Horse Shopping

[MooreAcres]

Hey guys...

So I've been horse shopping lately. I went to see a couple "interest" today and am now wanting opinions. Who would you pick?

#1 ) Coming two year old, black filly. Sire is 32", dam is 36". Should mature around 35" (shes already about 34ish). Pretty dished face, refined to medium boned. Spirited personality. Nice movement, pretty trot.

#2) Coming three year old, grulla filly. Sire is 32", dam is 33". She is currently 32.25". Pretty head, nice hip (QH style, which I love). Medium boned. Pretty trot. Built for driving.

#3) Coming four year old, silver dapple mare with cream gene. Sire is 32", dam is 36". She is currently 35-36". Had a foal earlier this year, possibly bred back for spring. Also a pretty mover, and built for driving.

Who would you pick? Just one? A combo? Or would you go all out and get all three?

 

[disneyhorse]

Well... I don't know. It can be hard to shop. If you have the money and space, buy all three to try them out and resell the one(s) that don't work out.

Otherwise, which one FITS with what you need? Are you showing? Breeding? Do you do halter, performance? Have a color program?

I recently had the same dilemma... I was shopping for a new pony and had about four that I really liked a lot.

I couldn't decide.

I asked someone who has a good eye for ponies, and she said "Wait for something really AMAZING." So I took that as, if NONE of them were a "Have-to-have-can't-decide" then they just weren't the right one.

Sure enough, just a few days later I came across THE horse I was looking for in every single way!!!

So... if none of them are THE horse, maybe none of them is the answer.

I can't help you without seeing the horses, anyway.

Andrea

 

[wiccanz]

I'm with Andrea here - unless one of them says "BUY ME NOW!!!" I probably wouldn't. Of course, pics would help, but I realise you can't post them here.

We haven't been in minis all that long - bought our first one about 5 years ago - but in that time we have come to realise WHY we like the ones we do. At first it was simply "I like that one". It still is, but now we know why!! :bgrin

Some horses have a certain something, and after you've said to yourself "I HAVE TO HAVE THAT HORSE!!!", you start to see what it is. For me, it's almost a posture. Which usually comes with a neck set. A topline. Legs. And an eye that has something special about it. It's like the horse KNOWS it's special.

Anyway, I'm rambling

: Probably not helping you too much with your decision!

:

 

[Jill]

What do you plan to do with the new horse? Not sure which I'd pick, since I don't know which would be more suited to your plans.

 

[Carolyn R]

Yep, I am with everyone else, find what will suit your needs then if you go and it doesn't WOW you, walk away. I saw a post yesterday and the best advice I saw was to go look at the horses but leave the check book at home.

Carolyn

 

[MooreAcres]

Problem is I liked all three girls. All of them had different qualities that I'm looking for. All of them fit my basic requirements too. My goals are to drive (both showing and CDE), halter, jumping, and liberty. I was looking for the "buy me" quality, and found it three times over.

BTW, I did go see them in person.

 

[chandab]

Problem is I liked all three girls. All of them had different qualities that I'm looking for. All of them fit my basic requirements too. My goals are to drive (both showing and CDE), halter, jumping, and liberty. I was looking for the "buy me" quality, and found it three times over.

BTW, I did go see them in person.

Ok, I pick #2, if she's a true grulla, she should be stunning. THere how's that for a reason (I don't have a picture, so its as good as any).

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

I would say wait a few weeks. In that time frame, see which horse you find yourself thinking about the most, then I would choose that one. Good luck in your search.

 

[Rachel]

Based on what you've said on liking them all equally, I would go with #2. That is just my opinion though.

 

[Jill]

If none of them seem to be "exactly" what you have in mind, I'd wait. I learned years ago that "exactly right" pops up about 10 minutes after I aquired "almost exacly right".

 

[dgrminis]

I would say if money and space arent an issue that I would buy all 3 -- if they all have qualities that you like you can get them and then spend time with them and if you later decide one of them or maybe two or even all 3 werent what you were looking for you should be able to resell them. Just my opinion though. I think that it is hard to judge from a few minutes with a horse as to how you will like them for what you want to use them for. I have found that some horses I love at first site I get home and find that they are a nice horse and I still like them but that they arent really what all I wanted them to be -- and vice versa -- I have bought horses before that I was just thinking were OK horses and then found out that I wouldnt ever part with them..

Just my opinion on the matter

 

[Tammie-C_Spots]

Since they all seem to fit your requirements and I noted your talking about doing liberty and CDEs and jumping (among a few other things ) I would do this-

See them all again and see if you have the same impressions. Put out a couple of poles laid out on the ground and lead each walk and trot through them. See how they respond to your directions, something different in the environment and how they react to it and react to you with it and how they go over them. Do they jump them or drag toes over. This would be what I would do and it should give you more of an idea of each ones individual abilities. If driving is your main thing I'd go with the one that looks like she'll be more muscular and have a good hind end and wide chest. I like a taller mini but they all will be within a few inches of each other so that's no so high on my priority list. Color is a personal preference but under sweaty work white skin can have a bit more chafing than solid I've found but that's a minor consideration. Correctness on the legs is important, when they trot make sure there is free movement- no hitting fronts with hind legs, picking up and going foward.

Just a few things to think about when looking at horses for specific jobs

Good luck!

Tammie