Breathe

It's been quite a crazy few weeks, what with Christmas, the New Year and continued Horse Hunting I have felt a bit like I am holding my breath at times. There was one Andalusian that I thought I liked, he ticked a lot of boxes but something kept holding me back. I sent a friend his photos and video and she really disliked this guy. It was enough for me to back off immediately and I actually felt better when I did.

I had so many moments when I wondered what I was going to have to give up to find the right horse. Something was going to have to give a bit to keep me within budget but I wasn't sure what. I knew I was probably going to have to either forget the breeds I really wanted, lower the training level of said pony or consider a horse with some imperfect XRays etc. The consideration of buying something unsound is huge. Not only does it mean more expense during the ownership but the fact that insurance wont cover anything related and even more heartbreaking; that it could be career or even life ending. The theory with many sellers is that the horse has had that issue for years and is sound so it should be fine. But when I am putting so much money and emotions on the line, the risk of "It's all okay, until it isn't" is a huge one.

During this last few days, an imperfect prospective pony popped up on my hunt. He just pulled my heartstrings the minute I saw him. The photos on his advert are a little scruffier and less professional than usual ones. Not the glamorous preened horses usually seen. He hasn't had mountains of dressage training and isn't one of the PSG schoolmasters I had considered before. But none of that seemed to matter. He has good, clear paces, some lovely, lower level dressage training and the most amazing brain. I think he is beautiful and completely my kind of horse. Plus each one of my 'hunting helpers' likes him. They all have a great eye for a good horse! Oh and he is comfortably under budget, which, with a very recent, humongous tax bill, makes me panic slightly less. 

Lets get real here. Do I need a higher level dressage horse? I haven't even competed at training level let alone be worrying about any scores at PSG. Sure it would be fun to play with flying changes and so forth, but at this point in my riding career, I need to focus on the foundation skills with a partner I adore and trust. Not only this, but I have a fantastic, and very talented instructor and trainer in Sara. I have no doubt that while myself and possible pony are polishing our skills needed for training and first this year, she will continue his education and we can move up the levels together over the next few years.

The excitement I feel at having something that is a little more of a project than a 'made' horse is huge! My friends all know that I love ground work, clicker training and so forth; it really is my thing. I think this boy could be even more special (then he already is) with time and the correct work and I am pretty much bouncing with glee at the thought of our path ahead.

Oh wait, we still have a PPE to get through, therefore for now, the bouncing needs to be hidden deep inside. I am waiting to hear back for when I can book the it, as soon as I know details I will update you all. In the meantime, fingers crossed!