Horse Testimonials
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Date: June, 2011
From: Gwynneth Cundall, Otago
I had the pleasure of meeting Heather and Pete when I purchased 'Hocus Pocus' (HP for short) at the beginning of November 2010. This is the story of how that came to be...
That I was even contemplating buying a horse at that time was for me bittersweet. I had lost my fabulous big horse 'Oscar' to colic and was now facing the daunting task of moving on to another horse. I don't know if I was quite ready to, but I knew it was something I needed to do. Since I had shared Oscar's entire life of almost 15 years any new horse had big shoes to fill (size 8 to be exact)!
It was by chance I even found out that HP might be for sale, but I just guess it was just meant to be. After email correspondence and photos, then follow-up phone calls, I made the trip with friends from Dunedin to Hawarden in North Canterbury. When we finally met it was like reuniting with old friends - both Heather and Pete were so welcoming. They gave me as much time as I needed to get to know HP and Pete even took three of us on their horses on a hack around the block.
HP was Heather's own horse and I knew it had been as difficult a decision for her to sell him as it was for me to buy another horse. She understood I needed time and there was no pressure for me to make a decision. HP wasn't exactly what I thought I was looking for, but I was impressed by so many of his characteristics and attributes that the deal was sealed with a handshake, a big hug... and a few tears.
What can I say, HP is a lovely big 17hh ¼ Clyde, ¾ TB typical of the type Heather and Pete work with and are breeding. He's a short-coupled, long-legged, sure-footed, sensible, no fuss, no nonsense, go anywhere, do anything kind of horse. This is testament to the wonderful way in which he has been broken in. He is a pleasure to handle in every way, something I do alone, no trouble at all. He isn't pushy, respects my personal space and although he loves his food, he will wait patiently for it. He walks straight onto the float, is a great traveller and never rushes off. HP stands perfectly for the farrier, is good to catch, tie up and I can ride him on the road with all kinds of traffic including stock trucks, milk tankers and tractors. He doesn't mind if he's ahead or behind other horses when riding in company. He is well balanced and moves freely in all terrain (after all the high country was his training ground).
HP is now moving into the next phase of his education and is proving to be very trainable. He is a quick learner and very willing to please and I'm sure he will make a good hunter and all-rounder. Best of all, he is full of character and personality and he has put a smile back on my face. Our partnership grows every day.
I wholeheartedly recommend Heather and Pete to anyone who is contemplating having their horse expertly broken in or started, or simply looking to buy their next 'good horse'. It has been a pleasure to deal with such good-hearted, honest, knowledgeable and hardworking people and to experience first-hand the results of their skilled handling of horses through the use of sound 'horse sense'!
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