Gut Instinct when viewing a horse ...

[Ruskii]

Following on from another thread, I was just wondering if someone could give me their opinion on this.

I went to see a horse on Sunday and it was quite a drive to get there, anyway the horse I intentionally went to see had been sold, but there was another there the dealer offered me, he was BEAUTIFUL to look at, but I dont know what it was, but I got a bad 'vibe' or something off him, as soon as I saw him I thought 'No' told my head to shut up and to give the animal a chance so I asked to see him being ridden, as he was in the box, I approached the box and got the ears going back, but they weren't pinned back nor were the nostrils drawn up like they do before they go to bite, I saw him tacked up and and brought out the box to be shown him and I liked the look of him, he hadn't been out of the box for a few days and was ok, a little stiff, but when a rider got on him she did comment that she had to push him hard to canter round the arena (after a few laps of trot though) I was offered a ride.

However now I'm thinking a few days later, he was fine to be tacked up, he stood stock still when mounted and didnt actually DO anything wrong, only put his ears back when approached in the box. I just didnt warm to him straight away at all. But now I cant get him out of my head :rolleyes:

But I know when I brought my old boy, when I first saw him I thought 'Yep I want you' without even trying him ! ;)

Do you think you should go with your gut instinct when you first view a horse ? Or is just me that felt that way and I'm being a bit silly ? :o

When you all viewed your horses did you get an immediate gut feeling or did you make up your mind later on about the animal ? :)

[Pink's lady]

You have to LIKE your horse, so one you don't get on with isn't a good idea.

There are some horses I just don't like and therefore wouldn't buy.

[H & Bailey]

i would go with the gut instinct..even though bailey isnt anything like my other horse in fact the complete opposite when i saw him there was just something about him..

[c2b]

Go with your gut instinct every time. I spent months looking for "the one". I looked at loads. One in particular ticked every box but something no idea what told me he wasn't the one. I began to think at one time that perhaps subconsiously I didn't want a horse!! A year later that horse was still for sale...can't help but wonder why. I did find "the one" eventually and knew as soon as I saw her. On paper she wasn't the right horse for me but I have been proven right over time. I am having the time of my life. It's better than I could ever have dreamed of....
Keep looking.

[katieB]

Yep gut instinct counts for a lot, I saw loads of horses before buying Milly and was beginning to think I just didnt want another horse after having my last one, then I saw Milly and straight away I was like "I MUST HAVE THIS HORSE" and I did :D Go with your instinct, a horse will come along soon that has the same affect as your last one did.

[Wobblydeb]

Being a scientific type, I think there are sensible causes behind "gut instinct". There will have been something in the horses body language (including the ears back) that will have spoken directly to your subconscious and told you that either he a) wasn't well or b) didn't like you or c) wasn't the type of horse you could get on with. I reckon the reason you cannot get him out of your head is because he was so beautiful. A bit like meeting a gorgeous bloke who was a bit surly with you... ;)

I think gut instinct can work against you. I saw a horse for sale that I absolutely adored, but he was a weaver and slightly lame (could only see it when we watched the video back). He was the nicest 'person' imaginable though....

Of course I didn't buy him, but I still think about him nearly a year later. :rolleyes:

[missyL]

gut instinct is the best, when i went to view missy and another horse i knew straight away it was missy i wanted as she just stood out, next to the other horse she had more character etc. but i will admit that when i bought my yearling my first instinct with no but i still bought him (in a hope i would change my mind) which i did and now i wouldnt swap him for the world:D

[Jenni]

when i went to see Kaiser i didnt actually feel anything.:o

I saw him and didnt think, wow lovely. I saw him being ridden, i rode him and i felt safe on him. he didnt do anything silly, i rode him in a massive field on the buckle in canter. But still i didnt get any overwhelming feelings. He looked awkward, but i bought him because i thought he had a nice attitude and i felt safe on him.

I had him for a week and i thought this isnt going to work, i didnt get any feelings at all for him. I expected to have my first horse and be in love with it but i wasnt. i felt quite empty to be honest.

Then week 2 kicked in and he started to respond to me and from then on i have been so glad that i bought him. he is such a loving little man and really loves to have a human to love and interact with.

