I had 5 Icelandics over many years. The first was a little devil, and not enough tölt, 2 and 3 were wonderful, a gelding and a very cooperative mare. 4 and 5 were supposed to be good, but at home they were not good with me. Both bolted with me, I had falls, and I was 69, so I, sadly, gave up. I only ever wanted Icelandics .. they gave me many happy years, even riding in Iceland over lava fields and other amazing nature.
My current horse is a QH gelding 22 years old, I have had him since he was a baby he was out of my Mare. He is 15 hands high and a redhead, lol as am I lol. Was he my dream horse> No I wanted a black horse. What he is though is my heart horse. He is so kind, and sweet, and responsible, there is some spook in him but usually he handles it well mostly by just jumping up and blowing at it. because I am his person and love to love on them lol he is affectionate. What i love the most about him is how he is with kids, I have seen him make himself small for a kid who was scared, I have seen him keep an eye out for my 7 year old roommate, I also make sure to point her out just in case, because his whole body language changes around her. he taught her to lead him and to move him away from her, which translated to her being able to do so with her Pony. I am not sure I will ever find another just like him. But i do know I am looking for all his good traits.
My last horse, I wanted a warm blood schoolmaster. I bought one, with the guidance of my coach, BUT, I never felt connected to him. It just wasn’t there and I felt I overpaid and rushed my decision. Fortunately after 3 years, I retired him to my coach. My next list was, QH, 15 hands, some color (buckskin, grey, paint), gelding, 6-12 years old. But I kept thinking about that connection thing I never felt with my warm blood. I went to see a paint - wouldn’t even get on him after I saw him lunged, and this little bay guy caught my eye and was also for sale. I immediately connected with him and his silly personality. So he wasn’t colored, but was a gelding, was 4, but he was the guy for me! 3 years later and I couldn’t love him more. My total heart horse and the absolute right one for me. Probably more luck than planning…… 😜❤❤❤
My ‘wishlist’ that I made had 7 bits of criteria, my horse fits one of them. I ended up rescuing him so that is why he doesn’t fit every box but we will work together and get their eventually, some of the things he had I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near if I bought him but I always feel not every horse is perfect in every way so I am happy to work through them. He is bigger, older, different breed, and different to ride than my wishlist but I wouldn’t change it for the world. After passed experiences I am just glad he is happy healthy and loving life again❤
The most recent horse we bought ended up being a 13 year old, 16.2hh, liver chestnut, Irish Draught Sport Horse. Here in NS, Canada, it is a pretty un common breed. My 14 year old daughter had outgrown her 14.1 Dales pony (very rare in my area) and we wanted something for her to move up to. We wanted something safe to give her confidence, mature but not elderly, over 16hh and sturdily built, a personality that we connected with, able to jump around small courses, do low level dressage, jump X country and hack. He fit the bill on everything. His personality is quirky, and he isn’t always easy to handle ( too smart), but he has really connected to « his people ». I have Warmbloods for myself, but am now really liking Irish Draughts. I could see another one down the road some day.
Love this Rhi! I've never had a, wishlist n ended up with the most random bunch of horsey partners but my absolute favourites are TBs and now I have one on LWVTB which has been amazing because it's been like trying before you buy. He's my dream horse ❤
Really useful content thanks Rhi! As a 6ft 3, 40yr+ male novice rider I'm a few years away from buying. I m thinking about loan/share approach before I buy as fornightly lessons only give me so much experience. A recent hack on a 17hh Dutch warmblood was good fun though. I reckon Harley would enjoy a hack around Poplar Park in Suffolk, its like disney land for horses 😊
So glad you decided to do this series! Wishlists are particularly important for relative beginners/first time buyers--best to reflect our limitations and experience and focus on safety and soundness over other "flashy" features, breeds, etc. Looking forward to more videos!
Ah thank you! I'm thinking we cover: - Horse adverts - language and meaning + how to gather more information (phonecalls, videos etc) - Viewings (what is it, what happens, what to ask/look for) - Vettings - as above Anything else you think is interesting? I have a whole series on insuring a horse but could do a video on insurance too
My wish list looked exactly like yours when I lost my chunky Arabian Warmblood. But ended up with a chunky mare, quarter horse cross thoroughbred and Andalusian . Couldn't saddle her to start with but a long story short she has turned into the sweetest horse. I love your horse he reminds me of my old boy ❤
Thank you! Would love your perspective on what I'm currently planning on including: - Horse adverts - language and meaning + how to gather more information (phonecalls, videos etc) - Viewings (what is it, what happens, what to ask/look for) - Vettings - as above Anything else you think is interesting? I have a whole series on insuring a horse but could do a video on insurance too
@@RidingWithRhi yes to all those bullet points! Just some topics for consideration: transitioning from loaning to owning, hidden costs in horse buying / ownership, knowing your limits as a rider and buying the horse you need, involving non-horsey family into your new venture. Just some things to think about :) Me and my partner have spoken about me buying my first horse however it's the cost of livery (as I couldnt do diy) and the risk of something going wrong. It feels like ownership is a lifestyle rather than just a hobby and I think people need to go into it knowing that rather than rose tinted glasses! All food for thought :)
You and Harley are a great team. My wishlist is a younger version of my current horse. 16.2hh Standardbred gelding by an American stallion with good riding conformation, solid hunter type and very few or no white markings. Preferably a bold, enthusiastic outlook. Bit of a thug is okay too. Have even planned my last horse. Thoroughbred. When I get old, it would be nice to relax with a Thoroughbred.
