Horse Advice?

[Dogs6]

Originally Posted by Miakoda

I would sit down and make a list of very specific questions about his health and training, and definitely get a PPE!!!

Nothing in life is truly free. Just remember that.

Thank you! I wouldn't touch a horse without a PPE! Too many friends have had bad luck without one for me to risk it. Oh I know there's a catch somewhere. I'm just trying to figure out what it is.

Originally Posted by BostonBanker

The fact that you seem a bit uncertain about affording it makes me say that it probably isn't a good idea. Trust me, I'm there. Getting Tristan was a terrible idea for me financially, but I did it because I could make it work (barely) and I wanted it so, so badly. I'd worked and shown in the horse world for over 10 years and never had my own.

"Just about" affording it means "Holy $#it, what do I do now?!" when stuff goes wrong. It means deciding if you are going to pursue treatment for an injury/illness, and thus go into debt, or if you are going to not take care of a problem. I went from never carrying any debt to maxing out a credit card in a few short months when Tristan first got sick. I've dumped $1300 in a day on him. I took a different job because I could 'just about' afford his bills, but he needs more than that right now.

Whether or not this horse is the right horse is, in my mind, the wrong question right now. The question should be whether any horse is a good idea when you say you can 'just about' afford it.

Thank you! This is something I really needed to hear. If I don't keep him at livery I can manage easily (I haven't done all the maths yet but that is a large factor). I was thinking about him at livery when I was saying that. I do have savings for emergencies but it would have to be very serious for me to touch that because I know how fast savings can disappear! Plus in a real emergency my parents would help me if I needed it. Honestly there is nothing tying me too this horse. If I dont think that it's right for me to get it, it'll be a disappointment but I WILL walk away. I've learnt about getting in over my head. Id like to get him, of course, but sometimes you have to say no. I'd like to think this won't be one of those times but time will tell.

Originally Posted by crazedACD

I was thinking this as well while reading the op. Sounds like they got him to tolerate a rider, ran over some jumps, and threw him in the field. Especially since they say he is sharp...people uh, tend to mince words when selling a horse. I'm assuming it would be necessary to treat him as not broke at this point. He sounds like a bit of a challenge. Do you have experience with starting horses?

It could definitely be like that I'm sure but I'm helping them with a 3 year old at the minute and they do give them a thorough grounding before they even go near jumps. Oh I know what people can be like selling horses. I've been burned before. This time I'm determined not to let it happen. IF everything else checks out I'm going to ask if I can ride the horse for a few weeks before I commit to anything. I don't have very much experience starting horses but I have been helping with that 3yo and next week I'm starting to help a woman with her youngster as well. However if I did need to start him again there would be no shortage of people willing to help.

Thanks everyone for your opinion! I'm going to meet him tomorrow, ask a good few questions and see where it goes from there. Im willing to say no if he doesnt suit or I can't afford him. You never know he could end up having 3 legs, and be part donkey and that's why they're giving him away!

[BostonBanker]

It sounds like you are going into this with your eyes open, so good for you. I know just how tempting it is to realize you could have a horse of your own when you are used to riding other people's horses all the time. I am going through yet another round of "hey maybe this will work!" drugs with Tristan right now, so I'm probably a bit more on the cautious side with my advice. I just know that, as much as I adore Tristan and I will see him through his life - a big part of me knows now that getting him was the wrong answer.

[Dogs6]

Well I went to see him yesterday. He's ... nice. I wasn't blown away by him but he looked like a fairly decent horse. Although considering I was viewing him from the back of a horse who was backwards, forwards and sideways, he didn't have much of a chance. I'm going to go visit him again this morning and get some pics with the proper camera. In the meanwhile here's some crappy cell pics. Let me know what you think of him!

He was the first up at the fence to visit us. Hopefully that means he's easy to catch!

Untitled by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

He seems to have a tiny head to me! Not sure if it's just because of his fat grass belly or not. Could be that I'm just used to Captains giant head lol
Untitled by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

I do love his head though

Untitled by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

Untitled by tasfudgeheely, on FlickrHe seems a tad weak behind to me, although that could just be because he hasn't been ridden in a year.

Untitled by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

Even though he's not muscled at all, he does seem a powerful horse.

Untitled by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

[puppydog]

He is gorgeous! I love bays.

[Dogs6]

Well I found out today that he's not free. We're discussing price but he'll be mostly paid for by me working for his current owner. The details still need hammered out and it's still not happening for definite but tomorrow he's going to be brought in from the fields and I'm going to work with him for a few weeks. Here's the pictures from today. What do you think of his conformation? Do you think he'd make a showjumper/ eventer?


018 by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

019 by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr 063 by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr 077 by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr 084 by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

Obviously he needs a good bit of weight off and his mane pulled and his tail tidied but otherwise he seems quite nice to me. And there's the foal that's in the field with him. She's 3/4 Connemara.
086 by tasfudgeheely, on Flickr

[houlahoops]

Well I don't know much about horses...he seems leaned forward funny in the profile picture but I do love the look of him overall. And how reassuring that he's not "free" (that word just scares me...especially when it comes to animals and cars!).

Also (mostly unrelated): holy cow. Do they keep all their horses under barbed wire???

[Maliraptor]

I like him, but I do worry a bit about his legs/feet/pasterns. Could be some long feet and wonky pasture ground though!

See how he looks when he's brought in, and gets some miles and trimmed. I'm sure you'll be able to tell on your own. Just remember, a lame horse costs just as much to feed/care for as a sound horse, and is a lot less fun.

[Dekka]

Over all I quite like him. His front pasterns are a bit long but don't look weak. Nice short cannons, good balance (he will look stunning when fit... his neck will look longer and his head not so small), if he has any talent he should make you a good partner.

[BostonBanker]

I like him, but I do worry a bit about his legs/feet/pasterns.

Ditto. I'd love to see him standing square on hard footing, as the nicest built horse can look terrifying when they are standing funny. I think his feet look pretty long, which doesn't help things, but his pasterns look quite long and weak to me, and the fetlocks look dropped a bit. The right hind in particular worries me, but again - he could just be standing oddly.

I think it is great you are going to get the chance to work with him for a few weeks. It should give you a great feel for how things will go.

And be very certain you get in writing *exactly* what you will be paying for him, whether in money or work. The horse world is notorious for those sorts of deals going south, even with good people on both ends.

Also, please mail me the Connemara cross. I have such Conne want.

[meepitsmeagan]

I agree with everyone. Including the PPE.

However, I have some advice. If you are still in HS, which I am assuming you are... I would personally use your money towards more lessons and continue riding other people's horses. This is coming from someone who had to sell her baby because when she moved out, she couldn't afford him... And that is hard. It is like selling your son/daughter. They are expensive, just to keep fed and housed, let alone vet bills and if you are looking into jumping, there are chiro appts and massage therapy. Not to mention jumping in general, not just the shows, is pretty expensive compared to just riding around. To be competitive, you have to seriously dive into training, get quality tack, all that stuff. I know you probably realize this, but it is good to hear from someone else as well.

To me, he looks to be built like a Western horse, not an English/Jumper. horse. That doesn't mean he can't jump, or even jump well... But normally horses that excel at jumping are taller/leaner built. He just gives me the impression of Western. Hard to tell confo on the ground he is on.

Just my input. It is hard to sell a horse when you have had them for several years...