Any horse snobs who can’t ride?

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neverexplain

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Guilty as charged. As a novice who got the bug and went full throttle with lessons of countless hours in a span of 2 years, I’ve decided in just over a year since I first sat on a horse for the first time in my life that I am ready to own a horse (caveat with a trainer and full livery for support). Yes I accept that I was and still am completely mad.

Off I go enquiring on sales adverts and had this deluded idea that my first horse should be this high quality, professionally schooled pedigreed type dressage horse with a temperament of a saint that will take on a novice. No compromises! I declared I’m ready to step up from the school horse types. Thoroughly turning my nose down on them. Yes, I know I was beyond insufferable and unhinged.

Eight months and counting went on and to cut this saga short I have no horse to speak of and had terrible, near miss experiences because I kept trying horses that are simply not suited for me. I am exactly that horse snob who cannot ride.

Anyone else can relate? What horse did you end up with? Did you have to eventually have to face reality? Or are you one of those lucky ones who got it all?

I am starting to believe what people say that horses are very much the mirror image of their owners. It was as if all along I was convinced I was the Victoria secret model Type until I looked at the mirror and saw a proper Victoria Secret model type and here I was next to it looking more like Kathy Burke. 😂
 
Good luck in your search! You will find one if you keep looking. There are diamonds out there.

I used to have posh, fancy, athletic horses but am a bit older now and like my two, who are more like riding school ones in stature. But, they scrub up well and like to prance around, in a safe way!
 
Questions: how much do you want to spend and what do you want to do with the horse? Do you want a flashy mover just to feel warm and fuzzy poncing about on something with huge paces, or do you want to seriously move up the dressage levels?

Proposition 1: if you can afford a horse who costs £££££££££££ (at least 25k, probably more), you might find a dressage schoolmaster who is quiet and forgiving enough for a novice and doesn't have a bazillion health problems, but arguably that's only worth it if you are dead set on learning dressage beyond Elementary/Medium level.

Proposition 2: If you can't afford that, you will have to compromise on something. If all you want to do is learn some very basic dressage but you are unlikely or not interested in progressing beyond Medium, you don't need a big-moving warmblood with all the bells and whistles. Honestly. What sort of horses are you discounting when you say "riding school" type? To me, that's meaningless. Riding schools have all types of horses, the main requirement being that they are unlikely to kill inexperienced riders. I have seen everything from Arabs, to cobs, to warmbloods, to TBs, to QHs, to Clydesdales in riding schools.

Proposition 3: Those huge movers are hard bloody work to ride and to keep sound. I had a big-moving horse (Shire-TBx...not exactly fancy dressage breeding) for 21 years, and when she died, I downgraded to a 14hh Highland pony gelding and a 15hh Andalusian mare. I was so over that. Somewhere on my FB page, there's a video of me on the mare, trotting along the trail drinking a beer. Couldn't do that on my old horse.

I also broke free from being stuck for 4.5 billion years in the dressage confession dial and backed the Andalusian in Western tack.
 
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Caol Ila said:
Questions: how much do you want to spend and what do you want to do with the horse? Do you want a flashy mover just to feel warm and fuzzy poncing about on something with huge paces, or do you want to seriously move up the dressage levels?

Proposition 1: if you can afford a horse who costs £££££££££££ (at least 25k, probably more), you might find a dressage schoolmaster who is quiet and forgiving enough for a novice and doesn't have a bazillion health problems, but arguably that's only worth it if you are dead set on learning dressage beyond Elementary/Medium level.

Proposition 2: If you can't afford that, you will have to compromise on something. If all you want to do is learn some very basic dressage but you are unlikely or not interested in progressing beyond Medium, you don't need a big-moving warmblood with all the bells and whistles. Honestly. What sort of horses are you discounting when you say "riding school" type?

