Beginning My New Horse Search!

School is out and the summer homework for this teacher is beginning my new horse search! Unlike a stack of tests to grade or a pile of essays to assess, this is homework I do not want to delay getting a start on! But alas, I must as I am traveling for the next few weeks, getting to spend quality time with my family in the Midwest and Florida. I’m even attending a seminar in Charleston, SC for people in the equine publishing world.

These days of family roadtripping (first stop: Kentucky Horse Park!) undoubtedly will be the highlight of my year, but my thoughts keep drifting to stall 159 at the “ranch” 10 miles from my home in suburban Orange County. I wrote a check last Sunday to hold the stall. I am soooo curious to know who the future tenant will be.

It’s a humble stall and that’s okay. I asked for the 24 x 24 foot version but those are all filled right now, so I got the 12 x 24. Actually, there might be one 24 x 24 open but it’s located right across from the manure pile. Manure mountain. I’ve been warned about the flies.

In addition to every person I’ve met so far at this stable being small-town friendly, I am impressed that the manure actually gets processed into garden compost. One of these days I’ll have to bring a few bags home for my lovely, yet under-attended roses.

Culture shock set in when I moved from Illinois to California over a decade ago. The traditional box stall in an enclosed barn, some with even a pretty painted Dutch door is not really what exists out here in the Wild West. Aesthetically, the temporary show stalls in Illinois seem a little more upscale than what I have just claimed for my new gelding? mare?

My trainer said the horses on both sides of the stall were good neighbors and that’s important. My future horse will have a slightly obstructed view of the arena. So there will be interesting things to see.

Before I met my husband I dared not daydream too much about what he would be like. There’s nothing worse than having high hopes and having them dashed. I was never one of those girls who fantasized about wedding gowns and receptions. Planning out details without a partner in mind seemed to be a tad presumptuous. Due to my string of miserable dating failures and odd would-be suitors, I dared not allow myself to “go there” emotionally because there was no guarantee that a Mr. Right would come along.

Today I feel like I’m a in similar position as I begin this new horse search. Although historically my horse matching experiences in life have been much less emotionally draining than my husband hunt.

My first horse, a Quarter Horse, I sought out and he was not a great match, but I did learn tenacity as a rider and as a person. My second horse came into my life in an unusual fashion–I wrote an essay in 4-H and won an Appaloosa weanling! My third horse (and all-time favorite–he’s the one I still cry over because 16 years wasn’t enough time together) happened upon me at a horse show.

Now I’m being strategic again and looking for my next equine partner. I have high expectations, yet I’m trying to keep my hopes low. If
you don’t dream, you don’t get hurt.

I posted on Facebook last week.

I emailed a lengthy list to my trainer of the qualities I’m looking for. Instead of thinking I was crazy for my list, she said it was really helpful. I’m almost too embarrassed to share this, but I’ve been told good writing is when you share your “uncomfortable truth.” Here’s the excerpt with a few notes in parentheses and non bold for you readers).

I like my horses how I like my men: tall, dark, and handsome. Just kidding.

But I do want a tall horse. My last horse was 16.3 and he felt just right. I realize a 16.1 or 16.2 could have a wide barrel and take up my leg nicely. So I’m kinda open, but my preference is over 16.2. But we’ll see. (I’m pretty tall. I’m about 5’9″ and my legs are long. I don’t want to feel/look like a kid who outgrew her pony.)

1. tall 16.2 or taller

2. I love bays. (But I’m open to other colors. I think gray would be hard to keep clean). Not an Appaloosa or Paint. (Let me clarify. If I found the RIGHT Appaloosa or Paint, maybe. I’m just not usually attracted to flashier colored horses. I’m not an Appaloosa or Paint “hater.” I’m kind of traditional in my preferences.)

3. Age range–maybe 7-13ish. I could go younger if it were a sensible horse. I could go 14 or 15 if the horse was awesome.

4. Fun personality! I have leased two horses before that were boring. They had very little going on in the social skills department. They weren’t jerks, just boring.

