Talked DH into it and I am officially looking! woohoo! It's a little bit scary I have to admit, since it's been eight years since I've owned and back then I was at the same barn for almost 10 yrs, but I will adjust and manage I'm sure.
I am trying not to be in a hurry because I would like to find a horse that will stay with me for a while, and I also am being realistic that my location and budget limitations may make things take longer. Here's what I'm looking for:
- Age preference is 7 - 14 yrs old, a little older for a well trained horse would be ok too but middle of that range would be perfect
- Mare or gelding is fine, preference for geldings but I usually get along with both so it's not a huge deal
- A sturdy 15h - 17h but 15.2h - 16.2h is ideal, I'm not tiny so 15h is pushing it but giants at 17h might scare me
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
- No real breed preference, but nothing willowy. I'd love a warmblood or wb cross but being realistic about my budget.
- Here's the most important part.. super sane! I am a nervous person in general, I spook easily and a lot, if I were a horse I would drive you insane. So that being said a spooky horse just won't do it for me. I also have some physical issues that make horsey acrobatics extremely undesirable, not that they're desirable in the first place, but if they happen for me I'm probably coming off because I just can't follow unexpected acrobatics easily.
- Some dressage training, the more the better, with potential to move up. Not looking for an FEI horse because I'm realistic (wouldn't complain about one either) but would still like some potential to move up the levels a bit. A horse that's not afraid to do a little jumping here and there would be nice too.
- For location I'd prefer to stay in Ontario (within 4 hours of Toronto area) though Michigan or New York if they're close to the border wouldn't be out of the question.
- Budget .. dun dun dun.. my nemesis.. lol .. prefer to stay under 10k CAD, could probably manage a little wiggle room for something exceptional
Hopefully that wasn't too wordy and this will be fun!