Buying a 4/5 year old..

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risky business

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Just so I'm clear I'm not in any position to buy as of yet and won't be for atleast a year. I didn't think some pre-planning or thoughts would be a bad thing though!

So iv been riding for almost 20 years, had riding lessons every week until I was about 13 when I got my own. Iv had lessons on and off over the years since then I suppose. (Currently horseless have been for 2 years).

Been thinking about the option of buying a younger horse with low milage around the 4/5 year old mark.. I have my reservations though, Iv never had a young horse before you see.

When does one have enough experience to look at bringing on a green horse?

I'm not a nervous rider by any means and I am known for my sticky seat, still I'm undecided on the matter of green or established?
 
Depends on the horse. I've just bought a ten year old, turns out his done nothing and is as green as a baby, so buying an older one is not always a sure thing!!

As long as your willing to accept professional help, have lots of lessons and take your time, you could do worst.
 
We have a young pony now and others in the past. Personally I think patience and regular time is the key to looking after a young horse. Being able to ride and do ground work little and often and expecting 3 steps forward and 2 back (not literally!) is I think what is needed rather than endless experience, although access to regular sympathetic instruction is very useful. When it goes well the feeling is great, but it can be frustrating if you are impatient.
 
I had riding lessons and one riding holiday pre teen years then part loaned and eventually bought first horse mid twenties who went lame in first year. I then bought an unbacked 3 year old who I had backed fhen rode for quite a few years, that broke and last year I bought a rising 5 ISH. If buying a young one you will have ups and downs, the perfect behaviour followed by the unexpected, as long as you stick with it and work through it you will be fine!

I would do it all again in a heartbeat!
 
You sound in a similar position to me. I've been riding and owning horses for over 20 years now and have recently bought a newly broken 5yo to bring on as my next dressage prospect.

I've bought the best horse I could possibly afford. She's well put together and a really lovely person to boot. I could never have afforded her if she were more established so this was the only way I could own such a nice horse.

That said, the only reason I felt confident enough to buy such a green horse was that I am on an amazing yard with an extremely knowledgeable, helpful and all round lovely YO who is happy to help me bring her on.

So I'd say as long as you have help and support in place go for it :)
 
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Thank you for the replies so far!

I would be more than willing to get an instructor on the go, I think that would be my plan with any new horse just to get me back in the rhythm of things.

I guess I could end up with an equally green older horse, good point!

I guess iv done the whole 3 steps forward and two steps back with my last Welshy mare, stubborn little thing (God rest her soul!)...

I guess I just don't want to potentially do wrong by a youngster. Then saying that trying to retrain an older horse can be a tricky business also!
 
risky business said:
I'm not a nervous rider by any means and I am known for my sticky seat,
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Then you have enough experience to give it a go, combined with your liking of lessons there's no reason you can't make a success of bringing on a youngster. You'll only get direct experience of bringing on youngsters by doing just that. Go for it :smile3:

ETA: It's a learning curve if you've never done it before. Older horses with problems that you've had to overcome is good experience, but youngters are something else entirely because they're not trying to get one over on you like the older horse is. The older quirky ones often have a list of evasions as long as your arm already worked out to test you with, but the youngsters just don't understand what you want. It's a slightly different skill set but there's absolutely no reason why you can't learn new things at the same time as the horse, just means things might take a little longer that's all.
 
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FestiveFuzz said:
You sound in a similar position to me. I've been riding and owning horses for over 20 years now and have recently bought a newly broken 5yo to bring on as my next dressage prospect.

I've bought the best horse I could possibly afford. She's well put together and a really lovely person to boot. I could never have afforded her if she were more established so this was the only way I could own such a nice horse.

That said, the only reason I felt confident enough to buy such a green horse was that I am on an amazing yard with an extremely knowledgeable, helpful and all round lovely YO who is happy to help me bring her on.

