So i've been low key looking for another horse because Hunter is too hot for Danny. I mean he's pretty chill most of the time but he can get a little excited and that is terrifying for a beginner. Plus I have friends that are super keen to come out and ride but they are very inexperienced and I wouldn't put them on Hunter. I love him but he's definitely not a beginners horse (not that many OTTB's would be)

So I posted an advert on Gumtree (like craigslist I guess) as an expression of interest for a horse suitable for a beginner, and I got a reply a few days ago. The seller is a 21 year old married lady with 4 kids and she's moving up state with her husband and can't afford to take her 3 horses with her. She is a stay at home mum and her husband is away for months at a time for work and she struggles to a) pay for the horse boarding and feed and b) find time to spend time with them with 4 kids to wrangle on her own.

The horse is a 10 year old chestnut TB gelding named Oliver. He's never been raced, he was deemed far too slow after his initial trials. He's a "been there, done that" kind of horse that pretty much thrives in an environment where he can just plod around. He's a super, super experienced trail riding horse, has been exposed to busy roads and highways, farm equipment, dogs, you name it. The barn where he's boarded actually has a boarding kennel next to it as part of the business and he often goes out on trail rides with other horses/riders and small groups of dogs.

Jess got him when she was 15 as a present from her Aunt to keep her busy after her mother died, so as you can imagine this hasn't been an easy decision for her!

I drove 3 hours to meet him today and oh my god, he is a complete ham. We walked into the yard and Jess introduced us, I stroked his face and told him how handsome he is, and he gentle nuzzled my chest and closed his eyes as I rubbed his face and cheeks. I completely melted LOL.

I LOVE Hunter, but I really feel a connection with Oliver. I hear people talk about horses that they just clicked with, and I think i've found mine. I will definitely continue to work Hunter, and I plan to start him with a trainer soon, and in the future I might look at maybe leasing him out because he has a ton of potential. When I bought him I was told he's perfect for trail riding and just easy, laid back work around the property but I think he's got a lot more in him than that.

Anyway, I paid a deposit on Oliver today and we're going to pick him up hopefully Tuesday. Danny will be taking the day off because i'm not partculaly keen on hauling a new horse 3 hours by myself lol.

Of course I took photos!

If he does good in a halter why not just get a simple hackamore for him instead of bits?!

My hubby rides my mare in a hackamore since its easier for him lol

Altho bareback with a halter works for me too since im lazy haha

Ship Hunter up to me and I'll train and ride him ;)

it looks and sounds like you had so much fun! yay girl!

He sounds like a wonderful horse! I'm glad you found him!

I'm definitely looking into a bitless bridle for him because he's not going to be used for anything more than trail riding and maybe a first ride for my beginner friends. I definitely wouldn't want to put a beginner on him and have them yanking at his mouth because they want him to stop.

Ollie and I basically want the same things.. We're both super keen to go out and explore but neither of us are keen on working too hard.. LOL.

So I switched to Hunter's blue and black halter to ride Ollie in because I thought it would be adorable if his halter matched the saddle LOL



He's so handsome ♥