Looking for a new horse!

[Imp]

I've decided to buy another horse... :eek:

For those who know me and this blimmin' year I've had, this won't be a surprise.

Next Wednesday Megan will be spending 7 days on full livery at my RA's livery yard for 5 days of training, she's coming on beautifully and I hope this will be the making of her. I've learned so much and owe her so much, darling girl :)

The only prob I've got is that she's so strong to ride that my one sidedness (caused by car crash) means she takes the proverbial out of me and I'm really not enjoying riding her as all I can do is walk her because the mucking around starts in trot :( Love her as I do.

I am in the position, thanks to getting back the money paid for her from the failure of a vetting vet (another story for those who don't know *yawns*) to look at this option.

I can't afford to keep two horses, particularly not one as a field ornament :rolleyes: My daughter will be financially contributing towards keeping Meggymoo until we've found a full time loan or part share to contribute towards her keep... can't quite bare to say goodbye KWIM? Also, my daughter is convinced that if she has a horse to show her the ropes, to better her ability then she may be able to cope with Meg in the future (are we soft or what? :p )

I'm nervous about looking again, thought often of Jane (Domane) and Clare (HC) and their 'on the fence' times with their mares :(

Sorry to come wafting back in with a 'guess what's happening to me now' but you lot are a great anchor on reality when the going gets tough...

If anybody knows of a horsey near Kent who is tolerent of mistakes, lop-sided riders, rank novices and loves being kissed and brushed please get in touch :p

Season's greetings to you all :D

[RustyMary]

Chin up Imp - the right horse is out there waiting for you. Good luck with your search, and have a very happy Christmas in the meantime.

[Little Dolphins]

hey there Imp!

It's a year ago now, since I posted about going to see a cob girly, and you were all excited for me and madly buying purple buckets in preparation for the time your horsey dream materialised!

There are a few of us 'new owners 2006' not riding our hosses for one reason or another:rolleyes:

It's so hard, innit?

You've learned loads this year, though, and your search for a more suitable girl/boy will be aided hugely by that:)

Best of luck, matey, and keep us posted, cos we need to know, you know :) :)

[cazrider]

Hi Imp

Great to hear from you.:) Just to reassure you they are about. There are two on our yard. Not for sale unfortunately, but either is the perfect type for you, one a little cob, physically very like Megan but the sweetest nature on the planet, he completely looks after his novice dad owner; and the other is a haflinger. So they are out there. Both geldings incidentally. Not to put down anyone's lovely mare, but in my limited experience (owned two of each), on the whole the geldings have been less complicated.

I really hope you find what you want, and being in Essex so not too far away, I'll keep my eyes and ears open for you.

Incidentally, I've clearly missed a few posts, as last I remember from you, you were thinking of taking legal action against the vets who vetted Megan and missed her hole in the heart. I'm assuming from your post that you did do that and it was successful. Good for you.

Take good care and Happy Christmas

Cazx

[Skib]

About lop sided riders. Me for one.

Horses are very quick to learn the physical limitations of their rider. And to adapt to whatever aids a rider is capable of giving.
Kathleen, Mark Rashid's assistant teacher, was a shiow jumper who had a stroke in her late twenties leaving her with limited movement in her left side. Like me, she found her horses quickly adapted. "They had to," she told me.

One of the things I like about mares I ride is how quick they are to learn. I've trail ridden on a couple of geldings who also picked things up very quickly. I am thinking about it a lot , wonderin how I can spot the intelligent horses when I eventually go horse shopping?

I am not sure why it is that Meg cant be trained?
But I myself would not want to ride a slow, insensitive horse. I dont have much power in my left leg, and I need the horse to respond and go forward for me on very little encouragement? One needs some energy there to direct. With horses that are totally placid one has nothing to work with.

Take Dee's Cooper for instance. He's placid in one sense because he has been trained by her to be placid when that is what she needs. But if you ask him for trot he is very ready to give it.

[Bronya]

Good luck with your search, you might find luck with a child's 'first pony'type around 13.2hh +, or with a horse. Look at temperament above all, and be willing to be flexible. I bought a 4yo TB who was, and still is, the sweetest little chestnut mare ever, she is totally, 100% trustworthy, even when she misbehaves she contrives to do so carefully so I never come off! I looked at loads, and loads before I saw her, and wasn't initially going to see her, but she was on the market for ages, so I went out of curiosity. So instead of a 12yo+ sensible pony, I got her, and have never regretted it. You'll know the one when you see them, but make sure you search with your head not your heart. At the time I knew she fitted the criteria but wasn't otherwise sure, but she turned out to be so worth it!

[chickflick1066]

Gosh how spooky is that...I saw the title of the post and for some reason thought it'd be you ;) Lovely to hear from you, pass on my christmas wishes to yourself, Enya and the rest of your family..

And give that Meggymoo a big fat kiss from Mints and Stumpy :D

[NoviceNic]

I think you are making a good decision. The time has come to move on and find something that is more happy to suit your needs without too many complications. Megan has been good for you and your daughter and will still be good for you both in the future. You just need to find a stepping stone in between. :)