Proposition 3: Those huge movers are hard bloody work to ride and to keep sound. I had a big-moving horse (Shire-TBx...not exactly fancy dressage breeding) for 21 years, and when she died, I downgraded to a 14hh Highland pony gelding and a 15hh Andalusian mare. I was so over that. Somewhere on my FB page, there's a video of me on the mare, trotting along the trail drinking a beer. Couldn't do that on my old horse.

I also broke free from being stuck for 4.5 billion years in the dressage confession dial and backed the Andalusian in Western tack.
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I’ve been stuck at proposition 1 for so long, looking around 50-70k. And if pushed I am prepared to spend up a bit more (I know absolutely mad) for a bloody first horse. First horse. Somebody give me a good smack!

A few examples: tried a PSG KPWN horse who gave me my first spook and bolt (thankfully indoor school). AM Belgian warm blood that bit my middle finger unprovoked (it was totally sour) and stunning elementary trakehner that in the end was too strong for my nerves. And way too many others that ended up being a bit sharp, big flashy movers that are super light to the aids because that comes with the price tag! And I’ve obviously prefaced prior to viewings that I am novice and was very transparent of my riding level with my unbalanced riding videos. My current prospect, which I’m yet to view is 75k asking from this fancy breeder PSG level but low mileage but looks too good to be true that it can take on a novice so the sellers claimed. I just feel like giving up on proposition 1!
 
You have effectively just passed your driving test and are now trying to buy an Aston. But just because you like Astons, doesn’t mean you can’t find a nice merc or BMW. You don’t have to buy a Ford or a Vauxhall.

The advice I always give people with horses is buy the horse you need now, not the horse you think you need as I see that go wrong 💯 more. You end up with a miserable horse who isn’t doing anything wrong as just being themselves and a miserable rider.
 
No advice, but I can relate having gone through trying to buy a new dressage prospect a few years back after losing my horse of a lifetime. What I failed to appreciate was I wasn’t the young 20-something with endless time on my hands to spend hours at the yard every day and compete every weekend anymore.

Instead, I was more than a little rusty thanks to lockdown. First horse was fancy AF, by far the most talented horse I’ve sat on when things were going well, but he had the sharpness to match and over the course of 2 years completely obliterated my confidence. I decided to take a sabbatical as a broodmare, had my daughter and then decided mid-maternity leave to buy a posh riding club type that could happily prance but didn’t need the maintenance of a warmblood. Set out to buy a ID/ISH/cob x TB/WB type, essentially fancy enough but ultimately safe and low maintenance.

Instead I bought a 4yo WB that’s the size of a dinosaur, and hasn’t stopped growing since!! Tbf he’s great, but no way do I have the core or the confidence to be dealing with a baby horse these days and I do think I’ve made life so much harder for myself by buying my usual type and not what I really needed in the moment.
 
In my early 20s my parents bought me (I was involved in the choice of course) an ISH who was essentially a KWPN x TB with the merest hint of Irish. She was beautiful, 16.2hh, 7yrs old. She has taught me a lot but I fell off every possible direction, lost my nerve with her and retired her after a few years… I had ridden on an off since a young child but was very much a happy hacker with little formal tuition and I was out of practice.

15yrs on from buying her and she’s still with me but means I don’t have space in the field for a horse for me to ride. I hope to have another horse one day in the distant future and I plan to buy a small brown cob next time. 😂 I’ve ridden more than 160 horses around the world through my work (selling riding hols) and I cannot fathom why I ever chose something big and flashy when I look back.

Having said that, we are all different and the type of horse you really “need” depends on many factors I suppose!
 
neverexplain said:
Guilty as charged. As a novice who got the bug and went full throttle with lessons of countless hours in a span of 2 years, I’ve decided in just over a year since I first sat on a horse for the first time in my life that I am ready to own a horse (caveat with a trainer and full livery for support). Yes I accept that I was and still am completely mad.

Off I go enquiring on sales adverts and had this deluded idea that my first horse should be this high quality, professionally schooled pedigreed type dressage horse with a temperament of a saint that will take on a novice. No compromises! I declared I’m ready to step up from the school horse types. Thoroughly turning my nose down on them. Yes, I know I was beyond insufferable and unhinged.

