Started our search for a horse

Yesterday my dh and I actively started looking at horses.

The one we went to see just had too much get up and go for a couple our ages. I am 59 and dh is 61. We are looking for a nice, family friendly, calm mare or gelding. Something with get up and go when we want, yet kid friendly. I want to teach my grandkids the love I have for horses so when I am gone, it will carry on to the next generation.

DH is spending a lot of time on craigs list and another national site that lists horses by state.

We have a boarding stable 2 miles away with an indoor arena, so it will be handy to be there a few times a day. Full care and no horse is inside more than a day at a time. 12x12 box stalls with windows and miles of fields and trails. We could even ride home if we want!

I haven't been on a horse in 40 years, yet it all came back yesterday. So nice to hear the squeak of the leather saddle again and be riding again.

Wish us luck!

That is so exciting!! Good luck!

I am so excited for you,I haven't ridden for 12 years,I used to have a horse when I was younger and it is something I really miss.Good luck with your quest and please keep us updated.xx

How exciting!! I grew up on a horse farm and I miss having them around very much- they have all since passed on and crossed the Bridge (they were all 30+, except one who was 25 and caught an illness from which he could not recover). Let us know what you end up with!! My horse was a quarter horse... I just adored him. Billy

Thanks for your good wishes!

We just never get over the horses that passed through our lives...do we?

Yesterday, we looked at an 8 year old quarter mare. Chestnut with 3 white stockings and a white blaze. The man who runs his boarding stable was asked by the spca to try to teach her owners how to care for a horse after they tried to feed her meat!!!

He ended up buying her. I know a 12 year old girl has ridden her. So, tomorrow night we are going down to give her a try. Only prob, it has been raining every day here and is going to be cold and rainy tomorrow. He has a smaller indoor arena, but would really like to be outside on her. Just too much mud.

Well, we will see how it goes. We bought our first item yesterday. A nice saddle blanket in indian colors. Actually, it fits our table in the living room really nice.....who would have thought home decor could be bought at Tractor Supply!!

OH I am so happy for you!! I have a horse for the last twenty years, in total three. All dressage show horses. I just love dressage training. I sold my horse last Fall so I am currently horseless .

Have fun looking and trying different horses . That QH mare sounds lovely. Good luck tomorrow with trying her. Be sure to update

Oh I am so envious!!! Horses are such beautiful creatures, and I look forward to pictures after the new member of your family comes home!

You also should check out the for sale horses at Chronicle of the Horse forums and exracers.com. Also, check out the Standardbred Pleasure Horse pages at ustrotting.com - I DO have to put in a plug for my favourite breed.

Here is Lizzy...aka Lisbon. She is quite possibly the new addition to our family.

Her neck reining needs work, but she is lesson horse with a very floating trot. She does not like to canter, but will. Just the kind of horse we are looking for. Very quiet. Stands without tying to be brushed and saddled. Uses a hackamore, but will go with bridle also. Rode her last night with not much more than two reins on a halter.

She has gone on trail rides. Just a good, sweet gal. My dh will work with the neck reining and canter issues. She is used to arenas so that is a plus also.

Our kids and grandkids are so happy. My grandson pleaded with his mom to ask us if his name could be her middle name. We are going back on Saturday to work with her outside. Our vet is set to check her out whenever we give him the word.

She has a good 20 years left on her and we intend to give her the forever home she deserves.

Oh yea, she longes beautifully.

Thanks for all the good wishes....and thanks for looking!

Ohhhhh she is BEAUTIFUL hun!!! Congrats!

She's beautiful