Would you take a horse for free even if it wasn't your 'type'?

ImmyS

ImmyS

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I never imagined I would be in a position to have another horse, at least for a few years anyway, but with the year I've had I'm starting to believe in fate and taking chances.

I always imagined my first 'proper, grown-up' horse would be something big, a bit flashy, a bit expensive, reasonably young and something I could compete. But my view of what I think would make me happy has really changed and I have just been offered a horse.. For free. He's small, cobby, older, low mileage and basically the opposite of what I thought I wanted, but I had a little ride on him the other day and after being dragged in from the field having not been ridden for a couple of months he was lovely and I just felt something click.

I'm just going to be riding him through until the new year - no pressure and just see how things go and then if all is going well I could have him. I would be crazy to let this opportunity slip wouldn't I? Or should I wait possibly years to save enough and buy my 'dream horse'.

So would you guys ever have a horse that wasn't really your type or have any of you bought a horse that has unexpectedly turned into your horse of a lifetime?

Thanks all xx
 
I wouldn't have him just because he's free but if you can ride him in the meantime then you have a while to make up your mind and see if he is the horse you want.
 
Dream horses don't often live up to expectations! You say you clicked, well that is a very good indication if the horse is right for you. See how things go, if you enjoy him then you have your answer ��
 
I did. My first horse was a fifteen year old ex-racer who I loaned and was then given for free. On paper, she was completely wrong for me. In reality, she was a dream. However, it is worth pointing out that although she didn't seem like a sensible choice, I'd dreamed of having a Thoroughbred mare since I was eight, so she was my every childhood fantasy realised - and then bettered.

With regards to what you should do, you never know how these things will turn out. However, there's a lot to be said for having 'that feeling' when you ride them.
 
JoshuaR97 said:
Horses that are given away for free have something wrong.. If it was half decent you would wanna sell it for money..
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I've known the owner and horse for many years so I know his pros and cons. She just doesn't have a rider for him and knows he would be safe with me.
 
JJS said:
I did. My first horse was a fifteen year old ex-racer who I loaned and was then given for free. On paper, she was completely wrong for me. In reality, she was a dream. However, it is worth pointing out that although she didn't seem like a sensible choice, I'd dreamed of having a Thoroughbred mare since I was eight, so she was my every childhood fantasy realised - and then bettered.

With regards to what you should do, you never know how these things will turn out. However, there's a lot to be said for having 'that feeling' when you ride them.
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That's lovely that it worked out so well for you - it just seems like that horses seem to find you when you least expect it
 
My preconceived notions didn't work out either. I had a particular type in mind and believe it or not, was offered one of that type for free! However, something about him niggled and just didn't feel ' right', so tempting as it was, I turned him down.

Another I saw in the same period was not the type I had in mind. Barely handled, for one thing and still learning to trust humans. I arrived at her stable door and she immediately pressed her muzzle to my mouth and just remained there, in an incredibly sweet gesture. I was smitten, bought her and she's coming home next week! I couldn't be more happy.

I do believe that just sometimes, the right one does come along and surprise us and when they do, I'm happy to throw preconceptions out of the window.
 
Mitch&I said:
My preconceived notions didn't work out either. I had a particular type in mind and believe it or not, was offered one of that type for free! However, something about him niggled and just didn't feel ' right', so tempting as it was, I turned him down.

Another I saw in the same period was not the type I had in mind. Barely handled, for one thing and still learning to trust humans. I arrived at her stable door and she immediately pressed her muzzle to my mouth and just remained there, in an incredibly sweet gesture. I was smitten, bought her and she's coming home next week! I couldn't be more happy.

I do believe that just sometimes, the right one does come along and surprise us and when they do, I'm happy to throw preconceptions out of the window.
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Thank you for sharing and good luck with your new horse! I just find interesting to hear stories of people who end with horses they never thought they would.. And love them anyway!
 
ImmyS said:
I've known the owner and horse for many years so I know his pros and cons. She just doesn't have a rider for him and knows he would be safe with me.
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I think if you've clicked and it feels right (which it clearly does) you shouldn't IMHO allow a preconceived idea of your perfect horse to get in the way. Let us know what you decide and how you get on.
 
Fate does lend a hand, when I first had my TB, I didn't think I could do him justice, due to him appearing to being bored, sold him to a competition home, two years later was gifted back to me on my birthday, turns out his 'boredom' was teeth, due to his behaviour they had never been done correctly, so he was in constant pain, been back 2yrs now and he's a rather large (17hh) poppet that even my 5yr old grandson can handle
 
flirtygerty said:
Fate does lend a hand, when I first had my TB, I didn't think I could do him justice, due to him appearing to being bored, sold him to a competition home, two years later was gifted back to me on my birthday, turns out his 'boredom' was teeth, due to his behaviour they had never been done correctly, so he was in constant pain, been back 2yrs now and he's a rather large (17hh) poppet that even my 5yr old grandson can handle
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That's lovely x
 
ImmyS said:
Thank you for sharing and good luck with your new horse! I just find interesting to hear stories of people who end with horses they never thought they would.. And love them anyway!
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Good luck with yours, whatever you decide! I honestly think a true connection with an equine is something which can't be bought but is worth more than its weight in gold. I've had several horses, worked with many and known countless more but there really are only one or two, in all that time, who I've truly felt that with.
 
