When Purchasing a Horse...

I've been working on this post for a while, mostly because I didn't want to jinx it, and I wanted to wait for it to be final (or not), before posting anything about it on here.

I have been pursuing the ownership of a 6 yr old, 15.3 3/4 Oldenburg x TB gelding named "Illusion". Jess at Riding Rainbow sent him to me, and I cannot thank her enough :-)

Pretty boy who needs weight and a topline and a spa day.

Still cute.

So, when purchasing a horse, do the following:

1. Bash your head on your desk as you fill out applications for rescued thoroughbreds and sort through the hundreds of ads of horses on various websites AND Facebook. Your newsfeed is inundated with "fancy expensive Warmblood" and "OTTBs that just need some love!" I didn't horse shop when I bought Mikey. He was easy. He was there, I had been riding him, I loved him, done. Horse shopping is awful and I hate it.

Lots of action and very little training.

2. Go see a horse when you found what you want for the price that you want. Make sure it is ASAP so someone else doesn't buy said horse before you have a chance to see him. I saw Illusion 3 days after I was made aware of his existence. A day of 11 hours of driving, about a 15 minute ride, and hours of discussion.

Still adorable even though he needs work.

3. Decide you want said horse. This was tough. He felt a little small to me, but I think with muscle and more weight, he'll feel fine. Plus I can cross my fingers that he will grow (unlikely). He's a sweetie, a cuddle bug, and very agreeable. Hopefully he stays that way! The only hang up I had on him was his height. I really wanted something at least 16.1hh, but less than 17hh.

His go to is curling. We'll fix it :-)

I finally figured out that: I don't want another OTTB right now. I want to get into the upper levels of dressage and while OTTBs are capable, it's just not what I'm looking for at the moment. Illusion is a fancier warmblood who is the right price since I can't afford the fancy warmblood I want. Finally, he is a perfect resale project for juniors or adult amateurs once he hits second/third level and doing well at it out in public (if I don't absolutely fall in love with him and make him my next heart horse). If I sold him after he's successfully going in public, I'll finally be getting to the lower end of the fancy dressage horses I want.

Seriously, can we stop and talk about the adorable factor here?

4. Deposit agreements, Trial agreements, Bill of Sale. SO MUCH SIGNING OF STUFF! Make arrangements to come back and get him.

Loving my trailer cam so I can constantly check on his pretty face.

5. Oh yea, before you pick him up, slap some insurance on him. I sign things, the owner signs things, we all sign things. This also sucks.

We had some loading issues, but this is how he stood for the 6 hours home. Even when we stopped for lunch. Didn't move.

6. Pre-purchase exam. Please pass, please pass.

"Hmm, this new house... I guess it's cool!"

7. Mine!

Someone doesn't like carrots.

But he's super relaxed at our barn.

Ahhhh, flop over for sleepy time.

Completely adorbs.