Long story short, I’ve effectively had to retire my 20yr old mare due to neuro/spinal issues (for anyone who was following that, she’s doing really well, her feet are in great nick and she’s happy for a plod around on occasion).
I’ve sworn up and down for years that I wouldn’t get a second, mainly due to the time commitment. My retiree was so easy to handle and didn’t need to be in constant work to stay sane, but that was the product of years and years of work, so of course a new horse…will need that work to get to the same point!
However…a friend sent me a link to a super cute little TB filly, 3yo with a very kind eye. Apparently very good to handle but unbroken. She is pretty cheap due to drought, so initial outlay is of no financial consequence. I have free board at my dad’s property, which usually has excellent feed (said drought would mean needing to feed more atm) and currently just has the retiree pony who is fat and runs off nothing. I live 15mins away and traffic is never an issue.
Am I insane to be considering this? My friend has extensive experience breaking in young and difficult horses and has said she is willing to help out on that front. The retiree was barely broken when I got her, and was very difficult for some time so I do have some experience with very green horses. Bear in mind that here down under we tend to be much less reliant on trainers for every step of the way, programs aren’t a thing etc. I’m in my mid twenties, fit and healthy with a flexible job that should give me the time I need.
I’m hoping that as my mare (unknown breeding) was always built a little TB like, and I’ve had the saddle fit a couple of TBs, that I maaayyyyy get lucky on that front. And in any case we won’t need to worry about that for a good few months yet.