I swear, I must be destined to buy a mare this time. All the horses I have looked at have been mares so far, Amber my "top pick" (for now at least), is a mare...and I accidentally typed "prepare, prepare, preMARE" as the title just now. It's an omen!
...anyway. You all should know by now I like to plan well ahead of anything I do. Especially financially. Even purchasing a horse has been being mulled over and planned for quite some time - even while I was still leasing Jack. For my longer-time readers, you may remember some of the blogs I wrote about the future. And, wisely, I did predict that I would not be with Jack for very long. Although I certainly did not foresee things ending the way they did...
Anyhow, to the point here, this isn't that far away. Once I get the new job finalized, making SURE I have it before I jump the gun, more serious horse shopping will resume. I may find it in a week, I may end up being closer to Christmas (or even after!), but after I do get my beast, I will have to pick up some things...things that I cannot know how to purchase until I get the horse. Like a blanket, for instance, or a halter name tag.
So I have been making a list of things I will need to grab after the fact. I actually ended up making two lists. Obviously, I won't need a fly mask during the winter. My lists ended up being one of things that will be needed immediately, such as a waterproof turnout blanket, a tube of wormer for our first rotation (I like Safe-Guard's rotation plan, and intend to put the horse on that), and a name tag for the "public" halter. There are a few other things on my list as well...all in all, it makes it easier on my wallet. It definitely feels better to spend $150 at a time than put out $450 in one sitting.
Still thinking about moving to Avalon Equestrian. I cannot think of a single pitfall, except maybe less elaborate facilities. I think if I bought a horse outside Goldsboro Equestrian, it would make it easier to say "Hey, I'll be moving over here next month...". Rather than snag a schoolhorse off them and say "BYE!"
I thought about that hard today...which was kind of putting me off buying Amber, because I don't want to feel pressured to stay so as to not seem rude. Or at least, stay longer than a month. But then again, if she is the perfect horse for me, isn't having a compatible mount worth more than keeping up appearances? It certainly is to me. I just don't want to burn any bridges or hurt anyone's feelings. I feel like buying her, then moving her would open up a whole can of worms. I already feel like buying her will start some barn drama. The girl who "leases" her I can tell pretty much feels right next to ownership over Amber, even though Casey doesn't consider it much of anything more than setting it up so the girl could go trail riding with the other students who have their own horses. And, while that may be true, a lease is a lease, and I know what it feels like to have one sold out from under me.
BUT, on the other hand, Amber has only been there 2 months, so this girl has probably been leasing her for about a month to a month and a half. I put a year and a half into Jack, and it was also a paid lease, and I was showing. This girl works it off - doesn't show to my knowledge - and does not exclusively ride Amber. So while I know the feeling of getting something sold from under you, it's not the same...I had so much more invested in Jack. Her mother, I have heard, also won't let her come out to the barn very often. From my POV on it right now, it doesn't sound like something serious nor that would go very far anyway. I have interest in putting more training on her, and getting her out to the shows.
I have 1-2 months to think it over, but at the same time, January/February will be here before we know it. It's an excellent opportunity, and it's extremely cost-efficient. The feelings of others is always a concern to me though...I just don't want to be stupid, say something too soon, and screw myself over.
Amber certainly does sound like a good horse for you. I think you do need to think of yourself first in this case, and what is best for you. A horse is a big investment in money and love. You have to be a bit selfish in the decision.
ReplyDeleteYou asked on my blog about the durablity of the orange sheets. They are not particularly durable, especially if your horses play at all. I have many large rips in mine. They are also not really waterproof as advertised. They are OK for a light shower, but in the rain, the horse gets wet underneath. For me, the value is the orange as my paddocks/pasture are surrounded by hunting lands.
I can't quite figure out the "waterproof" they mention in the ad for the Tough1 sheets. Unless there are different kinds than the ones I bought--got them from Horseloverz. On the other hand, the Tuffrider sheet I have in orange is waterproof, but it is a heavier sheet and therefore a bit warmer.
Just doing a little research here...there are different "denier" nylons. My sheets are the 420 which definitely does not stand up under horse teeth...looks like that is the weight for the sheets. Some of the blankets--with fill--have heavier weight nylon. Some of them also have better waterproof technology.
ReplyDeleteHmm...might want to look at some other ones then. I really hoped it was a good one because it came in purple, but the quality is more important than the color and keeping the horse in question dry is too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree...I just hate being like that. I always try to be as polite and considerate as possible. It's usually made me a favored student by all my trainers though, which can be a great advantage. I'm sure it will work out for me somehow!