Eight months and counting went on and to cut this saga short I have no horse to speak of and had terrible, near miss experiences because I kept trying horses that are simply not suited for me. I am exactly that horse snob who cannot ride.

Anyone else can relate? What horse did you end up with? Did you have to eventually have to face reality? Or are you one of those lucky ones who got it all?

I am starting to believe what people say that horses are very much the mirror image of their owners. It was as if all along I was convinced I was the Victoria secret model Type until I looked at the mirror and saw a proper Victoria Secret model type and here I was next to it looking more like Kathy Burke. 😂
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It's hard when you have been lucky enough to have owned beautiful quality WB's all your life and been complimented on them whenever you've been out and about competing

Then you suddenly realise you'd probably be better off with something less elegant and something like a rock steady Eddie because you lack the confidence of the old you or you're too long in the tooth to spend hours in A&E waiting for an xray!

I guess that might sound snobby to some but it's not intended, it's just personal preference.

I'm beginning to come round to the idea of an ID or a cob type but it's going to have to be right for my purpose l, not too heavy and not too behind the leg because that would bore me to tears. Been there and done that and having a unsuitable horse which is lazy, boring and too quiet can be as detrimental to me as something that is too sharp or off the leg.

You'll find something but you might need to widen your options. I can't compromise on height or age but I can possibly compromise on colour or breed to an extent and have started to do so.

I've considered both the piebald (too expensive) and the grey (worried about cresty neck) but I know my preference will always be for the third type. I would probably suit the second horse much better even though I really don't want a grey for so many reasons.
 

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Well @neverexplain I think you need to decide who you would rather live with! On a daily basis would you rather share your day with a super model, who might look great but be very high maintenance, might be over sensitive, and expensive to keep, or a cigarette smoking beer drinking slob who lives off fast food and spends all day in front of the telly? Or would you rather spend your day with an absolutely normal average person, who you can relate to as an equal?

I bought my equal as my first horse, except he was only five years old so very green. His kind temperament meant everyone loved him all his life, and so many of my friends from complete beginners to way more experienced than me could happily ride him. He had an occasional supermodel moment including histrionics but was the right horse. I had him from aged five to 31, when he was pts with me holding him.
 
Oh that was so me.
But I now have a little cob who is fabulous, we are never going to do Grand Prix dressage, but at least I am out there doing things.

In my ambitious 30’s someone described my type of horse as the one everyone want to ride but no one wants to own.

Trust me get one of those, you’ll have so much more fun!
 
I made that mistake buying my daughter's first horse after ponies. And she actually WAS a pretty decent rider, competing successfully at pony discovery and eventing unaff at 90. But that competition bred, smart horse was a nightmare, wrecked her confidence and she has not had a horse since. She'd have been far better off with a much more forgiving been there done that type.

If I were you I'd buy a schoolmaster. Older, experiened, kind and ready to come back down the levels for an easier life.
 
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I think the bottom line is that there isn’t one set model. Friend who’d lost confidence got on really well with my well schooled ex racehorse. Bought a quiet cob and he was seriously spooky. She kept him for a while and went back to her preferred Arab horses. So a well behaved Ferrari can be as suitable as a poorly behaved Metro. Showing my age there. Good luck
 
Having returned to riding after a long, long break (think decades not years) I classed myself as a newbie and felt my way back at a riding school for a few months. But when the horse ownership bug bites there is no stopping it and friends were surprised (read horrified) when I said that what I felt really comfortable on was something that was basically TB. I could not ride a cob to save my life. Enter one ex-racer who was just perfect.

What I am saying is what do you feel comfortable riding - now, what gives you confidence in all situations - now. Aims and ambitions are all very well but you have to make a partnership with the horse and sometimes there are compromises to be made along the way. Think carefully about what you are bringing to that partnership and you will find the right friend for you.
 
neverexplain said:
Guilty as charged. As a novice who got the bug and went full throttle with lessons of countless hours in a span of 2 years, I’ve decided in just over a year since I first sat on a horse for the first time in my life that I am ready to own a horse (caveat with a trainer and full livery for support). Yes I accept that I was and still am completely mad.

