Advice on buying a new horse

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libby3011

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Hi
I am a new member to the H&H forum after being introduced to it by an existing one (incredibly helpful person, as it seems alot of the members are, it's lovely that people are so kind & generous to perfect strangers!)
Anyway on to the subject of this post. I am in the process of looking for a horse to buy (pref in Suffolk) after having a very dissapointing one from a dealer which has since gone back.
I have seen one horse that I am very taken with but don't know if it's the right one for me. She is a 10 yr mare, TB, 15HH. I have ridden her in a field, popped her over a jump and gone on a walk/trot hack. She is very laid back & a lovely temperement. She was bought 3 yrs ago by current owners (very nice people), who started from scratch with her, had her rebacked & professionally produced. Since then has been ridden by a young teenager who has done local showjumping on her. I suppose the question is, as someone who came back to riding a year ago and probably still quite 'novicey' am I being totally mad considering a thoroughbred? Does anyone have a similar story IE had a TB as 1st horse or simply have some advice to offer. (On TBs, buying a horse etc etc)
Many Thanks
Libby
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What knowledgeable person do you have to take with you to look at horses????

Why was she re-backed as a 7 year old??

Why are they selling her??

Fairhill on here is looking to sell her horse (it sounds very nice).
 
i think it depends entirely on the horse, if you have gotton on well with her, and she has been ridden by a teenager confidently then i should see no problems.
the most important thing is are you happy with her?

also wherabouts in suffolk are you?
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Hi
Yes she was rebacked as a 7 yr old. She raced at age 3 but was terrible at it so was then sent to be a brood mare for 4 yrs which she couldn't do either so when the current owners bought her she was virtually ferrel - hence starting all over with her. They have bought a bigger horse for their daughter who wants to do eventing and so it's a very sad sale for them. I have taken one friend to see her who is quite knowledgable and will also get my riding instructor/yard owner to have a look. I've requested another hack so I can see how she is to canter and stop. I need to have something I feel I can control.
Libby
 
my first horse was an arab. everyone thought i was mad but she is the most sane horse i have ever known and regularly puts the so called "sensible" type cobs to shame! I wouldnt let the fact that she's a TB put you off. If you are happy and confident with her then thats all that counts
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I would definately take someone knowledgeable along as it is very easy to get swept up in the excitement of getting a new horse. I have included a link from the saddle up website which might help. Its just a list of all the things you should ask when viewing a horse.

http://www.saddle-up.org.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=154

As for whether you should choose a TB, it does really depend on the individuals temperament and your personal ability. As AmyMay said, I would definately question why this mare was re-backed as a 7yo as it does sound slightly odd. Also you describe yourself as quite "novicey", are you looking for a horse that will build your confidence??? If this is the case I would probably suggest going for something a little older with slightly more experience, you'd be amazed how much go some of the older girls have
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She sounds lovely!!! But then I am a TB lover!!!
Was she in racing when the current owners got her...hence being re-schooled etc? I would try to get info about her background...
Just because she is a tb...dont think aarrghhh!!! Take her on her own merits..maybe spend a bit of time with her not just riding...to get a feel for her on the ground/handling.
If you have an instructor it may be worth taking her along with you to get another point of view/experienced eye.
(I have an ex-racer tb as my second horse, my first was an anglo-arab - both have taught me loads!!!)
I cant really give advice on going and seeing horses to buy...my first I bought after one visit but knew she was the one and only saw one other horse (we were together 12 years), my second (tb) saw her in a field, was told she was mad (she was also a rescue case) but totally fell for her anyway (we've been together over 11 years now)!!!
If I can give any more info let me know...
Good luck!!
 
Hi and welcome - I think I have guessed who introduced you and who the dealer is that you both got taken in by
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If you are very taken with this little mare and she has a lovely kind temperament and is generally laid back, I wouldn't be put off by the fact she is a TB. Not every TB puts one hoof on grass and tanks off in a full gallop
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although quite a few do. Go back and ride her again, this time cantering her in an open space to see how easily she is to stop. Good luck.
 
just now i am looking for a tb sort because i have had so much more luck with them in the past
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don't let it put u off, if you get on with her go for it!!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK
 
Don't worry about her being a TB, as long as she has a good temperament. i echo what is said above, try and take someone else with you. I've had horses my whole life and still like taking someone else if buying a horse just for a second opinion. My TB ex race horse was a dream and though not my first horse I had her when I was 13 yrs and she was 4 and we were fine because she had an angellic temperament. Good luck!!!
 
Thankyou so much for introducing me, it's opened up a whole new world - I promise to keep you posted. My only concern now is wether I'll avoid divorce because I can't tear myself away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As AmyMay said, I would definately question why this mare was re-backed as a 7yo as it does sound slightly odd.

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Nope - that wouldn't worry me. If I bought a TB that had raced at 3, then been trying to be a broodmare for a couple of seasons, I'd take her back to the beginning too. She'd have had no back muscle, would have forgotten the little she'd been taught before she started racing .....
 
my ex racer TB is my first horse (since I was 15, am 34 now!) and whilst being a tad challenging he has taught me loads and I love him dearly. TBs can be a handful but very rewarding too.
 
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As AmyMay said, I would definately question why this mare was re-backed as a 7yo as it does sound slightly odd.

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Nope - that wouldn't worry me. If I bought a TB that had raced at 3, then been trying to be a broodmare for a couple of seasons, I'd take her back to the beginning too. She'd have had no back muscle, would have forgotten the little she'd been taught before she started racing .....

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When I wrote this I was not aware the horse had been raced at 3, obviously it made more sense once I saw that post. The other replies appeared whilst I was replying!
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