after all I've said... seeing cob girlie tomozz!

[Little Dolphins]

Well, you never know, do you??? She's homebred, apparently not sharp(good!), happy and healthy. You can see her on allaboutcobs.com ; she's Harlequeen.
Seeing IDx mare on Friday who's beautiful, but too much horse, prob. However, she's 10yo, sweet tempered, knows it all.

I've got a place on a great yard, now looking for horse. Nervewrackingness!! Think I must be dreaming, it's been a dream for so long...

[Imp]

Coool, what a lovely horse!

I'm at the same position minus one step (still looking for the livery yard). I like Ariel (the little angel :) ) on their site and have been looking at her for a while as I believe they're based in Kent like me; the only thing that bothers me is that she's young for a cob and I'm not experienced enought to cope with teen tantrums (got 3 human teens of my own and that's hard enough :rolleyes: ).

Keep us updated, these threads at the very beginning of horse ownership are a magnet to me :D :D ... watching this space

[Little Dolphins]

The youth of all the cobs I see for sale is bothersome. Especially when you read all the posts on here about 'Kevins'!
I actually went to try Foxxy (on the same website), lovely horse, but too forward going for me!!
The lady who keeps the yard is very friendly though, and tries to match horse and rider over a period of time ie you'd be invited to go along many times if you needed to, to form a whole opinion of the horse. You could always just go to see Angel, and take it from there?
Mind you, if you fell in love with the mare, then you'd be battling with why's and wherefores.

[MadMumInKent]

She looks lovely, Good luck! :) Let us know!! (goes without saying!) ;)

[amandal]

she's lovely and god Foxxy is stunning, why do I keep looking at horse ads (muttering to self : can't afford another horse, can't afford another horse).

[domane]

How did you get on today Little Dolphins???

[Little Dolphins]

:) :D ;) :) :)

What a super horse!

Things went swimmingly, so I'm going again this week and I'm pretty sure I'm going to.....

MUST be dreaming, surely?

[domane]

Ooh! Ooh! :D

<fidgets excitedly>

Could THIS be the start of a beautiful friendship.........? ;)

Details please......

[Imp]

Ohhhh, when, when, when, when, when???? Are you allowed to take pics? I've seen her on the site and love her, what was she like to ride? How did you rider her? Walk, trot, canter, jump...? Sorry, going on a bit, I'm excited for you :D :D :D

[pedantic]

They all look gorgeous, I like the look of Foxxy for my taste in cobs, good luck with Harlequeen.

[Little Dolphins]

Yes, Foxxy is a stunner!
The pics of Harley/ Harlie, as she is known, show her kind eye, but not how really lovely she is in 3-D. She has been carefully produced and her demeanour is happy and confident. She has a shapely head and bod., a long, full and wavy tail and nice knees! I hope I can do her justice- what a responsibility.
I watched her being ridden in the school, and focussed on how she went for a familiar rider. Then I decided to go quietly at a walk for a longish while to try to tune in to her. I enjoyed asking her to stop periodically, which she did so nicely, once I had calmed my stop -aids down a LOT; she kind of responded with a thought. JOY.
We went for a hack, trotted along lanes, met the most amazing array of diggers, tractors and trailers. All fine. She did a spook at a stationary blackbird! Managed that OK.
This horse feels much lighter to ride, to me ,than Foxxy, but that was a while back, and I think I'm not so tense as I was. She's a little narrower, too, which I found a help.
Best of all, she gave me a kiss.
I'll wake up in a minute and find it was all unreal.

So, back for another visit to ride her for longer and do more. I know other people have been and are coming back:eek: Will let you know how it goes!

[cazrider]

She looks and sounds lovely Little Dolphins:D Best of luck on your return visit.:D

[Belle1]

Good luck with your potential new horse Little Dolphins.

Can anyone recommend a site advertising older cobs, private sales not dealers? I am selling mine and looking for places to advertise.

[cazrider]

Hi Belle1. I used Ad Trader and Horse and Hound when selling my mare. I got lots of response from H and H, and some from Ad Trader. It was a better time of year (Spring) but I had about six or seven enquiries from Ad Trader and about 45 from H and H.

[Little Dolphins]

Hi Belle1, ironic that now I think I've found my hoss, she's still a young one, and I was looking EVERYWHERE for an older one, and now you post the above!

Funny too, that I am 'Belle' on a hound forum (cos that's my name!)
Hope you have success with your ad.
Er, um, what is your cob like/how old/ etc ? No, don't tell me!

