a GREAT Home is seeking a new Trail Buddy

[VAHorseGurl]

I lost my boy Pete over the Summer and my mare fractured her pelvis this fall. So I am without a riding buddy and would like to offer an awesome home to a Trail Sound horse in need of a forever home.

I board in Fort Valley, Virginia on a Ranch that consists of 400 acres, an indoor riding arena (not entirely finished) and a barn w/stalls. I chose to field board for your reference.

I was riding almost daily and growing in my confidence. I grew up riding H/Js in the KY/TN area and abroad in Germany. I'm an Adult Re-rider after being out of the sport for nearly 20yrs and before my mare was laid up, I was riding her bareback through the pastures.

I stand 5'9" and weigh in at about 200, so I would need a horse who is 15.3 or larger and well over 1,200lbs. preferrably. I am not an expert rider, so I need something a bit more relaxed and has the ability to maneuver over strong streams and up somewhat steep mountain inclines.

If you have a horse that could fit my needs, I would love to talk with you. I am located in Linden, Virginia.

[VAHorseGurl]

Just a little bump...

and a little bit more information. My mare is safe, regardless of her soundness when her stall rest is complete, she'll remain with me.

Also, I prefer a horse between the age of 6 and 15, but would consider a bit older.

[arabhorse2]

VA, just keep scouring the giveaways.

I found my new foxhunting prospect through the COTH giveaways.

It took me about 8 weeks, driving a lot of miles and meeting wonderful people and lovely horses, before I found my new boy.

The horses are out there, but you'll have to do your own legwork and research.

Good luck.

[CanTango1]

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum...d.php?t=225411

Hes a wonderful boy ! Can be ridden 1x a month and is the same horse everytime you get on, Really amazing how level headed he is considering he raced for so long !!

[VAHorseGurl]

Tango,

He sounds great and he's quit the looker. But he seems to have a few health issue. Skin and cribbing and something doesn't seem quit right and a lameness test was inconclusive?

Since I'm begging, I can't really be chosey, but I am not prepared to deal with what 'potentially' go wrong with this one.

Kerri

Originally Posted by CanTango1

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum...d.php?t=225411

Hes a wonderful boy ! Can be ridden 1x a month and is the same horse everytime you get on, Really amazing how level headed he is considering he raced for so long !!

[VAHorseGurl]

Arabhorse,

Thanks for the vote of confidence, I'll stay on it and I do plan to continue looking to purchase. I've looked at a number of prospects over the last 2 months, but there is always something.

I have an opportunity to purchase from right at my Ranch, this gelding is perfect and I really do enjoy riding him, but the last thing I wan to do is take a great horse away from my BO who uses him in both his Trail Riding business and his Therapeutic Riding busines.

So, I'll drive forward and I'll eventually find that perfect match.

Kerri

Originally Posted by arabhorse2

VA, just keep scouring the giveaways.

I found my new foxhunting prospect through the COTH giveaways.

It took me about 8 weeks, driving a lot of miles and meeting wonderful people and lovely horses, before I found my new boy.

The horses are out there, but you'll have to do your own legwork and research.

Good luck.

[jazzrider]

Shoot, Kerri, I knew of a horse that would have been perfect for you, but just checked and they've found him a home. I'll keep my eye out here in our local trail riding clubs.

[arabhorse2]

The funny thing is, my giveaway came from The Plains, VA, which is right around Marshall.

He's a prospect though, not a seasoned trail horse. He's only 2 months off the race track, so right now he's at my trainer's being restarted for his new job.

I may not have paid anything to acquire him, but it's going to take time and money turning him into my foxhunter. But I knew that going in, and I'm okay with it.

There's really no such thing as a 'free' horse. They're all going to cost something!

[ny_asb]

How far are you willing to travel? I know of a half arab pinto mare in NY state that is looking for a trail riding home....

[VAHorseGurl]

Thanks so much Jazz.. I would have posted sooner, but I wasn't sure I could.

Wish I had done this sooner.

