jumping in hook line and sinker

[casa3311]

Ok, so I started taking lessons about 2 months or so ago. A couple of weeks ago, I started looking at the online horses for sale sites. I found one that way who was pretty close and them my RI's friend found another one. I went and looked at both this week. One is a 16.2h 10yo flea-bitten gray TBxPercheron and the other is a 9yo red roan 15.2h QHxBelgium. I'll post a pic of both and see which one you all like best. I know which one I like best and am going to make an offer in the next day or 2.

Can you guess which one had the "make me" attitude and which has the "pleaser" attitude? Both were really nice rides and will be nice horses, but one took advantage of me being out of shape and the other didn't.

Thanks for looking,
Alisa

[Selle Francais]

Red looks hard work - you're going for the grey.

(both sweeties though!)

SF

[Guest]

I think you look better on the grey.

[casa3311]

ah....
but the gray was the one that scooted out from under me when I tried to get on. He spooked a couple of times and it took me 5 tries to get a canter out of him, then it was only for 3 strides.

The roan tried to follow me when I walked away. He never offered to spook or shy or do anything mean at all, and I tried him out for 2 hours in the middle of dinner time. My 22yo son, who is very inexperienced, rode him a little and even though Chris accientally game him a squeeze which made Beamer break into a trot, he kept a straight line until Chris regained his balance and was able to easily pull him back to a walk. This horse is loaded with personality and smarts. He is also totally bomb proof on the trail. I walked him by and around heavy equiment at the back of the neighbors field. He picked his ears and then walked on by. A lady came out with a rustly plastic garbage bag across the street and let the lid slam down on the garbage can. Same thing, little ear prick, then he walked on. The outdoor arena is right next to a road and he never even acted like he noticed all those cars coming up behind him and zooming past.

[LindaAd]

He looks lovely - I guessed right! The roan had such a sweet expression, the grey looked bored and too big for you.

Better make your offer quickly in case someone else gets in first .... Will you have him vetted?

[casa3311]

It's kind of a long story, but the current owner bought him for her granddaughter and great granddaughter (age 3) to trail ride on and the granddaughter to train at dressage. However, the granddaughter has her heart set on a bay mare. She's only had him since late May and she took him straight to the vet from the stables on her way home to get a coggins pulled, teeth floated, shaft cleaned, and brought UTD on shots. He didn't do x-rays or anything, but did a basic once over, eyes, chest, gut sounds, etc... His legs are very clean, in fact, he doesn't have any scars on his body that I could find.

I had the feeling of peace when I walked around him like he was a gentle soul who would not intentionally hurt anyone. Both horses are essentially untrained at dressage and jumping, which my RI likes. She says they haven't learned any bad habits and we can start him slowly and right, and learn together.

The lady who found him is also a RI and gives the owner's granddaughter lessons. She has been riding him some and bringing him along very slowly. I trust this lady that she wouldn't steer me wrong. For one thing we will be at the same stables, so if there's a problem she will have to listen to me complain. I plan to do low level dressage and jumping with him when we're ready. That isn't like the upper level eventing with 3.6+' jumps and all. It's hard to decide what to do. Most advice I've gotten is that they have a price limit where they don't do the full vet check if the cost is below a certain dollar amount. He is way below that.

My husband went with me to see the gray and liked him. He didn't go with me to see the roan, but from the pictures thinks he looks small. In person, he looks taller than he actually is. My RI likes my leg position better on the roan, though she was really pushing the gray, up until I sent her the set of pictures on the roan. She kept telling everyone I was looking for 16-16.3 and I was saying no, that's too tall. I want 15.2 to 16. As I loose weight, I think I will not look so large on him. I have dieted and lost weight, but it never stays off. This time I'm moderating my diet and throwing in a lot of CV exercise. I've already lost 20lbs and 1.5" in my calves since I started lessons twice a week. I plan to ride, weather permitting, 4-5 times a week. Another 1/2" in the calves and I'll be able to get some tall Mountain Horse boots and get rid of the 1/2 chaps.

I have to buy a saddle. I have one, but it's too small and it's very flat. It's pretty old, but in very good shape. I bought it in around 1980 from either Libertyville or StateLine. It's a 17" Eldonian Beaufort close contact.

I rode Beamer in a Bates Caprilli, which was no fair to my backside. It is now spoiled. I have considered a Wintec 500, but would prefer a leather saddle. I am looking at the Collegiate Adjustable Senior Event, the Courbette Magic Close Contact, and the Courbette Magic All-Purpose. Any opinions on any of these saddles?

[jUmPingIsLifE]

I also like the roan! cute cute. the grey looks HUUUGE and massive. You need to go with your gut instinct and it really sounds as though you and the roan 'clicked' which is always very important.

[Gracie]

YAY I guess right too.
I thought on the roan you looked more in control.
The grey does seem like hes moving fast, and not really listening as well.
The roan seems calm, and attentive.

I also like the roan... even though I am a sucker for greys!:p

[casa3311]

How could you not love this face? I guess you can tell I'm in love!:D :eek:

I called the owner and told her I really liked him and that I wanted to come see him again, but that unless I got strong objections from dear hubby, I was going to take him. I just don't know when I can get him moved. I may end up leaving him out there for a few months. She lives on the property and for what I would have to pay and the other stables, it would be almost the same, except that I would have to do all the work at the new stables, including buying my own feed and hay and going out myself twice a day to feed. The draw back to leaving him where he is, is that it's about another 10-15 miles down a dangerous road from my house, where as the other place is near my office and much easier to get to. It wouldn't bother me, but some of my co-workers might not like that I tromp out to feed on my way in to work every morning and come in with horse slobber on my blouse.