@@rhi963 Mostly because I prefer the look of no white markings. Partly because they are a pain to keep white. Plus there's the possibility of sunburn. I am in Australia.
I think you have your whole life to eventually try out horses that arent in your wishlist, once you have more experience and everything, Harley was a wonderful choice 💚
Thank you for a really interesting video. I’m about to start looking for my first horse and had assumed that everyone went out with a wish list! I certainly will be. Looking forward to seeing some more videos in this series.
Thank you! Lovely to hear that feedback. As you are my exact audience for teh series, I'd love to know what you think of my current list of things to cover - anything you think I'm missing? Currently i have: - Horse adverts - language and meaning + how to gather more information (phonecalls, videos etc) - Viewings (what is it, what happens, what to ask/look for) - Vettings - as above Anything else you think is interesting? I have a whole series on insuring a horse but could do a video on insurance too
@@RidingWithRhi you could focus on what to do/expect from a horse if you are riding it at a viewing or maybe some sort of red vs green flags of sellers etc xx
Really helpful video to listen to as I'm in a similar position (lost my old horse and potentially starting to look for a new one). I'd be interested to know why you were ideally looking for a private sale over a dealer? I've heard pros and cons for both and find this a very tricky thing to decide on in my future search. Thanks. 😊
I enjoyed your vid and I agree with your preference. Cobs, solid and Irish Draft are great horses. It's good to have a wish list and know what you are comfortable with. Even more so, your level. Sounds like you have a great team and idea of what you want. I love bomb proof war horses. TB nsm lol. Currently I have 2 mini horse mares and a mini donkey. They were young rescues when I got them but, I had a pretty open 'what I was looking for list' at the time. Mares are fun too, it's like cats v dogs. You have to read a mare and we are generally on the same cycle. Ha. Some days we're just a bit cranky and need snacks
*oh, also geldings are so fun. But, with that said one of my most dangerous horses was (still loved him so much) was a gelding. He had been an abused Hunter Jumper and way too emo for my level. He was a great horse and we had some fun eventing. There was an accident before a show and I broke my arm badly and never really recovered as a rider (my confidence). Sorry for the extra long msg. There are some great 'throw away' horses that you can get for next to nothing. Not to advise this for everyone but, if you take your time with them it can really pay off. I had a trainer that got a horse at a slaughter auction and turned it into a high level 3 day eventer. My dream now (it's so close) is getting a place where I can host sport horses with 'issues' that need decompression and emotional therapy and groundwork via livery track system in the mountain in AZ. I think it could really help horses calm and get basic skills before 'real' training starts
Well you got the boy you wanted! And would love to see some videos of when you first got Harley to now, or just a chatty vlog - what has changed, for better or worse, how you dealt with things etc 😃 My boy ticked all on my wish list except for… and I KNOW colour is not important! But I would have preferred a darker horse… got a grey who adores rolling in mud 🙄😂 I swear he does it to get me to groom him again 😂 Xo
Oooh yes that's a nice idea - I could do one on what i've learned in my first year with a young horse or something similar. And yes - so many IDs I looked at were GREY i was dreading ending up with one 😂 I thank Harley for his colour every day haha
I'm okay with wishlists. EXCEPT when it's explicitly against mares or geldings. The best and most TRULY forgiving horses I've ever known have been mares. Geldings take things personally. I.e. if you apply a correction with the gelding will dwell on it forever, a mare might get annoyed but then they move on. I think a perferemce is fine but an absolute no is what annoys me.
You'd be barmy to not have a Wishlist. It's like using the filters when shopping for a T shirt- womens, black, fitted, cotton, long sleeved, size 10 etc etc only MILES, MILES more important. You definitely did the right thing!
I had 5 Icelandics over many years. The first was a little devil, and not enough tölt, 2 and 3 were wonderful, a gelding and a very cooperative mare. 4 and 5 were supposed to be good, but at home they were not good with me. Both bolted with me, I had falls, and I was 69, so I, sadly, gave up. I only ever wanted Icelandics .. they gave me many happy years, even riding in Iceland over lava fields and other amazing nature.