Originally Posted by jazzrider

Shoot, Kerri, I knew of a horse that would have been perfect for you, but just checked and they've found him a home. I'll keep my eye out here in our local trail riding clubs.

[VAHorseGurl]

Now I'm beginning to feel bad about posting this. Should I have preferences? Can I have preferences? I want to offer a home to all of them.

NY, thanks so much, but I've never had any luck with arabs. I simply am not a fan of them.

Originally Posted by ny_asb

How far are you willing to travel? I know of a half arab pinto mare in NY state that is looking for a trail riding home....

[littletuna]

Maybe check out some local rescues? Requires some sifting, but i know there are many older packers no one seems to want anymore since they can't junp 5 ft or require a little maintenance. Are there any summer camps around you? No one loves dealers, but they generally lease from there and there are TONS of 2k and under camp-y horses that would adore having their own person and an easy going trail lifestyle.

Sorry i don't have anything specific, but just keep looking! Something always turns up.

[jazzrider]

Originally Posted by VAHorseGurl

Now I'm beginning to feel bad about posting this. Should I have preferences? Can I have preferences?

It's easy to have preferences when all your seeing is in writing. When you see them for real -- some of those preferences will fall away and certain issues may seem less difficult to manage. Taking a giveaway -- it's usually a given that they'll have some issues. Only you can decide what issues you're ok with, and which your not -- and a lot of that will depend on how you click with the horse and how suited he is to your style, level, and amount of riding.

My best trail riding partner I got for next to nothing, with horrible conformation, infected heals, and nasty, nasty scar on his pastern and stifle issues. It took some time, we worked through things, and now I wouldn't trade him for a million dollars.

[arabhorse2]

Originally Posted by VAHorseGurl

Now I'm beginning to feel bad about posting this. Should I have preferences? Can I have preferences? I want to offer a home to all of them.

NY, thanks so much, but I've never had any luck with arabs. I simply am not a fan of them.

You're allowed to have preferences, since we all do.

Of course, I'm now the proud owner of a TB. A breed I said I'd never own, much less one just off the track!

[caffeinated]

Hey Va, sent you a PM dunno if it would work or not, but figured it was worth a shot

[Benson]

VA - I have an 11 y.o. 16 hand TB who is a GREAT trail horse listed here as a free lease. It's a long term lease. He's very level headed and can be ridden by anyone on the flat. He can be hauled out of the pasture after sitting there for a month and be the same horse as one who is worked daily.

He's totally sound. Easy keeper. Goes great in groups or alone. He and I hack around the farm by ourselves all the time and he is very relaxed. When all the horses go out Hunting He can be left in the barn or pasture by himself and be very content. Lives with many different farm animals, so variety not an issue. He is actually a pushover when it comes to sheep and they figured out that at feeding time, he'll move over and let the sheep eat. It didn't bother him at all to have 6 sheep in the stall with him. Now that the sheep are in a separate pen from the horses, the duck has moved in.

Email for pics: alison.howard@baybroadband.net

[coymackerel]

Sent you a pm

[VAHorseGurl]

Thank you to those who've sent me PM's and personal emails. If I have not already replied, I will do so before the night is out.

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your effort.

[BeverlyAStrauss]

We have a nice guy who desperately needs a place to go:
Phunny is currently in a foster home but foster can no longer keep him. He is a 7 yo very sensible TB gelding-16h- won a bit of $$ on the track, was always a barn favorite and very easy going on the track but then they wanted him gone- his destination was zoo food- so we stepped in only bc we had an offer of a foster situation- he is well on his way to recovery from a fractured sesamoid, xrays show it is mostly healed, he can do light riding now but vet says he should be good to go in regular work in the spring- no jumping though- trails and dressage are fine- Adoption fee $1-

again, very gentle, suitable for novices. He has to move asap!!!!!!! His pic is on our site, www.MidAtlanticHorseRescue.org

I will also start a new thread- we are desperate!
thanks
Bev

610-405-0607
Bev@MidatlanticHorseRescue.org

[NAYRiders16]

I messaged you about a horse that I have.