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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512

| This weekend I am signed up to ride in a Kristin Weaver-Brown clinic in North Carolina.
I thought I had decided what horse to ride for certain but now I am feeling torn. Maybe you can help me work through it! You all always have honest, good advice. And I think I know which one I am leaning towards, but just want some other's opinions.
Horse #1: Hot Dasher x Firewater Flit gelding that we are leasing (I used to own him in 2012, personal life changes forced sale). He is quiet and I feel very comfortable on him. However, he will pull off second barrel every so often. We were on track to purchasing him two weeks ago but we took him for a pre-purchase exam and he was a bit off in his left hock. We injected him and he seems to be traveling sound now, but we haven't decided for certain whether to purchase him or not. Has a lot of potential but is just a really solid, trustworthy 3D horse for now.
Horse #2: This is my husband's horse-concentrated Driftwood and super fun to ride. He has been on barrel for 3 months and is clocking in the 3D without being pushed. This horse has a ton of ability, very athletic, and if all goes planned we will never sell him. However, with being athletic, he can be extremely responsive which makes me nervous. I have never competed on him and I planned on taking him to the arena this week to cruise him on barrels but we had too much come up and didn't make it! I know this horse has a ton of potential and would love to take him to the clinic, but I am just not comfortable riding him.
So do I take a horse I feel comfortable on that we may not even be keeping or take the horse with a ton of ability that makes me not as comfortable?
Also, I was injured in 2013 on a horse and have lost significant confidence so I was hoping this weekend would be an encouragement for me more than anything! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
  Location: Oklahoma & Texas | Well first gut feeling was to take your horse that is just starting but if you want a confidence builder I'd take the other one that you are thinking of buying...maybe it'll seal the deal in your mind to purchase or perhaps not purchase either way you know what to expect and can work more on your riding than the horses performance...although a clinic like that is great to take a young one to get some good feedback! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512

| BBrewster - 2015-10-15 9:35 PM
Well first gut feeling was to take your horse that is just starting but if you want a confidence builder I'd take the other one that you are thinking of buying...maybe it'll seal the deal in your mind to purchase or perhaps not purchase either way you know what to expect and can work more on your riding than the horses performance...although a clinic like that is great to take a young one to get some good feedback!
Thank you!
You seem as torn as I am! All valid points!
If I decide to pass on the gelding we are thinking about purchasing, we will look for a different horse for me. I would have to duct tape my husband to a chair and dart out the door to a barrel race in order to get a chance at running his horse at a show. Not really, but I don't see him ever becoming "my personal" horse. He LOVES his horse!
Edited by Blueridgedreaming 2015-10-15 9:41 PM
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
           Location: Florida.. | Id have taken number 2.. since number 1 is one your comfy with and is stable. but then you said you may not run your hubbys horse number 2 so Im not sure now.lol Id say a clinic could help you overcome your tension riding him and helped you get more relaxed with him and given you the tools to do when needed at events to keep focused and calm. |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
   Location: Texas | Blueridgedreaming - 2015-10-15 9:39 PM BBrewster - 2015-10-15 9:35 PM Well first gut feeling was to take your horse that is just starting but if you want a confidence builder I'd take the other one that you are thinking of buying...maybe it'll seal the deal in your mind to purchase or perhaps not purchase either way you know what to expect and can work more on your riding than the horses performance...although a clinic like that is great to take a young one to get some good feedback! Thank you! You seem as torn as I am! All valid points! If I decide to pass on the gelding we are thinking about purchasing, we will look for a different horse for me. I would have to duct tape my husband to a chair and dart out the door to a barrel race in order to get a chance at running his horse at a show. Not really, but I don't see him ever becoming "my personal" horse. He LOVES his horse!
This makes me say take horse number 1!
That will be your personal horse. You can show her the horse and really get her opinion. Don't take a horse that you will only ride at home every once in a while. You want to grow as a TEAM. Not just rider or just horse. |
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Expert
Posts: 1586
     Location: west of East Texas | I'd go with Horse #2. You are going to a clinic. You should be a little uncomfortable going in, why go if you were already doing everything perfectly and feeling great about it? You will have a very good professional working with you to overcome a bunch of little roadblocks that are holding you back from being the best rider you are working your way back to being. Regardless of whether you ever get to run this horse, you may learn more on this one that you can use on the next one too. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512

