Buying a better horse than you actually need

[Birker2020]

I've been to three viewings now and apart from the first one which was a nice quality horse (but had potential lameness/neuro issues) I've decided to up my budget in order to purchase the type of horse similar to the one I lost. To give you an idea she was a big moving warmblood with nice paces, which screamed 'look at me!', and had lovely manners and smashing presence.

At shows I was always being asked what her breeding was and people were really surprised at her age as they always thought she was a lot younger than she was. I was able to do so much with her during the time I had her including grassroots 3 day events, Le Trec, SJ, unaffiliated dressage and hacking on our own for hours. We never had lessons so every win, every placing, every effort was all our own work which felt more of an achievement.

I've seen a horse I really like but it is way over my budget (by 5K) but I could potentially buy it but would be almost out of any savings I then have put aside for a rainy day, i.e. if the car engine goes or we need to replace the boiler, or whatever. The way I've been brought up is to always have some in reserve and I hate relying on a credit card.

In terms of movement and jumping ability the horse I've seen has it all. Someone commented that the horse is too good for me, they meant that it was too good for what I wanted to do, not that I couldn't ride one side of it. I would manage such a horse (haven't done anything for nearly four years) but I would have lessons this time round. The type of horse I'm interested in I think they'd expect some size 10 rider to view it, so would be in for a shock if I turned up. The weight loss is ongoing.

But if you have the means to be able to purchase a horse with loads of BS winnings (£300 plus) if all you want to do is pop round the local riding club 3ft class once a fortnight is it wrong to do that, if it meant the horse wasn't green and you felt safe and confident on it?

The YO is holding my stable and from the 1st of next week there is nominal charge to do so, she has been great for the past nearly four months so I don't blame her at all. So I feel like the pressure is off and I am in no immediate rush to buy as I'm paying for the stable now. The horse I tried on Sunday was no good, I watched the video my partner had taken of me riding and didn't feel too hopeless and the weight loss seemed to show which was good. I'm just so out of practice and I am going to start having lessons on a riding school horse.

But I can save more money, probably realistically £500 a month so would be able to afford something nice if the prices don't go down by next spring.

 

[Annagain]

If you like him, he's not too much of a handful and you can afford him I don't see the problem with that. He doesn't lie awake at night wishing he was at Hickstead.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

In terms of movement and jumping ability the horse I've seen has it all. Someone commented that the horse is too good for me, they meant that it was too good for what I wanted to do, not that I couldn't ride one side of it.

I see no problem in buying a horse that is 'too good for you'. The horse doesn't care that it could be out there competing at a higher level. If you were a total novice that might be different but you aren't and you want a good horse. Go for the best you can afford if that horse will suit you.

 

[Birker2020]

If you like him, he's not too much of a handful and you can afford him I don't see the problem with that. He doesn't lie awake at night wishing he was at Hickstead.

You are right, I'm probably over thinking it. I just want a horse that will look after me more than anything, my last horse had all the looks, presence, paces but could be a total nightmare if she didn't like a filler or a shaft of sunlight across the arena floor!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Not meeting a horse's potential wouldn't worry me but personally buying a horse over my budget that meant using all my savings would terrify me.

Apologies if I've misunderstood the post & that's not your plan.

I'd personally rather sit tight to find a suitable horse either in your current budget (to allow the retention of your back up funds) or look again when you've had a chance to up your budget.

 

[Orangehorse]

Although I would agree that the horse doesn't care what it does, usually, spending all your money on a horse with nothing left is a bit scarey.

Some horses that have been going out to competitions regularly do seem to get "bored" with lack of work, rather than the type of work or maybe they are the sort that need plenty of work to keep them rideable, so that is something else to bear in mind.

 

[Xmasha]

Although I would agree that the horse doesn't care what it does, usually, spending all your money on a horse with nothing left is a bit scarey.

Some horses that have been going out to competitions regularly do seem to get "bored" with lack of work, rather than the type of work or maybe they are the sort that need plenty of work to keep them rideable, so that is something else to bear in mind.