Cheers!

[Belle1]

I've put details on http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67817&highlight=sale :)

[Little Dolphins]

Well, wish me luck folks, hoping this is the Day! (She might be a different horse/ she may hate me today/her owners may hate me today/ everything could be horrible worry worry) Good feelings outweighing the bad tho'; I want HarleyQ!! Please.

I have no car and am making my journeys by train. Imagine me, all in my kit(sans hat, that's in a bag) on a 4 leg journey on public transport. You can see people thinking "Where's yer 'orse, luv?"

What do I care?

[nutkin]

good luck. Hope it all goes well.

[Stella2]

Good luck, I hope it goes well :) But if by any chance it doesn't, don't worry that the IDx is too much for you until you try her/him. The ID part in a horse is generally kind and sensible :)

[nutkin]

Good luck, I hope it goes well :) But if by any chance it doesn't, don't worry that the IDx is too much for you until you try her/him. The ID part in a horse is generally kind and sensible :)

Yep I can vouch for that as my horse is ISH which is ID x TB and he has the most gorgeous personality.

[Little Dolphins]

Thanks all for your wishes and comments!
Gosh what an EXHAUSTING day yesterday; came home and drank quite a lots of Jacob's Creek!!
Well, am going ahead with the vetting, as I love this horse; she is a sweetheart. A horse for Christmas is a ......
She is young, and I will need to keep working with a trainer/instructor to make sure I don't stunt her growth(educationally, physically, emotionally!), but she is a super ride.
Also, quite a clincher for me, I spent a long time with her in the stable, nice and quietly. She let me fuss and fumble with her rugs and headcollar, feet etc. Then, she simply stood with her nose on my shoulder while I conversed with one of the girls on the yard.
Of course there will be problems ahead as we work it out together in a new environment. She may turn out to be a devil horse.I may turn out to be an idiot at things! I'm going ahead because my confidence in her outweighs the doubts about the future.
End of today's therapy session; thanks folks! It helps to put it down in black and white. Great forum, this.

[Stella2]

I've found that there is a lot to be said for 'gut feeling' and 'chemistry' when finding the right horse, so it sounds like a good match :)

How old is she? Also how big and what colour?

When is the vetting?

[nutkin]

good luck with the vetting. It sounds as though she is an ideal horse for you afterall.

[Big Ears]

good luck - remember vetting isnt everything even if she fails you often find they fail on something, it's a question of whehter it is significant to waht you want to do with her.

[Imp]

Woo Hooooo, what a step you've taken, lucky you she's such a beautiful looking horse.

I saw a livery yard today and they were lovely people and offered to come to view any potential horse and show me the bits of stable management I need as I've never kept a horse before. I feel much more confident now having had a knock by being left to untack my RS horse earlier this week. :D

Please keep posting your progress, I'm hoping to ring the same yard to see if they have anything 'so laid back it's almost horizontal' for me and my daughter.

:D :D :D :D :D

[Little Dolphins]

Vetting is on Monday, and it'll be a 5 stage. I don't expect anything adverse, but you never know. I shall be there, gleaning as much info as I can.

Stella2, Harley is 6yo, born at the yard of an Irish mum. She's 15.2, bay, with a little bit of white in extraordinary markings. (See my post at beg. of thread for website where there are pics.)
Thanks for your comment about 'chemistry'; I have tried to listen to my gut reactions as well as the opinions of those around me on the visits, whilst trying to remember all the wise words on NR!

;)

[horsey1]

Good luck:D hope it goes well:D

[coblover26]

Good Luck with everything. I'm going to see a horse called Ash today.(about 10mins arghh:( ) Really scared. Hoping to loan her. :D

[domane]

Aww - I got all emotional reading your return visit (although your comments about getting there via public transport caused a smirk) Reckon I have had too much beer too quickly as I feel all sniffy and delighted for you!!

I just want to add my two pennarth to the "chemistry" comment - I knew fairly instantly with Cherry. She was the first horse out of the 4 I had gone down the sharing route with that made me feel totally safe on the ground.
And look at us now.... not only did I share her for a mere fortnight, she is now all my own!!

Fingers crossed for the vetting.... can't wait to hear lots more good news,
Jane

[LizH]

Sounds wonderful - good luck with the vetting, but it all seems meant to be !!What a Merry Christmas you'll have , and if it does all go ahead now , you'll still have time for some spectacular Christmas shopping in your nearest tack shop ... assuming you have any money left that is :D

[Little Dolphins]

Lulu- how was the Ash visit??

