Trying horses today - can you hear my knees Knocking

[Flibble]

So Nervous Nellie here is off to try horses at a dealership today. I am suffering from what I used to call hunter trial stomach. I dont know the dealer but have been recommended by some good supportive friends.

I hate trying horses but only an idiot or someone who was professional would buy and not try. I am not joking when I say I met a very nice lady who was so nervous about trying horses she bought from the field as she was too embarassed to try in front of owners.

Hopefully my dreadfull nerves will mean if I like one I will have an idea of how it copes with me.

The plan is :

Try horses (there is a bit of choice) if I think one suits get my friend to pop on.
I cant see any point in getting her on everything as we arent out to waste peoples time.

Get dealer to jump it properly then if we really like pop some ickle jumps either hack out or arrange to go back and hack out.

Ride in fields pop some logs if I like enough hopefully an ickle ditch and whatever else go back again.

Yes I have a list of questions.

 

[Wizzkid]

Good luck let us know how you get on

 

[welsh_mare]

Good luck

You plan sounds perfect, and I know exactly how you feel I was talking to friend the other day and she is the same, we just don't like riding other people's horses in front of them, silly really but you can't help the way you feel and you are Definatly not alone in this.

Let us know how you get on

 

[a_e_d]

Good luck, hope you find the right horse today apparently telling yourself its not nerves, its excitement is meant to work (I say apparently )

When I got Andy, I didn't try him In my defence with Andy, my instructor came with me and her daughter rode and jumped him for me. I knew it would be pointless for me to ride him: I would be so wound up, it wouldn't be a fair representation of how I could ride him and would probably all go horribly wrong as I would be so tense. I trusted my instructors, when watching him ridden, when they said that he wouldn't be too much for me. I didn't care about looking an idiot though, and if I thought I would have ridden him like I did at home, I would have got on without question.

I grew up a lot in the year I had Andy, and when I went to see Dixie, I did ride him

 

[Flibble]

Just had brilliant news my OH who has the patience of Jobe has come back from sailing as there was no wind so he is going to drive us phew one less thing to worry about.

 

[karen_c]

Good luck, it's exciting even if it is a bit nerve-wracking!

 

[Paddy Irish]

Good luck , at least you're being sensible and trying a few different ones out , glad the OH is going with you , takes the pressure off if you don't have to drive...is there really no wind in Gloucestershire?

 

[sheep]

Good luck and (try to) have fun

 

[Flibble]

Nope not dwon at Oldbury on the River Severn - luckily for me

 

[Flame_]

Good luck and just enjoy riding a few horses. I'm really glad to hear you're getting another horse, it seemed sad when you decided to give up.

 

[Flibble]

Ok bit late but my report on the horse trying.
Horse 1 looked ok but not madly appealing (Bay 6yo 16.1) dealers daughter rode. As soon as it trotted I didnt like very high knee action which doesnt appeal to me and then it had a strop and the brakes went. Dad I cant stop him she wailed.
He wasnt pleased and said to me well you arent sitting on him glad I have seen what he's like after a few days off. He got on and rode hime for a bit and his canter was horrible front legs all over the place.

Looked at several more which didnt appeal. Then Horse 2 a little 15.2 chestnut 7 yo who I knew I would love. Watched him ridden and jumped (didnt actually like the way he exploded over a fence stag like) got on and had a ride and he felt horrible just didnt like the way he felt a lot of snatching and head tossing so didnt even bother with a crosspole. His canter felt like a brick under my bum.

Finally pulled out a very nice grey except I dont want a grey I will explain the colour issue at the end. This horse has a height certificate at 15.2 but was 16hh in anyones money. He was lovely to ride and interestingly it was the same saddle and bridle as the previous horse worked in. He was a bit lazy but so comfortable all his paces were nice I even took him for a little hack.

He was also outside my budget but a very handsome Iron Grey.I honestly think if he had been bay he would have had a second visit.

To explain the grey issue for those of you who like to pick holes in people.

Greys get lighter, this chap was dark dappled and had been a deep Iron Grey he will turn white. I have Keratoconus an eye condition which makes me very light sensitive and in summer with hayfever very sensitive indeed so I see no point in having a lovely horse I cant bear to be near when the sunshines. But if anyone is after a very handsome small show hunter let me know and I will pass on the details.