To Stallion or not to Stallion...

The singing was nice.

Who knows if it is the right horse or not? If it is, I can see why it would be sold to someone less experienced, who would just enjoy the horse for what it is, and for the fact that it does appear to be very obedient. It may be a match made in heaven.

Every horse is someone's dream horse.

Hedgepig, if you like the horse, go for it. Even though you know the seller slightly, or in fact very much so because you do (as difficulties later down the line can often break up a friendship) I would have the horse vetted by an independent, equine specialist, vet.

I have known several stallions that you would not have known were stallions when kept properly. If ever you had to move yards, I know that many good SJ yards have stallions and also accept livery. I would think top dressage yards would be the same. It sounds like you did not intend to go board him down at the local DIY yard anyway.
 
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TPO said:
Don't have a dog in this fight and it has zero impact on me if the OP is telling the truth or not but is it really necessary to start slagging off a horse that belongs to and was trained by someone who is not on this forum?

The OP question was about stallion keeping in the UK and the handling of stallions. Nothing more and nothing less.

Now it's descended into criticising a stranger's horse and its competition record and perceived training and riding.

If you've nothing better going on in your lives than to take the time to set about the OP rather than just scrolling on by that's not my circus but it's really not necessary to start on a horse that belongs to someone else?

Nothing on the internet dies and trash talk about a horse will be there for someone to find at any point in the present or future. What if it is decided to stand this horse at stud and a thread full of people who don't train or ride to that level are criticising the ability of the horse.
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TPO said:
I'm not the forum police and people can post whatever they want. However some of what is posted on here, not just this thread, is out of order, unkind and unnecessary at times.

Someone owns this horse, at least one person has put time and effort into producing and competing him. I just dont agree that it is right for someone to start criticising all of that when a critique wasnt asked for and no one knows the horse let alone had sat on it.

FWIW I didnt see any post from MP critising the horse or the rider in any video(s)
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I agree. The details were added as extra context, not stalking fodder. This has gotten out of hand.
 
TPO said:
Don't have a dog in this fight and it has zero impact on me if the OP is telling the truth or not but is it really necessary to start slagging off a horse that belongs to and was trained by someone who is not on this forum?

The OP question was about stallion keeping in the UK and the handling of stallions. Nothing more and nothing less.

Now it's descended into criticising a stranger's horse and its competition record and perceived training and riding.

If you've nothing better going on in your lives than to take the time to set about the OP rather than just scrolling on by that's not my circus but it's really not necessary to start on a horse that belongs to someone else?

Nothing on the internet dies and trash talk about a horse will be there for someone to find at any point in the present or future. What if it is decided to stand this horse at stud and a thread full of people who don't train or ride to that level are criticising the ability of the horse.
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You took the words right out of my mouth! I am amazed at the number of people on this forum who have nothing better to do than to dig up info and then rubbish strangers on here. There are far more important things in life, and I'm not surprised that Hedgepig had had enough of you lot.
 
Hello forum,

I hope that this last post will end the speculation, some of which has been quite unkind.

The horse in question is Zen.

In a meeting this morning with the owner we have decided to not go ahead with the purchase of this stallion. The main reason for my part is he is simply too much horse for me and given he was for me, relying on my partner to make up the shortfall in skills is not a sensible approach for a horse of this calibre. Could we make it work, probably. But given the risks in a stallion we feel its a little too ambitious for the moment. I am personally quite disappointed, sad really. But we feel it is the right decision. I hope you will share my feelings here and try to support our being 'grown up' about it. I must send a shout out to the folks at Fitzworthy, they were nothing short of amazing too. (I think they might be even more disappointed!) :)

As discovered in the DM article, Zen is a friendly chap. :)

I would ask that suggestions like our ability to afford the horse etc come to an end, or where the money comes from is really quite bizarre. I don't even understand the relevance. Finances played a fairly small role in this decision. Though I will say the associated costs (for anyone wanting a high spec stallion) are not small. To those who treated this whole thing as surprising but unusual and supported us I must say a special thank you. I have shared videos and photos of me and my gf on the horse and yes, even performing his airs. All true. All real. For where I have been vague it was motivated by a single desire to protect the identity of the man who owns the horse for whom I have a huge amount of respect. And he is also a friend. Unfortunately this has not stopped much of the speculation but that will be for someone else to answer. I have no doubt he will read this at some point as has been said and may try to determine who the real people are behind these claims. It is a small community after all.

For now we have put our search for a horse on hold. This experience has highlighted several areas where I (as a rider) need to improve and I shall be working with the trainer to get these dealt with, where we may in fact go through this process again. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to ride this horse and in a wider sense be exposed to a school of riding I really didn't know much about to start.

So in closing I have learnt a lot about turning to an open forum for advice. For one I think I need thicker skin before I come back here. :D
I don't accept that the broader/wider horse community is rude and opinionated, as was suggested. I have found the direct messages from several senior members to be nothing short of amazing and without naming names I say thank you.

Happy to stick around and answer more questions if anyone has them, but I will ask please that the speculation ends today. Thank you. Hedge.

(Edited to correct spelling errors.)
 
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Thank you HP for coming back and sharing your decision, I'm another who is a bit disappointed but tbh I think you done the right thing if you think you would be a bit over-horsed but don't under horse yourself either, you seem like someone who is up for a challenge and might get bored with a horse that is too easy. I've found this forum a great resource, very supportive and sometimes quite direct. Having been a member for few years now, I know who I trust to give me sensible advice and tbh I disregard the rest. Don't disappear and please let us know how you get on in your quest for a horsey partner. The best bit of advice I've been given (and some won't agree) is if you buy the wrong horse, don't stick with it too long, be prepared to spend a bit of money on good training and if that doesn't work, move it on to someone more suitable and start again. Good luck!
 
I have just bought a 4 year old PRE stallion, he is very easy to handle and ride, he hacks with the others and is turned out daily with a other gelding. He also is happy to tie up with mares coming past. I imported him 2 weeks ago.
 

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charlie76 said:
I have just bought a 4 year old PRE stallion, he is very easy to handle and ride, he hacks with the others and is turned out daily with a other gelding. He also is happy to tie up with mares coming past. I imported him 2 weeks ago.
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GASP, that horse is GORGEOUS!!

Sorry to hear, HP, maybe you’ll gain a bit more time back in the saddle and you’ll be able to re-evaluate in the future if you feel you can handle it!!
 
HP thanks for the update. After all the speculation its very nice of you to have done that. I'm sorry it didn't work out but I think you made a very wise decision. When you start to look for a horse for you, you will find HHO an incredible lot for scouring Facebook and all the selling sites for you for anything that meets your spec (and a few that don't 😂).

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Thanks for the update Hedge. I feel a bit sad for you too - what an amazing opportunity came your way! Definitely a story for the grandkids!! The day I did levade on Zen!! However, it sounds like you’ve made a sensible decision with the horses best interests primarily at heart and THAT means that when you do eventually find a horse of your own, you will be a very good owner. You’ve got your head screwed on right and I wish you lots of luck with the next chapter!
 
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