Another problem I’m facing is that I don’t have savings for the purchase of a brand new horse. This is not something that I planned to do just yet, in fact, I was hoping to get the truck and trailer before I get my second horse. So my budget is very tight. Regardless I began my search to see what I could find.

Remarkably, I was overwhelmed by the amount of beautiful, sound, sane, horses that are available within my non-existent price range. Within a course of a week or two I had been offered about 20-25 horses.  I didn’t have to aggressively search.  There was a mix of people that reached out…people who know me, people who have never met me, people who have mutual friends.  

Most were people with whom I have mutual friends (and of course my friends serve as great references).  Everyone offered up some incredible options. I did not expect to have so many to choose from; though I’m excited about the options it makes it very difficult to walk away from a really good horse.

My search criteria.

• Sound
• Good brain
• Under 15 years
• Good size for a petite chunk like myself
• Prefer gelding (but will consider the right mare)
• Prefer barefoot
• Any breed
• Will be using horse for my next partner to do hunter paces, jumping, and who knows what else.

I had a number of great contacts at first.

There was a beautiful paint horse that was in a lesson program and loves to jump.  He was 19.

…and a beautiful black QH gelding that also loves jumping.  He was 18.

There were a couple of friends who have some friendly lovable mares.

I sifted through all of the information.  Finally I began to visit a few…

I began my search with a friend who brought me to a wonderful family’s home that had some great horses available.

The first horse we saw was a little Mustang gelding named Vegas. He had the mustang shaped face which is not a deal-breaker but it’s not lovely. He had a solid little body.  He was a decent height but he was little pigeon-toed. Looking closely you could tell his legs were straight but his hooves had not been trimmed for a long time. Perhaps regular trims would correct the issue.  He also had a divot on his right shoulder.  He didn’t flex as well to the right either which made me think perhaps it caused him discomfort.

Looking at his face he had kind eyes, but he had a worried look. He wasn’t so sure of himself or the situation. I did not have much space to work with him but he could tell that I was a leader and wanted desperately to stay with me.  

I tried to teach him to lunge but he didn’t want to leave my side and with limited space, there is only so much I could do.  I asked him to back up and he resisted; a few times even reared up. He wasn’t a bad horse but I don’t believe he was the one for me. I don’t know how his body would handle training and I don’t know if that was a project that would have worked out for me.  There’s a lot of uncertainty here.

VEGAS

Another horse we saw was a sweet appaloosa gelding. He was a great size and very friendly.  We were told he is extremely herd bound.  I’m unsure of his age because we didn’t look at him very long.

Another horse was a handsome red dun quarter horse about 11 years old named Reggie. I am a sucker for red dun.  His training under saddle is unknown. At the time somebody had already decided to buy him but I believe he became available again shortly after we saw him.

Regardless I’m not sure I want to devote time to training an 11 year old horse.

The same family also showed me their standardbred mare, Duchess. She is 15, very sweet, and a good size. She was well trained though she had not been ridden in at least five years. I lunged her a little bit and even decided to get on her for a walk around the pasture. She was extremely good especially considering she had not been ridden in years. She was looking around a lot it seemed like she would be a reactive type of horse but we all know Blade has gone through his reactive moments too. It’s what I know well.

My biggest concern is how attached Blade might become with a mare.  He was devastated to lose Happy even though he had Zeno Bay and Vai Via.

DUCHESS

With Duchess lived another Mustang; a 12 year old appaloosa mustang gelding named Coco. Coco is owned by somebody else but has also not been ridden in 5 years. I really liked this horse a lot end fell in love with his face and personality.

He has a gentle eye, solid body, and was very smart. I lunged him for a couple minutes and he responded really well and was in tune with me. I decided to get on him as well.  He was not nearly as reactive as Duchess and I liked his willingness; it was a vastly different feeling I got on him.  He gave me the “let’s explore” vibe. 

Unfortunately, I learned that the owner is not yet ready to re-home Coco…that he might be in the near future but not on this particular day.

I have kept Coco on my list among the top in case the owner changes his mind.

COCO

Shortly after our first excursion I was offered a gorgeous large paint who came from Hawaii. In fact he was probably at Kualoa Ranch when Zac and I went to Hawaii in 2013.

First… I love paints…especially ones with solid markings and a perfect blaze.

Second…how ironic that I was at the very ranch he came from 5,000 miles away?

Nahe is 14 years old, has big solid body, and has great feet.  I LOVE his markings and he has a perfectly kissable face (and that blaze!).

He has some sensitivities to bugs and slightly crooked legs but he’s sound regardless. He had a great personality and I got along well with him. He has jumped at a foxhunt recently.  I loved that he was challenging but willing and not mean at all. He’s set in his ways and I can’t fault him for that.

We took him on a trail ride and I was amazed by his sure-footedness. Being the chicken I am we descended steep hill coated with dead leaves; I was concerned about slipping but this horse knew exactly what to do and took care of me.

This is what made him stand out from everybody else immediately. I was very happy with him.

NAHE

On the same day I visited the farm Blade came from. I had the opportunity to meet Blade’s half-sister, Abby,  who is 2 years old and just back from the trainer.  I was told she was one of the quietest foals they’ve had and a pleasure to work with.  It seems so cool and rare that I could have siblings living with me.  

Unfortunately she has a small windpipe. She roars. I was told the vet said this should not limit her riding but it will cause some noise. She certainly cannot race and be ridden flat-out, but I wouldn’t do that anyway.  She has had surgery to help correct her situation as much as possible.

I could call the vet and talk to them one-on-one regarding Abby’s long-term ability as a riding horse. I’ll repeat this a lot…for this second horse I am being selfish and I want to make sure that the horse I choose will be my partner for the long term.  

I am aware that things happen but I can at least choose the horse that will give us the best chance of long-term success in writing. I was concerned that this beautiful little filly could not hold up to hunter paces or whatever else I may want to do with her.

It was really nice to visit this farm again.  I can’t believe it was just over 4 years ago I first visited and met Blade here.  It’s an absolutely stunning property.

While I was visiting I learned Blade’s dam, Jet Black Magic, is available and unfortunately may be put down if not given a good home. This is the part of horse shopping that hurts me the most. I can’t provide a home for all of the horses and I hate that even though I have a space open I have to turn my back on them.  I’m sure Blade’s mom is a great horse though I don’t think she’s truly a riding horse and she’s 18 years old. Putting her to sleep may be the most humane thing if a safe permanent home cannot be found…but it’s still sad regardless.

As I continued my search I applied for New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.  The program rehomes horses from the track, both thoroughbreds and standardbreds alike.   Unfortunately I was rejected because I don’t have stalls. Of course I would confine them to a stall if stall rest was required but I don’t believe keeping them in a box for hours entirely necessary.

I have nothing against stalls and Blade lived in a stall for years but I don’t see how it should be detrimental to my ability to provide a great home.  This was a bit frustrating especially considering I successfully kept 3 thoroughbreds happy and healthy (2 were older with bad teeth mind you) all throughout the worst of winter.

I was told he was more forward outside. True; he was forward…but he was in no way like Blade forward. I felt in control of the entire time and he moved effortlessly through the field. My dream came true riding through an open grassy field, something I’ve always wanted to do and we were doing it! At the end of the field I reined him in some and he adjusted his stride to a much more collected canter.

Just like that.

No fuss.

No arguments.

He just came back.

I finished our ride smiling and was honored to hear the farm owner say he liked me.  It was great news because I really liked him too.  At this point I wasn’t 100% certain his owners would select me since there were several other people interested in seeing him.  At the very least I can say I’m super happy to have had a chance to ride this horse.