Am I a novice?

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Kate-mariea

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Hi all, I am a new member and am interested in your opinion. I am looking to buy my first horse in the near future and am wondering if I should be put off by the 'not for novices' often included in adverts. What would you class as novice? :confused:
 
Someone who has ridden exclusively in a riding school, has never owned or loaned their own horse and probably someone with no PC background as that fairly drums the basics in. A passenger rather than someone who can ride a variety of horses and improve their way of going.

What experience do you have?
 
This comes up quite often, & has a range of opinions. The common consensus is someone who is a passenger, not a rider. Eg can't improve a horses way of going/ school without supervision, but its a very wide category.
Why not give us a brief description of what you can do it might be easier. But, be aware that on ads 'not for novices' often means 'nutjob'.
 
If it helps I consider myself a novice, although I've ridden for a long time, its been almost exclusively in a Riding School.
I've schooled on a couple of horses and am doing so with my share pony, I've spent the summer breaking him of his napping and bucking habit and working on teaching him baby legyield and halfhalts, we're currently working on decent canter transitions, and then I plan to do turn on the forehands with him although anything further than this I'd be teaching myself/taking lessons for.

I've hardly ever jumped, and I've only really started hacking out with Idiotpony (problems of living in London).
So I consider myself a novice despite having ridden for a long time and being confident about what I can do, I'm also aware there's a lot I can't do.
 
I would describe all of our ponies at not for novices as they all seem to be quite wised up and would soon work out a novice owner. I wouldnt describe any of them as nut jobs though, sometimes horses will help out somebody and other times they soon suss that the person trying to deal with them doesnt know enough.. I would perhaps try and share a horse for a while to get more day to day experience.
 
maree t said:
I would describe all of our ponies at not for novices as they all seem to be quite wised up and would soon work out a novice owner. I wouldnt describe any of them as nut jobs though, sometimes horses will help out somebody and other times they soon suss that the person trying to deal with them doesnt know enough.. I would perhaps try and share a horse for a while to get more day to day experience.
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Yes I agree mine are the same and take advantage of the slightest chink and although not dangerous I could see things going down hill very quickly! I suppose most horses will take advantage tho and possibly why so many novice owners get into trouble!
 
I too know plenty of not for novices horses who aren't nutjobs. But, I find when its stated in an ad, it quite often does mean that.
 
the fact that you are asking would suggest you probably are, its not a bad thing though! Be sensible with first horse choices, it will make you or break you as a rider!
 
Welcome Kate to the forum.
Not really knowing what experience you do have and stating that its your first horse, personally I would give the 'not a novice ride' horses a cross in your box.
It may be that the horse is by nature feisty or forward going which requires an experienced rider but also refers to horses with bad habits, young or inexperienced, potential problems that perhaps the current owner hasn't recognised or chooses to hide. Basically any number of problems that could put novice riders in potential danger. There are many 'safe' horses out there considering the economic climate. Take your time, buy with your head not your heart and take someone experienced with you and get them vetted.
Buying a horse is a minefield, there are many untrustworthy people trying to offload problem horses.
 
Hi, thank you so much for your reply, I am an exclusive riding school rider for 7 months, my 8 year old daughter started at the same time as me and she has her own section A pony that I care for at my father in laws farm. We have room for another horse for me and have excellent off road hacking on the door step. My background is small animal care, I am a qualified veterinary nurse and teach at a land based college teaching animal care and veterinary nursing. I have knowledge of basic horse care e.g. Vaccinations, hoof care, teeth, worming, tack, rugs etc. I am just jumping at riding school and have regular lessons, at least 1 hour a week. I have been trawling through adverts and keep coming across the same thing ' not suitable for novice '. Am just wondering whether that should put me off or not ?
 
yeah, be put off by the not for novice ads, i would say though, dont be put off by slightly older horses! :) often they have seen more of the world and are very sensible, need some more looking after but its all about management and as a vet nurse, shouldnt affect you! my first horse was 17 when i got him, and i had 9 wonderful years with him. He was loyal, brave, kept me out of trouble and taught me more than any instructor ever could do :)
 
It is quite a broad term I think, you would need to find out WHY they are not for a novice, rather than are you a novice yes or no answer. like some horses will act up more with a novice as they know they can get away with it, but that is more about the confidence an experienced rider will have, some people are naturally pretty confident and although inexperienced could deal with it, whereas some people are more experienced but would freak out if a horse took off or did something a bit dangerous (mainly because they know the dangers and may have had falls before!).

It might be that they are not a total dope on a rope riding school type plod, or it might be just young and inexperienced itself, or it might be that only the most experienced rider could handle it (I.e. potential nutcase as littlelegs says). I think in an advert its more likely to be the latter but you never know til you ask them a bit more.
 