5. Sound. I guess that is a given. I want a horse that can jump. It seems many horses on the rescue sites say “suitable for light trail” 🙁

6. I don’t care if it’s a mare or gelding. I would say gelding is my preference. But I like Rio. She’s a sistah. (Rio is my trainer’s Morgan mare.)

7. I adore TBs, but am open to a Quarter Horse or warmblood (but I can’t imagine I could afford a warmblood) (In all honesty, I really want a TB, but I’m trying to be open-minded.)

8. Not a hot, spooky horse (I realize all horses spook from time to time). It would be nice to have one that could go on trails and allow my husband to hop on (even though he doesn’t really ride). (Update: My husband “fancies” himself becoming and “expert” rider. And for Father’s Day he was given two future riding lessons as a gift. He said he doesn’t just want to go and hop on. He wants to read Riding for Dummies first and have a lecture, THEN he’ll get on and know what he’s doing. LOL!)

9. Pretty face (not mule ears and small eyes)

10. Big white blaze (A girl can dream, right?)

11. Some experience showing (Not necessary, but would be sweet!)

12. Easy loader into a trailer (Same as above.)

13. Easy keeper (Not crucial, but sure would be awesome!)

14. Shoes optional (My last horse had a club foot and I needed to have him shod more frequently than usual and it was corrective shoeing. Translation: $$$$)

As of today, there seem to be a handful of future horse candidates. One from a TB rescue, that sounds like he could be a wonderful fit. A pretty warmblood mare my trainer is actually going to see this week. And there are two horses at another rescue that might be a fit. I put in an application to get in their potential adopter pool, but have not heard back yet. Oh, and one more TB mare from a private party (someone is going to try her out this week, so she might be gone) near San Diego.

So this is how I’m spending my summer vacation.

What are your summer horse plans? Do you have any horse “hunting” advice?

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16 Comments

Lawson Williams June 16, 2014 at 1:27 pm - Reply

In California you may want to contact Marci de la Torre, Ops Mgr. at Brazeau T.B. Farm in Hemet.
They usually have some very nice horses reasonable that just did not reach “race horse” level.
(951) 719-5111.
- Susan Friedland-Smith June 16, 2014 at 1:28 pm - Reply
  
  Thanks for the tip! Good to know. 🙂
carey June 16, 2014 at 3:30 pm - Reply

I haven’t done much “real” horse hunting (day dreaming on dreamhorse.com? yes) as I lucked into a great match with Cosmo who came to my old barn as a possible lesson horse. I guess as with anything new, keep an open mind. You never know what you will find. But it’s also great to know what you are looking for and have a couple things in mind that would be dealbreakers. Good luck, have fun! 🙂
magreenlee June 17, 2014 at 1:17 am - Reply

When I went ‘shopping’ for what turned out to be Flurry, I made a list, too. Mine was :
Gelding (I’ve had too many mareish mares in my life)
14.2 – 15.2hh (I’m not tall!)
6 – 8 years old (This horse is to see me into my dotage)
Sensible.
Jumping ability not important, colour not important.
It really helped me to focus when I browsed through the horses on the Irish equivalent of Craigslist. “Ooh that one looks nice. Oh, it’s a mare.” Moves on. “That one is bombproof and has done lots of stuff. Oh, it’s ten.” Moves on. “That one is a pretty dun colour and there’s a nice picture of it jumping. Oh, it’s 15hh. It’s a gelding. It’s six years old…” reaches for phone, makes the call and the rest is history 😀
I hope your story goes the same xx
- Susan Friedland-Smith June 17, 2014 at 7:57 pm - Reply
  
  I loved reading your list! We both used the word “sensible.” Do you remember how long it took you to find Flurry?
  - magreenlee June 17, 2014 at 11:48 pm
    
    Not long at all – he was the second horse I went to see! I took my daughter along to ride him because I was SOOOO unfit at the time and I will never forget her saying “MOM! He’s EXACTLY what you’re looking for! Just buy him!” (Nor will I ever be able to thank her enough)
magreenlee June 17, 2014 at 1:21 am - Reply

PS ‘sound’ goes without saying 😀
magreenlee June 17, 2014 at 1:24 am - Reply

PPS as does the price limit and sticking to it!
Midwestern Plant Girl June 17, 2014 at 3:17 am - Reply

