Viewing a mare this evening...

W

Wan2bEventer

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And the current handler has mentioned on the phone to me that she can look grumpy in her box and pull faces etc. Obviously I will see to what extent when I get there, but I wondered whether a grumpy looking, face pulling horse on the yard would put you off buying at all? How much would you be willing to put up with?
 
My mare does pull faces if you are a stranger or if she is waiting for food or you are late with her hay. Its funny and doesnt bother me really! I think if its the horse you want to ride what faces it pulls in a stable doesnt matter!
 
Wouldn't put me off at all, as long as 'grumpy' wasn't a euphenism for 'evil' and the horse had other compensating features!
 
Ditto TGM, and also as long as "grumpy" doesn't mean "so many physical problems she doesn't know what to do with herself". If you have her vetted though then you'll find that out.
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Thumper pulls the most awful faces, and does bite. He didn't do any of that thank goodness when I viewed him, as I'm not sure he'd have come home with me if he did.
 
It depends, if the horse appears very grumpy especially when grooming around belly and saddle area I would question the owner about any digestion/guts problems (any colic history, ulcers etc, teeth problems, hormones etc) and/or back, pulled muscles problems.
Ask how much turnout the horse gets and what's its routine like - many behavioral problems stem from bad management which you can easily work on.
Good luck
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It wouldn't bother me as long as grumpy wasnt a softened term for an evil cow! Some horses are just grumpy- like people, or it could be discomfort, or like a horse i used to know she just didn't like her neighbours and when out on hacks alone/in school with her owner she was the sweetest looking smiley horse....
 
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It depends, if the horse appears very grumpy especially when grooming around belly and saddle area I would question the owner about any digestion/guts problems (any colic history, ulcers etc, teeth problems, hormones etc) and/or back, pulled muscles problems.
Ask how much turnout the horse gets and what's its routine like - many behavioral problems stem from bad management which you can easily work on.
Good luck
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if I liked the horse I'd want to investigate why it was like that. Does it get enough forage to keep it occupied? Has it been given enough turnout? Is it in pain anywhere and so trying to put you off riding it? Personally I prefer not to be attacked as I walk past stable doors, I can accept that there are nice but grumpy horses out there but the ones I've known have either "had a past", been too restricted on turnout, been overfed etc. I've yet to see a horse that I liked in other ways but gnashed as I went past
 
lol shaddowmonkey! That is my concern - that they have played down her grumps! Mind you, although she has been in her current home for a year, I know the lady who used to livery/compete her prior to that, and she had no reports of the mare being difficult at all, said she was as sweet as pie with manners to die for. I wonder if she doesn't like her current routine/yard etc, hopefully it will become clear when I see her later.
 
One of ours does that, but she is a talented horse! For an eventer it might signify a bit of attitude you can use to your advantage. Anway, I like to think of it as character.
 
Finding your perfect partner is hard enough anyway, there is so much to consider when buying/viewing a horse but if this horse ticks all the right boxs in every other area, then don't knock this mare just because she pulls faces.

Its nice to have a horse thats got an attitude to die for, loves human company, always kissing your nose and ears pricked forwards every time its with you but there not all like that.

If its just face pulling and its nothing dangerous then don't let it put you off. If however she has bitten, lunged for people or lifted a leg then previously then I would stay well clear!

I used to have a horse that used to bite when groom near his belly/chest and also when you did his girth even though I did it all very gently. I was told this when we went to view the horse and providing you tied him up, always kept your eye on him, watched where your arms were! then it was not a problem what so ever, he was perfect in every other way and spent many happy years together.

On the other hand I had a mare, who had to be stabled because she was very dangerous, and was too much of a risk to turn out in a field, she'd charge, lunge at you with teeth and try and bite your face and swing round and kick you.
She was fine once you had hold of her by the head collar or when you were riding her, but you couldn't go near her in the stable or the field. I had her for a couple of years, again with no majour problems but I had to be very careful around her and nobody else could handle her and wouldn't recommend anyone buying a dangerous horse, so make sure you see this horse with out a headcoller on, being caught in the field/ménage, because just one simple little thing can make all the difference!
 
I have to say most mares I know pull faces, all that matters is whether they mean it or not. My pony looks evil as anything but she's completely trustworthy.
 
Nope wouldn't put me off, my sisters horse Henry pulls awful faces and can bite, but he has the best flatwork, lovely paces and is seriously talented when jumping!
 
I bought a mare about 12 years ago now - it pulled a few faces when I tried it out but bought her anyway. When I got her back she was awful, she bit a livery on the boob and I had to go into the stable with a whip to protect myself to give her hay and feed. She was promptly returned to the dealers yard. this is worst case scenario thou!! I wouldn't let it put me off a horse now.
 
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I bought a mare about 12 years ago now - it pulled a few faces when I tried it out but bought her anyway. When I got her back she was awful, she bit a livery on the boob and I had to go into the stable with a whip to protect myself to give her hay and feed. She was promptly returned to the dealers yard. this is worst case scenario thou!! I wouldn't let it put me off a horse now.

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ROFL what a horse! That's probably quite heartless of me, but i had to admit I just about exploded at the idea of yr horse biting that poor woman's boob!!!

Thanks for cheering me up.
 
My mare pulls the odd face when you change her rugs or groom her - but she has quite sensitive skin (no fly is allowed to remain in place for more than 1 second in the summer). Some people have a heart attack if a horse so much as puts its ears back, then again she may go for you with her mouth open....caveat emptor!
 
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