A real dilemma, what to do...

SatansLittleHelper

SatansLittleHelper

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So I've ruled out Friesian horses. I've seen several sport horse types, both mares and geldings, a couple of cobs.
A couple were not as described and a couple just didn't float my boat as it were.
And the today I get sent a couple of photos that have blown my brain to mush....a 3 year old Clydesdale boy, almost a Budweiser advert replica. He is never going to be a massive lad but is perfect conformation wise and apparently has the typical horizontal personality I know and love. I always feel safe with the heavies, no matter how green...they just have that personality. I can get him broken in to hack out this year (fabulous local trainer who sorted Jester) and then next year do a bit more.
I want a horse for hacking/beach rides etc and I think he would fit the bill.....however, he is NOT the ready made horse I'm "supposed" to be looking at.... . .
I'm not likely to have the money I have now any time again for a long time.......
WWYD???
 
I'd go and see him if I were you, see how you feel after meeting him in the flesh. I bought my girl as a 3 year old after I was suppose to be buying a 'been there, done it horse'. Tbh id made my mind up before I'd even been in the stable with her!
 
I don't know why it is that you're looking for a ready made horse, but as long as you accept that lack of time/money/skill* (delete as applicable) will mean the schooling progresses a lot slower than it would otherwise be, I'm sure it'll work out fine.
 
Getting an unbacked three year old when you're wanting something safe and sane is a terrible idea. You have no idea how this horse is going to turn out. You're going to be spending in the hundreds before you can even get on it.
 
SpringArising said:
Getting an unbacked three year old when you're wanting something safe and sane is a terrible idea. You have no idea how this horse is going to turn out. You're going to be spending in the hundreds before you can even get on it.
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Point taken. I guess this is why I've put this thread up. It's really trying to balance the "should" and the "want". I'm not good at this :(
 
Don't forget that a three year old heavy needs even more time to develop than a normal three year old however lovely will still only be baby baby both mentally and physically. If you think a Clyde for you what about tracking down some that are five plus? (Sounds lovely though and I can see why your smitten.)
 
normally i would say go for it but from your posts i would agree with Spring on this one , you'd be buying a baby to hack on when it's seen very little of the world and what's in it, if you are prepared to ride out spooks and all the rest of the stuff that goes with a youngster fine but i would keep looking for a steadier ride.
 
Shady said:
normally i would say go for it but from your posts i would agree with Spring on this one , you'd be buying a baby to hack on when it's seen very little of the world and what's in it, if you are prepared to ride out spooks and all the rest of the stuff that goes with a youngster fine but i would keep looking for a steadier ride.
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Thank you. I'm desperately battling with the head and heart problems just now.
It would be easier if I could find something that does both lol. X
 
I was exactly where you were just a few weeks ago. I wanted a ready made, safe, mature uncomplicated horse. I did not want a youngster under any circumstance. So what did I buy?..... a 4 year old lol.
I now have my horse of a lifetime. She has an old head on young shoulders and ticked every box temperament wise. The only one she didnt tick was her age. If id let that stop me however I know I would have really missed out on an amazing horse
 
Dont do it! Just because its a clydesdale doesn't mean it will be easy. Some can be sharp, and even the easiest baby in the world pushes boundaries. I also wouldn't want him backed this year as they take so long to grow into their frame. I'm sure you said you needed something suitable to carry a reasonable weight, and that would mean waiting till 5yr old before you could ride.

Its easy when you desperately want to horse to start considering things that aren't suitable. Go back to your original list of must haves, and must not haves. This horse falls into the must not have category
 
I bought my coloured cob as a 3 year old, we have had a few moments but I know him inside out now,worth every minute, go for it!
 
How about working out in your mind exactly what this horses appeal is for you and go all out to find this in an established horse.
 
