Horse shopping......sigh ~ ~

[Shari]

I am starting to dread going horse shopping. Never thought to say that.

So I go see this Icelandic mare today. Touted as this wonderful Beginners horse,, can go out alone and all that.

So I get there,, and find out she is major barn sour. Tried to buck twice when I asked her to turn away from the barns she could see for goodness sakes. Made her bend and turn to disengage her hind quarters so she couldn't buck. I would ask her to walk in the circle,, and she would fight it.

Made sure to be very light on the bit and kept my legs off her sides..since she likes to rush.

After a short bit, I just got off and told the sellers she is not what I am looking for.

So not only I learn she bucks,, she is barn sour... she also doesn't like to go out alone like I was told she would. Quote," she will let you know she doesn't like going out alone."

Top that off,, she is the tinest Icelandic I have ever been around. She is shorter than Dyfra even though I was told she was the same height.. and half the width. Felt like I was riding on a postage stamp!

OK,, what part of my questions don't people seem to understand?

Level headed, calm, easy going, can go out alone with no fussing?

Could of saved both of us time,, and my body from a long drive if people would be up front and honest.

I have my problem child already.. but she is worlds better than that mare was. Scary thought.

I sure do not need another problem child.

There are not a whole lot of small stout gaited horses on this side of the country.

Makes me wish even more Dustenai was gaited!!! She is the prefect size.. her temperament is sweet & do able. But her walk is going to make my body snap in half with her rolling walk.. and forget her trot. It is an impressive Trot,, but not one for a gimp. Feels like someone shoves a knife into my spine when I ride her.. and it isn't her fault. I have someone coming to buy her tomorrow and I know it will be a good home for her. Dustenai would be much more happy being a cart horse again.

& I do not need three cart horses on the place. Oh Bother and blast.

:

:

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Shari,

You may have already thought of this but since you know and love Dyfra and she has a good gait but has a few issues, rather than seeking a new horse why not put about 90 days of professional training on her? I don't know for sure why but I get the feeling that Dyfra and you have a good connection that just needs some fine tuning by a third party.

Putting a horse with a trainer I don't think is a bad thing even when you do know a lot about training yourself. I''m going to put Daisy in training too just to work on some issues that my poor old body isn't relisient enough to manage if she acts up. She's a good horse but my seat is nothing like what it was as a kid so I want her as bombproof as I can get her. Advanced training will tune her and me up and I want us to be the best we can together. Heck when I first got her I made myself take lessons so I could get comfortable and balanced again after such a long time of not riding. Actually it was kind of fun getting yelled at again to keep my head up and heels down :bgrin

Just a random idea for you. Hope whatever you decide works out for you both.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I can remember a magazine over here running an explanation of some of the terms horses sellers used to describe horses (for a laugh)

1) Quiet...............needs a fence post to prop him up (+is 48 years old)

2) Dead Quiet ...... Dead!!

3) Aged................ see #1

There were others but you get the idea.

Try thinking outside the box...I could find you a pony to suit you in a heartbeat but I fear the export price would be prohibitive.

Do you have Riding Centres for the Disabled over there, because if I were looking for a horse that is the first place I would look.

They often have horses that have maybe one quirk that rules them out for use in the Centre that would not rule out a private owner. The other thing is thay often have someone that does the "Vetting" for them who would, for a "Finders Donation" find a horse privately.

Get the Yellow Pages out and see what you can find.

The other thing is- have you tried advertising??

 

[Shari]

Hi Jane,

That is cute Jane.

: Those sayings are so true.

Added: Yes,, I have some Add's out. But no contacts yet.

I have not checked to see if there are any handicapped riding stables in this area. But it is a good idea.

I would love to have a british pony. However most are not gaited in any way. :no:

Did check out around two years ago about bringing a Highland pony over from Scotland. Would of cost me $6,500 to get a gelding brought over to the east cost. Not including the cost of the gelding of course and the transport to the west coast. Sigh ~ ~

Shirely,

I have been what one would call a "Pro" (I hate that term) trainer for 15 years before (before that worked on rent strings when they were still around,, and taught people lessons, etc..etc.) the car accident 5+ years ago.

I would work rescue and problem horses. (OK well some nice mellow working chunck draft horses and Andalusians on the side too)

Using TTeam/TTouch, parelli.. and all that before I knew those folks were out there.

I know of most of the trainers out here that would be willing to handle a horse such as her,,, and I honestly would not trust them to her. I have made some ground.. I do not want to have to re do everything I have done so far because someone rushed or would not listen to me.

Dyfra is just wired different.. her mother was the same way.

Both of them, if they were in Iceland would not been allowed to even be ridden. In Iceland they eat the problem horses. There are some lines that are dangerous to people. I think this goes back way when, when some where raised for fighting. (Please no flames it is just the different culture than in the USA)

Anyway...

Am going to get her eyes checked because I am beginning to think maybe she can't see at a distance and it is scaring her??

The Herbs and the Mag/B1 the Vet has her on is working quite well to allow me to handle her daily.

She loves this family.

All I can do with her is go slow and hope,, maybe some day.. I can get her past all her phobia's.

If she does have an eye problem.. will most likely just retire her as a lawn mower.

At least she is a really, really smooth twit.

:

Oh and I bought her, her very own life sized Deer model. I plan to do Clicker training with it.. once I can get her to pay attention. Move it around all different areas of the property.. click and treat. So maybe she will after a time.. think all those scary cows, and deer are just sweet treat buckets!! Worth a try anyway.

:

Added: will start as soon as this silly rain slows down!!!

Maybe I should just give up looking....Be happy with what I have. Would like to be able to go on local trail ride get togethers,, but maybe that is just not to be?? Dyfra at this point couldn't handle it mentally and wouldn't want to put her through that.

We now have a little and very old (1978) Tractor. This spring when it is not so wet, Robert can start making my cart paths. Have enough land to make quite a few cart paths. Just will take time.

Haven't been able to drive at all because of this weather. So Maggie is getting a little vacation.

Maggie I just trust a lot..and have no worries when I am out with her..even when she is silly.

: