I wanted to post sooner but I wanted to make sure this was actually going to happen. I'm getting a new horse today!
I posted a few days ago in the lounge about Jet's hernia needing to be repaired. I could not find a vet willing to do it, so I started talking to some people. A guy raises Percheron crosses (which is what Jet is), and has a vet willing to do the surgery. He absolutely fell in love with her as well. So we gave Jet to him. It was very difficult to do, but it was the right decision and she will get her hernia taken care of this week.
Then there's Sienna who we are working with but she has a horse version of post traumatic stress disorder. So even though I'm working with her daily, it will be awhile before I can actually ride her. We're making great strides though and I have finally been able to actually sit on her, which is HUGE progress from a couple months ago.
I've never bought a horse before, all the ones I've had were given to me/rescues. I received a portion of my Grandmother's estate after she passed away. I bought the essential things that I needed but still had some money left over... and an empty stall.
So John and I talked about it and he agreed it would be good to find a horse that we can both ride, and then eventually when Sienna is trained we can trail ride together. He also wanted a horse that we can teach to drive. His dad has the big draft horses but John seems to feel more comfortable with the "smaller" saddle horses.
So I sat down and made a list of what I was looking for. Something 14.3-16hh, gelding or mare, 4-10 years old, and already at least started under saddle with no really big issues to have to work out. I found an ad for a horse nearby and the first thing that jumped out at me is that he was my dream horse entirely!
My dream horse has always been a black horse with at least two white feet and white on it's face. I've always preferred geldings as well.
And that's exactly what I found! He's around 15-15.1hh... will have to measure to be positive, black (although slightly sun faded at the moment) with two white socks on his hind feet, a white star and snip. He is 5 years old and has already been shown in local shows, has been trail ridden extensively and has been ridden in a huge parade. He is still considered a little green because she hasn't been able to ride him daily, but he doesn't buck, rear, etc.
We went out to look at him yesterday and rather than riding him myself at first I opted to sit back and watch the owner ride him. That way I could see him move and see how he responded to her cues, etc.
He is the absolute sweetest horse. He'll follow you around all day like a dog, preferring to stay with you than go and graze. He loves attention and is so willing to please. He'll do anything you ask. He's broke but still a clean slate so that I can do anything I want with him. He's exactly what I wanted.
And the best part is, the price was right! She agreed to deliver him even, since our trailer is too big to get into her property. I left her a deposit yesterday and she just called and providing everything goes well she'll bring him out here in about an hour!
I'm soooooo excited, I can't wait to have him home and start working with him. And this will give me a chance to be able to have a horse to pony Sienna around, which will help greatly with her training.
I'll hopefully have pictures later today!!
I posted a few days ago in the lounge about Jet's hernia needing to be repaired. I could not find a vet willing to do it, so I started talking to some people. A guy raises Percheron crosses (which is what Jet is), and has a vet willing to do the surgery. He absolutely fell in love with her as well. So we gave Jet to him. It was very difficult to do, but it was the right decision and she will get her hernia taken care of this week.
Then there's Sienna who we are working with but she has a horse version of post traumatic stress disorder. So even though I'm working with her daily, it will be awhile before I can actually ride her. We're making great strides though and I have finally been able to actually sit on her, which is HUGE progress from a couple months ago.
I've never bought a horse before, all the ones I've had were given to me/rescues. I received a portion of my Grandmother's estate after she passed away. I bought the essential things that I needed but still had some money left over... and an empty stall.
So John and I talked about it and he agreed it would be good to find a horse that we can both ride, and then eventually when Sienna is trained we can trail ride together. He also wanted a horse that we can teach to drive. His dad has the big draft horses but John seems to feel more comfortable with the "smaller" saddle horses.
So I sat down and made a list of what I was looking for. Something 14.3-16hh, gelding or mare, 4-10 years old, and already at least started under saddle with no really big issues to have to work out. I found an ad for a horse nearby and the first thing that jumped out at me is that he was my dream horse entirely!
My dream horse has always been a black horse with at least two white feet and white on it's face. I've always preferred geldings as well.
And that's exactly what I found! He's around 15-15.1hh... will have to measure to be positive, black (although slightly sun faded at the moment) with two white socks on his hind feet, a white star and snip. He is 5 years old and has already been shown in local shows, has been trail ridden extensively and has been ridden in a huge parade. He is still considered a little green because she hasn't been able to ride him daily, but he doesn't buck, rear, etc.
We went out to look at him yesterday and rather than riding him myself at first I opted to sit back and watch the owner ride him. That way I could see him move and see how he responded to her cues, etc.
He is the absolute sweetest horse. He'll follow you around all day like a dog, preferring to stay with you than go and graze. He loves attention and is so willing to please. He'll do anything you ask. He's broke but still a clean slate so that I can do anything I want with him. He's exactly what I wanted.
And the best part is, the price was right! She agreed to deliver him even, since our trailer is too big to get into her property. I left her a deposit yesterday and she just called and providing everything goes well she'll bring him out here in about an hour!
I'm soooooo excited, I can't wait to have him home and start working with him. And this will give me a chance to be able to have a horse to pony Sienna around, which will help greatly with her training.
I'll hopefully have pictures later today!!