Off I go enquiring on sales adverts and had this deluded idea that my first horse should be this high quality, professionally schooled pedigreed type dressage horse with a temperament of a saint that will take on a novice. No compromises! I declared I’m ready to step up from the school horse types. Thoroughly turning my nose down on them. Yes, I know I was beyond insufferable and unhinged.

Eight months and counting went on and to cut this saga short I have no horse to speak of and had terrible, near miss experiences because I kept trying horses that are simply not suited for me. I am exactly that horse snob who cannot ride.

Anyone else can relate? What horse did you end up with? Did you have to eventually have to face reality? Or are you one of those lucky ones who got it all?

I am starting to believe what people say that horses are very much the mirror image of their owners. It was as if all along I was convinced I was the Victoria secret model Type until I looked at the mirror and saw a proper Victoria Secret model type and here I was next to it looking more like Kathy Burke. 😂
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Your honesty is delightfully refreshing!
.
 
humblepie said:
I think the bottom line is that there isn’t one set model. Friend who’d lost confidence got on really well with my well schooled ex racehorse. Bought a quiet cob and he was seriously spooky. She kept him for a while and went back to her preferred Arab horses. So a well behaved Ferrari can be as suitable as a poorly behaved Metro. Showing my age there. Good luck
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Totally. And I just don't like riding cobs or TBs. I have a 'type' - I like horses that move well. I don't like short, choppy strides. I like horses who are forward. I like horses with a bit of chunk to them but not heavy. I definitely don't like anything too wide or too fine. But you can get all of that in horses who are also calm, sensible, forgiving and kind.

So I'd go for the type you like - but choose horses advertised as allrounders, not eventers/show-jumpers/ dressage competiton prosepcts. And avoid anything young or green. That can still get you nice ISH or RID or warmblood/ WBx horse that looks elegant/smart.

An 'allrounder' can still event at BE90 or BE100 or get very good at the lower levels of dressage, which is more than enough for what most leisure riders want or need.
 
I have a weird vice where I actually LOVE the feeling of being over-horsed 🤷
I am the person who would bring a Ferrari to a banger rally.

I've never had the budget for it, so they've always had fierce quirks but I've never been happier than riding my ex 3*** eventer around 1.10cm SJ.
Sold to me as a professional ride who was unstoppable, I had a great time on him in a snaffle and felt like I was on cloud 9 every time I sat on him.

However, my Ferrari rides never scared me so much they knocked my confidence.
If your confidence is taking a battering, I would definitely go back a step in the horse choice.

I might change my mind this summer as have my 4yro, 18hh, Ferrari to break in and he might remind me I'm not in my 20s anymore 🤣
 
Very interesting thread, as I too was the OP a couple of years ago and when my daughter got into riding it re-ignited the bug in me and I bought coblet to hack alongside her at the livery yard. Whilst coblet wasn't the "wrong type" per se for me he was a rush purchase, not vetted due to relatively low value and went lame less than 12 months later sadly, operated on, rehabbed, never came sound and is now retired.
However in past 9 months I've ridden approx. another 10 horses, some riding school, the 2 x share horses we hack and plenty of other kind friends horses and its allowed me to build up a fuller profile pic of what I need and enjoy riding.
 
Years (and years) ago when I was buying my first "proper" horse, after a long search I found a stunning horse to event, and then another but both failed the vets.

I was so disillusioned but a friend of a friend kindly offered me their horse to hack out as their daughter had given up riding. I went to find out more - he was a scruffy ex-driving horse of indeterminate breeding - field kept, hairy, very unfit, fat and muddy.

I'm ashamed to admit I was embarrassed to be seen riding him for the first few weeks. But what an amazing horse he turned out to be. Just took a lot of work and schooling. He cost me next to nothing to buy - including a mountain of tack and rugs, and I think he was the best horse ever and I'd do anything to have another horse like him.