Good luck! I know nothing of horses, however they sure look like fun!
- Susan Friedland-Smith June 17, 2014 at 7:55 pm - Reply
  
  I’m surprised you don’t know anything about horses! I would have thought you used their “waste” in your beautiful garden. My dad makes trips out to the barn I used to board at in Hampshire to pick up used shavings for his garden. Between that ams getting Starbucks coffee grounds, he’s a busy guy! 🙂
  - Midwestern Plant Girl June 18, 2014 at 3:05 am
    
    Haha! Yes, I do know about the stuff that comes out of horses… Just not about horses as companions.
firnhyde June 18, 2014 at 7:21 am - Reply

My criteria for horse shopping has always been first soundness; then temperament; then suitability to the task at hand (conformation and talent); then training. Then age, then breed (my philosophy is that if it’s a mongrel that jumps well it’ll be way better than a warmblood that can’t jump). Last of all, height, gender, and colour. Obviously I wouldn’t take an 11hh pony as a showjumper, and I would be hesitant to try out a 17.2hh monster because I’m 5′ 4″, but most horses will be between 14.3 and 16.3. Gender, not an issue unless of course you were looking to breed. Colour? A good horse is never a bad colour. I love dapple grey, but I’d get pretty sick of an unsuitable dapple grey, whereas I know I’d learn to love a suitable bay or skewbald.
AlchemyEventing June 18, 2014 at 12:35 pm - Reply

Eek finding a horse above 16.2 that isn’t millions is impossible. That’s a saturated market. I have a tall friend who is looking for a horse right now, and she can’t find anything (this is east coast though). All the short people demand a tall horse and drive up the prices because of the scarcity! Which is bull because then the really nice 15.3 horses such as my guy get forgotten. Granted, a person of your height wouldn’t necessarily fit him, but there are a lot of people in the 5-5’7″ range that would look great on him. But they all want 16.2 horses!! So good luck with that… Personally? No thanks on the tall horses, I don’t fit them! I use to dream about a huge horse when I was naive and younger, now I realize size doesn’t matter so much as finding a horse that fits your type. (this is not a rant against you- you obviously NEED a taller horse, whereas many people just buy a tall horse because it’s in style, which is stupid).

Otherwise, I think that’s a good list. Of course I’m sure you realize you’ll likely not be able to check mark everything off, and then it’s up to you to figure out what you are willing to work with. Like trailer loading- most horses can be taught to trailer if you are patient with them. Most horses in the 7-14 range will already be in shoes and you’ll either have to take the shoes off and let their feet re-set, which means time off from riding, or deal with the shoes. (Reason why I have yet to put shoes on Wiz yet… why fix what’s not broken?). But really, good list, and I wish you the best of luck in finding a match!

Oh, and I was thinking the same thing about the stables out west. Every time I follow someone from the west the pics of the stabling always cracks me up. I mean I guess it’s just fine and the horses might even like it better, it’s just so different! I hear it’s cheaper though. I don’t know if that’s true.
- Susan Friedland-Smith June 18, 2014 at 8:09 pm - Reply
  
  Your comments are so interesting to me. I was not aware people seem to be going for height for what sounds like is possibly a status thing. As a tall girl, before I got married I remember seeing tiny gals with a tall guy thinking, “Nooo! Go for someone shorter. Leave tall guys for the tall girls. ”
  
  This is not to say all women must be shorter than the men they date/marry, etc. I just know from experience (when I once dated someone a few inches shorter than me), that I didn’t feel feminine because I was bigger. Also, hugging down to a shorter guy made me feel like I was reaching down to embrace a child. It didn’t work out with him for other reasons, but I learned my preference. Today I can wear heels with my tall husband and still be shorter, more delicate than him. And I give an up hug. 🙂
  - AlchemyEventing June 18, 2014 at 8:12 pm
    
    Lol my friend who is tall and horse shopping said the same thing about men! Funny 🙂
gallopsandgarlands June 20, 2014 at 2:29 pm - Reply

Goodluck that is super exciting news!