I was standing in his field yesterday after turning him out and he just stood there with me, licking me and his head resting on my shoulder, dozing in the sun and i thought thank god i bought him because i love him to bits. :D

I think i did have a gut instinct with him. Something told me to buy him even though i didnt have any overwhelming feelings for him.

[Clare-22]

Definately go with your gut instinct :)

[eml]

Definately gut instinct. The few horses I have bought on the basis of ..oh well it will do the job..have been disasters. My best buys have been those I looked at and immediately thought..I am taking you home..sometimes even before I see them ridden.

[popdog]

I bought my latest by looking over the stable door and giving him a scratch on the neck. When his lip went all wobbly and my friend and I just looked at each other and said 'yes'.

I did ride him as part of the trial, but to be honest from the minute I saw his cheeky face over that stable door I just knew I was going to buy him. He barged me when I led him, squealed and bucked when I asked for canter...but I knew that we would be partners in crime.

I guess that was gut instinct, and it was right because we get on fantastically :cool:

[CurlyWurlyRach]

gut instinct! I rode my ginger horsey once, walk, trot, over a small jump and went 'how much?' - you just know sometimes i guess.

[thoroughlybred1]

if its a decision to be made there and then, then def gut instinct. However, i've had a little mare in to sell on behalf of the owner i wouldnt have considered initially. Now i've got to know her little ways (both good and bad) my opinion of her changed to such an extent i bought her myself. without the opportunity to get to know her i'd never have bought her

[Grace O'Malley]

When I went to see Morocha they brought two horses out for me to look at. The other one pinned her ears, and I thought, "No." Didn't need to look closer. Morocha was interested in me from the start. She looked at me, followed me around, sniffed me all over for treats (which I didn't have any, but she seemed to like me anyway :rolleyes:). That wasn't the *only* reason I bought her, but her attitude definitely made me feel an instant connection. It was interesting too that the girl who was showing me the horses said someone else had been to look, and had gotten the opposite reaction from the two of them :p

[NZdressage]

Sometimes gut instinct is the best, I know the minute I sit on a horse wether I like it or not, but thats down to riding so many horses. I knew the minute I sat on Jet, he was going to be a superstar, and he has turned out to be just that. I dont judge horses on what they look like, we brought a horse from Holland for a lot of money, she was gorgeous and had the most beautiful movement you would have ever seen,however by the time she got here she was a totally different horse and no one can ride her. I know many horses that arent totally eye catching when they are standing tied up to the truck but I know that they are the ones you underestimate that will win!

[eventerbabe]

hmm, i dunno. When i first sat on toby i didn't particularly like him BUT he was the lesser of 2 evils (we traded our nut-job of a mare for toby). Now i'd never part with him. If i'd gone with my gut on that one i'd have missed out on the horse of a lifetime. Same happened with bonnie. She tanked off with me every time we went to try her (and i had my heart set on a chestnut arab!). So no, i don't think gut instinct really is the be all and end all......

[Pottamus]

Go with your guts. I wanted my horse before seeing him in the flesh...just from photos sent to me by the previous owner! I travelled 3 hours to see him and knew he was mine before riding him. I rode him and he made me laugh even though he was clearly green with many issues! I have never looked back 4 years on...he is wonderful. Good luck with your horse search but you will know when you find the one.

[Stella2]

Gut instinct definately worked for me with my girl, but it was once I was riding her (moments after I sat on her really). When I first saw her though, my initial thought was "I'm not getting on that, its huge!". Based on the photo I'd seen before travelling to the yard, I just hasn't realised her size. She is actually just short of 16.3hh at the wither but she looks bigger as she is a big build. My initial instinct was that there was 'no way'!

Anyway, I'd travelled a few hours to see her so I thought I may as well see her ridden, then as she was quiet I got on her. Within moments I knew I had to have her, gave them the decision within minutes and took her there and then with no vetting!

So gut instinct yes, but unless I saw something that made me uneasy about riding, I'd wait until I got on for the instinct. If he did nothing wrong and he is playing on your mind, maybe go back for a little ride and then go with how you feel.

[Sammii]

If you're having to ask whether you're being fair about not gelling to him straight away then he probably isn't the one! :)
Keep looking - he is out there!

