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xspiralx
Guest
I think if it's going to be your horse to have and ride for yourself, you've got to pretty much love it off the bat. I know the horses I've loved, I've known it the first time I rode them and would say it's gone the same at the other end of the spectrum, too. BUT - and it's a big one - I think if you're buying a horse to do a job it's got to at least be suitable to do the job. I do see people vote with their heart when the horse isn't, say, functionally sound for the desired task, or obviously isn't careful/brave/scopey/a good enough mover to do what they want. I know things can be improved and I'm not talking about a horse that's greener than intended or maybe doesn't look like the buyer imagined it would, but it's surprising how many times the thing people ignored/explained away at first is the thing that's come home to haunt them later, even if there's a period of improvement.
I agree with this.
I think it depends if you're looking for 'the one' or a horse to do a job.
My last mare wasn't really my type - I didn't 'love' riding her, and it took us a while to build a bond. But she wasn't bought to be my horse for life, she was bought for me to jump and have fun with and be no drama for a year before I went to uni, and she did that job perfectly.
If I wanted a horse to be my horse for life, then I think I'd have to have that instant click.
I'd probably try jumping the horse though unless I really disliked the horse on the flat - because to me the feel over jumps is the biggest thing. I can forgive [and work on] a lot of problems on the flat if the feel jumping is great.