Good luck in your search - keep you're eyes open, the best ones are often hiding in plain sight, and on your doorstep!
 
poiuytrewq said:
I love this!

I’ve had some really very beautiful horses, all with faults as budget never allowed anything decent!

I have now done a 360 and would kill for but can’t afford a nice 14.2 pony. I want the fun back and less stress.

If you have the right horse you will think it looks like the most gorgeous thing ever.
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Back in the day I used to go to a tracking centre.There was this ugly little coloured cob that I never wanted to ride.I was reluctantly persuaded to try him.Within 10 minutes I was smitten and to me he was the best looking horse ever.
 
Birker2020 said:
It's hard when you have been lucky enough to have owned beautiful quality WB's all your life and been complimented on them whenever you've been out and about competing

Then you suddenly realise you'd probably be better off with something less elegant and something like a rock steady Eddie because you lack the confidence of the old you or you're too long in the tooth to spend hours in A&E waiting for an xray!

I guess that might sound snobby to some but it's not intended, it's just personal preference.

I'm beginning to come round to the idea of an ID or a cob type but it's going to have to be right for my purpose l, not too heavy and not too behind the leg because that would bore me to tears. Been there and done that and having a unsuitable horse which is lazy, boring and too quiet can be as detrimental to me as something that is too sharp or off the leg.

You'll find something but you might need to widen your options. I can't compromise on height or age but I can possibly compromise on colour or breed to an extent and have started to do so.

I've considered both the piebald (too expensive) and the grey (worried about cresty neck) but I know my preference will always be for the third type. I would probably suit the second horse much better even though I really don't want a grey for so many reasons.
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For me personally the top one.
 
I know I was very lucky but the riding school I came up in has yet to be topped in terms of quality, well schooled horses. They all could scrub up to look very fancy if you knew how to ask for it, shire crosses, ID's, fluffy little driving cobs, connies, the lot of them. My instructor let us ride her retired grand prix boys too when she knew you could be respectful. So I had a very well rounded foundation for a riding school rider.

I still wanted a scruffy little cob with a personality and that's exactly what I ended up with. I wouldn't have a fancy warmblood if I got one for free. Perhaps I'm just a snob in another way 😂
 
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I love your post 🤣👏

It's fine to have a type but definitely do think about practicality. Just as I might fancy Bradley Cooper it doesn't mean I'd enjoy living with him or dating him (I strongly suspect he's far higher maintenance than me) 🤣

I love Arab's but actually own a native as he suit's my lifestyle so much better - I'm (accidentally) on DIY and if not well or can't get to the yard, rely on non-horsey OH or friend's to help. At 13.3hh no-one ever minds grabbing him in or turning him out if I'm stuck, he's sensible enough to not make anyone feel intimidated if he goes to make a bid for grass or jogs if the wind is up his tail but he's certainly not boring to own or ride and is a real character.

He wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, he doesn't fill your eye like a big rangy TB or sports horse (even when he's fit and shiny), is an economical mover and a Ferrari he definitely ain't. But I actively look forward to riding (and seeing him) rather than being scared to death or making excuses to not ride - which is what it's all about, innit.

When the time comes for pony #2, a few people have asked me if I'll 'upgrade' and I really don't think I will, I have no need to!
 
eahotson said:
Back in the day I used to go to a tracking centre.There was this ugly little coloured cob that I never wanted to ride.I was reluctantly persuaded to try him.Within 10 minutes I was smitten and to me he was the best looking horse ever.
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Love this! reminds me of the saying "handsome is as handsome does"
I am LOVING riding an off the track TB a couple of times a week for a friend, he's nicely forward, so kind and genuine, bombproof past all farm traffic, loves a gallop, pops a log and then walks on the buckle home. He's a horse i would never have looked at for sale 2 years ago and would have been talked out of by my fellow liveries, whilst he's not for sale, if he was I'd have him in a heartbeat, he's given me so much confidence this past 9 months.
 
