A 5yr old as a first horse?

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A friend of mine has asked me to help her buy her first horse. She can ride ok but is not hugely confident and has not owned a horse before. She has asked me to go and look at a horse with her at the weekend, but I was suprised to find out it is only a 5 yr old. I have explained to her that however good natured it is, it will not have the 'life experience' of an older horse, but she is still wanting to go. It is a sec d mare, privately owned and on paper seems of a suitable temperament.
The horse would be kept at home, with my friend looking for a happy hacker and not interested in lessons or competitions.
Do you guys think I being unfair on the horse, as we haven't actually seen it yet, or should I try to stop her going, and continue to point her in the direction of an older model?
 
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I think it all depends on the horse. My first horse, when I was 10 years old and not at all experienced, was a 4 year old stallion! As it turned out, he was perfect. He had a calm, gentle personality, was naturally careful with inexperienced riders yet a great deal of fun for those more advanced. We had him gelded because we had no use for a stud but I don't think it would have made a bit of difference to his nature as he'd already been used for breeding and it didn't seem to matter.

I would say look at the horse and take it from there.
 
I'd point her in the direction of an older model!

I've come across many sensible 5 year olds, but in general, sect Ds can be a little neurotic and require a confident rider who will take charge and say "believe me, that monster will NOT eat you!"

If she's even slightly nervous there's the potential for things to go wrong.
 
My first horse was a 4 year old gypsy cob type who didn't know his arse from his elbow :) I did though have an amzing instructor at the time who really did guide me every step of the way. I think if the right support is around then she will be fine. God knows at the mo I would rather be sat on my 3.5 yo rather than my 9 year old. Older does not always mean more sensible :)
 
Take her to see it, my first horse (when I was 14) was a 4 year old Section D cross who had only been backed when we bought him. Our YM went to see him with my dad, and said that normally she wouldn't recommend a youngster as a first horse, but his temperament was so good that it made all the difference. I'd never ridden a youngster, so one of the girls at our yard did his basic schooling while I just hacked him out, then I took over the schooling once I'd had some lessons on him.

He was an absolute cracker, totally unflappable, and if he hadn't had to be pts due to grass sickness, I'm certain I'd still have him (I'm almost 22 now)
 
I think my a rule of thumb it is always best to get an older horse as they teach the rider, she will probably have to teach this horse as well as herself. A younger horse is always slightly more unpredictable and most of them go through the 'stroppy stage'.

If I was you I would go and see the 5 yo but also go and see an older horse and compare the two with her like pros and cons.

Best of luck which ever horse she decides to go for
 
I think it completely depends on the horse - some 5 year olds are suitable for a first horse - some 15 year olds are not suitable if you get what i mean!
 
What concerns me is that she does not have any horse support ie the horse will not be on a livery yard etc and her family are non-horsey. Plus the fact that she has 2 young kids so doesn't have a huge amount of time. Also, as she doesn't want lessons etc she will not have an instructor to help iron out any problems if they do arise.....
 
although gut feeling would always be to say no 5 years is too young for a novice, it really does depend on the horse so go and see it and then asses again if she likes it :)
 
I've had Ronnie since december and he was my first horse, i'm 17 and used to ride a lot when i was younger but had only been riding a little while before i bought Ron as a 5yr old gelding :)

He's a chunky cob who for the most part is very well behaved and chilled out. I do find that if i get nervous so does he (as with any horse) so i always try to at least approach things very relaxed and with a set 'goal' in mind to build our confidence up together. :)

I have 4 kind and experienced friends on hand to help me, hack out with and generally be there for any daft questions that i have and advice which i regularly take to make sure Ron's looked after the best way possible and hope i can learn too so i can be the owner he deserves. Because i keep him on rented land with my friends (2 of which are a lot older than me and have had horses most of their lives) everyone acts as a support network for each other.

I didn't intentionally set out to get a horse so young, ideally i would have got something that was 7+ but i went to see Ron and we really clicked. I had to approach it realistically though and knew that i could only really 'risk' it with him provided i had the support which was there. I'm glad i did! :D

My best suggestion for her would be to really read up on stuff on the forum, books, horsey magazines, anything and everything and get a good instructor. Simple things like living in/out and different feeding regimes can make the world of difference when trying to maintain a well tempered horse which as a novice has to be a top priority. Different breeding as well can make a difference as although i hate to be stereotypical a 5yr old TB would probably be less suitable for a novice than a 5yr old chunky monkey, although they may be big and beautiful getting carried away and slightly hedonistic about the whole thing to 'look professional' can sometimes be a pitfall !