Yep, 'spectacular spending' will be the key phrase for this Christmas, if all goes ahead:eek:
Does seem a mad thing to do, when the dosh could go on Other Things.

I've been waiting a long time, though, about forty years or something. Before that, I wanted to actually BE a horse, but that's another story...(it didn't work out).

[Stella2]

Yep, 'spectacular spending' will be the key phrase for this Christmas, if all goes ahead:eek:
Does seem a mad thing to do, when the dosh could go on Other Things.


I can't afford mine either - who can?! But if we didn't spend it on horses, it would be frittered away on something :)

[LizH]

Blow the cost , you go for it ... it's your dream , what better way to use money than to achieve that .

I wanted to be a horse too - had to settle for bean canes and string reins - but MY feet , a pretty good mover even if I do say so myself (excellent transitions.):D :D :D

[domane]

Just want to add GOOD LUCK for tomorrow's vetting.... can't wait to hear the outcome....

[Imp]

I've got everything crossed for you... although I'm sure it'll be a doddle for you/her :D I'm watching this space.

[Little Dolphins]

Thanks everyone, for your good wishes! It's a bit like waiting for a baby to come (but not really:eek: ), but you get my drift...apprehension, wanting to be excited but too nervous etc etc. I'm trying to do Christmas here at the same time, and only half managing it- got a tree, but it's in the garden, still wrapped up! The fairy's still in the attic. Better take her with me tomorrow?

Will report!

[BeachRiding]

Sounds lovely! Good luck tomorrow!

[Belle1]

Good luck for the vetting! :D

[domane]

Well?????

How did the vetting go?

Do you have to get a VERY LARGE Christmas stocking this year??? :D

[Little Dolphins]

Just got in a second ago- don't forget I was on the TRAIN!!

Well.....SHE'S MINE! I've got a HORSE!! HARLEY IS MY DARLING!!!

She passed the 5 -stage with flying colours, and Mike, the vet, said all kinds of nice things about her; Harley was so well-behaved. A very, very "nice person", as they say!

Actually, I feel weird. Sort of calm. I thought I'd explode or something, but I haven't. P'raps I will later.

She will arrive on Jan 5th, so I've asked them to keep her in the cob-sized Christmas stocking until then!:) :p :) ;) :)

[Stella2]

Great news, congratulations :) Why such a long delay until she arrives?

[domane]

Oh CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's FAB news! :D :D :D :D

How will you possibly wait for all that time until you get her....? I would BURST with excitement!!!

I'm so thrilled for you.... don't worry if you have a panic attack about it all - it's normal and it WILL pass..... :D

[kirstie]

CONGRATULATIONS :D

[LizH]

Congratulations:D :D :D Get shopping you lucky person, the best Christmas present ever:) :)

[Imp]

Ohhhh myyyy goooodneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssss you lucky, lucky, lucky girl!!!!! :D
Little Dolphins said:
She will arrive on Jan 5th, so I've asked them to keep her in the cob-sized Christmas stocking until then!

You get youself to the nearest tack shop darling, I've been buying purple brushes and kit and I don't even have a horse (yet - watch this space)!!!
:D :) :D :) :eek: :D :) :D :)

How on Earth are you going to sleep over Christmas now?! (used up my 10 smiley allowance other wise you would have a few more at this stage... )

[Little Dolphins]

Cor, THANKS EVERYONE!!! THIS IS LIKE A PARTY! WAHOOOOOO-OOOOO!!! (why can't I get my computer to do all those nice colours? I've tried; imagine the above in purple,pink, stripes, stars, moons, rainbows etc!!)

Hear that popping sound? It's a glass of champers all round (just pretend, OK?).

The reason I have to wait for Harley is because the YO is going away on hol!
She said I could bring her along as here would be someone in charge, but I want to begin at the beginning with this lady to show me the ropes, as she's v. nice. Also, I've got to get sorted with shopping! And then, there's the fact that during Christmas , I'm chief cook and bottle washer, so I wouldn't have time to enjoy H's arrival and settling in. There, aren't I sensible?! :rolleyes:

[horsey1]

He Hee its all very exciting:D Really glad she passed the vetting:D lots of piccs please:D

[ANN H]

What a FANTASTIC way to start the New Year. Can't wait for more piccies! I bet you can't wait to get Xmas out of the way. I can envisage lots of trips to tack shops over the festive season. Welcome to the 'POOR BUT HAPPY' club!!

