- Small tour dressage rider looking for loan all-round schoolmaster SJ (max 1m), hack and school
- 15.3 - 16.2hh, gelding or mare 8yrs +
- Beautiful home yard where they are treated as part of the family
- Temperament and trainable brain as important as anything else
- Open minded on age relative to experience
- Must be sane and safe to handle and hack
We are well aware we are looking for the impossible but have always been successful so no harm in looking!
Through a series of the usual horse misfortunes, including catastrophic injury, sudden loss and lameness, I find myself without much joy in riding.
All being well the 'sportier' models amongst our horsey family will return to gainful employment after the Summer. But I would love to try and have some fun, without the pressure of high level competition in the meantime.
Picture the scene a beautiful summer morning (or evening) hack around the Surrey Hills. Or an evening SJ clinic over the dizzy heights of 90cm. or a fun ride trotting in and out of the water jump with the kids - all without the threat of dying in the process! I am not trying to replace my small tour dressage horses (time will do that) I simply want to remember what it means to have some fun.
So either an eventing schoolmaster or perhaps a horse who has seen and done it at a high level and would love a step down and a varied life and to be loved!
15hh - 16.2hh, gelding or mare. 8yrs +. Must be sound (enough for the job) and sane (this is non negotiable) I only have enough life insurance for my dressage lot.
Why might you consider this you may be asking? if you have a lovely horse that you can't sell for some reason, want back in 6, 12, 24 months for some reason or love him/her too much to turn them over to the young rider market to be risked, this may suit.
We have them at home, a track record of previous loans, masses of all year sand turnout, every day means every day, fabulous stables, brilliant International arena, hacking etc. Our vets, trainers (well known), farriers, physios and grooms will all tell you if they were a horse they would live with us. It wouldn't suit anyone wanting a horse campaigned, on a big yard. They would live with our big dressage boys, rehab Spanish, Shetland and retired (and a few sheep!).
Open minded on breed, size, age, medical etc. There are just a couple of criteria that are critical.
In Winter I ride under lights at night, often on my own in all weathers - they must be safe in this without blinkers!
Hacking Safely for us includes traffic, farm vehicles, open space, roads in company and alone, without the need for draw reins for safety!
Please no 17.2hh or rising 4 years olds.
No rehabilitations ( I have enough of my own!) and a PHD in this, I don't need any more case studies.
Nothing that has to be led around in a nose ring! We really care about having horses who are 'nice characters'
Please email in first instance with any ideas. We are based close to Guildford.