Mumsnet Talk

Just wanting to live vicariously.....

Hi MrsLaughan, glad your're taking an interest . Got to safecobs a bit before lia yesterday and had a chance to pat Troy in the field, he seemed to have the upper hand on most of the others (although apparently Eric is the field boss)

Lia caught him then I got to hose him down, unrug and tack him up, he is the easiest kind horse to handle, I would feel quite confident for my 3yr old to handle him.

I rode out lead file with Lia on Jenna, he's very forward which I really like, very pricked ears but doesn't seem to be looking to spook.

We had a few canters and I even popped a small fallen tree on him, which is the first jump I've done in 4 yrs!

He's so different from the 16hh eventer I've recently looked at but in a good way! However he seemed smaller than I expected, I guess that's why he's 'dinky' troy, I've been used to riding larger horses recently, Lia says he's well up to weight which is good as so am I

I think he would be a sensible first choice horse for us as a family, however I do feel big on him, I hope to go back and hack him out alone another day, I don't want to rush any decisions.

Lia did video me so you may see my RL identity!

oh wonderful.
I know about the bigger horse thing - I all tall, so naturally think I should look at around 16 HH - but I have real confidence issues (my husband the other day when I was watching someone ride and jump, I commented on their seat - it didn't look very secure - said my problem wasn't with my seat, but north of my shoulders! - he is actually very right) and although I feel very comfortable on a bigger horse, think I will go for something abit smaller to start with. The horse that I feel most secure on at the riding school, is a cob only just 15hands.

I am loving the look of Dolly actually - but not sure how big she is

Best of luck. He looks gorgeous!

Pipsy, any more thoughts on Troy?

Ps I also feel more confident on smaller horses, tend to ride about 14-15hh and I'm 9 stone and quite tall

I did really like him, I've got another couple to look at before I will go back and see him again.

Lia's horses are great and as described but horses are really not fetching much on the private market so £4250 seems top money for a 14hh 13 yr old, even if he is great!

By the time I've got him vetted, home with second hand tack on, that's at least 5K!

Lots to think about

I know - her horses are at the top end which I often ruminate on.....but I really like her philosophy and what she does

Do you think you could negotiate? She has had Troy for a while?
I saw a comment from someone saying he seemed expensive- at the stage I was doing lots if research on buying, and I read a number of articles saying that good horses - those safe family/schoolmaster types had held there price, and were still selling for the same amount. That was about 6months ago though..... And I have nothing to gauge it on, as I haven't been actually looking at horses in RL myself.
I do know where I ride the owner buys horses and helps novices such as myself find horses, and they aren't that expensive..... But they also are nowhere nearly as produced as Lia's ..... It's a quandary isn't it.

I agree that Safecobs horses are expensive, but you are paying for the training and hard work that has gone into them. So I see it as paying for peace of mind that you know what you are getting and also I imagine you'd have more comeback if the horse turned out not to be as advertised.

Obviously you could get lucky and buy a horse as good as a Safecob from a private seller for half the price, but it comes without that peace of mind. As I personally lack the experience if I were buying I would rather buy from someone with a reputation like Lia even if it meant paying a bit more.

I guess it depends on your experience / ability to pick a good one yourself and how much money you have!!

I've just had another disappointing experience viewing a horse near here, I'd described my riding level to the dealer but got a really forward dressage horse stabled 24hrs a day, that quite frankly I was scared of when only in walk in a school, he was soooo forward. Safecobs are looking more appealing by the day.

Brighthair has kindly looked at a lovely horse in Lancashire for me but there were no trial facilities for it to be ridden and nightmare neighbours who reported her car as abandoned to the police. So whilst I think the horse could be genuine and lovely, sensibly it's a no go

Sorry to hear that.

If you can afford it maybe go with Safecobs for the peace of mind. Do you think Lia would negotiate on price at all?

I'm having Troy vetted Monday subject to snow

Oh fantastic pipsy. I hate to say it though, the snow may delay your vetting....

Just seen on the fb safecobs site Dinky Troy has been vetted

I am soooo jealous!

Enjoy him

Best of luck with Troy. He did look so happy with his hay and Eric's rug. Very jealous.

Ooooo haven't had a chance to watch today's vid, but how exciting.
Just love the number of us that are safecob addicts

I love the attempted rug-theft in the video - he is obviously a fab character

Love him!

(if only I was 4 stone lighter, 2ft shorter and £5K richer)

Ooh I've just watched the video myself, he should be coming home tommorrow afternoon then I'll be a horse owner again for the first time in 20 years

Actually I need to thank you mrslaughan I hadn't even heard of safecobs until you told me about them on another thread I started when I originally set out for an ISH

Good for you pipsy! I (amongst loads of others, I'm sure) have had my eye on Troy on lia's vids ever since he turned up at the yard. I'll bet he's an absolute treasure, Have fun!

Another Safecob fan here! Truly adored Dinky Troy...... just my kinda horse.
Wishing you a great future together,keep us informed! Good Luck Pipsy and Troy

Dinky Troy is in his new stable in a warm Shires rug and got stuck straight into his haynet, I've texted Lia a photo. He seemed remarkably chilled

Oh so so jealous!!!
I have started sharing a horse, which I am really enjoying, doing a share, but I am very aware she is not my horse , and that I am in the position of "step mum".
I hope everything works out well with Troy... He was abit if a fav of mine , no good for me as I am 5'10" and aaahhhhmmmm quite solidly built at the moment, but always thought if I was shorter and lighter - or my son was older he was a fab prospect.
Keep us up to date about how it goes.

He looks gorgeous