| You all have such a great points! I guess I can't go wrong with either horse.
More information about Horse #1: when I owned him previously he ran in the 1D-3D at large barrel bashes and super shows, but started blowing barrels with the young girl I sold him to was running him (I think a pain issue). He has only tried it once with me (we had him vetted and injected) but I have to admit I am riding like a 9D rider. I "think" the horse has the potential to be more than a 3D horse, I am just riding so guarded from getting hurt on a horse a few years ago.
More than anything I need help, lots and lots of help!
I am also very nervous in general about the clinic! The last one I attended was 12 years ago and it was a Josey clinic. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
       Location: In The Snow, AZ | I would take number two. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1525
  
| Take the one that you can see yourself running the most, the one with the potential to be your main horse. I personally wouldnt put money into a horse that wasnt officially mine...I'd take something with enough handle to do all the drills and stuff they might have you try. But yeah, the one that you are going to invest the most time in is the one that you should take to learn to ride/train/tune and build a relationship with.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
     Location: Northwest Florida | I would take number 2. Clinics can be great for building confidence and understanding in your horse. If you already have that with horse number 1, and you may not even be keeping him anyway, I would see how much you could benefit from a clinic on horse number 2. Just my opinion, you know which way you're leaning:) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512

| MOTIVATED - 2015-10-16 9:43 AM Take the one that you can see yourself running the most, the one with the potential to be your main horse. I personally wouldnt put money into a horse that wasnt officially mine...I'd take something with enough handle to do all the drills and stuff they might have you try. But yeah, the one that you are going to invest the most time in is the one that you should take to learn to ride/train/tune and build a relationship with.
This is my hesitation.. I thought he would be purchased by now so I signed horse #1 up for the clinic. But our vet recommended to inject him and re-flex him in 3 weeks (next week). He is moving great and I flexed him at home! Been keeping him legged up and ran him last Friday evening. The fact he isn't mine, is the hang up.
As much talent as my husband's horse has, I never could see myself wanting him to be my personal horse. He is much to feely and quirky for my taste. But I would rather invest in one I own.
Those are my only two options LOL!
Such a toss up! I just want to have fun and be able to learn as much as possible.
Again, thank you all for pointing out so many things! Need to decide by tomorrow morning.
Edited by Blueridgedreaming 2015-10-16 10:01 AM
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
   Location: North Dakota | Take horse 1-you think he could be a 1D horse-you think you have many problems-right?? You know this horse-see if he truly can stand up to a clinic (soundness wise) and see if you will learn the skills to recognize some of your issues with a horse you have some history with, even if you do not end up buying this horse you can still leave with some before and after history and recognition of what was going on and the things that helped you get through it-even if it is identifying lameness! Have her give you those skills to fix those barrels and focus on something to overcome your hesitations. |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
   Location: Texas | So which one did you take & how did it go? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512

| outrundaizy - 2015-10-18 11:29 PM
So which one did you take & how did it go?
Thank you for checking in!
I took horse #1 and it went AMAZING!!
So happy I decided to take him and even happier we are going to make him our horse!
Was very impressed with the time she took with each person, highly recommend her. She made my horse look GOOOOD! |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
        Location: NC | Blueridgedreaming - 2015-10-19 9:45 AM
outrundaizy - 2015-10-18 11:29 PM
So which one did you take & how did it go?
Thank you for checking in!
I took horse #1 and it went AMAZING!!
So happy I decided to take him and even happier we are going to make him our horse!
Was very impressed with the time she took with each person, highly recommend her. She made my horse look GOOOOD!
We really enjoyed watching your horse this weekend. He looks SUPER NICE!!!!! Good luck with him. Look forward to seeing you guys in the future. Let me know if you decide to go ride with my friend in Durham. :-) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512

| HorsesNHarleys - 2015-10-19 9:55 AM
Blueridgedreaming - 2015-10-19 9:45 AM
outrundaizy - 2015-10-18 11:29 PM
So which one did you take & how did it go?
Thank you for checking in!
I took horse #1 and it went AMAZING!!
So happy I decided to take him and even happier we are going to make him our horse!
Was very impressed with the time she took with each person, highly recommend her. She made my horse look GOOOOD!
We really enjoyed watching your horse this weekend. He looks SUPER NICE!!!!! Good luck with him. Look forward to seeing you guys in the future. Let me know if you decide to go ride with my friend in Durham. :- )
Thank you so much!
Hopefully you can go next year too! |
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