Free horse?

I was offered a free horse last week - a (supposedly) nice, white older Arab. I seriously considered taking it - or at least taking a look at it - for a day or two. But then my better judgment kicked in. The woman giving it away has hit some hard financial times and needs to re-home her horse ASAP. That's fine, I get that. But....if we take the horse and it doesn't work out, I can't give it back like I've been able to do with previous animals we've tried (remember Ginger?). So we could potentially be stuck paying board for an animal that we don't want.

So I said no.

Last Tuesday E's 4-H group did some work out at our old horse barn. Friend A is struggling right now (her mom is seriously ill) so we all pitched in and cleaned stalls and water troughs. Afterward, a few of the girls exercised some of her horses. E got to ride a cute little Appy named Boomer. Boomer is about the same size Curly was, but with tons more training. And Boomer has just about the smoothest trot E has ever ridden; she was so happy up on his back, going around the arena.

Boomer's big flaw is that he is spooky, just like Monte. He thinks everything is going to eat him. But unlike Monte, E said he gives you a little more warning before he jumps plus he's bigger, so it's just plain easier to sit whatever he dishes out. She REALLY likes him.

And he's for sale.

So then we ask the question - are we buying a horse for me or for E? E thinks I would like Boomer. And he would more than meet my needs. But if we are buying with her in mind, we'd have to see if he has the potential to handle her jumping and dressage needs.

Oh, and remember the no-name-horse we named Quinn (who has been renamed again to Ceasar)? Well, he was out at the barn too, and looking oh-so-beautiful. And I mean really beautiful. I heard that he is now receiving some training and that he has a beautiful English trot - nice extension, high energy, plus he likes to jump. He's for sale too.

I'm getting that anxious feeling in my stomach again.