While I was at the barn, the seller mentioned there was a mare that would suit me as well. She was already in the barn, so we looked at her first.
F was a 9 yo, 16H TB that was trained at the track but not raced. She was schooling 3′ at home and giving w/t/c lessons to beginner kids as well as taking beginners to shows and giving trail rides. She was taken to a nearby river and apparently loved the water, but she had no actual cross country experience.
I’ll admit to being unimpressed at the start. To my eyes she was a plain brown, large mare with no hair.
As we walked into the ring I was prepared to remain unimpressed as was Trainer, but we were wrong.
F went around the ring like everything was no big deal. Past jumps decorated from kid camp days that I can tell you with certainty Gem wouldn’t have even entered that arena decorated like that. She carried herself well and was obedient and relaxed about everything.
Since she was the first one I sat on, I was pretty nervous. She was tall and so very different than what I was used to.
And then I sat on her and felt comfortable from the get go. She listened so well to everything I asked. Once I set her up on a path or at a certain pace and gait, she held it until told otherwise. It was the lightbulb I needed to realize how hard Gem has been.
It’s apparent in these videos how much more relaxed I am on her. It felt good guys. Like really good.
She was so comfortable that I began to push her a bit more to see how she would react. The mere fact that I was brave enough to start upping the pressure said a whole lot.
And F never disappointed. She went around w/t/c calm and relaxed with a gentle mind and a kind heart for my mistakes. In fact, the only negative was that she took a whole lot of leg to get going and stay going. I ended up grabbing a crop to help and I’d think I’d likely need spurs for her. Not the worst issue after my hypersensitive mare, just one I’m not used to and my legs were a bit jello like at the end.
It was neat to ride with Trainer and hear things like “Ride her back toes. Move her forward. Go, go go.” Typically all I ever hear is “Slow down, no slower, SLOW DOWN”. Polar opposites.
After I got off her and we returned to the barn to look over H, she showed her true personality in her stall. She was silly, curious and a doll. I really, really liked her.
I didn’t purchase her either though I was tempted and have gone back and forth a ton since trying her.
At the end of the day though I think she was a bit too quiet for me. She never complained and went along pleasantly enough but lacked any spark. She jumped because it was in front on her and I doubt she’d ever pull a dirty stop or run out but she didn’t have that look in her eyes that showed me she enjoyed doing this. She was obedient because that is who she is.
Plus she has a physical issue that made me nervous. I’d for sure do a PPE on her and figure it out, but at 9 years old she could end up having a very long life as a pasture pet and I don’t need that either. It broke my heart to walk away from her sweet disposition, but after a lot of internal debate I knew I couldn’t take a gamble on a potentially forever lame horse.
So as much as I enjoyed my ride on F, I let her go.
The Roaming Rider 
such a sweet mare, and what a bummer about the physical issue. at least from her you were able to get a really good sense of what it really feels like to be on a horse who knows the job and who you trust and feel relaxed riding!!
unrelated, i got 4 hours volunteering as a show jump steward at a CT this past saturday. thanks!
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I will update the challenge page! I was pretty bummed about her, but in the end I couldn’t take that risk
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After talking to you the other day, I think you definitely made the right decision. You look great on her and she sounded like such a sweetheart, but a 9 year old pasture pet? That’s sort of the opposite of what you need! Can’t wait for the next blog post š
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You have 2 more to go before the one you want…but it is coming!!!
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Gaaaahhhhhh fiiiiiiine!
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Awww what a sweet girl. But yeah, itās never fun to wonder if sheāll be a pasture pet way to soon. But still riding her gave you an idea of what you are looking for š
Oh and yes! I donāt think I submitted my hours for the Fork: I worked 10 hours that weekend as backup scribe and timer
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Yay!! I’ll put those in as well. The Fork was an interesting event at least on the day I was there. She really was a sweet girl and I hope she ends up with a soft landing.
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An obedient mare is such an asset, especially if you want to run cross country. Not knowing what the physical issue was I dunno if it would be a deal breaker for me (if I was wanting to event that is). But again looks like another lovely horse who could help any child or beginner learn the ropes.
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I was super bummed she didn’t work out but the issue wasn’t something nit picky and could easily land her a pasture puff status quickly.
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Hard when their personality is great but physical is questionable or bad. Sounds like she gave you the basis for knowing the opposite of Gem and where you wanna be on the sliding scale or forward/ response. Too quiet gets a bit hard when its hot and you are pony club kicking lol. I now appreciate a better internal motor, as long as they have brakes. Love reading these. Way more fun then shopping myself lol
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I always thought I wanted a kick ride, but it was exhausting trying to get her to just go. Maybe if the physical things worked out and she was moving better it would have improved but I’m not sure I want a horse I have to use all the leg to get to move.
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I think it’s best to take it slow and keep looking until you find the right one. You have a horse to ride and you need a great willing partner for the new horse. There has to be something that clicks there.
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I was proud of myself for being able to walk away without emotionally spending all the money.
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What a sweet girl – but it sounds like you have great reasons to walk away from this option. All the same, what a wonderful stepping stone for learning more about what you want/don’t want in your next horse.
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It bummed me out to say no and took 3 days after for me to let it go but it was too much for me at this point. If I had the extra money Iād buy her for Wyatt as her issue wouldnāt be a problem for him and she was that quiet. But I canāt afford it at the moment
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At least you got to try a different type of horse and further narrow down what you’re looking for.
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True! I always wondered what it felt like to ride a kick ride. Now I know
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You looked great on her! I love how relaxed you look up there. and she was a lovely mover but I would have passed too. The right one will come….(I am sure)…..I hope she finds someone who wants her….
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She was an cutie.
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Oh man! This is the hardest kind of horse to walk away from! But sounds like you made the right decision!!
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I tortured myself and pretty much any who would listen about her. My poor Trainer. We both wanted this mare so badly but it was too much of a gamble.
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How sad, but definitely sounds like the right decision. Coming from someone who has suffered a hell of a lot of heartbreak due to soundness issues with 3 horses over the last 3 years…. it’s tough. And certainly not something I would advocate people get themselves into knowingly.
That being said, she sounds like the sweetest girl and pretty much exemplifies the thoroughbred breed and why I love it so much.
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