Re: What kind of horse does a first-horse-owner even need? A plodder? A paddock-basher?


Leesa wrote:

>
> At the moment I take two lessons a week. I'd like to be able to go out
> whenever I feel like it and go for a ride. Weekends also.>>

I think this is really key here..dont lose sight of *this* and you will
be fine.

> I'd also like to
> be able to go to the Pony Clubs that the horse people over here go to. (I
> think our Pony Club is like your 4H, but adults can join also).
>
<snip>

You strike me as very sensible...you are looking at older horses. You
didnt buy the first one/s you saw. You ask such good questions here and
seem genuinely interested in the answers.

So heres my advice.

Forget 'quality'. You dont need gorgeous, flashy, broke to win at the
shows stuff. You dont need to worry about collection or any of the
stuff we older/addicted/obssessed cranky types fuss about here. That
can be so in future, if thats what where your horsey life takes you.

For now, you need user friendly. I think that needs to be your
overriding concern.

Example. I have a mare in the program that would be the perfect horse
for you (no, she isnt for sale, so dont think I am trying to sell her
to you! >;->) She is about 15.2, 16 yrs old. She is sooo quiet, so
broke, so perfect. You could take her camping one weekend and to a
little show or pony club thing the next. You could not fall off of her
if you tried. You could ride her down the middle of the road and she
would be fine with traffic whizzing by on both sides. You could put a
little kid on her and also an adult and go jump around little courses,
trail ride her, whatever.

If you did not know this, and I sent you pics, you would see a mare
with a straightish shoulder, the small feet quarter horses are known
for, and somewhat low topline, a thinnish neck. She probably would not
'pass' a vet, though she has been sound as long as I have known her
(four years now). She isnt a bad mover but she isnt a great mover. Shes
certainly not unattractive but she isnt gorgeous or flashy. But she is
the same horse every day and in every circumstance.

She probably is arthritic in her hocks, and is sometimes a little stiff
behind.

Do you see where I am going with this?

She isnt "100% sound".
She isnt gorgeous.
She is totally safe, sweet, reliable.

She is used to our way of riding, and if a crooked person gets on her
she goes where that *** tells her to go. Is she willful? No. Will she
go where you want? She'll go where your *** tells her, hows that >;->
As you two figured things out she would be perfect..she would teach you
alot. She would be SAFE for you to learn things on, and to tool around
on. THAT is what you need.

Dont worry about 'training'. Worry about "mind".

Keep us posted. I think you are way ahead of most first horse owners.

Abby

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