Any horse snobs who can’t ride?

Birker2020 said:
Blimey that's one hell of a budget. Mines around 11-13k until I can save more when I'm back at work again as I've had to support myself whist not working out of the horsey fund. I need a good contingency fund though.

More money doesn't necessarily buy you a better horse, my best horse was £4.6k, Lari was 12.5k and a disaster!
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Yeah, my "best" horse was a grand, even back then that was cheap as chips and my horse of a lifetime was £2.5k. The one that cost me the most turned out to be horse aggressive/food aggressive and ended up kicking me twice and nicked an artery on a companion he kicked so he had to go.
 
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Dressage horses in that price range will be bred for the job and very sharp - as you're finding out!

Is it particularly dressage that you want to get into? If so I'd actually drop the budget and have a look for a been there done that schoolmaster. They'll still be smart but less likely to teleport sideways if you twitch a toe. You can always upgrade in time.

These sharp horses like clear, consistent messages from their riders and you just don't have the hours in the saddle to give them that.

(fyi my current cob is sharper than most of the warmbloods of my youth! )
 
I agree with @SEL - your problem isn’t the type of horse you want, it’s your budget. Horses at that price won’t just be well bred with good movement, they will be phenomenally talented and destined for the top. Which will mean their education has been with that in mind - they just won’t have been ridden by novices and will get totally confused. Add to that their likely sharpness and huge degree of athleticism and it’s destined to be a disaster.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I agree with @SEL - your problem isn’t the type of horse you want, it’s your budget. Horses at that price won’t just be well bred with good movement, they will be phenomenally talented and destined for the top. Which will mean their education has been with that in mind - they just won’t have been ridden by novices and will get totally confused. Add to that their likely sharpness and huge degree of athleticism and it’s destined to be a disaster.
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There are the more placid ones that the paras use but they are also kept fit and schooled by pro riders
 
OP - what type of horses have you been having your lessons on? Riding school horses, or training centre schoolmasters? There's a huge difference, and one will help you far more than the other in learning how to really ride.
 
I know so many people who after buying their dream horse end up with their confidence ruined and nerves in tatters. Do you have an instructor who could look on your behalf? Maybe even go to a reputable dealer and ask for them to source one? My bias would be for an Hispano Arab. Only because I’ve ridden a few and they move nicely are comfortable can be sharp but often are surprisingly easy to ride. Good luck.
 
Ime - if you're not a professional or an experienced amateur than the more you pay for a fancy horse the more quickly it might deck you and undermine your confidence possibly as athleticism and sensitivity can be a double-edged sword although (sometimes) very desirable for a competitive rider.
Be the person with horse that you are so confident with that you want to seek out all the challenges and do the beach ride, the xc event, the sponsored ride, the challenging hack and the hell yeah I'll give it a go sort of thing - a well produced and trained horse (even if not fancy) can succeed at a surprising high level.
If you get one of these diamonds then you'll always find it another great home when you feel ready to 'up grade' to something more challenging and you'll probably always look back on them with great affection for what they did for your confidence and experience.
 
Yeah, I'm a total snob and all my vanity has apparently been channelled into what my riding horse looks like. I've ended up with little arabs. Both of mine have been total pretty boys (current horse is the type they want on Christmas cards and modelling rugs, etc 😁) but they haven't come with the vet bills and dangerous times that the sports horses before used to.
 
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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I think all of us a the start have aspirations above our competence, but if you learn to ride while fairly young is all hidden in the past and nobody knows, and you just didn't have the money to buy a sporty type when perhaps all you need was a Thelwell type.

My advice to anyone who is an adult is never buy something from someone who rides better than you or someone who trains them. If the horse goes well for someone who can only ride half of it, you have a chance of making a better job. There is nothing more disheartening than not being to make your purchase go well for you, its better to be under horses and click, than over horsed an dread getting on it. Be happy with baby steps, its still an achievement, do small things well and they soon build up to big things. You never stops learning, so all of us are a bit crap really, and honestly you do not need a lot of money to have fun, just a sense of humour, and you have cracked that.
 
Honestly the Ferrari type comments don't go far enough. It's more like having driven a fiesta and thinking that will give you the skills to fly a helicopter!
There's a meme type thing I see from time to time on social media - you don't need a 20k horse you need a 5k horse and 15k of lessons. It's harsh but not so far off the mark.
OP, you've got a fab budget and a real determined attitude which I think is fabulous. Id really look in your shoes to sponsor a good local rider who maybe doesn't have a big budget and buy something they compete and teach you on. And possibly a second nice but not world beating one for you to compete and develop with now.
 
I’ve had two well bred warm-bloods (BWB and KWPN) from jumping lines which have been super allrounders and the easiest horses to handle on the ground. They’ve had their challenges but overall super horses.

My latest horse on the other hand is a Welsh D x Arab x Irish Draft x ? And is proving very challenging. Wish I’d stuck with warmbloods tbh.

I know a lot of sharp bolshy cobs. They are definitely not all easy. You’ve really got to look at each horse individually although I do think dressage lines are usually hotter.
 