I am also wary of the adverts ' as suitable for novice' as I think they are probably attracting first time buyers who probably don't know the pitfalls, I really am a bit stuck as to where to go. I do have knowledgable relatives that I could ask for help, but I don't know where to start, hence my post :o
 
Ah just read your post, probably best to avoid these ads as you don't want to damage your confidence early on with a horse that is too much! Plenty of time for that once you've had time to settle into horse ownership first and enjoy riding with your daughter safely :-)

Feel free to show us any ads you like the look of... I think its fair to say we all like a bit of window shopping :-)
 
I meant avoid 'not for novice' (im even confusing myself), I should think suitable for novice would be worth a look, but there are lots of threads on buying here with tips such as never get on a horse you haven't seen ridden first! Very important that one.

What height/type are you looking for and any other specifics?
 
I love looking after my daughter's pony and can't wait until I can join her on the hacks, I just feel like buying my own horse will be such a mine field, that there is so much that can go wrong. I have learnt from reading this forum to avoid dealers, to have a vetting done, to ride the horse, to turn up early at a viewing etc. I know that I am looking for a horse that would be happy hacking, that is good around farm machinery and other animals (I have a Springer Spaniel):D is at least 10 years old and is good to load, shoe etc. I could do with knowing what to avoid in adverts :o
 
I'd say give dealers a chance, at least you may get a warranty and sometimes a 14 day return/exchange period. There are some good dealers around but you may have to do some digging (just try not to mention names on here or thread will be removed for slander type reasons) however if you tell us an area people may know of some people to recommend.

Any particular type of horse appeal like do you like cobs or more of a thoroughbred person (a sane bombproof one), or even a pony type if you're not looking for a biggun :-)

It's probably extra important you get something sensible with your daughter around, as you don't want anything winding her pony up when you're out or anything like that! Glad you are looking at a good age bracket too... Going to have a sneaky look at horsemart now!
 
You sound like you have got your head screwed on, and not afraid to ask for advice which is always a good thing. You may have been only riding for 7 months but in my opinion there are people who have been riding for years that classify themselves as "experts" who should probably classify themselves as novices!

Just be wary of something that clearly has "issues" and like others have suggested a slightly older horse can sometimes be a good thing although a steady youngster with an old head on their shoulders are also worth their weight in gold. Take your instructor with you or an experienced friend and don't be afraid to take your time over any decision you make "what will be will be" :)
 
Agree with everything said here. The other thing to say that if you want to hack with your daughter on her pony you definitely need something that is suitable for that job. Maybe get in touch with your local Pony Club as they may be able to advise of suitable horses that are well known to them.
All the best
 
I'd probably call and ask why the horse was considered 'not for novice' too. I'm probably a bit ahead of you with regards to riding but I get put off by the safe for beginner tag as to me it tends to imply that I'd be sitting there till doomsday asking it to move or that getting it to do anything more than a sedate trot would be more effort than it was worth. You know best what your level is. My friend bought a very green ..not advertised as such though, cob. She was also pretty green and there have been a lot of tears. 8 months on and they are both a lot wiser and have a great bond. Happy hunting :)
The haflinger advert looks good Mandwhy..I know someone who's just bought one and absolutely loves her.
 
I would also say dont necessarily discount all dealers, there are some good ones out there but perhaps a loan might be better to start with ? Have you tried any charities close to you . Give us an idea of whereabouts you are and somebody on here might be able to help. Isnt there a site called homes 4 horses now , perhaps worth a look
 
my friend puts her horses for sale all as 'not for novice' purely because she wants them to go to more knowledgeable people & not end up in the hands of people who wouldn't have a clue( like me self) :) but most her horses are laid back & level headed
 
Thank you so much for all your help. To be honest at the moment I have my hands full with my daughter's pony, she is just coming off lead rein and it has taken a while for us to get that far. I absolutely love my lessons at the riding school, and it is my dream to have my own, I just need to be patient and wait until the time is right and until the right horse comes along. I am based in Cheshire, I will keep looking to give me an idea of what I want and pony club is definitely on the agenda next year for my daughter and her pony, I can't wait! :D
 
Definitely avoid "not for novices", but maybe consider a sensible small cob or large pony (depending on your size) who's been there and done it - generally, avoiding flashy competition types is sensible in your situation and don't be put off by an older horse.
 
I think you are very sensible. If I were you I'd try and have extra lessons in the mean time and perhaps look for a share. 7 months is not very long. For instance I have a 13 year old who has just started riding for me who has done 7 years at a riding school. Her first few times on my safe and responsive but not riding school type pony showed her up to be very novicy and she had issues with getting her to trot and then controlling the speed in trot. At the RS she was jumping, cantering and hacking and I think it was a bit of a shock to her to ride a "normal" pony. She has come on really fast but it would have been easy to really dent her confidence even although this pony is a super type for anyone.

Good luck!
 
If it says not for a novice discount it definatly .
Have you asked for the advice of your riding teacher you need an experianced person guiding you and going with you to view horses.
Never get on any horse without seeing it ridden first.
And remember that really good sound safe all rounders can make very good prices the last one I sold was the same price as a good young event horses
Your intructor may know of something .
Remember that if you want a horse to hack that's the most important thing it's great at focus on assessing that when you view.
Are you hacking regularly at the riding school ?
 
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