Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Outside Course!

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Opinions Wanted on Tricky Situation
Topic Started: Dec 7 2007, 02:22 PM (334 Views)
Bayberry64
Weanling
[ * ]
I want to post this out there just to get some opinions on a tricky situation I have regarding one of my horses.

I have a 16.3 Hanoverian hunter that I have had for 8 years. We have done lots of showing successfully in the Adult Amatuers and even did a few years in the A/O's. About 1 1/2 years ago, my son was moving off a large pony and I reluctanly let him have my horse to show in the Childrens and he also dabbled in some equiation. The horse has been very good to us and we love him to death but to say the least he is a little quirky.

This horse is high maintenance-can be a bit spooky (spooks at things that should not bother him but doesn't care about things that should share the bejesus out of him. When this horse is good, he is great. He can put out a trip to beat the best, even won a class at Devon in the locals, but when he is spooky-forget it- he is difficult to ride.

This summer the horse was having lameness issues that we could not figure out, he seemed to be a little off and we would tryto get that fixed and then it would be something else. Meanwhile, my son was getting frustrated not having anything to ride. Finally in October we decided to test him for lymes disease on a whim and it turns out he tested postive with a very him titer score. We treated him successfully for the lymes and he has been sound ever since. While the horse was beening treated for lymes we decided to look for a new horse for my son. We have found a new horse for my son and now am finally seem to be back on track.

Here in lies a dilemma I now have. Since my son and I both have new horses and I will not ride the originally horse due to the spook. I am too old and have a fear of falling off. My son does not have time for 2 horses with school.

I do not want this horse sitting around, he is too nice to sit and he is only 15. He would be a perfect horse for a rider with a trainer who can monitor this horse. I think he could still do the 2'6" easily but would not be able to take a lot of pounding. Because of the spook I really think there needs to be a trainer involved to monitor the turnout/etc. This could be a perfect horse for someone in the right situation. My trainer has no turnout so she has no one for him.

I would like to get people's opinion on what they think I could do with this horse-lease or sell. I would only sell him to the right person and I am prepared to keep him until he dies if need be.

Does anyone have any advice on how to sell a quirky horse with issues????

Sorry for the long post.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
OpticalIllusion
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I found the only way to get rid of a quirky horse is to be very up front and give all information about him, good and bad. Be patient and the right person will come along. Someone who might not be able to afford the super high dollar nice horse, but is good enough rider to handle something with a spook. However if your concerned he may get resold, you may just want to lease him.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BABYGREENTB
Member Avatar
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I think the biggest issue that you may run into is that people who are showing the 2'6" may not be able to handle the spook, and those that can handle the spook are going to want something that can do more than the 2'6"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
vxf111
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Is he only spooky at shows? Maybe he'd make a nice hack horse for an adult with no interest in showing?! Does he only spook when his brain is dis-engaged? Maybe a dressage rider would enjoy him?

You might be surprised. Sometimes the most hairbrained horses are good as gold for beginngers because the can sense the beginnerness. Have you ever seen a beginner ride him?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bayberry64
Weanling
[ * ]
I am not in any hurry to get rid of him and I am willing to wait for the right person to come along. I think if the person had a trainer and the horse had adequate turn out and the trainer would be able to hop on him every once in a while for a tune up he would be fantastic. When the horse is in a regular program and is reminded every once in a while how to behave he could make someone a really nice pre-adult/childrens horse.
What do you think is a good asking price for him? How should I word the ad?
Thanks for the advice
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bayberry64
Weanling
[ * ]
This horse has very good flatwork and good lateral movements and can go long and low. He is very well schooled on the flat so I think a dressage rider would love him.
I have seen a beginner on him and he is does not tolerate any bouncing around on his back. He really prefers the rider to sit very still. I do not think he is beginner safe and that is why I am very leary about selling/leasing him to just anybody.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · The Competitive Edge · Next Topic »
Add Reply