boxley

[boxley]

Hi, I am a novice but have been thinking of purchasing pony for my grandson for some time. The pony he rides at present is owned by the stables and was not actually for sale. I approached the manager and she said would condiser sale. She is a good , sound all rounder and my grandson handles her really well. The riding school is used and approved by the local authority for its equine courses and the horses are vetted every 12 months. She is ridden on average once or sometimes twice a day for intermediate /higher level riders, rested for 2 out of seven days and and would remain on the yard to be ridden once a day after purchase. This would suit us as present time is not available to totally commit to full care and exercise. I have considered a vet test but would like opinion as to what others think. We have known the pony for at least 12 months and she has no health issues on her passport She would be ridden just for pleasure not competitions. She was not actually up for sale and manager will continue to keep her on the yard even if we decide not to go ahead. I would be most grateful for any advice/opinions, we are not in a hurry and head is definitely ruling heart. Even though she is beautiful and my grandson has fallen in love with her. As yet he does not know about my intentions as I want to be sure and prevent any disappointment.
Thanks

 

[Queenbee]

Hi, I am a novice but have been thinking of purchasing pony for my grandson for some time. The pony he rides at present is owned by the stables and was not actually for sale. I approached the manager and she said would condiser sale. She is a good , sound all rounder and my grandson handles her really well. The riding school is used and approved by the local authority for its equine courses and the horses are vetted every 12 months. She is ridden on average once or sometimes twice a day for intermediate /higher level riders, rested for 2 out of seven days and and would remain on the yard to be ridden once a day after purchase. This would suit us as present time is not available to totally commit to full care and exercise. I have considered a vet test but would like opinion as to what others think. We have known the pony for at least 12 months and she has no health issues on her passport She would be ridden just for pleasure not competitions. She was not actually up for sale and manager will continue to keep her on the yard even if we decide not to go ahead. I would be most grateful for any advice/opinions, we are not in a hurry and head is definitely ruling heart. Even though she is beautiful and my grandson has fallen in love with her. As yet he does not know about my intentions as I want to be sure and prevent any disappointment.
Thanks

If your grandson gets on well with this horse and has a bond with her, then I'd say go for it. I'd absolutely get her five stage vetted it doesn't matter how long you've known her, there are so many conditions that can go unnoticed until it's too late. I'd also arrange for your grandson to hack her out alone as a trial. Many riding school horses seem perfect but in reality have become use to the follow the leader atmosphere of the riding school and are not happy when riding out alone, you would want to check this out before making a decision. If all goes well with lone hacking and a vet test then I'd say go for it.

 

[flintfootfilly]

Personally, I'd probably just pay for the grandson to have some extra lessons and/or rides out, rather than be committing your grandson or (depending on his age) his parents to the long term responsibility of a horse.

From the riding school's point of view, the arrangement sounds brilliant! If the horse ever has an injury or condition that requires them to retire or have a reduced workload, they can just ask you to move the horse on to another yard, or charge you a higher rate for full livery without the use of the horse in the school. It kind of protects them against the realistic future that working horses don't carry on working for ever.

Worth thinking what your grandson would do should that happen. Has he shown the commitment, hard work and realism to be able to deal with that situation. Does he want that commitment and the responsibility for tough decisions. Can he afford to insure the horse against vets fees etc (I don't insure, but isn't it around £300 a month now, and still has limits)? Is he close enough to the riding school, and available enough, to be able to go up several times a day if the horse is injured and needs more intensive care.... or does he have the funds to be able to pay the riding school to do that. Is he at an age where he really wants the long term responsibility of a horse, or is he just starting out in his working life and more likely to be moving around for work, working long and varied hours, and prioritising other things over and above looking after a horse?

When the riding school decides they know longer need the horse there, I would expect they will only be required to give around a month's notice. How does that sound in terms of suddenly being thrown in at the deep end?

Oh, the other thing I'd think of paying for, would be for the grandson to go on either an evening class to do the BHS horse owner's certificates and/or some riding holidays to get more hands-on experience of the day to day commitments.

This is quite a useful (and sobering) leaflet produced by the BHS, giving an idea of the sort of costs involved in owning a horse: http://www.bhs.org.uk/~/media/BHS/Files/PDF Documents/Buying and owning your first horse.ashx

and this is general blurb on buying and owning your first horse: http://www.bhs.org.uk/~/media/BHS/Files/PDF Documents/Buying and owning your first horse.ashx

Hope all goes well, whatever you decide to do.

Sarah