[Portia]

Definitely gut instinct. When we were looking to buy we were shown THE most georgous boy, ticked all the boxes and seemingly well behaved...but there was 'something' that didn't click. Couldnt tell you what, perhaps a look in his eye, twitch of a ear, but I voted no. By chance we leanred a few weeks kater that he'd bucked off his new owner so many times she'd returned him.
The one we bought we nearly passed over at the yard. We'd gone to view another but it was too sharp for my daughter, walking out to the car B came up to us for a fuss, whickered when we went to leave so my daughter asked to try her ... and that was that! Had her 4 years now, she'll be with us for life.

[raggydoll]

I strongly believe, and there is evidence to suggest, that instinct is actually your subconscious picking up on tiny little cues that are warning you about something, often thing that your conscious self cannot detect. Have you ever *known* something good/bad was going to happen, i know i have and while im pretty sure im not psychic i do think i have fairly good 'instincts' . I would definitely take that into account when making a decision.

That said my instincts were wrong once before, but we all make mistakes i guess!!

[Afellpony]

When I first saw mine, he was tied up, looked miserable, uninterested and ****** off. There was no real spark, even we stroked him - but - there was something about him that said that I wouldn't be disappointed if I bought him and I haven't been. He's a super boy, mischievious, affectionate and very quick to learn new things. so, yes, I'm very glad I bought him.

[Ruskii]

Well there has been a change in developments a little bit, I cant say much at the moment (due to a few things being uncertain at the moment) but I will able to update you all on Saturday afternoon :D :D :D :D :D

[fairlady]

It is a difficult one. Gut instinct led me to the Arab I had for a months trial. I totally fell hook line and sinker the minute I spotted him. I bonded with him immediately and he took my breath away everytime I went to see him and he called out and came galloping over. However, it did not work out (long story which I will post one day, when It is not still so raw).

Then I went to see Morse, after looking and looking, and although really he was everything I did not want being only 2, I liked him immediately, he was nosey, cheeky, kind and full of character so I bought him. I love him to death, but don't as yet, feel quite the same about him as I did the Arab, which was immediate.

You have to have that 'I want' feeling, I am not saying it cannot grow, but you have to have that immediate 'like' factor.

[Teehee]

Looks ain't it all!!! Go with the gut instinct... !!!

When I saw Duquesa she caught my eye right away, right colour, nice disposition, very comfortable trot, not overly big... But a very good gut feeling...

When I rode her everything went fine, until a car came, so I had the bright idea to go back into the field where she was to get away from the car... big mistake... she took off galloping and bucking!!! I managed to stay on, and was about to fall when she stopped, but for some reason I remember not to put my front hands on her neck to try to stop... because I'd end up on the floor for sure... and some how I was able to reach back and shift my weight towards her arse... and stayed on...!!! But even after that, I got off and amazingly I wasn't terrified!!! More surprised that I didn't fall off!!!

I bought her anyways, and I'm glad I did!!! :)

[horsemadmandy]

I bought a horse 4 weeks ago and my instinct was oh no he looks just like the problem horse I have sold 7 months previously with alot of heartache- I just wanted to run away. I did not like his grumpy behaviour on the ground ears back and threatening to bite- owners said he just pulled faces. When I rode him I fell in love with him as all that ground stuff was just faces:D He still is grumpy on the ground but he is a star to ride- schoolmaster , very safe to school, hack and quite fun because of his grumpy nature- He is just what I was looking for! I would agree with gut instincts usually but this time I was wrong . I love him to bits already- Heh we cant all be perfect :)

[Ruskii]

Update : Well I went to see a horse last week and as soon as I saw him in the field I liked him straight away, went back a few more times before I rode him and I fell hook line and sinker for him :D

He's passed his vetting so we're collecting him tmw morning ! :)

[cazrider]

That's great news Ruskii.:D

[Ruskii]

Thanks cazrider :D :D :D :D

[Stella2]

I'm really please for you, its so great when we find 'the one' :)

[fairlady]

Fantastic news, but see, there was something there straight away, you saw him and liked him:)

[Trewsers]

When we went to view Joe - rightaway we both looked at each other behind the vendors back and said "yep, definitely"! It was just something that felt right. Same with Storm really, I wanted her before I even sat on her!!! Something just clicked - even tho she did try and bite my arm whilst I held her for her owner..........!!

[Trewsers]

So you've found the one now! Hurray!!!