Yesterday I rode the horse I have on trial for another 4 days. He’s very green but kind, interested in learning, and willing. I’ve been shopping for a horse for about 6 months now. Finding the right horse for what I want it to do (everything) and for the price I can afford has been a challenge to say the least. My trainer and I have rejected horses we didn’t even go out and ride. She’s looked at a number that sounded right but weren’t when she saw them. This horse is the third one I’ve had on trial at the stable. My trainer seems enthusiastic about him when she was conspicuously silent about the other horses I tried. I’m wondering when we start talking about purchase. Soon I think.
Amy, whose blog I read regularly, might have a horse for sale. A horse that sort of sounds like the kind I’m looking for, except the part where she mentioned visits to ER. I like Quarter horses specifically because they do everything and often do everything well. Many of the stock horse types bred these days are bigger and bigger, often taller than the Thorougbreds and Warmbloods I’ve been looking at. The bad thing about Quarter horses in particular is that they are prone to navicular problems but every breed has its weak point that might keep the rider out of competition or backyard riding for long periods of time. That’s the risk every horse owner has to take: as soon as the vet approves the pre-purchase exam, the horse stumbles in its stall, falls during a cavort in the paddock, or gets into any number of freak accidents that horses are prone to, and has to be on stall rest for a few months. And the rider gets to hand walk daily instead of saddling to ride the trails or clear fences in the arena. Oh the joy. I can’t wait!