charlie
Olympic Poster
before he went insane!!!
Posts: 798
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Post by charlie on Nov 23, 2005 18:41:22 GMT 1
Hi OP, strangely enough you will know when the right horse appears- I remember Chunk being offloaded off a lorry into the lorry, ahving been bought by the resident IH trainer- he was gross, bad mannered and bratty- still bought him off them- he has taught me loads- the remdial work has been indispensable in my knoledge- I was a relatively good rider at that point, so delt with it- boughts econd only recently after he'd bolted once with me, is spooky and has mounting issues, but had asked me to take him- don't know how, but did- since then he's dumped me on floor once and am sure will do again- what am trying to say is that you'll get agut feeling, don't ever buy if you just don't feel right, even if it appears 100% suitable- don't get em wrong I'm not advising buying a remedial nightmare- steer clear of these, as you may find yaself hooked by one that will be hardwork- look at suitable horses and wait till you feel its the right one. good luck, C
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WendyM
Intermediate Poster
I'm a police dog..honest
Posts: 187
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Post by WendyM on Nov 25, 2005 21:51:00 GMT 1
My first horse was a little 14.1hh Welshie that hadnt been ridden for three years as his owner was at uni and lost interest anyway. I was an aquaintance and felt really sorry for this lad when he would get laminitis as the au pair who looked after the kids didnt think it was her job to bring him back into starvation paddock (after jumping over five bar gate to get into cow pasture.) I confidently rode him in his own field away from the farmhouse and just as we were going through a gateway into next field he dropped his left shoulder and spun and dumped me, galloping back to the audience at the farmhouse who were all chortling. I knew I wanted him anyway as I felt sorry for him and convinced my OH that he wouldnt get Laminitis if I had him. Oh the excitement when we went to collect him a few weeks later. ;D He never did get Laminitis again, but persisted in doing his 'little trick' whenever we came across an open grassy area on Cannock Chase and I insisted that he walk over it calmly. I got dumped a few times on the Chase, but strangely enough I had a lot more confidence then, than I do now, it must be old age Like other peeps here...he certainly wasnt a 'first pony' but I learnt loads as he had previously done ODE and when I learnt to press the right buttons he was a joy to ride. Tip ; make a list of OPEN ended questions, my favourite is "when is he/she likely to buck" obviously you can use this for nap/get strong. The ideal answer is "oh he doesnt !" and this was certainly true of my previous mare who never once bucked from the day I had her. You can tell when asking questions like this if people are telling porkies or if there may be something to make you worry. [glow=red,2,300]I'm jealous - how exciting 4 u X[/glow]
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Post by julz on Dec 4, 2005 23:34:21 GMT 1
I know you really want to own your own horse, but now that your confidence is feeling a bit brittle, is there any way you would consider being a sharer? it is possible to have a shared horse and responsibilities and a good relationship with the owner, but these are hard to find. might be more possible to find one with an elderly horse, rather than one who needs loads of schooling, not only will it build up your confidence in riding, but also the work it takes to keep the horse happy and healthy.
I have been a sharer with a horse who I first met when he was 20, he is now 28, and we have done alot together, his owner retired him from show-jumping/showing/XC some 6 yrs earlier before I came on the scene, but allowed me to take him as he enjoyed the days away from the yard, nothing big you understand, just wee piddly local shows where we could have some fun and make a fool of myself!! I had him in a veterans class in the summer, and being so old, took him about 10days to get over it, as he really rises to the occasion, (the day before he was a bit stiff and unsound, the day of the show he transformed into a totally sound, balanced horse!!)
Good luck whatever you decide.
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didi
Novice Poster
Posts: 9
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Post by didi on Dec 13, 2005 21:50:15 GMT 1
Hello it's DiDi here. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Well, my lessons are going well, my new instructor has told me I am better than I think I am; and the only thing wrong with my riding is my lack of confidence in my own ability and one or two minor bad habits from old! My advisor and me have been to see a few more horses since I posted, but only ridden one of them ... who was an absolute dream ... she is everything we are looking for, but unfortunately her owners have decided to keep her a little longer to see how the rider copes with 2 horses over the winter ( Others we have been to see sound great in their adverts, great when you ask all about them on the phone, and then when you get there, they are everything you want in the looks department too, but my word, when they are ridden... We have had horses advertised as 'well schooled', 'enjoys schooling' etc ... one threatened to buck because he didn't want to canter and pulled every miserable horsey face imaginable, one did buck and continued to buck until she was asked to trot again, and one 'couldn't canter because the school was too small'! Why oh why can't people be more honest?? I know the right horse is out there for me somewhere - it's just a case of finding him or her. Things seem to have gone very quiet out there on the horsey front - perhaps in preparation for Xmas, so the new year might bring my perfect horsey partner! Thanks again for all your stories and advice - they were all gratefully received. DiDi xx
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Post by LisaM on Dec 14, 2005 14:49:42 GMT 1
Didi - I had similar experiences to you when I bought H... I found they were all wasting my time. Horses that were so unhappy in the mouth; those that could barely walk a straight line! Horses with no history etc etc. It all started to get me down I had arranged to see 5 or 6 horses over one weekend and after seeing a few I got downhearted. I called H's then owner and said sorry but I wont come and visit She said fine, but you have my no if you change your mind. Sunday am came and I called her back, appologised for messing her around but explained my feelings and let downs etc. She said to come along (75 miles away!) and ride him to see what I thought. She said she was looking for a suitable home just as I was looking for a suitable horse. Along I went and loved him he was and is everything I could ever want... oooooooooo teary moment!! sending cyber hugs to H's field!! lol I visited him twice to ride then went again for the vetting. Never looked back. so basically - don't despair. Horsey Mr or Miss right is out there xx enjoy looking/riding in the mean time. Good luck
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Post by samcspottyhorses on Jan 1, 2006 23:48:23 GMT 1
Didi, I waited 37 years for my own horse, picked the second one I went to see, panicked totally after 2 days and phoned the breeder up to ask them to take him back! They didn't and we are still together, thankfully. More panic now, less when your new horse arrives!!!
Good luck SamC
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Post by jen1 on Jan 2, 2006 18:19:58 GMT 1
sorry you feel this way i have only had time to read your thread,but not the posts,while juggling tea and kids,lol so if im repeating anyone sorry
have you a freind with a quite hack you could just get riding pravtice on,you will find your perfect horse soon good luck
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