Good morning everyone and Merry Christmas!!
Coming over from H/J land… I have a really nice mare who is not going to be able to hold up as a show jumper. Perfect on straight lines, endurance work, miles of trails. Gets sore due to old injury to right front shoulder when ridden on too many tight circles and collection work (on circles as well).
Took her to hunter paces, she LOVES it. Doesn’t really look at anything, easy and forward to ride (think not having to do anything, just sit there- no pushing or pulling required).
Posted her on the Giveaway section as well a few weeks back. Think she would excel at fox hunting.
Needs an intermediate rider (more someone that is confident- you don’t question anything, neither does she). 16.2 hands. Selle Francais/thoroughbred (registered American Warmblood). 100% sound per vet.
Been trail riding her by herself and she has been perfect!
Trying to do the right thing for her 
SO- WHERE do you advertise such a horse… Great home a must- would check references.
Does she ride well in company? Does she gallop well in company? In front, middle, last? Does she mind hounds? Not just one, but upwards of 20-40 darting out of the woods and brush, under foot and speaking loudly. These things can un-nerve the best trail horse in the world.
Until she has been taken hunting for 6-10 times, or preferably a whole season, its hard to tell whether she would truly make a good hunter.
Even free, it may be a “hard sell”, as we know the purchase price is the cheap part. If she doesn’t work out, what are the options for the new owner?
As far as advertising, you could contact the local hunt and see if any members are game for trying a new horse. You could do a free lease for a year and have them keep insurance on the horse. If they like her/she works out, you could sell her for $1. Are there any local people who train foxhunters? You could see if they would be willing to try her out with maybe you maying for feed and vet/farrier and they put the training and marketing on her and they get whatever they get for the sale?
Best of luck with your re-homing.
At best you could market or offer the horse as a ‘prospect.’ No guarantees.
Personally I would be dubious about a horse described as ‘sore due to old injury’ in one paragraph and ‘100% sound per vet’ in the next. Now, I agree that some injuries that preclude lots of arena work don’t preclude lots of traveling in relatively straight lines. However, a horse that won’t hold up as a show jumper won’t hold up for hard hunting, either.
But for free, trail rides, maybe occasional hunting or hilltopping, you might be able to find a good home.
[QUOTE=Beverley;5301284]
At best you could market or offer the horse as a ‘prospect.’ No guarantees.
Personally I would be dubious about a horse described as ‘sore due to old injury’ in one paragraph and ‘100% sound per vet’ in the next. Now, I agree that some injuries that preclude lots of arena work don’t preclude lots of traveling in relatively straight lines. However, a horse that won’t hold up as a show jumper won’t hold up for hard hunting, either.
But for free, trail rides, maybe occasional hunting or hilltopping, you might be able to find a good home.[/QUOTE]
Thank you both for the answers… I agree with what you said above… sadly horse was worked hard in large field for 6 months (think close to an hour, 5 days/week of forward work) before going into training… and she got really sore. After $1,000’s with the vet, everyone agrees the horse would do just fine if it did not involve serious circle work.
The last paragraph really describe what I’m going to go for!
Again, thank you :yes: 
[QUOTE=jumpingmaya;5305678]
Thank you both for the answers… I agree with what you said above… sadly horse was worked hard in large field for 6 months (think close to an hour, 5 days/week of forward work) before going into training… and she got really sore. After $1,000’s with the vet, everyone agrees the horse would do just fine if it did not involve serious circle work.
The last paragraph really describe what I’m going to go for!
Again, thank you :yes: :)[/QUOTE]
My concern is that the horse wouldn’t last in the hunt field. If being worked in a large field for an hour at a forward pace brings her up sore, then I don’t think hunting 2-3 days a week, up and down hills (or mountains), through creeks, over ditches, or hard, fast gallops on frozen ground, for hours at a time would do her any favors.
Perhaps a trail riding home would be more appropriate.
Good luck though.
[QUOTE=eyetallion stallion;5307480]
My concern is that the horse wouldn’t last in the hunt field. If being worked in a large field for an hour at a forward pace brings her up sore, then I don’t think hunting 2-3 days a week, up and down hills (or mountains), through creeks, over ditches, or hard, fast gallops on frozen ground, for hours at a time would do her any favors.
Perhaps a trail riding home would be more appropriate.
Good luck though.[/QUOTE]
Ha… I just re-read what I had typed- lack of punctuation on my end= confusing story 
Horse was completely sound with that type of work. Only started to show up sore when she went to training. Zero issues before then…
Either way, I’m going to put my attention on trail riding and hunter paces (done plenty of those and never turned up sore).
Thanks for your help!
