Unrealistic/too honest???

Wimbles

Wimbles

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Just wondering if anyone on here can offer me any advice.

Presently I have four ex racehorses, all of which are capable of different levels of work.

For ages now I've been placing and replying to adverts for people wanting rides but no-one ever makes it as far as meeting the horses.

So far I've tried equine adverts, preloved, local tack shops and even facebook groups but all I get is young kids (I don't mind competent teenagers at all) or people that are coming back to riding after a long break and these horses just aren't suitable!

One horse is good as gold, a million percent on the road and a very well mannered boy but he's 18 hands and a big strong forward going chap. He can't jump anymore but can still dabble in some showing/dressage and has even been doing some side saddle.

Another is a super ride, will turn his hoof to anything be it eventing, showing, team chasing but he can be very aggressive on the ground and you can't ever trust him.

Another is a moron, plain and simple. If he doesn't like something he bucks, be that a new rug, something scary in the field. He's had hundreds spent on getting everything checked and re-checked but it turns out that he might just be an idiot. Yet when he gives up this show he is so talented and schools, jumps and hacks out beautifully.

The last is just a field ornament at present as is here to see if his damaged tendon will repair well enough to go back into training, but hacking out will need to be started at some point.

This is the kind of reply I would give to people enquiring. I don't want any financial contribution as I choose to have these creatures so will pay for them. I'd just like someone to ride.

The other thing is that we don't have good facilities as we've just taken on about 20 acres of land. There's a hard standing tie up area, a school to hire very nearby, a grass schooling area in our field and some showjumps and xc jump in the fields.

Am I being unrealistic in thinking that people would like to ride these type of horses in this type of situation or are my replies too negative???

Anyone got any other ideas of where to advertise? I had thought about the possibility of contacting local colleges that run equine courses but I don't know what kind of level they ride at (that sounds horrible and believe me I don't want proffesionals or anything, just someone that will be safe on them)

I'd be really grateful of any replies and sorry for the essay, just didn't think it would be this hard!
 
From the descriptions you've given I wouldn't be interested, I'm afraid - the tone is quite negative. Maybe try being more positive while keeping the honesty - is the aggressive horse fine if you're sensible and keep an eye on him? Is the strong one actually strong or just forward going? Strong sounds dangerous, so if he isn't I'd use a different word. The third sounds like too much hassle for anyone competent enough to cope and who will have their pick of rides - does he do it every time or just now and again? It sounds like every time from what you've put, so I'd change that if it isn't the case!
 
Thanks, this is brilliant. Just what I was wanting. It's a real fine line between putting people off and not being honest. I just don't want anyone getting hurt because I didn't describe them honestly.

I don't really think anyone will be wanting to ride the third horse, sometimes I don't! lol. He's not always like it but when he's a tit he's a massive one! So should I just keep the advert to the first two?

The aggressive horse is perfectly manageable if you're firm and careful but he has been known to worry even the best, most experienced of horse people so it's really hard. That said we taught my friend to ride on him once and they used to tack him up etc.......... so difficult.
 
It's not that your replies are too negative, its that the average rider can't really ride and isn't experienced at handling difficult horses. Most people want something for nothing these days, there are so many easy horses for share for a pittance, on yards with their own arena. Why would they choose your difficult horses when they have to pay to hire an arena? The only people I can see you attracting are kids who want to gallop and jump all the time, or people with no idea that their skills aren't up to scratch, who should be in a riding school but think free riding sounds better. The experienced riders will be suspicious that you want your troubled horses re-schooled and then you'll take the ride off them.

Colleges want horses that can jump so that rules out your oldie and injured one. Depending on how aggressive that one is they may take it. Depends if it just needs firm handling or is genuinely dangerous. The students may only be riding school level when they start and the college, whilst wanting them to have varied experiences including difficult horses, obviously can't put them at risk of a dangerous horse. The bucker, maybe. I think it would depend if he could be schooled out of it or if there was a way of riding him that means he stops. They won't mind their riders learning new skills but if its going to buck no matter what and the rider loses half their lesson waiting for it to stop, what's the point? Depends on the bucks too. The occasional bout of big bucks is one thing, something that wouldn't look out of place in a rodeo which turns itself inside out every time its sat on, is another.

I tried to get a sharer for something that tanks out hacking to the point of being dangerous (so no hacking) but did have SJ field, xc field and arena. It was well schooled, light, responsive, had brakes xc, but occasionally bucked from excitement. Lovely temperament, good to catch etc, average height. Nobody wanted it. And this was years ago before the market was flooded with cheap or free horses.
 
Just wanted to clarify that I don't want to send them to a college, just wondered if any of the students would be up for some extra riding and if it was worth contacting them.

I guess it goes to show how times have changed. Years ago I would have given my right arm to even ride the questionable one in a ploughed field and now I have two horses that are well schooled, evented to a decent level and are available for competing and I can't seem to find anyone.

Like you said in the post above, I guess people just want something for nothing and I certainly agree about the market being flooded. I just hoped there might be some genuine people that due to finances/time would like a horse to do a bit on.

Better go and get them ridden now, looks like I'm on my own! :)
 
If I lived near enough I would be down there asap! There are plenty of people around, like me, who are experienced riders but cant afford to have their own, I would jump at any opportunity to ride, atm its a 18.2 4 year old shire!!
You've just got to do some research and advertise in tack shops etc. Also see if there is a facebook group for horsey people around your area. Preloved, gumtree!
You've got to be honest about your horses, i've heard horror stories of people hearing about a horse that is bomb proof, getting on it then flying off it 5 mins later!
 
Try the local Pony Clubs and Riding Clubs.

Whilst the 'aggresive' one might worry some parents, once they see how to handle him and how well he goes under saddle they should be okay. You could always borrow D1 to prove it :cool:

The big one is, if I remember right, a gentle giant, so maybe put 'forward going' rather than 'strong'.

The fruit loop one, well, I guess that someone will want to ride (I would have done when I was younger!).
 
Can't see where your based as on phone. Try any local vet schools near you, tend to be good at handling awkward animals and they could do with practice if not! Also put advert in local unis- tend to have equestrian club, or any specific horse colleges i think you do have to be to a certain standard for atleast some courses.
If i was local i would bite your hand off- although currently have similar situation as lady who owns my share boy isn't confident enough with him and he is still learning how not to be a race horse!
 
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