Feeling disappointed after viewings

[doolally_tap]

I know this is only my first ‘proper’ post on here – so apologies that it is so very very long!!!

After three negative viewings this weekend I've had my confidence as a rider knocked a lot. I always thought of myself as a confident, capable rider – but perhaps that is only because I’ve really only ridden sensible horses (especially lately).

I know it's gonna take time to find the right horse but the viewings have really left me feeling like a crap, incapable rider :(

Viewing 1 - Saturday - 14.2hh 11 yr old tb x bay mare

I arrived to find the owners had caught the horse and brought her out of the field ready for my arrival (even though I had asked for her to remain out so that I could see her being caught). Ground checks went swimmingly, impeccable manners from the ground, very clean horse, no lumps/bumps or hot spots. Stood quiet and calm all the time.

I asked to see her ridden. She was tacked up - happy mouth bit, flash noseband, martingale with breast plate. Her owner mounted and immediately the horse's temprement switched. Her nose was in the air, and she jogged instead of walked and you could totally see the excitement in her. The trot was just about controlled, slightly uncontrolled at some points. Canter was definately dicey, racing around corners, nose still in the air. I watched her a bit more and decided that I wasn't even going to get on her. End of viewing 1!

Viewing 2 - Saturday - 15.2hh 12 yr old tb bay mare

Horse was in field without halter, as instructed. Brought into yard. Did all ground checks, again no areas of concern. Chatted to owner about horse's general nature and she said she was laid back and not at all sharp unless you asked her to be. She was very honest and said that the horse would put in a small buck if you were too strong with your leg (eg. if you asked for a more forward going trot and the mare gave you it - but you asked for it again unnecessarily).

I watched her being ridden and she was lovely. She was ridden in a KK bit (never even heard of it before!) Got on her myself and again she was lovely, I felt relaxed on her. She did, however, put in a buck (not even big enough to unseat me) which made me feel like I was riding her wrong.

However by the end of the viewing the owner had taken a call from someone who had viewed her previously and accepted an offer subject to vetting. The horse was nice, but I didn't feel 100% confident on her to make me want to put in an offer. End of viewing 2!

Viewing 3 - Sunday (just got back) - 15hh 8yr old Halfinger Gelding.

Lovely on the ground, nicely mannered, good clean horse. However was only gelded early this year (a little late methinks). The owners rang alarm bells for me really - looked like dealers in disguise! Horse was imported from Holland only 2 months ago.

Watched him ridden - snaffle mouth. Girl riding seemed fine and the horse was pacey, but seemed relaxed and controllable. Fab in traffic - saw him getting passed by two motorbikes and an ambulance with flashing lights (no siren!) - horsey didn't flinch a bit.

I got on him - he was instantly nappy, not wanting to listen to me, trying to head back to the stables and being generally very strong. The owner said I didn't have my reins short enough - but if I shortened them any more my hands would have been in his mouth!! Didn't feel confident enough to even try him in canter, we were on an uneven field next to a road and I just wasn't taking the risk. End of viewing 3!

Now I just feel really really disappointed - and a crap rider to boot.

Maybe I should just buy a donkey. :p

If you've read all of this - well done!!!!

[Ctfarmgirl]

Sounds like you got to ride a lot of different horses this weekend :) At least you didn't fall off the mounting block!! I went to look at this paint gelding, who's supposed to be the puppy dog type of horse. Well the owner wanted me to get on him bareback, and I didn't mind, so I climbed up on the mounting block and just as I went to put my leg over him he moved away from me and i fell flat on my butt on the corner of the block! I have the hugest bruise on my butt and leg now.. LOL We all laughed, but I was so embarrassed! :( Plus once i did get up there he wouldn't walk, move or anything!!! With or with out the saddle! Three other people got up on him and he wouldn't move for them either!!! Only the owner.. LOL I think she might end up keeping him.