I hope things work out for your friend, sorry if i've rambled but i would go at see it atleast there are some great young horses out there especially if they have been started off in good hands :D x
 
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It really depends on the horse, I have a 5 year old traditional coloured cob and my 8 year old daughter rides him because he's a really gentle lad.
He's better behaved than 95% of older horses, so I wouldn't be put off by age - I do think though that 5 year olds like him are the exception.

Have to say though, he does lack experience with his age, and I would say he's not encountered much in life so I think young horses are an issue with novices even though they may appear to have wonderful natures.

I think anyone getting a first horse is best off with a "been there done it" type of horse, but then we all probably know crazy older horses.

I'd just go see the horse, but talk to her about the horses life experience, that being good natured isn't always just whats needed, that when young horse encounters things for the first time in its life, it really looks to its rider for guidance and confidence and will she be able to give the horse that?
 
missyme10 said:
Have to say though, he does lack experience with his age, and I would say he's not encountered much in life so I think young horses are an issue with novices even though they may appear to have wonderful natures.
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I think that is a really good point that your friend will have to consider. Although for a novice rider temperament both ridden and on ground is important as not to knock confidence no matter how *nice* a horse is it is still a horse with natural instincts that it's programmed to function on. Unless you are confident enough or have the support to help you riding an unexperienced horse who doesn't know how to react can be painful as my right knee will tell you :p
It's not that the horse is nasty, its just a baby and their honesty sometimes takes a lot to over come! ;)
 
The age doesn't concern me as much as the fact it's going to be kept at her house! Presumable with no friends? That's enough to send most horses mad. And then she's not going to have the experienced help around when she needs it, which she will.
 
There is a 3 year old Welsh D at my yard and he's one of the most sensible horses I've ever met, just been sat on etc and has been very chilled about the whole thing.

Mine was 5 when I got him and is anyone's ride, but I did have the support of a yard. I therefore wouldn't dismiss a 5 year old.

However, she does need to consider company for the horse if she's keeping him at home: he's going to need some. For a first horse, I always think a yard is good as you generally have combined decades of experience on which to rely. Would she have any idea how to bandage/poultice/deal with basic first aid or how to manage her fields/understand nutrition?
 
Well dont dismiss it lol depends on horse .I looked and searched for 6 months for the perfect partner been there got t-shirt all advertised as this were not remotly suited to me no matter how old they wernt as advertised i ended up with a three year old newly broken tbx a year later were happy hackers yes hes a green but we have such a great bond allthough people think im a good rider because hes young ,but its really him i owe him so much
 
I don't have as much of an issue with the age bit of this either, some 5 yos are saints and some older horses can be terrible and have picked up all the bad habits etc from previous riders/owners. The problem I have with this is she isn't really that knowledgeable (from what you say), is intending on keeping this horse at home - does it have any companionship?? You also say she doesn't want any lessons and has two kids so essentially may not even have that much time for a horse.

My question is WHY is she wanting to buy a horse at all?? Maybe she should stick to going on the odd hack at a riding centre, do a weeks stable management course or something or if she REALLY wants a horse of her own then how about one on loan first? The reality of actually having a horse may not be what she thinsk it's going to be.

I would see this as very unfair on a 5 yo horse to be chucked into this situation and if the horse does test the boundaries what will happen then? Will she seek instruction, would she just try sell it (so yet another horse with human-inflicted issues on the market), or just leave it in a field? has she thought this through seriously?
 
TBH as much as there are some younger horses that can be suitable as first horses, as all those with sucessful tales to tell here have illustrated they have been sucessful because those people have had support and lessons to keep themselves and the horse on the right track. Even with a wonderful temprement this can quickly be ruined when the youngster doesn't get the guidence or boundries it requires.

For her situation I would advise her against the youngster, and explain why. That it would need a lot of schooling and lessons for it to continue its development. Turning a horse into a nice solid dependable hack takes a lot of time and paitence and schooling - a youngster will not be established in this and therefore she should tred carefully.

I do believe that with the right horse and temprement, a youngster can be suitable as a first horse but ONLY with the right support for the novice owner to rely upon.

xx
 
I would say go for something a bit older. For our first horse we bought 14 year old "sensible" section d - nutt
er. Then bought 5 year old IDx - better but still challenging and tho we love him t
o bits if I could turn clock back would buy a couple of years older.
 
My first horse when i was 16 was a 4yr ex racer! He was a bit of a nightmare but after months of work he was great. But he was a completely different horse as a 5yr and a 6yr ... as a 5yr old he jumped anything upto 1 meter (in the arena) hacked well in company not alone and flatwork was established and in an outline ... as a 6yr he bunny hopped jumps which he didnt refuse to start with, bucked me off numerous times (my sister was even scared to sit on him) and just in general through the toys out of the pram! So i think id go to see an older horse!
 
My gut instinct says no not a 5yo for a novice.

