3hh and 7/8 Arab, oddly the other bit was Exmoor. I adored him, she was time short and was pleased that I could hack him once a week. Then she had serious personal problems and he had to go, he failed to sell and she offered him to me for free but I said no as he would never have been suitable as a second pony for my daughter who was about 11 and at the time paying for 2 would have been a struggle . I don't have worries about him, he went to someone connected with Arab rescue as her personal horse.
Second was a Sec A/Arab who was about 13.2hh and a beautiful rich dappled bay, we were by then looking for a second pony for daughter. We tried this pony in her own field with no facilities, she lived alone with goats for company and the tack would have fitted something twice her size. She was very green but willing, then went to roll as the saddle by then was halfway up her neck, I was watching, daughter had no idea what was happening until I bawled "GET OFF THE PONY NOW!"
Daughter was put off enough to not want her, I'd have given her a chance since she really tried despite being set up to fail by her useless owner, I kept seeing her advert for ages with the price going down and down, I think about her quite often and hope she found a soft landing.
Second was a Sec A/Arab who was about 13.2hh and a beautiful rich dappled bay, we were by then looking for a second pony for daughter. We tried this pony in her own field with no facilities, she lived alone with goats for company and the tack would have fitted something twice her size. She was very green but willing, then went to roll as the saddle by then was halfway up her neck, I was watching, daughter had no idea what was happening until I bawled "GET OFF THE PONY NOW!"
Daughter was put off enough to not want her, I'd have given her a chance since she really tried despite being set up to fail by her useless owner, I kept seeing her advert for ages with the price going down and down, I think about her quite often and hope she found a soft landing.
FabioandFreddy
Well-Known Member
After my husband lost his TB (Freddy) we were horse hunting and tried a lovely ex racer called Anchor (Check the Anchor) at Sue Ringrose place near Louth. 16.1 Chestnut Gelding. I adored him. He was only 4 but really sweet and willing in the school. Gave a nice feel jumping. We both rode him as i pick up during the week if hubby is busy. Anyway he didn't like him hacking, too kickalong for him. I was gutted. If we'd been looking for me i'd have had him in a heartbeat. I had Fabio then so it was a no go. I think another lady was interested in him for just hacking. I often wonder where he ended up and have searched when i've been horse hunting for me since on the off chance he came up! Still got a little video on my Youtube somewhere of me jumping him.
sollimum
Well-Known Member
He flew through his vetting today.
HopOnTrot
Well-Known Member
I should have bought the 3yo NF instead of the 5yo ex-racer! Lovely solid leg at each corner NF too