My current horse is a QH gelding 22 years old, I have had him since he was a baby he was out of my Mare. He is 15 hands high and a redhead, lol as am I lol. Was he my dream horse> No I wanted a black horse. What he is though is my heart horse. He is so kind, and sweet, and responsible, there is some spook in him but usually he handles it well mostly by just jumping up and blowing at it. because I am his person and love to love on them lol he is affectionate. What i love the most about him is how he is with kids, I have seen him make himself small for a kid who was scared, I have seen him keep an eye out for my 7 year old roommate, I also make sure to point her out just in case, because his whole body language changes around her. he taught her to lead him and to move him away from her, which translated to her being able to do so with her Pony. I am not sure I will ever find another just like him. But i do know I am looking for all his good traits.
My last horse, I wanted a warm blood schoolmaster. I bought one, with the guidance of my coach, BUT, I never felt connected to him. It just wasn’t there and I felt I overpaid and rushed my decision. Fortunately after 3 years, I retired him to my coach. My next list was, QH, 15 hands, some color (buckskin, grey, paint), gelding, 6-12 years old. But I kept thinking about that connection thing I never felt with my warm blood. I went to see a paint - wouldn’t even get on him after I saw him lunged, and this little bay guy caught my eye and was also for sale. I immediately connected with him and his silly personality. So he wasn’t colored, but was a gelding, was 4, but he was the guy for me! 3 years later and I couldn’t love him more. My total heart horse and the absolute right one for me. Probably more luck than planning…… 😜❤❤❤
My ‘wishlist’ that I made had 7 bits of criteria, my horse fits one of them. I ended up rescuing him so that is why he doesn’t fit every box but we will work together and get their eventually, some of the things he had I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near if I bought him but I always feel not every horse is perfect in every way so I am happy to work through them. He is bigger, older, different breed, and different to ride than my wishlist but I wouldn’t change it for the world. After passed experiences I am just glad he is happy healthy and loving life again❤
❤❤❤
The most recent horse we bought ended up being a 13 year old, 16.2hh, liver chestnut, Irish Draught Sport Horse. Here in NS, Canada, it is a pretty un common breed. My 14 year old daughter had outgrown her 14.1 Dales pony (very rare in my area) and we wanted something for her to move up to. We wanted something safe to give her confidence, mature but not elderly, over 16hh and sturdily built, a personality that we connected with, able to jump around small courses, do low level dressage, jump X country and hack. He fit the bill on everything. His personality is quirky, and he isn’t always easy to handle ( too smart), but he has really connected to « his people ». I have Warmbloods for myself, but am now really liking Irish Draughts. I could see another one down the road some day.
Ahhh he sounds lovely. I think they are fabulous! But of course, I'm biased
Love this Rhi! I've never had a, wishlist n ended up with the most random bunch of horsey partners but my absolute favourites are TBs and now I have one on LWVTB which has been amazing because it's been like trying before you buy. He's my dream horse ❤
Really useful content thanks Rhi! As a 6ft 3, 40yr+ male novice rider I'm a few years away from buying. I m thinking about loan/share approach before I buy as fornightly lessons only give me so much experience. A recent hack on a 17hh Dutch warmblood was good fun though. I reckon Harley would enjoy a hack around Poplar Park in Suffolk, its like disney land for horses 😊
So glad you decided to do this series! Wishlists are particularly important for relative beginners/first time buyers--best to reflect our limitations and experience and focus on safety and soundness over other "flashy" features, breeds, etc. Looking forward to more videos!
Ah thank you! I'm thinking we cover:
- Horse adverts - language and meaning + how to gather more information (phonecalls, videos etc)
- Viewings (what is it, what happens, what to ask/look for)
- Vettings - as above
Anything else you think is interesting? I have a whole series on insuring a horse but could do a video on insurance too
@@RidingWithRhi I’ll look for that video! Thank you! ❤️
My wish list looked exactly like yours when I lost my chunky Arabian Warmblood. But ended up with a chunky mare, quarter horse cross thoroughbred and Andalusian . Couldn't saddle her to start with but a long story short she has turned into the sweetest horse. I love your horse he reminds me of my old boy ❤
Can't wait to see the rest of the videos in this mini series!
Thank you! Would love your perspective on what I'm currently planning on including:
- Horse adverts - language and meaning + how to gather more information (phonecalls, videos etc)
- Viewings (what is it, what happens, what to ask/look for)
- Vettings - as above
Anything else you think is interesting? I have a whole series on insuring a horse but could do a video on insurance too
@@RidingWithRhi yes to all those bullet points!