[cazrider]

So delighted for you, LD.:D Its a really exciting time! Are you going to go and see her over the holiday? :D

[Little Dolphins]

Poor but happy, yes indeed. Actually, no change there, used to ducking and diving where cash is concerned! So what's new, eh, folks?

I miss H. already, and no, can't see her till the big day, but, it'll be an exciting build-up. Also, hopefully I can hit the Jan sales and find what I still need to get at a good price?:cool:

Have posted a question on the "how to use the forum" thingy, about pics. I have an imac computer, and downsizing picture files is a headache if you don't use a pc. Got some pics of H. having her vetting done; her expression during flexion test is v. funny!

[Imp]

I think, on the whole, when considering the cost of getting a horse, the organisation of a sort of horseshower party would be a good thing - then all your friends and family can bring you buckets, hoof picks, bits and haylage pending your happy arrival ! LOL :D

[RustyMary]

That's a great idea Imp!

Lots of congratulations, Little Dolphins, we'll be wanting lots of pics once she arrives so hope you can get your computer sorted out for it! I think it's really sensible to wait until after Christmas - something to look forward to in that 'nothing nice is ever going to happen again' time in January :)

[Little Dolphins]

Hmm, horse shower thingy; what a good idea, Imp! Well, I'll hold one tomorrow- everyone's invited!!:D

[Belle1]

How exciting, and very sensible of you to wait until your YO is back. A good YO is worth her/his weight in gold!

[wellie]

Congrats... so pleased for you!

[Imp]

Oooohhhh, you must be about to BURST with the anticipation!! I was hoping to be in the same place as you about now - never mind :( - I'll get a kick reading your updates.

Now, don't forget the rules on the 5th January:

1) Pictures, lots of them in various form and stances

2) long update messages

3) Video footage, extra brownie points for these ;)

I'm watching this space :D

[pedantic]

Brill, yes lots of piccys for us to look at, dont know how you can be so patient :)
I couldn't wait that long, I'm not a patient person, well done ;)
Horsey shower party seems a great idea .

[Little Dolphins]

Yep, still waiting... why am I being so grown- up? I suppose the time is passing easily enough because I've been run off my feet doing Christmas for the family! ANYway, I ordered HQ's feed today, a proud moment. As a good doer, I was amazed at the amounts (so little!), which I was shown to give her; my big old rabbit used to tuck away more than that, I swear. Maybe that's one of the golden reasons for a cobby type, eh? Anyway, time will tell on the food front.
Did I tell you that her mum was an Irish piebald cob and her Dad a bay hunter type? The mare was bought and brought over from Ireland by the yard owner, and was discovered to be in foal, and so Harley was born in Sussex, where she has been till now. I wonder how she will feel in her new surroundings, after spending her whole life, so far, in one place?
I hope things are going to work out. Feeling very nervous about beginning this new way of life as horse owner!
Will definitely give you updates, and try with the pics, and borrow a vid. camera maybe.
;) Cheers!

[Little Dolphins]

http://harley1.JPG

[Little Dolphins]

23393

[pedantic]

Give her plenty of chance to settle in as a change of surroundings will most likely
be difficult to start with, her behavior may not be her best at first, your obviously a patient person so this will help an awful lot.

[Little Dolphins]

Thanks, Pedantic- was a school teacher for many years, so patience dinned into me somewhat; it's not something I was born with!
I hear what you say about the change in behaviour-the mare's- and maybe mine, too! Let's hope we can deal... I'll be holding NR conference at my place sometime in Jan!! (Horse -shower items optional;) .

[Big Ears]

There are two schools of thought on a new horse.

One says throw everything at it that's going to happen from day one and it will get used to it immediately

Soft pedal and do it slowly slowly.

I prefer the second but there are many folks who would think nothing of tkaing a brand new horse to a show the next day! Anyway I hope she is fine when she arrives.

[Pink's lady]

Yep, I'm in the 'take it showing the next day' school :o

It doesn't really matter what you do with her excerise-wise, but set down the rules from the minute she arrives - where she's allowed to stand in relation to you, how close she's allowed to come, that she must move over when asked, must lead nicely, pick feet up etc. The worst possible thing you can do is molly-coddle her now thinking ' I'll be strict next week, once I've loved her a bit' . Make sure she knows her place in the pecking order from the word go (i.e below you ;)) and she'll be a happy horse.

