HOME FOUND - TB/Conn Mare, 11, Sound, Needs a Job (dress, event, hunt/jump)

[page3girl]

11yr 16hh dapple gray TB/Connemara mare by Ballinaboy Eamon. Smart, nice mover, absolutely sound -- with GREAT feet :)

At this point, due to work/health, I don't have time for two horses so I have to let this girl go; it's in her best interest to be in a home where she can have a job and be someone's top priority. She has been in very intermittent work in the last few years, and I don't have the time to get her into top resale shape, so I'm looking to give her to the right home.

I bought her from a local upper level event rider planning to do jumpers with her (I was wowed by her jump!), and then ended up focusing exclusively on dressage. She'd make a nice lower-level dressage horse (she's honestly about a 7 mover with a good WTC) and could be an eventer, hunter or jumper. Nicely forward, honest in her work. Can be sensitive and a bit spooky, however, so she needs a soft, confident rider.

This is the kindest, most personable horse I've ever had and she will be a wonderful partner for someone. A great home is a must.

[breakthru]

PM sent

[poniesinthenight]

Would love to see pictures of your mare. Would you like to e-mail me directly?

[page3girl]

Hi, all:

Getting lots of PMs, and I will follow up with everyone who is interested :). I also need to get pictures and a video together. In the meantime, here are a few answers to common questions:

1. How is she to handle?

Phoebe is an absolute lady on the ground, with very nice manners. She ties, clips, stands for the farrier (one day she slipped out of her halter without him noticing, and she just stood there behind her halter in xties :lol: while he worked on her), and is a good girl for the vet. She does not crib, weave, kick or bite. And -- maybe best of all for those of you who do your own mucking out -- she is incredibly tidy in her stall ;). She loves to kiss and cuddle.

2. How does she load/trailer?

She self-loads 100% reliably in a 2-horse straight load trailer with ramp, which is what I have. She is quiet in the trailer (no kicking or scrambling) and will happily sit on it munching hay when it's parked.

3. Is she ever "mare-ish?"

Never. She has the same pleasant outlook and work ethic every day.

4. Can she be turned out with others?

Yes, with geldings or mares. Will quite happily concede the top spot without a fuss, but isn't so low on the pecking order that she gets picked on. Perfect pasture buddy.

5. What is she like in unfamiliar cirumstances?

She's pretty brave and confident. I've had a ** ex-eventer spook at the gallery in a clinic, while Phoebe takes it all in stride. At the last clinic, a HUGE storm descended on the covered arena, and she stayed focused on her work. I could just feel a little increase in her tension. She quite happily walked up to a new, shinging white gazebo at my trainer's outdoor arena that most other horses had a huge fit about.

6. What is her spooking like?

Ridable for someone who is NOT as fit as she should be :D. Generally, you can feel her start to gather herself, and then she'll scoot into a hurried canter (possibly throwing in one or two little buck/head tossing). You can easily pull her up within a few strides -- even if hacking out.

7. What do her gaits feel like? How does she go?

She's not a huge mover, so she's easy to sit. She has a nice cadance, and has her own engine. She is *very* light in the bridle, and responsive to half-halts from your core/leg. You do not need a lot of strength to ride her.

8. How is she to keep?

Easy keeper with, as I mentioned in my first post, excellent feet. Although I've never tried her barefoot, she would be a reasonable candidate to give it a go if you're so inclined.

[Janet]

Just curious, given her name.

Is she related to the Connemara mare "Landgate Phoebe"?

[Rikerkv6]

Just wanted to say your horse sounds a lot like my mare, same cross, same age. She is wonderful, I hope your mare finds a great home!!

[Carli]

PM sent!

[Hilton_McM06]

pm sent !

[page3girl]

For those of you have PM'ed me, I just wanted to let you know that I will be following up with each and every one of you this weekend. I've been swamped at work this week, and just haven't had a chance to start responding with the attention this requires. Rest assured nothing has changed in her status :)

I will also get pictures posted this w/e, and a video if I am able to get it done.

Oh, and to answer a question above, Phoebe's dam is a TB. Her sire, Ballinaboy Eamon, is the Connemara. Her registered name is "Page 3 Girl" Ring any bells? :winkgrin:

[page3girl]

Finally got the girl all prettied up and out in nice weather for a photo shoot.

[page3girl]

Here are a few fun ones, including luvin' on daddy -- and daddy trying to get a head shot while Phoebe's comin' in for luvin! :winkgrin:

[page3girl]

Pretty girl grazing happily in the paddock reserved for my old retired TB, so this is a treat for a girl who just looks at clover and gains weight :winkgrin:

[page3girl]

All:

As you can see, I finally managed to get photos together, but have run out of runway this weekend for pulling together a video :(.

