Which One?

[Waxwing]

Hi I have viewed two horses this week; both of which are still available and both of which would potentially be suitable but I am now really torn between the two.

The first is around 17h and ten years old. He is green in the school the school but well balanced and is apparently good in traffic and sensible to hack. When I am on him he feels the right size but felt very big on the ground but is good to handle.

The second horse is a little smaller and a couple of years younger and is more established on the flat. He is also happy to hack alone and in company. He hasn't done much jumping so if I want to do this would need someone to do do some work with him on this.

Both are reported to be good in traffic, but will have the odd look at things so no real difference there. I felt more comfortable on the ground with the second horse because they are slightly smaller.

My initial reaction after tying both was that horse number two was "the one" but having looked back at the videos of both I am less sure!

Help!

 

[Caol Ila]

I would always go with the smaller one. 17hh is too big, though some people like that sort of thing.

Happy to look at videos via PM if you have any you are happy or want to send.

 

[J&S]

I agree with Caol Ila, go for the smaller one if suitable and passes the vet!

 

[View]

Your initial reaction was the smaller is “the one”. I would send videos to a couple of posters on here who are good at looking at movement, if they give the nod, five stage with a good equine vet and go with your instinct.

 

[gallopingby]

As above, 17 hands is big and more likely to have vet issues as he ages, also if you needed to sell a bigger horse could be more difficult as you’ll need a bigger lorry, stable etc. But if all things equal which ever passes the vet.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Me personally, I would take the bigger one but that is because I like riding a big horse even though I am short but you have to weight up the pros and cons.
A smaller one will be easier to get on and off if you needed to.
Sounds like you have two lovely choices

 

[wills_91]

Did you hack either of them? It's not clear from your post and if it's something you intend on doing I'd be arranging to see them.hacked out/hacking them out yourself before making a final decision.

 

[Red-1]

I buy the one I can't leave without wanting to put a deposit on for fear someone else will come and snatch them away.

If you are torn between two, neither one is the one, IMO.

 

[Horseysheepy]

I would go with the smaller horse as it is more established in its flatwork, so the jumping can be worked on as a next step.

 

[Jenko109]

I'm another who would take them both hacking before making a decision.

17hh is a lot of horse to try and mount from the ground if he ends up being rubbish with gates/won't go through standing water/won't walk over bridges etc.

 

[Trouper]

Well at 70 I coped with a 17hh ID who was not the bravest with water etc but a gentleman at heart so it was not difficult to gain his trust and get over any little issues.

I think if you really can't decide - and, yes, get the clever people on here to look at the videos - then just stop and think how would you feel if you heard either one of then had been sold before you made your decision. Which would cause the most disappointment?

 

[southerncomfort]

Did you hack either of them? It's not clear from your post and if it's something you intend on doing I'd be arranging to see them.hacked out/hacking them out yourself before making a final decision.

Totally agree with this.

I wouldn't buy a horse for hacking without hacking it out at the viewing.

 

[HannahB]

Also just what I've learned from working in different vets, larger animals cost more, and medications go by weight.
But i would probably go with the small one regardless

 

[Waxwing]

Hi thank you for messages; I took the second one out for a short solo hack; he was fine happy to go out, didn't mind wheelie bins, had a look at a pigeon that shot out a hedge but only looked, He moved forward when a delivery van playing loud music

 

[Barton Bounty]

Hi thank you for messages; I took the second one out for a short solo hack; he was fine happy to go out, didn't mind wheelie bins, had a look at a pigeon that shot out a hedge but only looked, He moved forward when a delivery van playing loud music

Good luck with him

 

[sportsmansB]

I have always had big horses so the size wouldn't put me off, its our job to ensure they are mannerly on the ground regardless of size.
It comes down to what you are confident in, I would always get a horse which was a brave confident jumper because I'm not, but I'm very happy to work on the flat with one who just doesn't know

As above though, if hacking was really important to me I'd want to hack before I bought. Anyone can say a horse is good to hack but you need to see for yourself.

 

[Red-1]

Hi thank you for messages; I took the second one out for a short solo hack; he was fine happy to go out, didn't mind wheelie bins, had a look at a pigeon that shot out a hedge but only looked, He moved forward when a delivery van playing loud music

Yes, he was "fine." You have listed his accomplishments. I don't feel a burning desire in your post though...

I keep mine at home and get up at 5.45. I have to have a burning desire to get out there in the dark, ice, wind etc. I have to not want to get off when I try them, to not leave without striking a deal.

If one I intend to buy

moved forward when a delivery van playing loud music

then, if it were my horse, I would be delighting in the moving forward, laughing at his curiosity, making excuses for the transgression... something. One I buy for myself must elicit some emotion. As in desire, not fear, dread, apathy, indecision.

When I bought commercially, that was different. I had a list of requirements then and as long as they ticked the list, they were in. The best ones were those where I felt like I had discovered a 'best kept secret' though, some excitement. Those ones were effortless to train as I desired time with them to do the training, as opposed to doing it because I was being paid. I mean, I still enjoyed training them because I like riding horses, but it didn't have the delight and 'best kept secret' feel about it.

 

[Janique]

Like Red said, you need to really really want him ! Fine isn't enough.

It's a big commitment and if you are not sure, maybe go and look at some other horses ?

 

[View]

Ask yourself this - if I phoned the vendors tomorrow to put a deposit down subject to vetting and they said he was now sold, how I you feel? If you wouldn’t feel really upset he is not the one.

 

[tda]

Another who thinks do not take anyone's word for It that the horse is good to hack.
You need to try it for yourself

 

[Waxwing]

Sorry I hadn't meant to post my previous message I had written half of it when the kettle boiled and hadn't realised I had posted . The second one was the one I told my husband I wanted to buy ten minutes after getting on and I had a big smile on my face. The first one I felt more comfortable the more I rode but didn't get "that" feeling. On the second one I could see myself going out and having a go a basic dressage test this summer and have a go at some clinics etc which is something I would love to but couldn't with our previous horse. If anyone could have a look at a couple of videos that would be greatly appreciated

 

[southerncomfort]

Crack on then!!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think the little one too!
I’d ask to hack it out though and see for myself what it was like in traffic just to be on the safe side if that’s something important to you.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Sorry I hadn't meant to post my previous message I had written half of it when the kettle boiled and hadn't realised I had posted . The second one was the one I told my husband I wanted to buy ten minutes after getting on and I had a big smile on my face. The first one I felt more comfortable the more I rode but didn't get "that" feeling. On the second one I could see myself going out and having a go a basic dressage test this summer and have a go at some clinics etc which is something I would love to but couldn't with our previous horse. If anyone could have a look at a couple of videos that would be greatly appreciated

I can look if you want?

 

[AmyMay]

Personally I’d always go smaller. Big horses cost an awful lot to feed and cloth.

 

[wills_91]

Your replies read to me a little like your trying to talk yourself into this. I'm wondering if neither of them is "the one"?

 

[Chuffy99]

Have I missed a post, was this not a mother/daughter share, is 17hands not a bit big for her?

 

[Waxwing]

Hi yes it is for a mother daughter share; the 17 was a bit big for her. It was advertised as a bit smaller but was significantly taller than the 16.2 I have been riding recently. We are going with horse number 2 (subject to vetting). He is 16h so a more sensible size for both of us, but more stocky than our previous horse so I am for more in proportion. Actually started to feel rather excited! Our instructor has agreed horse 2 looks suitable.