I don't think I can talk... as after deciding I should be sensible and save money. already owning 2 horses. but somehow I ended up taking on 2 new forests in April, just turned 4. I backed them this summer and they are mostly being very sensible to ride. However, although they are very level headed as a whole, they are still very green. I cannot fully relax on a hack as have to concentrate on really riding them- even simple stuff like walking straight! you are constantly teaching them. I do like the challenge of a project, but I also love getting on my safe and steady old boy (he is actually an ex-racer but he is fab! practically bomb proof and babysits naughty horses)

I would mostly be concerned by the age- 3 years, and a big horse, means really they wont be mature until about 5, so you have a lot of waiting to do!

as you have said, you are looking for something ready to go- and you will find one, it is just frustrating looking
 
It's tough as this is a very personal decision and depends on what's really right for you. I can see the temptation in getting something that you love, and which has potential, if you are prepared to wait and put in the time energy etc., without a guarantee of how it will turn out (but then again no new purchase ever comes with a guarantee like that in reality).

I ended up going for something greener and younger than I'd planned, so we haven't had the year I had been expecting, however, I was hooked when I tried him, and happy to spend a year doing more training and less competing. It's paid off fabulously so far but I did have some sage advice from friends which made me really think about whether it was the right move for me. So I'd say maybe check over your wish list again, be critically objective about what's really right for you, and if you're after something established to ride this year, then a 3yo is not going to be it. There are lots of horses out there, and it may take time but it's worth the wait getting what you really want (whatever that may be).
 
In your position at the moment, I wouldn't compromise. The right horse is out there. You do not want to be back in the situation you were before. Out of the frying pan and into the fire and all. Bear in mind these horses are still maturing at 7, and it is a huge amount of horse to play up and test you. By all means be flexible in your choice, but a baby just doesn't seem like a good idea from the position you are coming from at the moment.
 
SpringArising said:
Getting an unbacked three year old when you're wanting something safe and sane is a terrible idea. You have no idea how this horse is going to turn out. You're going to be spending in the hundreds before you can even get on it.
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I totally agree. I've said it on the many posts in the past. I cannot imagine why you are even considering it.

It's THREE and you are saying it won't be massive?!? What?? It's 3 and a heavy! It could grow another 3 hands!!!
 
I do love Clydesdales, I always have but yes, I know...it's not the right thing to do. Maybe in a few years hey?? (This one will make 17hh full grown so not big in the grand scheme of things).
I do have 3 more horses to look at...all of which fit into the safe and sane category.:
8 year old coloured 16hh mare, cob x
8 year old chestnut gelding 16hh ID x Appaloosa
12 year old chestnut gelding 16.1hh Suffolk Punch
All are safe to hack out but are capable of much more...and all are fairly local :)
 
Sorry OP but I would factor in your age too ( which I have no idea of ) In a similar position to yours I would choose a made horse. This is because my advanced years mean - firstly, I no longer have time to wait for a youngster to mature and - secondly, for that horse to possibly be a "frog not a prince / princess". I hope you find your special horse.
 
I bought my last horse as a very quiet 3 year old. She matured into quite a hot ride. So it really is hard to know exactly what you are getting as a youngster.
 
Shady said:
normally i would say go for it but from your posts i would agree with Spring on this one , you'd be buying a baby to hack on when it's seen very little of the world and what's in it, if you are prepared to ride out spooks and all the rest of the stuff that goes with a youngster fine but i would keep looking for a steadier ride.
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I'm not sure I should be advising you to consider buying a 3 yr old BUT I rode a young Clydesdale gelding in an arena on November 4th about 8.3 pm. There were fireworks going off all round him and he didn't turn a hair. He wasn't mine and when the owner found that he was ony 2, not 4 as she thought, he went back to the relative who had passed him on to her.
I have had Clydie mares whose idea of spooking was to keep all 4 feet on the ground and 'jump' which was almost like shrugging their shoulders. My 4 yr old cob is as yet unbacked but I'm pretty sure that I could put you, SLH, up on her tomorrow and set you off round the town centre without incident (maybe a bit of an exageration but you get the idea).
Those of us who are used to and appreciate true heavies know that good ones are ultra sensible. You really need to see him before you can make a decision, IMO.

ETA, I like the sound of the Suffolk Punch but I wouldn't bother with the Appy x. We are on our 3rd Appy mare and athough they have a been lovely horses, they are quirky and spooky, definitely rides for experienced, confident riders.
 
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