[Pibstar]

read it all - yeah! Well like husbands/boyfriends most of us have to date a few to find out if we like each other. Thats what your going through - horse dating!! The first you didnt even ride so that has nothing to do with your riding - second one you had no choice in as she accepted another offer plus you didnt feel confident - third one seems all wrong and you felt like it did too so wouldnt put that all on yourself, who knows what the horses back ground was if they only had it two months.

Dont give up the right horsey partner is out there waiting for you!!! You will KNOW when you find the ONE!;) :D :p

[eml]

Welcome to the Board and sorry you are having a tough time finding a horse.

Have you got an RI or someone to help you. How were these horses advertised? None of then sound suitable for returning rider.

Don't worry about your riding, daughter and I had a memorable visit to a potential horse for her which we looked at and said no way would she sit on it, and she is a BHS Stage 4 rider. Event rider demonstrating horse resorted to hands round neck through various rears/bucks etc. This was a horse we had specified as suitable for a competent 20 yo rider coming off a schoolmaster with aged mum to handle while she was at University! :eek:

[Stella2]

You could try www.stubleyhollowfarm.com My mare came from there and I know of several other good horses that did. Patsy (propriator) genuinely tries to match the right horse to the right buyer as, aside from anything else, her reputation is very important to her.

[Bay Mare]

Your perfect (or near perfect) horsey soul mate is out there somewhere :) It may take some time but it's worth the wait.

When I went to try out my horse I felt like a complete beginner. I was convinced that they wouldn't even let me buy a rocking horse never mind a real live 5 year old!

I got mine from Stubley too. You can see our journey on the Matures forum entitled 'Saffy Update'.

A 'KK' is a nice, kind bit. It's a Sprenger KK which is like a french link but with a lozenge. There are a couple of different versions (Ultra, Ultra Soft, WH) and they're nice bits. Nothing to worry about if a horse goes well in one of those :)

[sancho]

horse dating!! :p

Thats so true!!!

Also you have to remember that these owners will say anything to sell their horses! You did well because you have the ability to view/ride with your head and not your heart! Knowing when not to ride is the best tool you could have when looking for a horse.


Dont take it personally, its not your riding, I hope you find a suitable steed soon! :D

[*toHorse&Away*]

It is a shame that you had three viewings like that - it is a time commitment for you as well as for the sellers, but don't be put off - like so many things in life good things come to he (or she) who waits!!!!:)

[Clare-22]

Horse hunting sounds fun but I don't think many people enjoy it in the act! I spent 6 months horse hunting last year, in that time I ony found two I seriously considered!

It really is worth taking your time and finding the one for you, he / she is out there it just may take some time.

Try not to let the dissapointments knock your confidence, there are a lot of sellers who are not exactly truthful about the horse they are selling.

Very interesting about the Haffy gelding you mentioned, I am sure there was discussion on here about a Haffy who sounds incredibly like the one you looked at, who was advertised with a very dodgy dealer well known on these boards, so I think you did well to spot that!

Good luck with your search :)

[laceyfreckle]

horse no 1 sounds like it might have had a teeth/back problem.

why don't you go for a less flighty type? natives are good ;)

i owned a tb x nf once and well, never again. the welshie i have at the mo is the best i could ask for.

haflingers do need fairly strong over confident riders (well in my experience anyway although i do love them)

if its any consolation though the first horse i looked at when trying to get my mare bolted off with me!

[Jenni]

Dont worry, i was in the exact same position. every single one i tried did 'something' and i was starting to think it was me.

Then i bought a 6 year old subject to vetting, it turned out to have strangles, so that got cancelled.

Then i went and tried a 4 year old (he was 4 weeks short of his 4th birthday,although i thought e was rising 5) and he was the most well behaved one that i tried.
I felt confident on him straight away and he didnt do anything silly.

The right horse is out there for you, but i would say be willing to try something that doesnt tick quite every box. You might be surprised :)

[ashlingm]

dont be put off - took me 3 months to find my guy, exactly a week before i was due back at school...the first few viewing are exciting but it gets pretty boring after a while. but really you will find 'the one'; eventually and i promise you it will be worth the wait! good luck!!

