"Whiskey " Fleabitten Grey Gelding All Rounder
Whiskey 15.3hh
12 years old
Flea bitten grey Irish gelding
I bought Whiskey 3 weeks ago but he has turned out to be more of a project than I was prepared for. I was looking for a happy hacker, mother-daughter share type but I think he needs a bit more work than I am equipped to give him, hence the sale.
Before agreeing to buy whiskey, I rode him at his old yard and he was very calm and chilled. He had been out of regular work for a couple of months so I understood that he would be a bit of a project and that his fitness would need to be built up slowly. At the viewing I rode him in the school and along the road and had no issues at all. I have ridden videos from the viewing 3 weeks ago which I can send on request and numerous videos of him being lunged during his time here with me.
I had him vetted with no concerns and he has had a recent osteopath appointment - vetting and osteo report available.
He arrived at our yard and settled into the small herd well. He is with geldings here but was in a mixed herd at his last yard with no issues. Respects electric fencing and is very polite in the field. He is incredibly affectionate, follows you around the field like a Labrador and is always happy to see visitors!
During his time here I have spent lots of time with him in hand, grooming, lunging him etc. He is gentle and well mannered, backs up when asked, lunges on voice commands, happy to be tacked up etc.
However, he is sensitive and last week when we first tried to get on him he showed that he was not as settled as we thought. He would not stand quietly at the mounting block and when mounted he bucked. This was not the case when I rode him on the viewing so it’s probably a one off and I have no doubt that given more time and patience he will be absolutely fine. Unfortunately I do not have the confidence to work with him as I had a very bad accident last year that has made me nervous of mounting unsettled horses. I feel that my energy and anxiety in this area will make the situation worse so I just don’t think this partnership is going to work.
Because of the above, whiskey is being sold from the field as a project, and is priced accordingly. I do not feel comfortable with anyone coming here expecting to ride him as I feel he needs to be properly settled and bonded with his rider before this should happen. He will need time to settle and then his fitness will need building up. He is a lovely mover and will make a great horse with some work!
