Exciting decision....help!

[dalesfan]

I have a friend who keeps her horses with me. I started riding one of her horses a few months ago when Norman first became ill, and more recently I've been riding one of her other horses. She mentioned today that as she has a youngster to start next year plus a 6 year old to compete, she won't have as much time for the other 2. She has offered me the chance to have either of the horses as my own for a little help with costs....my dilemma is which one!

I'm hoping that another friend may join me in sharing both of them jointly as that could work really well. I'll be caring for them with their owner every day, and the other person would come up 2 or 3 times a week. However, if this doesn't happen, I may need to make a choice, hence my dilemma.

The first horse is Hattie, a 16hh IDxTB mare who's 13 years old. I've been riding her for a few months, she's super safe to hack, quite well schooled and prior to a muscular injury last year had competed quite a lot. Her owner doesn't want to bring her back to her previous level of competition as she feels that following the injury it may be too much for her ( and I agree), but she'd like her to still go out and do some fun things at a lower level. I've competed at the local riding club in some dressage classes with her, although her real forte is cross country.

The second horse is Tulie, Chym's field companion. She is a 17hh WB x Hanoverian, and is 8 years old. She has some old physical issues that still affect her, and also has an eyesight problem. Until 18 months ago, she was owned by someone else, and her care,schooling and general management was rather inconsistent. She was very nervous, prone to health problems and had a lot of ridden issues. Since she's been with my friend and I, she's much calmer, has improved greatly to hack out and health wise has been much better. She's more of a challenge at times, and I'm still fidning my feet with her as I've not been riding her very long, but I really enjoy working with her. She's not really able to jump much, could pop the odd log here and there, but would do a nice dressage test in time. Competing with either of them is not a priority for me, more something fun to do if the time feels right for them and me.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Just be interested in 'outside' opinions, as I'm rather close to both horses and am not always the most logical soul!

[poppyandbea]

i think it depends if you want the challange of tulie and then the rewards when things are going right or you want more of a schoolmaster in hattie who sounds more straight foward and less health issues but they both sound lovely

[ladyndibs]

That sounds great I hope it works out for you, Hattie sounds ideal but for some strange reason, I think maybe her previous life I'd be drawn to Tulie but take any suggestion I make with a very large pinch of salt, I'm such a wimp I don't ride either of mine.

[diggydoggy]

Personally, I wouldn't chose one with an eyesight problem.

[curlytobiano]

Good for you Dalesfan so good to see you have something to be excited about after the loss of your lovely Norman. Good luck whatever you decide, but if it was me then after the trauma you have gone through with Norman and Chymnee I would try to pick the one that seemed to be in the best health - so that you actually get the chance to enjoy riding her x x

[Mellymoo]

I would pick Hattie, simply because I don't like anything too complicated! But they both sound nice, and it depends what sort of riding you want to do I think. Best of luck anyway, sounds like it will be fun!

[eden]

I would choose Hatty as well she sounds ideal :-) so pleased for you.xxx

[cbc]

I think I would go for Hattie too.

[dalesfan]

Looks like the other friend I mentioned may be interested in a joint share, which would be brilliant can enjoy both horses then, and still have lots of time for Chymnee xx