[stephanie bay]

That is soooo familliar, I get really nervous trying out horses for myself. When I was looking for a new horsea few years ago, I was riding one round an arena and cantering and cantering and cantering - I just couldn't stop the thing! It was very comical in hindsight!

You will find somehting - but as someone has said take someone along who knows you (and you respect their opinion) to ride for you and then they can give you their opinion and it will set you at ease before you hop on.

I can easily ride anything for someone else but the minute you want it to be perfect that when it all goes to pieces!

Good luck in your search!

[horseygirl123]

Only 3 viewings !!!!

Heres a list of some of the ones I went to see:

12yr old 15.2hh Tb X safe hacking horse, well schooled etc etc

outcome .... dogdy leg, been raced as a youngster and would not stand still for more than a millisecond

8yr old Welsh sec D 15.1hh used for hunting and hacking, fit and forward going

outcome .... was about 14.2hh VERY unfit, didnt respond to leg aids AT ALL couldnt get it to trot, untacked it and it was soaking with sweat

Stunning black 16.2hh IDxTB super safe hack, loves jumping, exceptionally well schooled

outcome .... a total loon!! struck off on wrong canter leg every time, refused every jump, went out for a hack, it reared up then spun and ran me backwards into a ditch and the best of it .......... It was bay!!

Took me 6 months to find my horse, and even she isnt everything they said she was, but at least she is safe and with a bit of schooling will be everything I want ;)

Theres a horse out there perfect for you, you've just got to ask 100000000's of questions on the phone before you go for a viewing and do what I did, take notes, then phone back the next night and ask the same questions!!!!!
If the answers arent the same, stay away :p

[doolally_tap]

Thanks for the replies.

I must admit I thought looking for a horse would be so much fun, and really exciting, etc. I'm not saying it's awful - but it's definately not as much fun as I thought it would be.

I'm being very 'organised' in my approach. I'm searching mainly through the 'ad-trader' and printing off the adverts on the back of a questionnaire I've already made (v blue peter) and I'm literally asking every single question - covering a huge amount of info that I need to know.

I've got some other viewings in the pipeline, but will start a new thread to tell you about them.

I think the Stubley Hollow Farm is a little further than I really want to travel - the horses seem a little over my budget too when I checked out the website.

Has anyone on here every heard of Lakeside Premier Horses which is also in this area? (a tad nearer to me, though still a fair journey)

[Stella2]

What are you looking for and where in the North East are you? Local Farriers and tack shops can be a good source.

[doolally_tap]

Stella2 - I'll PM you :cool:

[welshcob]

a friend of mine just viewed 23 before she found the right one all the others were misdescribed lol
i have a super fell pony forsale if that would be any good for you goodluck with your search

[SO1]

I really sympathise with you and good to hear someone in the same position - I too am looking for a horse but have not even seen very much that is worth viewing so wondering if I can get what I want in my price range locally.

I am also getting lots of well meaning but conflicting advice from friends and it is really denting my confidence and confussing me. It has actually got so bad that I am worried that I will fall out over this with one of them who I have known for over 20 years, :(

The right horse for me is one that I feel confortable with and I am coming to the conclussion that maybe I should trust my own judgement more.

I think this time of year also is not a good time to look for horses as most come up for sale after the show season and summer riding.

Good Luck anyway.

[Afellpony]

You've really got to be careful though when you'er trying to buy a horse. Too much advice is as bad as not enough. It's best not to tell too many people then you wont get all the "advice". I find it's easier if you just speak to your riding instructor, especially if it's your first horse. I think you've made a very sensible statement there about trusting your own judgement more.There's really no right time of year to buy a horse. They are cheaper in the Autumn than in the Spring because peeps dont want to keep them through the Winter.

[showjumper-zoe]

Hvae you just been going to private sellers? You could try a reputable dealers as you can try a lot in one go and is easer to compare or ask around local riding schools as they may have some for sale but I know some that you should avoid if you want to pm me.

