Would you buy this horse?

It wouldn't be for me, too much like hard work. I like to look forward to riding. Did you enjoy riding it even though it was lazy?

Blimey, Flame, that's a bit :eek: Just because it's not bouncing off her leg now doesn't mean one wouldn't look forward to riding it! You might not, but your post reads as though a lazy horse would discourage people generally from riding.

OP, Mr Perfect doesn't exist. Virtually every horse you buy will have something going against it. If it fits your requirements, this is just a relatively minor schooling issue. Better a schooling issue than a physical or conformational issue which can't be changed.

I always think that the most important thing is temperament - a temperament that suits you and you just click with. Some people like stubborn, testing horses, some like quiet souls, others like the bordline psychopaths. I like well meaning but cheeky ponies. That's something only you can decide though :D
 
Last edited:
Most definitely yes - you can speed a horse up generally but you can't generally really take the sharpness out of a sharp horse. Unflappable horses are brilliant!

Lots of exciting hacks with lots of transitions rather than trudging round a school will do him the world of good and more importantly he will be a great confidence giver and fun.... because you won't be scared of him being too fast, sharp etc etc. I bought a nice but sharp mare as my first 'return to riding after a long break' and it was a disaster. Then bought a been there done that mare who is very laid back and took her and even more laid back daughters pony to an equestrian centre to have a potter round their farm track ride and there was an affiliated dressage show going on and a xc clinic and we saw so many other horses, stressing about others, stressing about being tacked up, stressing about this and that, hot and sweaty riders being carted round by wound up horses and I thanked the lord for my unflappable two so much easier!

But... Def get his bloods tested for doping!
 
for me this would make the horse not 'perfect'. It really depends on your level of riding. If your wanting something to start out with and build confidence then possibly but remember you will progress and may want something perkier. I think its hard for anyone to say whether or nt you can change this habit but im sure with some good schooling he could improve. Its really your call good luck ;)
 
yes if that what you want, dead to the leg is curable. I trained with buck branigan 10 years ago and have been practicing horse behavioural training ever since.

wasn't Buck Branigan the amorous space ship Captain in the cartoon TV series 'Futurama'?! :D:D

im sure he was!
 
Wouldn't put me off either. I bought a 5YO ISH who was "dead to the leg" she was just very green! Went back to basics and with the help of my RI she is now much more forward but still calm and steady.
 
Top