[casa3311]

Okay guys, Beamer is mine. My son wants to change his name in memory of my dad who passed away Sept 11 of this year. He and his many years of hard work and wise investing is responsible for me now being able to afford the expensive luxery of owning my own horse. Even though he never understood my passion for horses, he was always very supportive from the start.

Okay, now for the possible new names. It's either JD or JoeDean in memory of my Dad, Joseph Dean.

Oh, by the way, I'm looking for a good deal on a used Bates Caprilli A/P 17.5" or 18" with changable gullet. That's what I tried him in and it fits him and me perfectly. Just a shame it's such an expensive saddle.

[Est]

Tee hee :D I guessed right on the horse (the roan looks like *such* a sweetie that I said out loud, "It's got to be him!" The grey looked like he would be argumentative if he thought he could...)
AND I've got the saddle you want! :D Shame we're such a looooong way from each other :(
Seriously I think you made the right decision just going from the photos. And JD will suit your new guy really well - it sounds like a nice, calm, friendly name. What a lovely tribute to your dad :)

[joey_olop]

Lovely pics the chestnut is gorgeous :)

[rowdent]

The moment I saw the roan I loved him.. what a beautiful horse.. Lucky you..:D

Whatever you call him I am sure he will be loved..:D

[casa3311]

I've had Beamer a week now. He's such a gentle soul. My first horse was a kicker, so I have great respect for a horse's backside. From the start with Beamer, I have had the distinct feeling that he's number one priority is to please me. I have no fear of being kicked by him. It's just so weird but it's almost like a psychic connection between us. I put his turnout sheet on every evening and take it off every morning with no fear. I've even walked behind him which I just generally don't do until I've know a horse for months.

Yesterday I had some loose hay in a big blue tarp that was left over from a bale and lifted it over the fence right in his face and shook it out. Not one spooky movement at all. He just put his head down and started eating. He greets me every morning and evening by trotting up the the gate and giving me a big nicker. Maybe it's because he knows I'm the food lady, but he did that the very first time I went, so I wasn't the food lady yet.

Next Wednesday he gets out of quaranteen and loose to the general population. I will be able to ride at that point and I can't wait!

[curlycal]

He sounds lovely, hope you have loads of fun times together.

[Roheryn]

Just happened across this thread and noticed that it's been about a month since all the posts about you and Beamer.

How are y'all doing?

[casa3311]

Beamer is a mixed bag. I love him. In some ways he is very settled and in others he is very green. He's got great ground manners as far as moving around him in the stall. I've almost completely overcome my fear of walking behind him and just take the easiest path now, which is usually behind. I do have trouble picking his feet. I don't think his previous rider ever did it. Luckily he has great feet even if they are white. I also have trouble getting him to stand still while I put the saddle on him. It seems like he's getting excited about going for a ride and just can't contain himself. Once I get the girth tightened, he settles down and drops his head for the bit.

The great thing about him is that he is so sweet and eager to please. As far as being bomb proof, he is. I haven't run across a sound or situation that has caused him to shy. He might have a little to say about it, but he doesn't shy, wheel, buck, or take off in a state of fright. He just blows a little and might dig in for a second. His home is at the end of a small airport runway and he doesn't even notice planes taking off or landing.

But, he has never had to really work or mind his rider. His last rider was a 10 year old boy who just ran him around the trails and pastures and played. There was no structure and no discipline. We went out on a long group lesson in the pasture on Saturday. My son was on one of the school horses, I was on Beamer, then there was our RI and another student. The first drill was to canter to a lone tree (toward home), picking up the right lead, round the tree, and trot back to the group. Beamer decided that a hand gallop would be better and I really had to talk and pull to get him down to a trot when we got to the tree. Then he decided that trotting sideways towards home would be a good idea. I haven't worn spurs with him yet, because we weren't sure that he needed them. After several instances of trying to go home, my RI got on him and taught him about spurs and paying attention. After that he was almost an angel. He was so good that my son and I switched mounts and he rode Beamer back home.

It was an ordeal getting my son to his first lesson, but he gets so much praise from our RI about how well he's doing and how fast he's progressing that he's wanting more lessons. After two lessons, he's looking forward to moving up to the RI's intermediated horse so he can start learning to jump. I'd say at the rate he's going it should be in about a month, maybe less! I've got to get some pictures.

He's learning very quickly and doesn't seem to resent his new job or all the new skills. Right now, we are mainly working on standing still when everyone else is. It took us a while to find the tactic that works best for him. Circling didn't seem to work but for a second. My RI found that just sitting back on the reins works best. He doesn't like you to hurt his mouth and so a little pain there goes a long way. We think he was ridden in a harsh western bit because he really freaks out if you try to put one on him now. He really like his snaffle.

[Roheryn]

Glad that all of you are doing so well. (My guy's better about standing now than he used to be!)
Hope you'll enjoy some good winter riding weather.
Happy holidays!

[NoviceNic]

I would of said the chestnut as well as he looked more relaxed and you are smiling whilst riding him.:D