horse hunting advice

[Minouri]

Tony and I rode yesterday and he's still cantering all over on Snowy. My heart was in my throat when I saw them head almost into the round pen. I'm not sure Snowy can even see it. Snowy is a tripper. He canters sideways so he can use his good eye (that has limited vision) to see. Even a great rider would have trouble with him at high speeds. But Tony won't admit that his horse might not be up to what he asks of it.

I finally got Tony to admit that we might want to add a third horse.....something younger to our little herd. I've been looking all over for calm pasos on the big side. I think I finally found one in Florida......


http://equine.com/Horses/ad_details.aspx?lid=248063

But when I showed Tony all he said was that he didn't want to get a horse that his saddle wouldn't fit. :jawdrop I thought he was kidding, but nope, that is the line he has drawn in the sand.

I'm tempted to toss his saddle on the neighbor's horse that he is returning....bet it would fit that horse. And now that I've seen my neighbor's taste in horses.....I bet that horse is much calmer than he says. Plus I'd be willing to put the time into desentizing him. He's a percheron/qh mix.

Taking a deep breath.

Or maybe I should just let the whole thing drop for now and let Tony enjoy his horse.

We're still putting up fences. Still planning our summer wedding. Now wouldn't be a great time to add a new horse.

Right. Come on guys....help me here.

Maybe he's just saying that about his saddle because he doesn't want a new horse right now?

Should I try giving him one good smack to the head?

I could try more deep breathing for myself.......lol

[Pam M]

Don't push him. He's new to horses, right? So let him enjoy the one he has and let him make the decision about the timing to get another one. I have one that's 25 and arthritic and it's still my husband's favorite even though he doesn't ride it. Tony will appreciate the new horse more when he decides he's ready for it. Maybe he's not ready to "retire" his horse yet and as long as he still trusts the horse, maybe it's best to just let them be. Patience!! :D

[Linda Y]

I was looking at that horse last night!
I agree that the saddle comment may just be a way to tell you he isn't ready. If the tripping gets bad, though, you may just want to warn him of the possibility of going a$$ over teakettle and getting killed which wouldn't make you a bit happy.
How about a TWH?

[JennLM]

My husband is new to horses also. See the great impulse buy he did with the second Saddlebred he doesn't want now.

He won't even look at Paso's right now. I wish he would grow up. The horse he wanted is not going to come back. There are other horses out there he can like just as much. He was so Paso gung ho. Now he is Paso gung NO. He even said my Trinket was ugly. :shock: I almost cried.

But I am just letting him be for the next few months until after we move.

I am hoping the show in July will perk him up and get his brain back.

The secret to men (hush men let us think we know this) is to let them think it's their idea. Then it's all great. The trick is finding out how to make that opportunity happen. Usually once they see this great idea, it most times sinks in their head that what we had been saying all along was true. For me, no need to apologize, just the fact they get it, is good enough for me.

When the opportunity is right, it will happen.

[Minouri]

Great advice! And it's nice to know I'm not the only one. I know that patience is a virtue. If only I had some...can you pick it up at Walmart? :bsmile

[CarolU]

I weigh in with Linda. My old mare was retired after a bad trip when she and my husband went down and came up under other horses, both OK, but lots of blood. I decided THAT was enough and even though she was athletic and in shape - and lived 8 more years - her reaction time was shot and she was a dangerous horse to ride. If Snowy is a tripper AND blind, he is NOT A SAFE HORSE. I'm sorry. I know you love them both, but the best thing for Snowy is being ridden in a nice smooth pasture or lane that he knows, at a walk or jog - and no faster.

I also agree about a TWH or Foxtrotter. They are nicely gaited horses, larger then Pasos (you can find 15.2 hh Pasos, but it will take a while). Many men feel uncomfortable on smaller horses...and yours probably does NOT want to ride in an English saddle. You put a large man and a heavy saddle on a small horse, it really isn't fair to the horse.

Good luck...

[Minouri]

Carol,

Yep, you're right on the money with Tony and smaller horses. He doesn't like to ride them. And he'd never even try an English saddle.

I haven't found a TWH yet that I liked.....but I have leased several Foxtrotters that were great.

I don't think Tony is ready to believe me yet that his horse can't run across an unfamiliar field safely. Maybe it will take a fall to admit that. I just hope neither of them is hurt when it happens.

I did put in my name with the woman who deals with TWH and gaited horses. I didn't like the ones she had but you never know what she'll have come in. And I might stumble across a nice larger horse through the people I meet online.

I DO want him to continue to enjoy riding. So you are right that I should let him enjoy a bit. But keep your eyes open for something nice for me in the fall..... :bsmile I know great horses are out there....I found Scooter through a fluke and I wouldn't trade him for anything.

[LynnG]

I wouldn't push him...when he's ready he'll let you know. Let him mull it over at his own speed.

[Barbwire]

Amante's breeder has a true 15.1 hand mare for sale, Ruthie. PM me if ya want details.

[Jane Hurl]

I'm with CarolU and Linda Y on this one. That horse isn't safe to ride at that speed. Not only is your intended likely to get killed, it isn't fair to Snowy! He could be seriously hurt or even break a leg trying to run blind. Then how would everybody feel?

[KAB]

Check out Paradise Paso Fino.They have several large Pasos listed.And the lady there is very helpful.Won't hurt to look.

[KAB]

www.paradisepasofinos.com check out "Nikie"

[DebbieS]

I checked out Nickie too. Wow! And he is priced nice!!

I wished I was looking right now. We have 5, and that's about 3 too many :roll: But, wow! that is a nice gelding...

My friend here in SD has purchased quite a few pasos through Jenny and she is very happy with them. She even got a 'cow horse' that had never been around cows before - figured it out the first day out!

[Cindy]

Hey Debbie, what's up with Payaso? Did she ever sell him?

[DebbieS]

Hi Cindy - I pm'd you....

[Minouri]

Nickie does look nice :)

[ErinC]

he does, I would like to see a stick next to him though 15.3??????????
that woman riding does not look that tall, .

but then again what do I know, and the camara does lie.

I would get more pic's and a pic with a stick.

I ahve seen to many people buy and be upset the horse was not as big as they thought...