What is it about dressage that inspires you? Have you thought about showing instead if what the horse looks like and how it moves is the most important thing then maybe showing might be a better fit for you than top level dressage which will take years for you to get to PSG level even with a top level dressage horse.

Something like this might suit. Nice looking, used to being ridden by different ride judges, will be well schooled enough to enable you to start out at the lower levels of dressage can work your way up the levels until your riding is at the point to progress to the next level.

www.horsequest.co.uk

Absolutely Top Class winning Middle weight Hunter

<p>Legs is always in the top few.</p> <p>Qualified every year Hoys and RIHS Placed every time ,would also make a top class Amateur and carries the side saddle.</p> <p>Legs has many strings to his bow, would love to keep him on the yard.</p> <p>Home most important.</p> <p>No vices easy to do...
www.horsequest.co.uk www.horsequest.co.uk
 
Oh hey everyone! Wow I didn’t expect to get this many responses (and laughs). I suppose humour does help when you have this demented idea that a novice like me is a good match for Olympic levels of equine excellence after 2 years of riding lessons on school horses. 🤣

As the cliche goes, horses teach you the gift of humility, and I would even add they teach you the correct one!


I will try to respond to some questions and thoughts shared:

  • Dressage is what I wish to pursue, perhaps compete but that’s just a bonus. I just want to learn how to do it on a decent level and above all is to have this life-changing bond and partnership with my own horse who I hope is equally up for it just for shits and giggles really because it’s fun!

  • All the suggestions mentioned so far of where to look I’ve pretty much covered. I’ve approached professional riders, quite well known breeders/producers, yards, some word of mouth private sellers and dealers. I did view a parahorse and considered show types but their conformation doesn’t quite suit me as I’m very petite. I think Ive just been so unlucky to have come across horses that suit me at my novice level but had dealbreaker issues (both behavioural and medical). Talland schoolmasters are a good example for a potential source but they haven’t got anything for sale as far as I’m aware.

  • I first learned from a variety of riding school ponies (a spectrum of lovely and willing types to the little shits!) and the very occasional forward going better quality horses from a bog standard riding school. Quite a lot of dead on the leg pony types in exchange for something safe. But I was happy as Larry for like a year, grinning ear to ear after every lesson because I was just so pleased to get my bum on the saddle and learn no matter the quality of the lesson. To me it was a privilege and I still never take it for granted. I suppose I was at a stage of you don’t know what you don’t know. This period was when riding and horses revealed itself to me as a potential source of pure elation (and equally of dread and lots and lots of frustration but that’s for another thread). So if you’re lucky enough to have your ride and die horse, please do give them extra cuddles and carrots later. What a gift!

  • I then discovered riding holidays in Portugal with classical dressage schoolmasters where you go for a week of intensive lessons. This is where I found a bit more structure and consistency, which really helped me go from a complete school pony beginner to novice on proper horses. I still remember being on such a high when I did my first flying change and felt the extended trot. And of course being an absolute twerp with ideas above my station i had the perfect excuse to buy all the fancy gear because I thought hey I’m a serious equestrian now. So yes I have another string to my bow. I am indeed the textbook “all the (box fresh) gear, no idea” type.

  • For now I found a happy medium of intensive lessons in Portugal every couple months, a novice proof slightly older ex-eventing horse at my trainers yard that I get to ride very occasionally when his owner is away and then very irregularly with this saintly PSG level Westphalian schoolmaster who did take on a novice as I am proof (albeit indoor school only and very controlled with a BD instructor). And YES of course I did ask if I can buy these horses for a ridiculous amount but I was graciously turned down. So this is where i got the idea from really.

  • I’m fully aware my budget is the least of my worries. Although you could also say I am at risk of being taken to the cleaners (but thankfully I have professionals around me) so it is as someone said a double edged sword. I started being price agnostic because I didn’t really know how to value the right horse for what I need and want. One professional rider who asked me about my budget told me I almost gave her a hernia when I responded. She demanded that I seek her advice before considering anything and vowed to help me not get rinsed!

  • after looking for sometime, I think the sweet spot is £30-50k, for something correct and established but not too old with known history and where I found to have the least amount of behavioural and medical compromises. Those below 20k I get a little bit suspicious. Equally, I realise that as I go above £75k the horses get less and less suited for my riding level. Please don’t shoot me as this is purely anecdotal and based on my inexperience and I am not claiming this as a statistical fact.
 