So I'd say as long as you have help and support in place go for it :)
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Very much what I was thinking. I've not been riding as long and I do worry a little that we're not progressing as quickly or as well as we should or could. Depends v much on getting a horse with the right attitude and have plenty of help. Been a great experience for me so far though, over one year down the road.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
It's a learning curve if you've never done it before. Older horses with problems that you've had to overcome is good experience, but youngters are something else entirely because they're not trying to get one over on you like the older horse is. The older quirky ones often have a list of evasions as long as your arm already worked out to test you with, but the youngsters just don't understand what you want. It's a slightly different skill set but there's absolutely no reason why you can't learn new things at the same time as the horse, just means things might take a little longer that's all.
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Very informative thank you!

Id be in no hurry to get things perfect, I'm not really looking to compete or do anything particularly challenging just have a nice well rounded horse to do a bit of everything with at home.

Bit of a drag having to wait a year but gives me chance to save up I guess so went the time comes I have atleast got a decent budget!
 
Young horses are fab! 4 year olds are the safest bet not to already have an established issue. You've just got to be confident, consistent, dish out loads of praise and reassurance and round up a few friends for nannying duties. You'll love it :)
 
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Young horses are fab! 4 year olds are the safest bet not to already have an established issue. You've just got to be confident, consistent, dish out loads of praise and reassurance and round up a few friends for nannying duties. You'll love it :)
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Can't agree with that! They are an unknown quantity and can often hit the Kevin's at 4 or 5. I have brought on some baby horses and while it was a good experience, I certainly was tested at times. My priorities were different last time I bought a horse and I wanted a horse who had done more so I could get out and compete properly again. I did have help and training. The other consideration was that I bought young completion horses so they were generally a bit of a handful anyway.
 
My current cob was bought at 4/5yrs and has just turned 8yrs.

I have ridden/owned horses for over 30 yrs but this was my first youngster, and despite a few challenges along the way, including a very testing 'teenage' stage at 5 rising 6, have no regrets at all.

Having a youngster has taught me so much and the real reward is that I have somehow 'designed' him into the exact horse I wanted as have done all his schooling myself. He responds in the way I want as has had no other influences, and have a much stronger bond with him than any more established horse I have owned.

I would like to think I will have him for life, but would have no hesitation in having another youngster in the future, as he has given me such a positive experience.
 
If you are picky about temperament, prepared for some ups and downs and are in a position to invest in some serious training to get you through the inevitable sticky patches then go for it!

I bought my current horse as a just backed 3yo. I can ride but am not amazing by any means. I bought off my YO having seen the horse's fantastic attitude to the backing process. The fact that he's equally awesome in every other way is just a bonus. I have always felt very safe on him, much more so than my previous horse who I got when he was almost 9.

But like others who have posted on this thread I have fantastic support and backup at my yard, and even with a sweet wonderful easy horse wouldn't have been able to manage, and wouldn't have even contemplated taking on a youngster without it.
 
Thanks so much guys!

I absolutely intend to be picky about temperament having never really minded before. I really want a horse I can feel safe on and gel with almost right away.

Iv never really chosen my previous horses I kind of ended up with them through others so this time I really want to take my time to find 'the one'.

I won't just be looking at youngsters though I want to keep an open mind when I can finally start looking. Good to be reassured that I'm not being completely outrageous in thinking about a youngun!

Iv got plenty of yards I could move to for support luckily.
 
I think you've got the right approach.

When I started looking for my next horse a few months back I was fairly set on having something established so I could get out and have fun immediately. However it soon became apparent that many horses in the £5-6k bracket that are established come with either quirks or medical issues (at least in my experience). At least with Pops I know she's a blank canvas so I'm not having to deal with other people's issues.
 
With your experience of horses I would say go for it. Yes it will be a learning curve, but it can be a hugely enjoyable and rewarding one.
IMO better a blank canvass than one someone, two or three have already scribbled on,
 
Definitely go for it. My horse was older than that when I bought but was as green as a younger horse. He is still lovely and doesn't worry if I am nervous he tries his best for me and yeah he should be further ahead in his training but he is my horse and will never be sold so it doesn't matter that he isn't doing elementary or medium tests yet and not jumping over a metre. Just have some fun you don't get all of the issues of an older horse.
 
Age is not concern, how it was reared as a young horse, how and when it was broken and ridden away is. As is breed and type.
 
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