A little bit more information based various PMs I've received, and some additional info about what I'm looking for in a home and partner for Phoebe.

How does she jump?

A few of you have asked how she jumps. To clarify what I wrote in my first post: I bought this mare as a fairly green 4 yo because I was really impressed with her jump and her attitude (I mean, she barely had steering at the time!). I watched the upper-level eventer who was jumping her take her over some stuff that would be pretty eye-popping for most greenies -- including a biggish skinny with plastic canadian geese beneath it -- and all she did was jump bigger :-) She seemed very honest, and steady. At the time, she was also schooling all the novice and training CC jumps at their farm without problems. I jumped her a bit when I first got her, and found her soft and sensible. Not at all inclined to get rushy, and not fazed by the occasional rider bauble. We didn't do much, but she seemed to enjoy the job. I've schooled her over small jumps on the line and she definitely likes it. She's also very experienced with trot poles, and is very careful to never them. This bodes well for stadium!

Your mileage, of course, may vary. But, with a nice rider aboard, I'd be surprised if was significantly different in other cirumstances.

What kind of rider does she need?

As I mentioned in my first post, Phoebe can be sensitive and spooky. When I got her, she definitely had some trust issues that I spent quite a bit of time ironing out. She needs a soft rider with very good hands, or she will curl up BTV and get very tense (and she is likely to want to dispatch someone who is really unsuited to her). She needs to trust that she can rely on your hands before she will allow a nice connection, and will not tolerate someone snatching at her mouth or taking a really strong, rigid hold. Additionally, she needs a rider with a solid seat, quiet leg and the ability to sensitively apply the aids. I ride her with whip and spurs, and she accepts them just fine, but I have been riding for ~ 40 years in a career ranging from hunters to prelim-level eventing to dressage, and I've ridden several TBs off the track -- just to give you a sense of what she's used to.

She needs a very confident rider who can handle the occasional spooking incident (which as I mentioned before, could include a few "air above the ground" while traveling at speed across the diagonal :lol:). This is an honest horse, however, who genuinely cares to do a good job and isn't looking to evade her rider; if something like this happens, she's reacting to something that's real to her. When I was riding her full time, something might get her going like this just a few times a year.

Although I have ridden her out alone, most of the hacking I've done has been with another horse. She WILL spook at some things when riding out -- she is *not* bombproof -- but then be very sensible in situations where I
would expect most horses to have a fit: like having a deer emerge almost under her feet in long grass. As I said before, I've never had any problems stopping her quickly when she does spook.

Some of you have written asking about C-level Pony Clubber, and while I'm certain Phoebe would make a wonderful pet for young teen, I'd be worried that a child riding at that level doesn't yet have the skills for this mare.

What kind of home am I looking for?

I would like Phoebe to go to a home where she will be loved, well cared for, and worked to her potential. Ideally, it will be a forever home. Unless you are a very, very advanced rider, I would like to see her in a regular program with a trainer -- at least at the outset since she has not been in work, and will be rusty. I will definitely want references, and pictures of where she will be.

If, after looking at the photos and reading this update, you still think Phoebe would be a good match for you, please email me directly including all contact information and details about your plans for Phoebe, where she would be stabled and so forth (I know many of you have already sent this information, but if you could reiterate that you are still interested, that would be great!). I will respond to you ASAP.

Thanks for all of your interest, and some of the lovely notes many of you have sent!

Liza
lbroadbe_us@yahoo.com

[VAevent]

PM Sent

[Kate66]

What a stunning looking girl, I would imagine she would be snapped up quickly!

[hellerkm]

Just wanted to add that she is GORGEOUS!!! good luck finding her a great home!:)

[Hilton_McM06]

e-mail sent!

[starrysky]

I am not horse shopping, nor is she a fit for me, but wow, she's gorgeous! Can't wait to hear who she ends up with, and read about her success in the future!

[KentuckyTBs]

Wish I was horse shopping right now... she sounds like she'd be right up my alley! and she is beautiful to boot. Looks a lot like my old TB...

[page3girl]

Just a quick note to let you all know that I found a wonderful home for Phoebe here in Virginia, not too far away :).

Thank you so much to the folks who wrote and told me about their situations -- several of you sounded like you would offer wonderful homes as well. It was a difficult choice.

Best of luck in your search for a new partner!!

Liza

[seabreeze]

Thank you so much, page3girl, for allowing me the opportunity to bring home your beautiful mare! She is safely munching hay in her new stall and taking it all in.

She is truly beautiful and loving, and I can tell I'm going to LOVE this girl.

Thank you!