Although some people may not agree most horses can be schooled to a decent level achieving a decent dressage classification, even hairy cobs (although some ‘snobby’ dressage judges will automatically view them as less able).
If you want a ‘ready made’ top quality horse you’ll be looking a while and obviously will have to pay for it. A show hunter / riding horse may well suit you. No reason why a horse can’t show and do dressage - many do, and a show hunter has to be sane enough to cope with alsorts of environments, weather and ride judges. Now is a good time of year to look for one moving up from novice classes. Sounds like you e the budget to go to one of the well established producers and ask if they know of a suitable horse. They may also have something that’s ready to step back from showing but could transfer to the centre line. You need to think outside the box remembering both show and dressage peeps may be biased towards their speciality but it doesn’t mean their horses are.
 
neverexplain said:
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!
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@neverexplain the horse may have ‘taken off’ with you but probably didn’t bolt. Just went a little faster than you could cope with, probably because you became unbalanced after the spook. Many years ago a friend of mine who was taking up riding after a break bought a Clydesdale x - before they were trendy! Said horse was VERY ugly but did everything asked and they were fab together but….she decided to upgrade to a more classy model and surprise or not spent the next few years wishing she had her old sane, sensible horse who would be worth a fair bit in todays market. If you’ve 75k to spend go to an established producer and ask their advice and then take it!! By established l’m thinking being around horses for more than 40 years. Good luck.
 
SO1 said:
www.horsequest.co.uk

Absolutely Top Class winning Middle weight Hunter

<p>Legs is always in the top few.</p> <p>Qualified every year Hoys and RIHS Placed every time ,would also make a top class Amateur and carries the side saddle.</p> <p>Legs has many strings to his bow, would love to keep him on the yard.</p> <p>Home most important.</p> <p>No vices easy to do...
www.horsequest.co.uk www.horsequest.co.uk
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Out of interest, what price would be on that? Sold with a HOYS ticket by Katie Jerram?
.
 
ycbm said:
Out of interest, what price would be on that? Sold with a HOYS ticket by Katie Jerram?
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It's an old ad, it's been on the market for a while so will no longer have the hoys ticket but I would guesstimate £30k-£40k.

For OP if you do consider a show horses the best ones usually don't come on the open market. Your best bet would be to reach out to the best producers directly (the likes of Katie, Rob Walker, Jo Bates, Danielle Heath to name a few)
 
Roxylola said:
Honestly the Ferrari type comments don't go far enough. It's more like having driven a fiesta and thinking that will give you the skills to fly a helicopter!
There's a meme type thing I see from time to time on social media - you don't need a 20k horse you need a 5k horse and 15k of lessons. It's harsh but not so far off the mark.
OP, you've got a fab budget and a real determined attitude which I think is fabulous. Id really look in your shoes to sponsor a good local rider who maybe doesn't have a big budget and buy something they compete and teach you on. And possibly a second nice but not world beating one for you to compete and develop with now.
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This. A PSG horse will have so many very subtle and different buttons, you haven't a hope of finding and using them without thousands of hours of lessons.
 
I find this all a bit unbelievable tbh. Someone selling a 50 to 75k horse wouldn’t entertain a novice rider coming to try them surely? Horses in that price range are serious competition horses and I would imagine any seller would be looking for the appropriate, possibly even proven, home for them and I don’t think you’d get past an initial phone call. I am not putting riding schools down in any way at all, but wow - that’s a leap isn’t it??
 
Get some dressage schoolmasters lessons first, if you post your county I am sure people will be able to advise. It won't be the same as riding school type lessons.

For buying, I'd suggest a well trained PRE, they have esay going temperaments, and stabling on a yard with/near a good dressage instructor to have lots of private lessons.

I do have similar aspirations and although much more experience than you, I have a very small budget (think 4k for the horse and field kept at home). Facilities (a good indoor) and lots of private lessons make a big difference, as do temperament and training of the horse.
 
mustardsmum said:
I find this all a bit unbelievable tbh. Someone selling a 50 to 75k horse wouldn’t entertain a novice rider coming to try them surely? Horses in that price range are serious competition horses and I would imagine any seller would be looking for the appropriate, possibly even proven, home for them and I don’t think you’d get past an initial phone call. I am not putting riding schools down in any way at all, but wow - that’s a leap isn’t it??
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Well just because someone says a horse is worth £70.000 doesn't mean it really is and there are plenty of people around with more money than sense.
 
I had a friend you bought a super fancy horse. She was a fairly competent novice, horse was a very sharp competition horse. She paid an absolute fortune to have him ridden by pros, and she got on once a week to have a walk around and have pictures taken.
I wouldn’t want that, but to each their own.
Just bear in mind OP that the fancy horses tend to need a particular type of rider, and a different sort of riding regime to keep them in top form.
 
I was gifted a dressage schoolmaster that would have been perfect to ride (he would have hurt you in the stable because he spotted person with victim tattooed on their forehead and saw it as sport to bite them) but he would have been perfect ridden… competed at the nationals GP and did one time tempis for fun (harder to stop him doing them once he’d started tbh) he was ace I could put a complete novice on him tbh he didn’t care. Not all high competing horses are hot and essentially dangerous - not that I would have sold him for all the tea in china and India but he would have been safe.
 
gallopingby said:
Hmmm so this is another spoof post? I suppose the ‘snob’ part and the 75k should have given it away along with the lack of previous posts but some interesting comments made nevertheless.
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I don't know about 'spoof' but the OP is not genuine.

However, as you say, there have been some interesting comments, which I believe has made it a worthwhile thread.
 
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