K
KarlR
Guest
I've always planned to buy a horse but to wait until I had a house with more land.
However, a horse that I know has come up for sale and it's perhaps the only horse that could make me break my resolve! So, here are the details. Sorry if I'm a bit sketchy on some of them - I haven't started discussions with the owner yet...
The horse: A chestnut gelding, TB X (Not sure what yet: too fine to be ID); about 8-9 years; very fine; superb temperament; very forward going; kind; extremely attentive at all times; bouncy trot but other paces excellent; oodles of impulsion; 16.2hh (guess!); been used for hunting and working livery in school; a genuinely high quality horse. My favorite horse - ever. I have ridden him extensively in the school. My wife has ridden him too and thinks that he is wonderful.
Bad points: Tendency to rush; sometimes resistant to the bit; average level of schooling only - I would need to improve this; slightly unusual back conformation: a little straighter than normal; price is higher than I would have liked - I would have to make a lower offer. (Apparently the price reflects the hand made horse-specific saddle which is exceptional quality.) If I buy it I will be much poorer - but I'll soon need to buy a horse for my wife too!<g> I'll need to keep it in livery (working?) for now.
Me: Have been riding (2-3 times per week) for 10 months plus holidays; very confident; don't always have great technique.<g> Some experience of grooming, stable management and basic horsecare. The horse will probably never succeed at dressage, but that's not really important to me - longer term I'd like to try jumping or possibly cross-country. In the short term he would be hacked several times per week and some gentle jumps.
Questions:
What do you folks think? (Gut reaction)
What questions should I ask the owner?
Any questions that I should ask myself?
Does anyone have experience of keeping a horse in working livery?
Any pitfalls that I should avoid in making the purchase?
Any general comments at all would be most welcome. I have a meeting with the owners' agent Sunday. I'd like to be as prepared as possible. Two days to go and already I'm an emotional wreck! ;-)
Karl R
However, a horse that I know has come up for sale and it's perhaps the only horse that could make me break my resolve! So, here are the details. Sorry if I'm a bit sketchy on some of them - I haven't started discussions with the owner yet...
The horse: A chestnut gelding, TB X (Not sure what yet: too fine to be ID); about 8-9 years; very fine; superb temperament; very forward going; kind; extremely attentive at all times; bouncy trot but other paces excellent; oodles of impulsion; 16.2hh (guess!); been used for hunting and working livery in school; a genuinely high quality horse. My favorite horse - ever. I have ridden him extensively in the school. My wife has ridden him too and thinks that he is wonderful.
Bad points: Tendency to rush; sometimes resistant to the bit; average level of schooling only - I would need to improve this; slightly unusual back conformation: a little straighter than normal; price is higher than I would have liked - I would have to make a lower offer. (Apparently the price reflects the hand made horse-specific saddle which is exceptional quality.) If I buy it I will be much poorer - but I'll soon need to buy a horse for my wife too!<g> I'll need to keep it in livery (working?) for now.
Me: Have been riding (2-3 times per week) for 10 months plus holidays; very confident; don't always have great technique.<g> Some experience of grooming, stable management and basic horsecare. The horse will probably never succeed at dressage, but that's not really important to me - longer term I'd like to try jumping or possibly cross-country. In the short term he would be hacked several times per week and some gentle jumps.
Questions:
What do you folks think? (Gut reaction)
What questions should I ask the owner?
Any questions that I should ask myself?
Does anyone have experience of keeping a horse in working livery?
Any pitfalls that I should avoid in making the purchase?
Any general comments at all would be most welcome. I have a meeting with the owners' agent Sunday. I'd like to be as prepared as possible. Two days to go and already I'm an emotional wreck! ;-)
Karl R