Advice needed - horse/pony for beginner

[HillFilly]

Hello.

Wondering if anyone can help. I've started riding and really enjoying it. I'm new to the horse world, had a few lessons on a 16h TB X over the past month, walk and trot on the lunge so far, and hoping to keep progressing. Also, I have been out on a hack and managed well outside of the arena, it has increased my confidence and enthusiasm.

Basically, I'm looking into what breed/nature/age of horse or pony I should think about buying. I live and work on a farm in the north so have plenty of land and buildings which can be made suitable, but also have livery options close by.

I'm a female in my late twenties, not a nervous rider, have the time to invest, and want to get stuck in!

Any advice? (For example, is a young horse of say 4 which I could get schooled an option?)

Thank you.

 

[Tia]

I have a few 4 year olds that I would happily sell to beginners providing they have an instructor and experienced help around. A number of my boarders were beginners and bought 3 year olds and had no trouble at all with them. I kept a close eye and helped them out on occasions by giving a bit of advice or doing some training work on the horse, but all in all, there have been no incidents at my farm.

I think you have to be careful though to choose the right sort of horse. Over here my boarders mainly bought QH's which are well known for being quiet, steady horses for pretty much anyone to ride. You might want to look for a Connemara X - they generally always tend to have good natures and most are genuine so fairly easy to ride.

I'm not sure I'd advise you buying a British 4 year old, although some are terrific, most haven't had the experience that horses over this side of the Atlantic have had at 4 years old. Perhaps look for a slightly older horse of around 8 or 10 years old; one that has been around the block a fair few times.

Do not go and view a horse on your own, please take someone experienced with you. I've seen so many novice people being duped and it all ending in tears. Good luck whatever you choose to do, personally I'd suggest boarding your horse at a good livery stables for at least 6 months so that you can learn about all aspects of horse care and improve on your riding skills.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

If I were you I'd go for a more established horse education wise. Something around the 7 to 8 year old mark who has done a bit of everything but who isn't a total plod.

It's quite hard to say what sort of breed to go for as I know very fizzy New Forest ponies & Thoroughbreds that are so quiet they are almost horizontal! It depends on the horse in some cases although you can generally assume that the finer bred horses will have a lot more of the fizz factor in some cases.

It might be worth you looking for a TB X Native or cob type.

I presume you want something that can live out during the summer & be out a lot during the winter with no fuss?

Or as you're so new to it maybe go on a share with someone or a loan?

 

[trundle]

Hello and welcome ! Glad you're enjoying your lessons - it is all rather addictive, isn't it ?!

Obviously everyone is different and gets on with a different type of horse, but my gut feel as a novice is that you are best off with something that has "been there, done that". Buying a young horse to mould into your perfect beastie sounds like an idyllic idea, but in reality, you can have a lot more fun with something that knows what its doing.

As for the keeping part, I personally would opt for livery. This is partly practical, as i don't have any land of my own, but also beneficial for the horse. Horses do best with other horsy companionship - are there other horses on the farm or would your horse be alone? You could get a goat or a llama or something as a companion, i guess, but its not good for horses to live completely alone and isolated from other horses.

The other reason I'd choose livery is that horses are absolutely amazing at pranging and breaking themselves. I can cope with the usual small cuts and scrapes, but I am not hugely experienced at other elements of care, and I like having more experienced horsy people around to turn to and get advice from.

 

[Chumsmum]

I too learnt to ride in my late twenties and found it addictive

I personally would either carry on with the lessons for a bit longer before buying my own - I had about a year's worth of lessons - one a week on average, inc hacking before I bought my first pony. In that first year I also helped my friend (who is a dealer) every weekend and gained lots of experience that way. I also bought two mini shetlands (which I still have) to see how I coped with the responsibility without worrying about the riding side.

I will say though that I learnt more in the first couple of months with my pony than I did in the whole of the previous year.

If you can't wait that long I would look into sharing or I would be looking at something older than 4yo and I would keep it at a livery yard at first where people are willing to help you. Breed wise there are good and bad in all types, I learnt to ride on a fantastic tb but now prefer native types. Perhaps your instructor might be able to help you find one?

Good luck

 

[HillFilly]

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for your replies and advice! I think the livery yard idea is definitely the right way ahead and buying mini horses is a fab plan, for the responsibility and as a few friends for a future horse/pony.

Waiting a year is the sensible approach, but i'm itching to go, so I reckon I will keep doing all my home work on looking after a horse, help out with other people and keep taking lessons till I find the right one.

It was also interesting reading advice about a suitable age. Hopefully (in the not too distant future!) will have my own.

Thank you again.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Hi there,

In honesty I would look into sharing or loaning a horse to start with to help you get a feel for horse ownership and also keep up with the lessons.

As for age and breed, I would strongly advise not to get a youngster as a first horse, but rather something a bit older, perhaps in the 8 to 12 age bracket, that has a little more experience. Breed wise I would probably suggest a native breed or cross breed such as welsh or new forest cross as they are hardy little beasties and great for learning on (in my experience anyway!)

I'm sure when the time is right you'll find the horse of your dreams