Advice please Can a 5year old horse be suitable for a novice?

Tomandlaura said:
Def won't be going down the path of a young horse. Thank you for all your replies. My gut instinct told me that a young horse would not be a good idea for me and I think I was right. This has also made me question the dealer I was talking with as I was upfront with what my riding ability was and think her main interest is selling the horse not selling me the correct horse for me
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Your gut instinct was probably working well, when buying a horse you really need to trust your instincts as well as be able to trust the seller, if you get the feeling they are trying to sell you a horse rather than sell you a suitable horse then you are right to move on and look elsewhere.
 
be positive said:
Your gut instinct was probably working well, when buying a horse you really need to trust your instincts as well as be able to trust the seller, if you get the feeling they are trying to sell you a horse rather than sell you a suitable horse then you are right to move on and look elsewhere.
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Very true if it doesn't feel right it probably is not right
 
We have a 5YO little cob on loan who is very suitable for nervous and novice people. Pick the right horse and the temperament will be there from the start just the finer points may take longer to refine than an experienced rider or novice on experienced horse.
Can't comment on Andys or that horse in particular but as a concept it can work.
 
It very much depends on its temperament I mean you could have a 23 year old sparky thing and a docile 5 year old. And the roads must be good on the roads
 
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But one of the reasons that there are older horses out there with behavioural issues is that they are brought on by novices who then find them too much to deal with and then sell them on. you only have to read some of the posts on here to appreciate how many inexperienced riders get into trouble with young horses and ponies. The fact that you and you describe yourself as "not a novice rider" have backed young ponies and horses without any problem is exactly why it's best left up to people with the skills to do it properly. The OP describes herself as a not very confident but competent novice and she is considering a 5 year old Andulusian, seems like a recipe for disaster to me but of course it's her choice. BUT, if you have to ask the question on a forum, it strikes me unwise not to take the advice of strangers who in the main, advise against it.
windand rain said:
I once took on a older mare as a loan horse she was supposed to be a novice ride and quiet as a lamb no issues or hangups the first time I tried to hack her out she stood bolt uprights and nothing was going to make her go anywhere she didnt want to I sent her straight back the owners were surprised until one commented that she was a lovely hack as she always chose which direction to go in and knew just where to go. The issue was I wanted her to go in a different direction and she had already decided to go another the fight that ensued was a sight to behold as I am not a novice rider but had wanted something to accompany my kids and their ponies out on hacks. I bought a four year old newly backed by a pro and it was perfect no learned habits not vices what more could you want. There seems to be a lot of older horses with dreadful issues a friend went to try a pony that was supposed to be suitable for her kids and grandkids it broke her back and neck she was buying for novices pony was supposed to be a novice ride was 11 years old so should have been perfect she bought a 5 year old he was perfect calm and never learned to be a pain. So it does work both ways with the right support then youngsters are blank sheets of paper you get out what you put in older horses you get someone else's mess up. Not saying or implying that all older horses have issues some are lovely and suitable for any rider but they also usually come with a very hefty price tag or are bought more by good luck than good management on the part of both the seller and the buyer
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Poor OP. She has posted TWICE she won't be buying said 5 year old Spanish, but people clearly aren't reading her posts,

So, onto nicer things. What are you looking for?!
 
My first horse (when I was pretty novicey) was a very quiet and sensible 4 year old Welsh cross. As soon as he turned 5 he became a holy terror pretty much overnight, so from my experience I would definitely recommend getting something older that will boost your confidence :)
 
L&M said:
You see a lot of 4, rising 5 yrs olds, that are advertised as saints and to 'not be put off their age', and very often 4yr olds can be very genuine.

However the same horse at 5/6 can be more of a handful as it is at that age they may start challenging you. I bought a very sensible 4 rising 5 yr old, but 6 mnths in he went into teenager mode and I had a very tough few mnths with him. However, now at just turned 6yr he is back to the sensible chap I originally tried.

I am in no way a novice rider, but do sometimes have confidence issues, and very nearly chucked in the towel with my youngster, but with the help of friends and a good instructor have now come out the other side.