Maybe put advert like wanted on some internet sale sites and in local papers with the requirements you want.

:)

[SO1]

You've really got to be careful though when you'er trying to buy a horse. Too much advice is as bad as not enough. It's best not to tell too many people then you wont get all the "advice". I find it's easier if you just speak to your riding instructor, especially if it's your first horse.

Unfortunately I dont really have a riding instructor as I was sharing a horse for nearly 4 years and although I had occasional lessons on her. I am now just starting back at a riding school but I think it would be hard for them to make a judgement as I have only been 3 times and had 2 different instructors ;)

I am also finding that ponies are not always honestly described, though why anyone would bother lying I dont know as then they have to waste their time showing them to you!

[Trewsers]

Hey, you're not a crap rider and don't buy a donkey - I think they would be harder work than the average horse! hehehehe. Try not to be too disheartened - first horse I looked at just stood there in the school and wouldn't move until I kicked and kicked (something I DON'T like doing) and even when the owner shouted to whip him hard (which again I wouldn't do) he just about moved a few feet. Not good - I felt useless!!!! You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the right one........keep looking and good luck!!!!!!

[breuddwyd]

Hi, so sorry you have had such a rotten time. Have read all the comments and all have sound advice. Have you made up your mind which type and breed of horse you would like? You could also contact your locl pony club dc, they quite often know of horses/ponies for sale and could perhaps recommend someone to you. If you are looking for a showy cob type, you could try Lynn Russell, she sells showy type cobs and quite a reasonable price, depends on your budget of course. Don't give up I am sure you are a perfectly capable rider, it is quite scary trying out horses, but go with your gut feeling and if you really like one but are not 100% sure, ask an instructor to go along with you:) Don't give up, but you may have to compromise, but never compromise on safety:eek: Ask to see the horse ridden on the roads, this always causes a panic if the horse is not good in traffice. Good luck to you:)

[appaloosahoney]

I know exactly where you are coming from, I have always thought of myself as a confident , pretty unflappable, yet not expert rider. Suddenly when faced with buying a new horse, no matter how difficult the previous horses you have ridden have been, you suddenly start to question your ability. I used to be more worried about having to ride in front of the existing owners, than asking the difficult questions that you need to ask. One tip I did learn was to ask outright, "has this horse ever bucked, reared or napped in any way" I also invent a teenage daughter - I have one but she doesnt ride anymore, and ask them "would you put a confident and yet not expert child on this horse" I find that the first question makes them think about the possibility of you suing them if things go wrong, the second appeals to their morals. At this point, most will start to mention the down points (I dont include the unscupulous or dealers here) and you get a better picture of the horse. Most honest sellers, are terrified that you will buy their horse and find it too much for you, or the little quirks that they have will be treated the wrong way so they list them endlessly. I think generally its down to gut feeling. You will get on one, that maybe is totally not what you are looking for, but the connection is suddenly there, and you know that you can work with it. I think you really have your head round this, many people I know would still get on what they thought was a bit of a dodgy horse, simply not to offend the owners. Dont give up! we have all found one eventually

[Mushy]

My god reading that i think i got off easy :eek:
After two disastrous attempts to buy unseen i spotted an ad with no picture in the ex-racers forum and went to see the horse a few days after and was convinced he was the one even before i rode him.
He's an absolute star.

Have you had any luck after that weekend? :)

[doolally_tap]

My god reading that i think i got off easy :eek:
After two disastrous attempts to buy unseen i spotted an ad with no picture in the ex-racers forum and went to see the horse a few days after and was convinced he was the one even before i rode him.
He's an absolute star.

Have you had any luck after that weekend? :)

Hiya - I've actually reverted to my original plan which was to share a horse with someone else. The only reason I started to look for horses to buy was because I couldn't find any suitable share or part-loan horses in my area. However one came up just over a week ago and so now I'm sorted.

I have another thread on the go with more about him - called "I've kind of got a new horse".