But you only really know when you see the horse. As long as the horse is nice and calm and she has a good instructer i dont see why she couldnt have a 5yo.
 
Agree that it does depend on the horse, however, my boy was the quietest, most sensible chap you'd ever wish for, far older than his years at 4/5 years old...once he hit 7 years ish he started to find his feet and that's where I think a real novice would struggle.
He's never been what you'd call really naughty but we have had bucking & rearing in temper etc and tho he gives in quite easily I can imagine how it could frighten someone not used to it.
He's 16.3hh ID X WB supposedly but my instructor is sure there's also more than a small amount of section D in the mix too and without papers we can't say for sure! ;)
 
Mine was 5 yr old when I got him. Obviously it does depend on the horse (mine hadn't done much at all when I bought him and was still living in the field next to his Mum) but if I hadn't had OH there to instill some discipline and with the experience and ability to teach him – he would probably be a complete nightmare by now. :o He's a really straightforward, honest little horse - just young.

IMO, it isn't just riding experience you need with youngsters, it's the confidence and experience of horses generally to know what to let go and what not to. For example with napping and spooking – my horse was pretty terrible but my eyes were opened when I saw OH ride him and he didn't try half of the tricks as he did with me. When he did try – OH could just push him through it, wheras I'd tend to hit the deck :D He's great now though but it has taken a lot of time, falls (for me :rolleyes:) and patience.

It's knowing the difference between genuine fear/inexperience and naughtiness and to know that, I think you need experience.

Personally, I would tend towards recommending an older horse if she hasn't got experienced help nearby. I am sure she would enjoy it more too.
 
Sidney said:
What concerns me is that she does not have any horse support ie the horse will not be on a livery yard etc and her family are non-horsey. Plus the fact that she has 2 young kids so doesn't have a huge amount of time. Also, as she doesn't want lessons etc she will not have an instructor to help iron out any problems if they do arise.....
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Given the above I think she needs a cat, goldfish or hamster, not a horse.

We are all aware of just how much time our horses require, even if they are kept out. I know someone like your friend and her idea of checking her THREE horses is to drive to the gate of the field they are in, look over it and then drive away.

I honestly don't think she is going to listen to a word you say and will buy the first 'pretty thing' she sees.

Poor poor pony.
 
As above, my two would be fine as a first horse, providing you had good basic horse knowledge, ie they are easy to handle, feed etc. However there is a reason they are easy to ride and handle, I have put a lot of work into them. Whilst they are even tempered, they can on the rare occasion have their daft moments.

Sounds like she needs to really think about how much time she has to look after the horse(s) - I assume that it won't be kept alone and unless it has already been well bought up and trained, at five, there is still work to be done, even if all she wants is to hack out.
 
Thanks all - I do myself question a purchase at all, as think the reality of horse ownership will come as a complete shock to her. I have suggested having some lessons first and even helping look after mine for a bit to get some more experience. In terms of company she is looking to get a shetland, but initially will be borrowing one of mine as a companion.
I know I sound selfish but my fear is that if she buys a horse and it goes wrong, I will end up picking up the pieces!!
We discussed again the 5yr old last night and she has decided to cancel the appointment (phew!), but have found an 18 yr old happy hack that has been there and done it which I am going to phone up on the qt to see if it is more suitable.....
Will keep you posted!
 
Depends on the five year old to be honest and also depends on how much help the buyer has on the other end.

As for the horse alone comments. i kept my horse on his own for 5 years and never had a bother. It doesnt send them psyco I am afraid.

nikki xxxx:)
 
It totally depends on the horse! My OHs 12year old is NOT a novice ride, but atm my yearling would make an amazing calm first timer!

I'd suggest you don't rule anything out, go see anything of interest and then make a decision from there!
 
NeilM said:
Given the above I think she needs a cat, goldfish or hamster, not a horse.

We are all aware of just how much time our horses require, even if they are kept out. I know someone like your friend and her idea of checking her THREE horses is to drive to the gate of the field they are in, look over it and then drive away.

I honestly don't think she is going to listen to a word you say and will buy the first 'pretty thing' she sees.

Poor poor pony.
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Not being funny here but you described me to a tee before i got my boy , in fact i had more kids, working back in to horse ownership after twenty years, on a farm by myself with a three y.o on grass livery diy ,i never had any lessons learnt really quick had a newly back three y.o.
yes i fell off a few times, i got back on
yes i learnt very quickly by my mistakes
best thing i ever did !Never missed having any help i just got on with it !
quite a few people said i would fail !
We had our ups and downs
still a lot to learn -just started lessons on a new yard but we managed and i would do it again as long as she has the time per day and the will theres a way, but nothings a guarantee in life i wish your friend well in her choice and hope you let us know how she does
 
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