What would you compromise on when buying a new horse?

As I've got older, I'm less prepared to compromise. Experience has taught me that a) I don't bounce as well as I used to and b) my tolerance is lower 😁
So now I'd say no napping, no bucking, no wind sucking/ box walking/cribbing. Got to be sound(!) And conformationally as near to perfect. Got to make me smile when I see them
Don't care about colour but wouldn't have another warmblood and never a cob and definitely never anything with excess hair. . I'll do ID, TIH or TB.
And nothing under 16.3/17hh. After 20 years of big horses, I feel weird too close to the ground.
Oh and backed! I don't do breakers sny more

I think that's it......
There may be more but after a lifetime of producing horses for other people, I now only have my own. So I feel i can be picky!
 
Like most people, I need a horse who is a ‘nice person’. I can’t be doing with one who pulls faces- or worse. I need a horse who likes being with people, and is pleasant to handle and easy to do (catch/lead/load etc)

I need to feel safe, and part of that is good breaks, I can’t stand the feeling that I’m about to get tanked off with.

I need sound. At least to start with! I do a bit of everything and probably work my horses more than the average leisure rider/happy hacker on my yard. I don’t want to be making compromises because my horse is physically limited (In time yes, she catches up with us all… but several years down the line).

I need good in traffic- the traffic round here can be a bit much. I don’t mind something that needs experience/exposure, but I couldn’t cope with one who had issues/was dangerous with heavy traffic/big vehicles.

Things I couldn’t care less about:

Registered breeding

Colour

Things I might be willing to compromise on if everything else was perfect:

Size- Ideally I’d have a stocky 14.2 to 15.2, but could be persuaded otherwise, so long as I didn’t feel underhorsed at 5’5 and 10.5st.

Something that wasn’t keen on jumping, so long as it could pop the odd fallen log blocking the bridleway.

I would prefer a gelding but would consider a non moody mare.

Inexperienced… so long as willing.
 
I wouldn't write off a horse with some conformational faults if they are sound/in work and have no history of injury/lameness. Some horses/ponies with less than ideal conformation can be amazing, and I have seen a lot who look perfect on paper go wrong- after all, great conformation won't prevent them e.g. skidding in the field and damaging a tendon etc.

My current pony has sweet itch, and I don't think I would want to deal with that again, as it is just so upsetting, and can be very hard to help (we have tried the injection this year with no improvement). I would compromise on vices, but it can be an issue when you're finding livery if they crib/damage wood. He's got a blue eye, which I know some people dislike, but I didn't even consider that a compromise when I bought him!

I am pretty open on size as long as I feel comfortable and safe, but do prefer ponies!
 
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