What to do with a quirky horse?

charlie76

charlie76

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Just having a small panic and wondering what others would do?
I own a horse who I really don't get on with so he is out on loan to somebody until August time. She was getting on really well with him but he is starting to try it on with her as well and I am worrying what I will do if she decides to send him back at the end of the loan period. I have said she can have him on loan for as long as she wants but the horse might start to get on her nerves! In which case she may want me to have him back.Do you think I would be able to sell him on and if so would he be saleable? He is a stunning horse with a massive jump and very well bred but he has his 'moments'! Do people but quirky horses?
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What does he do that's quirky?

And yes, I think people do buy these horses at the right price, especially if they will do one discipline, be it jumping, dressage, hunting etc.
 
yes people buy quirky horses i did. What are the quirks? its one thing if its a buck, a nap or a rear occassionaly, but if its dangerous then i would certainly think twice, despite it having a massive jump. Im sure if she can be firm with him and have some patience that she can over come it
 
He can be nappy, he is fine most days but if you put him under too much pressure he will threaten to rear and fling his head about. I find it irritating more than dangerous and don't have time for it TBH. I have owned him for over 2 years and have never fallen off of him. He is super in the stable, easy to box, clip , handle etc and is very loving on the floor. He has the most amazing paces and really can jump but he can't stand pressure( and I know its because of who had him before me(well known tough event rider)). He is excellent to hack on his own and in company- bombproof but it is in the school he gets cross.
ETA: He has won prelim and novice dressage, won open xc and been placed in open sj classes.
He has also won and been placed in sports horse, working hunter and riding horse classes.
 
freddie is quirkie, so we decided against loan and to sell him, then we changed our minds yet again and with luck have found a short term companion home for him to chill out for a bit. That way we hope to get some grazing over from our new house and chuck him out there whilst titch is still going.

What are his quirks? ours is bucking when schooling, thats it! - other than that he is a star but you would think we were selling a monster!!!

Depending on his quirks you will sell him but will have to be at right price regardless of how beautiful he is, bred etc, people dont care if they are quirky they care about the price tho.
 
you need to advertise him as a happy hacker, local shows, jumping and xc never to be schooled as he does not tolerate it, that way you should get price for ability but he just needs unpressurised home...

Funnily enough fred pops under pressure too, schooling, ask a harder question, buck!
 
As you know, I had one similar ... another reject from that well known event rider
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I sold him cheap and haven't regretted it for a minute, although I was very lucky and found him a super home who almost 5 years on still have him.

These horses are the most infuriating kind and I think it is just nicer for them to live life as a pampered pet rather than being passed from owner to owner all of whom try in vain to get a tune but without success.
 
I have a quirky horse, who is not so much quirky as a typical arab, who developed a cold back. He bronked and reared with me in a lesson at my college once, and I was advised to sell him as he was 'dangerous'. I did put him on the market, but took time while he was advertised to work on his problem, strangely enough changing the saddle worked, and he is now perfect again. He is also ear shy and you have to put a bridle on around his ears, and he needs sedating for the farrier. The problem I had with selling him is people thinking that a cheap horse is still going to be a perfect horse, I had a lot of response (I advertised him for 2000) from people who wanted a perfect pony club pony, or a bombproof hack, or even a childs lead rein!! - I was like a broken record on the phone, repeating 'not.for.a.novice!!' over and over.
So yeah, it can be done, but I decided to keep him anyway, as when anyone came to see him, he latched himself firmly to me and wouldnt let anyone even lead him properly. Even if we never do more than hack, as long as he's happy -thats all that matters. Need to be careful about your price and really sift through the people that apply for him. Try the project horses website, although some on there are so overpriced its ridiculous. Be realistic about what you ask for him, but dont give him away, although plenty of chancers will try offering you peanuts.
 
Ben_and_Jerrys could you PM me what you sold him for? I am really upset about it as I thought that they were going to get on really well. In fairness she hasn't metioned giving up on him but I feel its best to be prepared.
 
Yes people certainly go buy quirky horses, I did
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It sounds like that the right person with time on their hands could help solve these issues. Louis can do exactly what you describe if he feels that he can get the better of me or if he gets really stressed with something. However, patience and often a firm hand have solved a lot of his problems and have in no way impacted in his competitive career. He sounds lovely in how you describe him and i'm sure the right person could solve his "moments"
 
My horse was cheaper as she is quirky - she can be opinionated is known to rear and if too much pressure is put on or she lacks confidence she rears. However I have owned her for 18 months, yes it has taken time but we are definitely getting there. I think couple more months and she will do almost anything for me jumps wise
 
Your horse sounds like a carbon copy of mine. he just switches off sometimes - very annoying. Doesn't rear but naps/plants/runs backwards. Brilliant jump, finds flatwork easy, just has "attitude."
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people will buy, look at ours charlie, you have seen him, old bowed tendons, scar on his hips and knee, dishes like a washing up bowl and yet for what we need and ask of him he is usually fine. He wont ever do well in competition like the oldie we have has, but again titch came to us quirky and he is now our horse in a lifetime and the easiest to do we have ever had?

There is someone for everyone, its just whether you lose any money or not...
 
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