When I decided it was the time to buy I discussed it with an instructor. I said I was planning for a low maintenance, straightforward cob. Nothing flashy, different or exciting. Instructor advised against and said I'd get quickly bored (I really enjoyed dressage lessons)

I ended up with a Suffolk gelding who was very low maintenance, utterly reliable but school sour. I was happy to compromise on school time and dressage because he was just a lovely person to spend time with. I'm relieved I didn't take my instructors advice.
 
neverexplain said:
Guilty as charged. As a novice who got the bug and went full throttle with lessons of countless hours in a span of 2 years, I’ve decided in just over a year since I first sat on a horse for the first time in my life that I am ready to own a horse (caveat with a trainer and full livery for support). Yes I accept that I was and still am completely mad.

Off I go enquiring on sales adverts and had this deluded idea that my first horse should be this high quality, professionally schooled pedigreed type dressage horse with a temperament of a saint that will take on a novice. No compromises! I declared I’m ready to step up from the school horse types. Thoroughly turning my nose down on them. Yes, I know I was beyond insufferable and unhinged.

Eight months and counting went on and to cut this saga short I have no horse to speak of and had terrible, near miss experiences because I kept trying horses that are simply not suited for me. I am exactly that horse snob who cannot ride.

Anyone else can relate? What horse did you end up with? Did you have to eventually have to face reality? Or are you one of those lucky ones who got it all?

I am starting to believe what people say that horses are very much the mirror image of their owners. It was as if all along I was convinced I was the Victoria secret model Type until I looked at the mirror and saw a proper Victoria Secret model type and here I was next to it looking more like Kathy Burke. 😂
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At least you have a sense of humour.My best tip is, whatever you decide to try,take a trusted and experienced trainer with you and listen carefully to him/her.Don't "fall in love" until trainer and vet say you may.
 
Birker2020 said:
It's hard when you have been lucky enough to have owned beautiful quality WB's all your life and been complimented on them whenever you've been out and about competing

Then you suddenly realise you'd probably be better off with something less elegant and something like a rock steady Eddie because you lack the confidence of the old you or you're too long in the tooth to spend hours in A&E waiting for an xray!

I guess that might sound snobby to some but it's not intended, it's just personal preference.

I'm beginning to come round to the idea of an ID or a cob type but it's going to have to be right for my purpose l, not too heavy and not too behind the leg because that would bore me to tears. Been there and done that and having a unsuitable horse which is lazy, boring and too quiet can be as detrimental to me as something that is too sharp or off the leg.

You'll find something but you might need to widen your options. I can't compromise on height or age but I can possibly compromise on colour or breed to an extent and have started to do so.

I've considered both the piebald (too expensive) and the grey (worried about cresty neck) but I know my preference will always be for the third type. I would probably suit the second horse much better even though I really don't want a grey for so many reasons.
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Have you actually ridden any Irish Draughts? I rode one as a teen when I was used to TBs, Warmbloods and whizzy ponies, he was huge, well over 17h but was so light on his feet, jumped beautifully and was forward and responsive. The one I owned later went like a steam train, super jump, had successfully team chased before I bought him (though admittedly he was 1/4 TB) and more recently I've borrowed one to hack & hunt, again, forward with a great jump. They're basically sports horses in a chunkier body and the ones I've ridden are the absolute opposite of behind the leg.
 
I think you already know the answer to your question! IME, the horse you re looking for does not exist. That well schooled beautiful dressage horse will quickly revert to a spooky mess with a less than experienced rider. I know, as my OH made his living from schooling horse s like that when their owners found out the meaning of the phrase 'over horsed'!
You have already found that the gorgeous flashy horses arent easy to ride , so you will have to look at something different. Doesnt mean you will end up with an ugly plod, there are lots of horses that are handsome examples of their own type or breed.
I have always been rather shocked at the horse snobbery that still prevails - but at nearly 70 I m still riding , whereas the 'over horsed ' often give up!
 
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