I went to see two horses for loan the other day. I'm 16 and haven't owned a horse before, but have worked in an equestrian centre for about a year, some of that full time, and am a competent rider, not a 'novice'. These two horses are for loan very near to me, so we though we might check them out. If I had all the money in the world, what I would really like is an allrounder/eventer, that I can do ponyclub activities, hack and compete etc, but in the real world thats not possible with my finances in the foreseeable future. So I've decided I would rather have a horse of my own that I can cuddle and look after and form a proper bond with than no horse at all.
So these are the two horses:
1) 19 year old, 16.3 tb x id, dapple bay, ex-hunter. Very sweet, kind old gentleman, but only suitable for hacking, no schooling or jumping. However still likes to go out for a fun canter/gallop now and then, and isn't a plod. Slightly spooky when hacking alone, but nothing major. Sweet, loyal horse but not up to much.
2) 14 year old, chestnut appaloosa, 16.1 - cheeky! very fun, interesting ride...fine to hack alone & in company, can jump cross country and showjumping, at least 3 ft 6, and loves his work. Can do dressage, works on the bit and knows a few lateral moves, but has trouble striking off correct canter lead on one rein. Can be cheeky, and put in a buck, or get a bit strong, but again, not too bad, only little playful bucks. Not at all nasty, but will try and test you! Not sure what he's like to travel as the owner doesn't have transport, but everything else in the stable 100% good manners, although again can be abit cheeky. Only drawback, the owner said that when she got him, from a friend, for the first 3 weeks he was a nightmare, really really bolshy and difficult to handle, and would play up when ridden, (but he hadn't been like this with the friend) - he was very stressy & difficult whilst settling. After about 3 weeks, he settled, calmed down and went right back to normal. I'm just a little concerned about this, because although I do have experience, I don't want to overhorse myself, and end up with a horse I can't deal with.
Both horses played up with me a little bit while i was riding them, the chestnut did a little buck, and the owner said thats the worst he does, and it was fine.
Anyway what do you think of them? It's one or the other, if either...opinions please?
Oh yeah and the owners live like 25 mins down the road, and they're really lovely, so thats always good.
So these are the two horses:
1) 19 year old, 16.3 tb x id, dapple bay, ex-hunter. Very sweet, kind old gentleman, but only suitable for hacking, no schooling or jumping. However still likes to go out for a fun canter/gallop now and then, and isn't a plod. Slightly spooky when hacking alone, but nothing major. Sweet, loyal horse but not up to much.
2) 14 year old, chestnut appaloosa, 16.1 - cheeky! very fun, interesting ride...fine to hack alone & in company, can jump cross country and showjumping, at least 3 ft 6, and loves his work. Can do dressage, works on the bit and knows a few lateral moves, but has trouble striking off correct canter lead on one rein. Can be cheeky, and put in a buck, or get a bit strong, but again, not too bad, only little playful bucks. Not at all nasty, but will try and test you! Not sure what he's like to travel as the owner doesn't have transport, but everything else in the stable 100% good manners, although again can be abit cheeky. Only drawback, the owner said that when she got him, from a friend, for the first 3 weeks he was a nightmare, really really bolshy and difficult to handle, and would play up when ridden, (but he hadn't been like this with the friend) - he was very stressy & difficult whilst settling. After about 3 weeks, he settled, calmed down and went right back to normal. I'm just a little concerned about this, because although I do have experience, I don't want to overhorse myself, and end up with a horse I can't deal with.
Both horses played up with me a little bit while i was riding them, the chestnut did a little buck, and the owner said thats the worst he does, and it was fine.
Anyway what do you think of them? It's one or the other, if either...opinions please?
Oh yeah and the owners live like 25 mins down the road, and they're really lovely, so thats always good.