What makes you pick your horse?

Chellebean

Chellebean

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chellebeanequestrian.com
Colour?
Sex?
Age?
Character?
Reason behind me asking is, I have a friend who has been through two loan mares in the last 12 months who I would never have picked for her but she has picked for herself. Neither have worked out and trying to find her something that would work out for her.
So let me know how you picked your current horse?
 
Umm I picked my horse because he was a blank canvas but had the basics. Right height (15.3hh when I got him, 16.1 now!). He looked nice, had nice confo and good temp, easy to handle. He was/is super honest to jump (v important!), had ability and most important in budget ;).
It is a how long is a piece of string though as he would not have been suitable for a lot of people (4yr old ex racer). I'm sure no what people say about why they choose their horse it depends on so many factors as to what horse would suit your friend? :)
 
Just bought a new little man who is arriving tomorrow so can't say how successful my choice is but my criteria was

1) sex, absolutely fed up of mares
2) Character and ability, my main aim is to hack and just have fun on farm rides etc
3) age,
4) size, wanted a 15h to 15.2 only
The above points are not in order of importance

I did try horses outside this ie a 16h etc, you may have to compromise somewhere, but when i saw my new man, I just wanted to ride him. When I sat on him and took him out on the road, I just new it was love. I had to have him.. I did have to compromise though... the price... ouch!!!

Will let you know how it goes.
 
Temperament both times.

Couldn't have asked for 2 nicer horses to own, and although they may not be world beaters, we have such fun. What ever adventures we go on, I can rely on them to behave themselves and bring me home safely everytime.

Worth their weight in gold....
 
I no it's as long as a piece of string but from what I gather, it's got to be a mare and be older then the majority. It seems to have nothing to do with personality ability or anything like that. It's hard to explain but with both she seems to be very wary of them even after having them for a few months. Neither horse/pony have looked like a good match from the word go and I would just like for it to work out for her! She deserves it!
 
Well I said id never get a coloured or a mare ... And i ended up with exactly that :rolleyes: She was a blank canvas with nice breeding, evenly marked and decent confo. Tryed her out and she was so eger and willing to learn that i just fell in love with her :) (we vetted and bought her the next day) She is the most sweetest horse iv ever had and is not at all marish. After losing my boy in sept i thought id never find something which id love as much and said quite a few times if it doesnt work out shes for sale. But i dont think i could part with her as shes such a dear, and iv not even had her 5 months :eek:
 
After my pony mare died suddenly, I went looking for a yearling filly, to make around 15.2, but ended up with a 17hh gelding, didn't realise he'd get quite so big.

Not sure why I went for him over the horse I actually went to see, just like the look of him, might have been the way he was playing, more likely the white eyelashes!
 
Easy one !!! didnt have a big budget (1250) - couldnt afford a "finished horse" and didnt want someone elses problem horse - - there was only one that came up in right height range, location and budget - he looked like a donkey - I went to view - the lady shooed him round and he had fab paces and jump but came straight back and stood calmly with us afterwards so I bought him as he seemed brave but calm!! (he is the horse in my pic and luckily no longer looks like a donkey)

best thing I ever did ! he is brave and calm as per first impressions so I would always go for personality rather than looks.
 
Well I bought Blue out of the rest of the horses available because I was assured that he had a fab temperament. I didn't have much money available and wanted something to bring on that wouldn't kill me in the process! I really wanted a gelding - Blue is a mare! I wanted a 4 year old - Blue was 8 when I got her - so I didnt' really get what I went for. She's certainly being a challenge!!
 
Compatability!
Even if I was capable of riding a horse I wasn't going to have it unless it was what I wanted (an all rounder who was forward but not strong). Viewed many ponies and horses that had nothing wrong with them, I would've been capable of riding but just didn't feel that I'd enjoy!!
Sadly I do know lots of people who go for the cheapest horse or one that sounds great in an advert but is way above their ability!
 
When I did the search on websites I chose age as a priority (5 - 10), then sex (pref gelding), then price (not posting here!). Obviously once I found adds I looked for suitability to me and breed of horse. Colour was not a massive issue but didnt really want a bay as at the time every horse on the yard was bay apart from one. I love horse shopping though.... makes up for the lack of human clothes shopping I do!!
 
One found me - who wasnt the easiest but adored her all the same.
I went to view the one I have now. My criteria, not a youngster, not a chestnut. A sane horse with a few miles on the clock. What did I buy - a chestnut 4 yr old just over from Ireland. Why? because he had a lovely eye, nice paces and nice character. 6 months after having him rebacked (nothing to do with him, just because he was turned out for 12 months) he is fabulous, got loads of character and has matured beyond belief. Now I am beginning to think he is too talented for me. Providing he hunts sensibly this winter he has a home with us for life.
 
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