So in general, I would not say a 5yr old would be good for a novice, and would be looking at a horse 10 yrs + that is already established and therefore more forgiving of a novice rider.
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Would agree with this.... As a 3/4/5 year old, my horse was a complete saint....totally bombproof, my then 8 year old daughter could ride him. As a 6/7 year old, he is sharp, spooky, very forward and off the leg and sensitive to the aids. He has had health problems which I feel have contributed but all the same he is completely unsuitable for a novice. As someone who also loses confidence easily, I would say go for an older horse who has already been through this phase of their life.
 
Agree....5/6 year old are utter gits.

Don't make the mistake of going for a "steady cob" either, some of those can be opinionated tanks ( no offense intended, we have one that needs reminding of "the rules" regularly )

If you are not so confident then possibly best to avoid purebred hot bloods as often if they detect anxiety or lack of handler confidence it can go massively tits up and end up with both of you having your confidence battered.

Good luck in your search:)
 
Maybe the answer is that novices shouldn't own horses then as every horse born has a brain of its own and wily old ones will take massive liberties if they can get away with it. I did actually say that the OP should go with her gut feelings I just get annoyed when perfectly lovely youngsters are disregarded due to their age some of the best are those brought on properly and produced carefully for a novice market not every breeder can keep a horse working until it is 8 or more to suit the gainsayers that are not going by the horse but by its age. There are great 5 year olds and there are blinking awful 15 year olds if you fancy a horse go and meet it for heavens sake don't discount anything until you have seen it unless it has two heads sounds like a handful or is being advertised for an more experienced rider and always take someone who knows your ability with you be it friend or instructor to keep your feet on the ground
 
I got a 4 year old connemara when I was 12, I was a very capable rider but had just had a very bad fall so my confidence was shot to bits. PonY was mad as a hatter but some how it ended up being the best decision we ever made buying her. I'd say I was very lucky though so I wouldn't rush into buying a youngster if youre unsure of your ability to manage it.
 
windand rain said:
Maybe the answer is that novices shouldn't own horses then as every horse born has a brain of its own and wily old ones will take massive liberties if they can get away with it. I did actually say that the OP should go with her gut feelings I just get annoyed when perfectly lovely youngsters are disregarded due to their age some of the best are those brought on properly and produced carefully for a novice market not every breeder can keep a horse working until it is 8 or more to suit the gainsayers that are not going by the horse but by its age. There are great 5 year olds and there are blinking awful 15 year olds if you fancy a horse go and meet it for heavens sake don't discount anything until you have seen it unless it has two heads sounds like a handful or is being advertised for an more experienced rider and always take someone who knows your ability with you be it friend or instructor to keep your feet on the ground
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Well yes, indeed....but as we know buying is a minefield and there are no guarantees with any horse you buy, plus they can change dependant on owner and its general management.
I would suggest....in general....for a novice owner you can at least reduce the risk by avoiding anything too young, too hot, too green (this includes older horses who haven't done much).....and cross your fingers :)
 
windand rain said:
Maybe the answer is that novices shouldn't own horses then as every horse born has a brain of its own and wily old ones will take massive liberties if they can get away with it.
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I wouldn't agree with this - it's more that a youngster will need teaching things, which a novice who is learning themselves, is going to struggle with. This is where problems start - an educated horse will just do what it thinks the rider is asking (or nothing at all), a youngster will just get confused at very least, and in worst case, panic.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
If the horse is of a laid back temperament (I know nothing of this particular breed), has been correctly broken in with the basic training in place and will be regularly schooled by an experienced rider, with the novice rider having lessons on the horse too, then yes a 5yr old could be suitable. Otherwise generally its not a good idea, often leading to a naughty horse in need to reschooling and a rider who has lost their confidence.
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No 5 year old horse is suitable for any Novice Rider regardless of how confident or competent they are. The horse is still learning the basics and needs an experienced rider to train them.

Something around 10 is far more sensible and safer to consider.

Be wary of ANYONE selling horses to make a living. There are exceptions but like used car salesmen they want the horse gone so will often outright lie or not be truthful through ommittion. Every day a horse is in the box reduces the profit margin!

Ask around locally - Pony Club, Riding Club or saddlery stores to find horses that are more suitable
 
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