Just some topics for consideration: transitioning from loaning to owning, hidden costs in horse buying / ownership, knowing your limits as a rider and buying the horse you need, involving non-horsey family into your new venture.
Just some things to think about :)
Me and my partner have spoken about me buying my first horse however it's the cost of livery (as I couldnt do diy) and the risk of something going wrong. It feels like ownership is a lifestyle rather than just a hobby and I think people need to go into it knowing that rather than rose tinted glasses!
All food for thought :)
You and Harley are a great team.
My wishlist is a younger version of my current horse. 16.2hh Standardbred gelding by an American stallion with good riding conformation, solid hunter type and very few or no white markings. Preferably a bold, enthusiastic outlook. Bit of a thug is okay too.
Have even planned my last horse. Thoroughbred. When I get old, it would be nice to relax with a Thoroughbred.
interesting that you dont like the white, no judgement, but im wondering what your reasoning is? most people are all about the socks and face markings
@@rhi963 Mostly because I prefer the look of no white markings. Partly because they are a pain to keep white. Plus there's the possibility of sunburn. I am in Australia.
Perfect for each other ❤
🥹❤️ stop
I think you have your whole life to eventually try out horses that arent in your wishlist, once you have more experience and everything, Harley was a wonderful choice 💚
Thank you for a really interesting video. I’m about to start looking for my first horse and had assumed that everyone went out with a wish list! I certainly will be. Looking forward to seeing some more videos in this series.
Thank you! Lovely to hear that feedback. As you are my exact audience for teh series, I'd love to know what you think of my current list of things to cover - anything you think I'm missing?
Currently i have:
- Horse adverts - language and meaning + how to gather more information (phonecalls, videos etc)
- Viewings (what is it, what happens, what to ask/look for)
- Vettings - as above
Anything else you think is interesting? I have a whole series on insuring a horse but could do a video on insurance too
@@RidingWithRhi you could focus on what to do/expect from a horse if you are riding it at a viewing or maybe some sort of red vs green flags of sellers etc xx
Really helpful video to listen to as I'm in a similar position (lost my old horse and potentially starting to look for a new one). I'd be interested to know why you were ideally looking for a private sale over a dealer? I've heard pros and cons for both and find this a very tricky thing to decide on in my future search. Thanks. 😊
I enjoyed your vid and I agree with your preference. Cobs, solid and Irish Draft are great horses. It's good to have a wish list and know what you are comfortable with. Even more so, your level. Sounds like you have a great team and idea of what you want. I love bomb proof war horses. TB nsm lol. Currently I have 2 mini horse mares and a mini donkey. They were young rescues when I got them but, I had a pretty open 'what I was looking for list' at the time. Mares are fun too, it's like cats v dogs. You have to read a mare and we are generally on the same cycle. Ha. Some days we're just a bit cranky and need snacks
*oh, also geldings are so fun. But, with that said one of my most dangerous horses was (still loved him so much) was a gelding. He had been an abused Hunter Jumper and way too emo for my level. He was a great horse and we had some fun eventing. There was an accident before a show and I broke my arm badly and never really recovered as a rider (my confidence).
Sorry for the extra long msg. There are some great 'throw away' horses that you can get for next to nothing. Not to advise this for everyone but, if you take your time with them it can really pay off. I had a trainer that got a horse at a slaughter auction and turned it into a high level 3 day eventer. My dream now (it's so close) is getting a place where I can host sport horses with 'issues' that need decompression and emotional therapy and groundwork via livery track system in the mountain in AZ. I think it could really help horses calm and get basic skills before 'real' training starts
Well you got the boy you wanted! And would love to see some videos of when you first got Harley to now, or just a chatty vlog - what has changed, for better or worse, how you dealt with things etc 😃
My boy ticked all on my wish list except for… and I KNOW colour is not important! But I would have preferred a darker horse… got a grey who adores rolling in mud 🙄😂 I swear he does it to get me to groom him again 😂
Xo
Oooh yes that's a nice idea - I could do one on what i've learned in my first year with a young horse or something similar. And yes - so many IDs I looked at were GREY i was dreading ending up with one 😂 I thank Harley for his colour every day haha
I'm okay with wishlists. EXCEPT when it's explicitly against mares or geldings. The best and most TRULY forgiving horses I've ever known have been mares. Geldings take things personally. I.e. if you apply a correction with the gelding will dwell on it forever, a mare might get annoyed but then they move on.
I think a perferemce is fine but an absolute no is what annoys me.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
You'd be barmy to not have a Wishlist. It's like using the filters when shopping for a T shirt- womens, black, fitted, cotton, long sleeved, size 10 etc etc only MILES, MILES more important. You definitely did the right thing!
Yes absolutely this ! Great way of putting it.
💜🐎💜🐎💜🐎💜🐎