Am I crazy?

[Willow123!]

Hi all,

I'm 26 years old and used to own my own horse when I was younger but sold her when I went to university. Since then I've been doing lessons and earlier this year found myself a part loan. I've loved absolutely every second of it, did my first dressage comp, learnt how to jump, had weekly lessons and had a few nice hacks out. Unfortunately her owner (due to COVID) has had to turn her out for winter. I would've offered to take her on on full loan to cover her rent but if I'm honest she was a little on the small side, and could he quite difficult to handle which was getting worse the further into winter we got so I decided not to.

I've been browsing horses for sale (mostly out of boredom but also tentatively thinking about it). My dad unfortunately passed away a month ago so it's been a rubbish time to lose my pony, but I have just started recieving cheques through the post from his pensions. Fast forward to tonight ... I've seen a horse for sale an hour away for a reasonable price (£4k) who looks absolutely perfect for what I'm after and all sounds great. My instructor and I are going to view her on Sunday but at present, I have no stable lined up, no vet to do a vetting and she comes with no wardrobe.

What is a normal time frame before viewing a horse and hopefully bringing them home to get everything sorted? Don't want to waste sellers time (though she's in no rush to get rid) and I'm committed to buying but feel like I've rushed into it a bit without having anything sorted. I'd decided to leave buying until spring when Covid prices hopefully dropped and weather was better but this horse looks perfect for him so seems daft not to act on it now - just questioning my mental stability??!!!

 

[Parrotperson]

My condolences. I lost my Mum in October.

Are the pensions monies due because your dad died? or are they the monthly ones he was receiving? because if so they'll want those back I suspect.

Well normally you'd get a vetting and assuming they pass you'd collect asap tbh.

I guess it depends on:-

how suitable the horse is? You may n not get oil with it when you ride it

How quickly you can find livery close to you? Start ringing round now to see what's available

Vettigns are easily enough arranged and I would imagine you wouldn't have to wait long for one

Bear in mind the "wardrobe" is going to be quite expensive in itself. You'll need to get a saddle properly fitted, brindle, headcollar, rugs, etc all of which could easily total another £1500 if your not careful!!

 

[Willow123!]

Horrible year to lose a family member isn't it ? I'm so sorry to hear about your mum.

The pensions are due because of his passing, they are paid out as per his expression of wishes to his three kids which luckily for us is exactly the way his will is split too so nice and easy.

It will all depend on Sunday I suppose. It does look like a bit of a kick along in the school and she rides it in spurs but not on XC or out hacking. So I guess my biggest worry is that she'll be a bit *too* lazy, although all I'm interested in is unaff dressage which she's done quite a bit of, farm rides, hacking and schooling. So providing I'm not totally dead by the time I get off...

I'll ring around a few livery yards tonight / early tomorrow. Hopefully somewhere will have a space but I'm guessing this is what might hold me back.

Happy to pay for the full wardrobe, shame it doesn't come with anything but I do quite enjoy horse clothes shopping!

 

[Parrotperson]

spurs shouldn't be used to make a horse go they should simply refine the leaf aids being given so you may find the horse isn't as backward as you might think. wait and see. If she is then that may be a problem to resolve. Spurs used to make a horse can can make them very dead to the leg over time and its a difficult thing to reverse. I'm glad you're taking your instructor.

And bear in mind you don't have to buy the first horse you see!!

Well you seem aware of everything, the main thing being how expensive everything is these days. When I had my first horse I bought a bag of food for £1!!! Them were the days!!

 

[mini_b]

I’m so sorry for your loss.
bypassing the pensions bit (clueless)

if you are serious about buying, get your yard sorted first. Nothing worse than finding something you like and then no where to put it, or rushing into choosing a yard that’s unsuitable/you don’t like.
take your time, make a few visits. Do a shortlist. Work out how the travel will fit into your routine etc etc

definitely yard first!

Then pony of your dreams arrives... a couple of rugs. (Different weight turnouts and a stable rug, don’t go mad yet)
you will be trying the horse in their tack I expect, so find out what size saddle etc and if it feels a good fit for you, check out some prices and book a saddle fitter.
As for bridle etc, buy as close as you can to what you try the horse in, ask your instructors advice about bitting (how they go in it) but you will probably end up changing all that in time.

re Spurs. Mines hot off the leg but I wear spurs as a refinement. I wear them XC even when he’s pulling my arms out. Don’t discount that...it might not be lazy!

again. Find a yard ?

good luck

 

[Willow123!]

I’m so sorry for your loss.
bypassing the pensions bit (clueless)

if you are serious about buying, get your yard sorted first. Nothing worse than finding something you like and then no where to put it, or rushing into choosing a yard that’s unsuitable/you don’t like.
take your time, make a few visits. Do a shortlist. Work out how the travel will fit into your routine etc etc

definitely yard first!

Then pony of your dreams arrives... a couple of rugs. (Different weight turnouts and a stable rug, don’t go mad yet)
you will be trying the horse in their tack I expect, so find out what size saddle etc and if it feels a good fit for you, check out some prices and book a saddle fitter.
As for bridle etc, buy as close as you can to what you try the horse in, ask your instructors advice about bitting (how they go in it) but you will probably end up changing all that in time.

re Spurs. Mines hot off the leg but I wear spurs as a refinement. I wear them XC even when he’s pulling my arms out. Don’t discount that...it might not be lazy!

again. Find a yard ?

good luck

Thank you!

Operation yard in full swing tonight. I know a couple round this area really well already thankfully from part loaning and riding friends horses etc so I've got a short list and currently working my way around them all!

Thank you for your advice re tack! Was really hoping she'd at least come with some rugs but guess I'll need to sort those (if she's as perfect as I've made her out to be in my head already) before she arrives.

Thankfully taking someone far more experienced than me who's already made a list of everything we need to see and do so I don't get carried away with how pretty she is ?

Not one person has said in crazy yet though ... ?

 

[Dreamer2020]

Hi OP, just wanted to pass on my condolences on the loss of your Dad. It must be a really difficult time for you.

It sounds like you're quite prepared horse-wise so just to say best of luck & I'm looking forward to seeing updates as to how it goes xx

 

[Willow123!]

Hi all,

The lady contacted me today to see she's having 2nd thoughts about selling and cancelled my viewing :-(. Gutted, but everything happens for a reason! I'd found a vet and 2 avaliable stables as well :-(