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IN THE PIPELINE!!

As usual in size order ....

Listed below are some of the chaps who have yet to get a Stubley make-over or a session with David Bailey!  This maybe due to lack of time (at present most likely due to so much of it used up to sort out this website - I need to get my camera out more often) or we feel would improve physically with a bit more grub and work to improve their top line.  So their photos may not really do them justice.  You are welcome to contact us if you would like to come and try them as we do know them well enough to offer them for sale but it is likely they will look aesthetically more pleasing if I managed to get the clippers to them first  :)  There are also a few more just about ready to go so still maybe worth giving us a call if nothing floats your boat so far.

FOR SOME MORE HORSES AND PONIES FOR SALE--VISIT OUR NEW

'NOTICE BOARD' SECTION TO SEE WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO OFFER.

STILL NOT FOUND WHAT YOU WANT?  So many of you ring me with the description of the perfect horse and many of you ring me to tell me that you have lost your confidence on a previous horse and now need to find Mr or Mrs Perfect.  I only wish I had a factory that could produce them and a £1 for every time someone asks me for a 15.1hh to 16.1hh m/w safe, sound, sensible established all rounder who is neither too old or too young and could give them fun at Riding Club level.  Of course they have to be brilliant in traffic etc etc etc and not have too many noughts on their price tag.  I constantly search for these horses but most people who have them don't want to sell them and if they do--with so many people wanting something that is in such short supply--they have a right to ask a decent price as horses are not cheap to breed or produce.  As for the Irish, gone are the days of the cheap Irish horse.   Each time I visit Ireland I have to pay more and believe you me they are getting harder and harder to find, especially horses with strong bone (i.e the cobbier types) and none of them come 'gift wrapped' as you like to see them.  So be patient--we are trying our best to find and produce good horses for you but often we have to start with them a little younger than some of you would like but to  me their attitude and brain is more important than the miles on their clock (I bet you all know of an older horse who is still a handful).  So often the older ones have been bent or just don't come up for sale even if you could afford them and remember, it's nearly impossible to teach an old dog new tricks.  Good horses don't hang around for long in Ireland as nearly all are for sale.  If I find an older one--I usually find a problem!   

A FEW MORE WORDS OF ADVICE FROM AN 'OLD TIMER'

(I apologise in advance for the lecture but I hope it may make some of you think carefully and be of help). 

Having produced and sold horses for over 30 years now it is only in the past few that I have refused to sell horses to some of my clients.  Why when this is my business and livelihood?  I think prospective horse owners need to be 100% honest to all about their ability and capability of owning 1/2 ton of animal who has a mind of his own, terrific perception of his handlers and surroundings and by instinct is an unpredictable flight animal.  My Grandfather used to say to me "never be surprised by what people know, it's what people don't know that will shock you".  I doubt a day goes by that someone doesn't contact me either by email or phone to tell me about a disaster of a horse they have owned or know someone who has had a horse who turned out to have some problem--and of course no one wants the same situation to happen again.  I'm sure many of you could relate to this but I have only heard these stories on such a regular basis over the past few years.  But why?  Are more bad horses being born these days?  I doubt it. 

I think the buck stops with he who holds the reins!  As well as break and school horses we re-school problem horses here and there are many who come who we cannot instigate a problem!  Why?  Because this is 'school' and all horses have tremendous instinct and know that we are firm but fair teachers so they don't mess.  So you have to be firm teachers too.  That means being positive and confident, commanding respect and manners at all times.  If you don't have these assets then ask yourself are you ready to have a horse?  These animals are too big and too dangerous to mess with so don't treat them like an 'apricot poodle' as even the most laid back and quiet ones will learn to call the shots and walk all over you.  Riding school experience is just not enough and I'm sure you will ask how on earth do you bridge the gap.  Unfortunately in this world rife with litigation many riding schools have been forced to shut down (insurance is astronomical), those who keep going live in dread of a claim and thus only provide you with incredibly docile dobbins in a totally controlled and false environment.  For the same reason Colleges, who train a large percentage of young instructors these days, also only train them on rock steady 'schoolmaster' type horses.  Gone are the days of Pony Club letting you fly through a jumping grid without stirrups and reins and telling you that falling off was all part of teaching you to stick on.  Hence there are many instructors out there who also have little concept of what a horse can be like in the real world--I have interviewed many such 'qualified' job applicants who fall apart when I sit them on a younger or unschooled horse.  Even some of you who have "owned horses for years" may have only owned the same 1 or 2 and if you have been lucky, have never met with a horse who although not bad, may present a bit of a challenge. 

So what do we do?  Most horses are not bad--they are misunderstood or are not handled correctly; but it's so easy to blame the horse or easier still to blame where he came from!  In all walks of life so many people offer heaps of advice (all well intent, but not all good) and criticism is so easy.  If you are a first time buyer consider keeping your first horse on a working livery at an approved local riding school or at livery where you can have a good and capable rider work it on a regular basis.  You need back up and advice but please remember, bad advice is worse than no advice at all so make sure your professional help really is a capable and knowledgeable horse person.  A novice rider is one thing, a nervous rider or one who lacks confidence should really ask themselves whether they are doing the right thing by buying a horse.  If you are not prepared to fall off, don't get on- riding is a high risk sport (one of the highest!).

So what I ask from you is to be honest about your capabilities and consider carefully where you are going to keep your horse.  I don't consider anyone to be experienced if all they have ridden are riding school horses or steady 'schoolmasters'.  A totally forgiving schoolmaster who is 'bombproof' is not really the description of any horse and the ones who come near this are like finding a needle in a very large haystack.  If this is what you need, then be prepared for a very long and hard search as they rarely come on the open market (most, if offered for sale, have a queue a mile long waiting to purchase).  You may be very lucky but if not, be realistic and accept that the responsibility of how your horse will perform when you own it, is mostly down to you--ARE YOU UP TO IT?

If the answer is still 'yes' then please be honest with us.  There are lots (including me) who will start on their diet tomorrow but if you are looking for a horse today then he has to be able to be happy carrying you TODAY--get on those scales and tell the truth (don't forget he has clothes and a saddle etc to carry as well).  An unbalanced rider is always a heavier passenger so allowance must be made for this too.  And think carefully about where you are going to keep your horse and be honest with what you want to do.  We will do our best to help you find the right horse but you must be prepared to take some responsibility of how it performs when you get him or her home--after all you are holding the reins.  END OF LESSON!

Comments and photos from previous clients--what you have said about horses you have bought from us

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