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Re: [RC] a hard lesson to learn - Chris PausI think we've all bought the wrong horse once or twice, even experienced horse men and women! So don't beat yourself up.
After 40 some years of having horses, I bought a gorgeous Appy gelding I fell in love with. rode him three times at his owner's farm. Never a lick of problem with him.
When he got here, he was a completely different animal. I tried for 3 months to get along with him. When he reared up and flipped over on me, that was the end of our relationship. I don't know if the seller failed to disclose something to me, or if the horse just didnt' like it here or what. I sold the horse to a rodeo string operator who got along with him fine. I think sometimes horse and human personalities just don't gel for whatever reason.
The other issue that I think plays in here is "new horse jitters." Whenever I've gotten a new horse, it takes a while for us to really get along, and for me to get over the butterflies in my stomach and really ride the horse to its capability. The older and more breakable I get, the worse the jitters are with a horse I don't know.
the cribbing and forging should have been disclosed. however, I'd talk with a good reputable farrier about the interference problem. And I'd have chiropractic work done on the horse and start him on a thoughtful exercise program. sometimes just developing the correct muscles in a horse will make a huge difference in the way he moves. He might still be a trail horse for you.
I should show you pictures of my little gray named Zab. He was a sad sack of a horse when I got him. Underweight, very cowhocked and pigeon toed, and really dippy back even though he was only 5. I bought him for his disposition for my grandson. With chiropractic care, better saddle fit, and some good workouts on hills, he's a different looking and moving horse! With his great disposition, he just chugs on down the trail. Despite his physical flaws, i've got a list of people who want him if I ever sold him. But a horse I can trust with my 10Yo grandson is a keeper.
And the seller is right that a cross country trip in a shipping van can be extremely stressful on a horse. That alone could have brought on ulcers.
chris
Cherie <cl705@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Yes...just so you all understand...I've definitely learned my lesson. However, I did ask her if the horse had any problems or vices and was told no. However, I still should have had her vet. check him over and hopefully he would have told me about the vices. Never again...I was definitely very, very foolish! But thanks for listening. "Slowee, slowee catchee monkey," Rudyard Kipling, from The Jungle Book
Chris Paus
BayRab Acres http://pages.prodigy.net/paus
Lake Region SWA http://lakeregionswa.fws1.com
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