trusting your instincts when buying a new horse

YaegersMom · 07-01-2008, 04:08 PM

Do you think it is possible for your instincts to kick in immediately when trying out a new horse? I rode a beautiful mare, very fancy and a big winner in the hack and over-fences classes, I liked her the first ride. The second ride, I was so nervous I had to get off. She didn't do anything wrong, but I felt sick riding her, almost as if I had never ridden before. I'm not terribly superstitious, but it did make me decide to pass on the mare. Does anyone have similar experiences and would you trust your instincts or try to work through the nerves?

Jujubee · 07-01-2008, 04:18 PM

I've been riding a long time, but will always bring my trainer to look at any horse I'm looking to purchase.
You have to ask yourself why did you becomes so nervous??? Did the horse do something, or was it because you were riding a strange horse?
Maybe you should ride the horse a few more times, before making a decision.

2horsestoride · 07-01-2008, 05:43 PM

I absolutely believe in gut instinct. Trust it. :-)

YaegersMom · 07-01-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jujubee

I've been riding a long time, but will always bring my trainer to look at any horse I'm looking to purchase.
You have to ask yourself why did you becomes so nervous??? Did the horse do something, or was it because you were riding a strange horse?
Maybe you should ride the horse a few more times, before making a decision.

My trainer came with me and while she likes the horse, she agreed it wasn't a match for me. She said she hasn't ever seen me this nervous on a horse. I just can't figure out why I was so nervous. This mare was smaller than my other horse, not nearly as forward, easier over fences, etc. but I just felt so tense on her. Really odd feeling!

moondust · 07-01-2008, 06:39 PM

I would say to trust your instinct.

stephanie · 07-01-2008, 06:48 PM

I agree, I would trust your instincts

equestsarah81 · 07-01-2008, 07:04 PM

Did you have the owner ride her first? I always have the owner or who ever is selling the horse ride the horse first so I can observe the horse's behavior and how the horse is used to being ridden. I also try to bring someone with me that I trust so they can look the horse over too (usually my trainer if she's available). I get really nervous before I get on a horse I am not familiar with too but once I see what their behavior is like and I feel comfortable with how they are acting, then I'll get on and once I am in the saddle I calm down. But I will catch myself tense up and when I do that I just slow the horse down to a walk.

I would say go try her again if you feel that she may be a horse that you think you may want. If you don't ride her again, you may be passing up a horse that you really would have wanted and you could regret not riding her again. If you can, being your trainer (if you have one) b/c they may be able to calm you down.

sirius-dressage · 07-01-2008, 07:53 PM

Yeah, I feel you should feel some sort of connection with the horse if it is to be a personal mount. If you don't feel as if you will be able to make a fairly matched team then there's no point in buying the horse.

The last riding horse we bought was for my mom and there were many horses we rode that I just immediately felt they were not the one...but it all came down to personality suitability. At this point in my riding I feel pretty comfortable getting on just about anything (barring of course insane rearing, bucking nightmares) and generally like over half of what I ride...but I do click more with some horses. It's bad though when I get that feeling because I immediately want to buy them.

Which of course I can't.

Kicks · 07-01-2008, 08:09 PM

I always try to go with my 'gut feelings' - never yet failed me when I listen. Have not 'listened' a few times and had less than ideal results.

PeggySue · 07-01-2008, 08:12 PM

I always go with my gut... I can normally tell within a few minutes if I am gonna get along with one or not...weird as that sounds .. the one I brought home with the bad feeling ended up getting sold about a year after we got her for a loss at that

My other four are keepers and as long as I can afford them they are here to stay ... then I won't sell them I have life leases set up on three of them whenever needed!! and the fourth I am sure I could place easily

go with your gut.. if the Trainer you have says no then I guess that means no

07-01-2008, 04:08 PM	#1
YaegersMom Full Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 140 Images: 9	trusting your instincts when buying a new horse Do you think it is possible for your instincts to kick in immediately when trying out a new horse? I rode a beautiful mare, very fancy and a big winner in the hack and over-fences classes, I liked her the first ride. The second ride, I was so nervous I had to get off. She didn't do anything wrong, but I felt sick riding her, almost as if I had never ridden before. I'm not terribly superstitious, but it did make me decide to pass on the mare. Does anyone have similar experiences and would you trust your instincts or try to work through the nerves? __________________ Liane proud owner of Kirkshire Farm, LLC www.kirkshirefarm.com or kirkshirefarm@yahoo.com

07-01-2008, 06:39 PM	#5
moondust Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114 Images: 241	I would say to trust your instinct. __________________ Proud president of the saddle-less club To Moondust: "We fit together like a hand in glove, and when I'm with you I feel nothing but love!" Thanks ureventer for my beautiful avatar. I've been snowballed x8. I'm officially a snow man!

07-01-2008, 06:48 PM	#6
stephanie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 1,356 Images: 162	I agree, I would trust your instincts __________________ I've got guts, I'm a member of the eventing club "Some people are like slinkys. They're good for nothing, but you can't help but smile when you push them down the stairs." -Unknown http://www.myspace.com/cirrus923

07-01-2008, 07:04 PM	#7
equestsarah81 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GR, MI Posts: 1,135 Images: 60	Did you have the owner ride her first? I always have the owner or who ever is selling the horse ride the horse first so I can observe the horse's behavior and how the horse is used to being ridden. I also try to bring someone with me that I trust so they can look the horse over too (usually my trainer if she's available). I get really nervous before I get on a horse I am not familiar with too but once I see what their behavior is like and I feel comfortable with how they are acting, then I'll get on and once I am in the saddle I calm down. But I will catch myself tense up and when I do that I just slow the horse down to a walk. I would say go try her again if you feel that she may be a horse that you think you may want. If you don't ride her again, you may be passing up a horse that you really would have wanted and you could regret not riding her again. If you can, being your trainer (if you have one) b/c they may be able to calm you down. __________________ *Sarah V.* *Proud momma of my 1yr old son Cameron and my TB mare Lacey!!!* R.I.P. my beloved Bailey

07-01-2008, 07:53 PM	#8
sirius-dressage Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,975 Images: 85 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah, I feel you should feel some sort of connection with the horse if it is to be a personal mount. If you don't feel as if you will be able to make a fairly matched team then there's no point in buying the horse. The last riding horse we bought was for my mom and there were many horses we rode that I just immediately felt they were not the one...but it all came down to personality suitability. At this point in my riding I feel pretty comfortable getting on just about anything (barring of course insane rearing, bucking nightmares) and generally like over half of what I ride...but I do click more with some horses. It's bad though when I get that feeling because I immediately want to buy them. Which of course I can't. __________________ Oliver July1994 - July 18, 2008 You will always be loved. I've been snowballed!

07-01-2008, 04:18 PM	#2
Jujubee Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 39	I've been riding a long time, but will always bring my trainer to look at any horse I'm looking to purchase. You have to ask yourself why did you becomes so nervous??? Did the horse do something, or was it because you were riding a strange horse? Maybe you should ride the horse a few more times, before making a decision.

07-01-2008, 05:43 PM	#3
2horsestoride Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York Posts: 852	I absolutely believe in gut instinct. Trust it. :-)

07-01-2008, 08:09 PM	#9
Kicks Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beautiful Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 2,254 Images: 31	I always try to go with my 'gut feelings' - never yet failed me when I listen. Have not 'listened' a few times and had less than ideal results.

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