And congrataulation :D

[Imp]

Awwww, I can't see the picture or the attachment :( :(

[Little Dolphins]

Imp,
d'you mean on my 'using the forum' thread re attaching pics? I've found the whole thing quite hit and miss, so I don't wonder you can't see them!:o

[Imp]

Try www.photobucket.com - quickly though because I want to see more of her (even though I've seen her on the website, I want to see your 'mummy's eye' view of her :p )

Can you tell how bad I need a horsey fix, I'm getting all demanding now :eek:

[Peace]

I can't see the attachment either - *and* I couldn't get the link to work. Would love to see pictures of your chunky little paint - I'm guessing she's coloured, given her name? - so please post some soon!:)

[Little Dolphins]

234012340223403



If you click on these, they show on a new page if you are logged in. Small pics, though.

And that's not me with H, but Zoe who works at yard

[Peace]

How cute! And what distinctive markings.:) I don't know how you've managed to be so patient waiting for her to arrive.

[Little Dolphins]

hey Peace, you've got good eyesight, then- I'm sorry the pics are so small!
H's markings are quite peculiar and took the vet ages to draw them onto his chart. She's down as a skewbald, and is being CHAPS registered, but I think she's a 'bay with white bits'! One of the markings is a diamond with a dot in the middle; just HAD to have her!!;)

[happy highlande]

Congratulations- lucky you!!
On the what to do when they have been moved line of thought - I once moved a pony from Norfolk to Scotland - 2 day journey, and thought I'd give him a rest for a day or two. He had different thoughts and demanded to be taken out to investigate his new home IMMEDIATELY.
I reckon he thought that if he had spent two days on a lorry to get there it ought to be pretty special!!!! He almost looked disappointed he hadn't got to the worlds biggest show!!! (The logic being the longer you spent int he trailer the bigger the show - roughly what had happened up til then)
So listen to your horse - they are all different and will let you know what they want.

[Peace]

One of the markings is a diamond with a dot in the middle; just HAD to have her!!;)

Oooh, "pawprints" like that are supposed to be an indication the horse is homozygous for paint.:) Might we be hearing the pitter-patter of little hooves one day?;)

[Belle1]

So listen to your horse - they are all different and will let you know what they want.

I couldn't agree more. Some will take longer to settle than others. When I first got Belle she was quite unsettled so I left her a few days before riding her and spent lots of time handling her. However my new boy walked off the lorry ramp as though he owned the place and got straight down to the serious business of eating when I got him. Unfortunately we have been foiled by the weather as he is shod so the snow balls up in his hooves, so I have only sat on him twice and walked around the yard. Really frustrating!!!!

Do start as you mean to go on though and insist on good ground manners right from the start rather than changing the rules and confusing her later.

[Imp]

She truly is lovely Little Dolphins :) You lucky girl. Belle1, what's your new boy's name? I didn't see him because I was focussing on Belle when I visited, can you post any pictures (if you're still speaking to me :o )?

[Belle1]

My new boy is Tali. He was out in the field when you were here Imp. Here is a pic (http://www.flyseq.org.uk/ed/gallery/albums/woodlands/IMG_1745_01_1024.sized.jpg).
I am hoping the snow will have thawed enough to attempt a trot tomorrow!!! He will take a lot of getting used to as he is very forward going and eager.

[pedantic]

Veeeeeeryyyyyyyyyyy nice Belle1 :)

[Imp]

Gosh, he's beautiful too, and yes I did see him, he was standing staring at us very calmly when we walked up to Belle! You certainly know how to pick a rather fetching cob Belle1 :)

Will you post a thread to let us know how it goes with him? We've had rain today and most of the snow's gone so hopefully we can have a trotting update this weekend?

Happy New Year

[Little Dolphins]

[IMG]http://[URL=http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c284/HQ279/harleytrot.jpg][IMG]





This should be HQ trotting for vet

[Pink's lady]

This what you mean;)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c284/HQ279/harleytrot.jpg

well, she's not bothered by the JCB at least. Seems more miffed at being mad to run after that stupid human, when she's obviously quite happy just walk, thank you very much ;)

[Little Dolphins]

Hey Presto, Pink's Lady! Thanks for that.
:)

How did you?


Yep, she prob. would rather just amble! It was a new heap of sand and digger which everyone else had spooked at, so a proud moment.;)

[Pink's lady]

You'd got the brackets all mixed up. The last bracket of the image bit should be [/IMG]. I just copied and pasted the address into my server then started again from there. So you had the right idea, just not quite perfect ;)