I suggest networking --ask all your horse friends to keep an eye out for what you want --but be clear and succinct --you can always expand your “check list” later -but for now, broad strokes. It worked for me. I wanted:
–sound
–gelding
–w/t/c pretty much hands free since I wanted him for mounted archery -
–loads
–5-10 years old
–Hancock bloodline (ok, that was a real hope, but . . .)
And, amazingly, one friend found exactly what I wanted! Was it perfect? --not quite --Bob has “issues” with other horses --he must be pastured alone --that’s why his owner (actually knew her through my kids’ 4-H days) needed him gone after only owning him 7 months --she had 4 horses in a dry lot with great hay --but Bob was non-stop picking on the other three. . . because I had cash-in-hand (pending PPE) she sold him to me despite having a higher offer if she would “wait until the weekend.” Yeah --those people sometimes don’t show up or don’t like horse when they do! So he was MINE!
And the pasture issue: as it happens, I am set up for individual turn out in 5 acre pastures with water and run-in sheds for each horse.
Found out Bob does not like clippers, but he’s ok with scissors. I can live with that.
Although Bob is great on the trail --he was not a fan of fox hunting --I could MAKE him do it, but I already have a lovely fox hunter so it’s ok.
And like my other two Hancock geldings, Bob will never need shoes! Great feet!
Bob has become, in the 11 months I’ve had him, the horse I dreamed of --and more --working with an excellent trainer --we, rather she, discovered some training we didn’t know Bob had --after sending him to cow camp and finding out he does have cow sense (he should with his breeding – the Hancock I hoped for) --we have continued to find more and more things Bob can do well —and Ranch Horse Showing is in our future plans for 2025 --today I was struggling with side passes --Bob is spot on going left, and a hot mess going right --until . . .I put my leg on him a bit more by the girth and less by the flank --TA DA! Bob side passes great BOTH ways if the idiot rider (me) can get the cues straight!
Best of all --at my age (70+) I feel safe on him. He will be 10 in January --and honestly, I am all excited about changing to Ranch Horse --two years ago I was working daily to learn dressage --I did learn a bit and showed one show —but, frankly, I was sick of circles! I currently do Mounted Archery, and will continue, but my partner for that sport has a new baby --we were doing 6-7 meets a year --last year we only did 3 —Bob will be a good archery horse --but I want to do more than shoot arrows on my course here at home.
Horses take us on different paths, sometimes. I’ve fox hunted for 57 years --I’m ready for something new! Actually considered roping --BUT my tactful trainer said that while Bob was suitable, starting roping at my age might not be a good idea —I CAN rope --my ma taught me --but not so sure this old gal could leap off a horse and throw a calf on the ground —I think steer wrestling is out too —but Ranch Horse --that seems fun!
Bob going after cows at cow camp!