I personally would rather have a less talented horse that I can get a good tune out of /have a nice relationship with .. Than a talented horse I can can't ride one side of 😂😛 .. I own a coblet .. A Welsh coblet .. And when I bought him .. Friends said .. He won't be competitive enough .. He won't get u to where you want to go .. Etc etc 😏 truth is he is fully capable with the right training . Currently qualified novice freestyle regionals ( qualified on first attempt 😊) and competing upto elementary ATM .. And I have every intention of working up the levels with him .. 😊😛 luckily he also hacks , jumps , xc's goes on camps etc .. So on paper I guess a 14.2 section d isn't a flashy expensive dressage horse .. But that doesn't mean he can't do it 😉

So what I'm saying is ride the horse .. Have a few lessons and see where u end up .. Nothing ventured nothing gained 😁😛😊😎
 
My dream horse was the Black Stallion, yeah like that was going to work, hacking through a busy town centre high street on a saturday ;). We all have our dreams, but some times we have to accept reality. Riding is meant to be fun..leave the posing to the guys in the sports cars. Enjoy your mount.:)
 
I took a horse on loan after I retired mine, it was not a long term thing. He was a big warmblood. lovely horse and a sweetheart and while I was fond of him, it made me realise how much I like Tbs and got another when he went back.

Could you take him on loan for a year to see how you go? I'm just thinking if it doesn't work out and the owner thinks it was meant to be permanent and you pass him on, they might get upset. That way they won't be so shocked if he comes back but hopefully if you've been doing a lot with him in that time, he'll easily find another home.
 
Thank you for all your replies. I think I'll see how things go over the next couple of weeks and if I still feel the same way then discuss it further with the owner and set a time limit on making a decision. Say get Christmas out the way then see if everyone's happy. I just have a gut feeling about this one, but trying to not get ahead of myself!
 
equi said:
Trust me the big flashy competition horse is not the best first proper horse lol get the cob :)
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Yeah and they are a lot more expensive than you can ever imagine. That kind of horse is my first horse after going looking for a cobby type. But he is awesome and wouldn't trade him. I would get the horse if its free but still get a vet to check it over even if it just a two stage vetting. Better safe than sorry.
 
Since the cheapest bit of getting a horse is buying a horse the fact that the horse is free is not relevant .
It's the fact the horse is different to the horse you planned in your head .
Why did you imagine you would get the all singing and dancing sport horse if it was to do all the things that all singing and dancing sports horses do then ask your self will the cob do these things to a standard that will suits you .
It's as frustrating to be under horsed as it is frightening to be over .
That click is special but the horse still needs to the job you need .
 
Goldenstar said:
Since the cheapest bit of getting a horse is buying a horse the fact that the horse is free is not relevant .
It's the fact the horse is different to the horse you planned in your head .
Why did you imagine you would get the all singing and dancing sport horse if it was to do all the things that all singing and dancing sports horses do then ask your self will the cob do these things to a standard that will suits you .
It's as frustrating to be under horsed as it is frightening to be over .
That click is special but the horse still needs to the job you need .
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Because I grew up around people with that type of horse I guess and it was something that was always out of my reach - the age old case of wanting what you don't have. As long as I can hack and hopefully attend some clinics/low level stuff I would be more than content I think.
 
I'm a believer in fate but I am also a believer in a 'wrong' animal taking up as much space, money and time as a 'right' one

I have a smallholding and have to sit on my hands every time I get offered a sob story or something for free

When I am in a position to have another pony it will be exactly what I want with no compromises

If you find this horse is 'the one' then great but if not its a matter of putting on your thick skin and gently declining
 
I'm with Goldenstar on this one, the fact that he is free is irrelevant - try and think of it that you have money to spend and the cob is within your budget, would you buy it? If the answer is no, then that's your answer!

Even with money to spend, i still didn't buy what i was looking for, and i'm sure most people will say that in the end they didn't buy the horse they initially thought they were looking for either!
 
go with the cob!!! If you know the horse already then you don't have much to lose.

I was pretty much gifted my tank of a horse, I am historically a TB girl.....so this chap was not my "type" whatsoever a couple of years ago.....but who was to know I would need major operation in March this year and perhaps something that didn't buck all the time who would look after me would assist my recovery......!! A year on, he is exactly the horse I need now and I wouldn't be without him!
 
Lambkins said:
I own a coblet .. A Welsh coblet .. And when I bought him .. Friends said .. He won't be competitive enough .. He won't get u to where you want to go .. Etc etc
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Currently qualified novice freestyle regionals ( qualified on first attempt 😊) and competing upto elementary ATM
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