This with knobs on.

 

[Goldenstar]

If you like the horse buy it is my motto .
Theres no pockets in a shroud .

 

[Bernster]

Ooh tricky one. If it’s the right horse and otherwise ticks the boxes, but is more money, then I would go for it as long as it doesn’t cripple you financially or at least not long term!l But I’m not very prudent with money!

There‘s a risk you over horse yourself so bear that in mind but that is not so much the price, that’s about the horse itself.

Bertie was more money and more talented than I needed. Whilst I hope I can get to do what he’s capable of, i really don’t think he gives a monkeys what level we are at as long as he’s being looked after, is happy and well.

 

[Birker2020]

Not meeting a horse's potential wouldn't worry me but personally buying a horse over my budget that meant using all my savings would terrify me.

Apologies if I've misunderstood the post & that's not your plan.

I'd personally rather sit tight to find a suitable horse either in your current budget (to allow the retention of your back up funds) or look again when you've had a chance to up your budget.

Yes I think you are right. People are saying go and view him but i don't want to waste anyone's time, that's the thing. Maybe if I made them an offer but that doesn't sit right with me either. I'd hate to be labelled a time waster or joy rider, when it was evident after about two minutes of sitting on it that the horse wasn't for me on Sunday I got off, although I did have a cheeky canter as I'd gone a long way to view him. As it happens his canter wouldn't have been suitable for my back anyway.

 

[Leandy]

You are perfectly entitled to buy yourself a nice horse! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So long as you are capable of riding the horse and it will thrive with the management and work you will provide it then I see no problem at all. Just because someone wants to be a happy hacker doesn't mean they need to stick to a common plod. Do take into account though that if you will significantly change the horse's management, lifestyle and work level, that it may change the horse's demeanour and way of going and it may be difficult to predict how that will go.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Perhaps stop thinking of the horse as 'better' than you need and thinkof it as 'more capable' than you need. Who knows what you might decide to do if the horse can do it?

 

[Leandy]

Yes I think you are right. People are saying go and view him but i don't want to waste anyone's time, that's the thing. Maybe if I made them an offer but that doesn't sit right with me either. I'd had to be labelled a time waster or joy rider, when it was evident after about two minutes of sitting on it that the horse wasn't for me on Sunday I got off, although I did have a cheeky canter as I'd gone a long way.

You aren't wasting anyone's time if you have a serious intention of buying if the horse suits. You do need to be capable and prepared to stump up something close to the asking price though if you like him. It would be timewasting and rude to go, say yes you love him and he would be great but I can't afford him and offer say 50% of the purchase price. So long as you are up for parting with at least 80% of the purchase price, I think you are not timewasting. No problem with making an offer in that range. Happens all the time. They may or may not negotiate depending on other interest they have had.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I don’t think there is any problem with buying a horse more talented than you “need” provided you enjoy riding it. A good horse with a willing temperament will most likely encourage you to do more than you first anticipated whilst the wrong one may make your riding ambitions a lot smaller. It may even be that in the current market your budget although (if I recall correctly) is generous still isn’t enough.

However I am wary of spending a lot more than your initial budget because in my experience spending more doesn’t always mean you’ll get the right horse or one that doesn’t have issues when you get it home. Just be careful you’re not making a decision based on being fed up with looking or thinking you’ll never find what you really want for your budget. If you’re happy it’s a good sound decision then go ahead, any purchase of a horse is a leap of faith to some extent.

 

[Laurac13]

How would you feel if someone else bought the horse ? Would you be gutted? Something to consider ?

 

[MinKo]

But if you have the means to be able to purchase a horse with loads of BS winnings (£300 plus) if all you want to do is pop round the local riding club 3ft class once a fortnight is it wrong to do that, if it meant the horse wasn't green and you felt safe and confident on it?

yes it's called Pot Hunting

 

[Vodkagirly]

Given the popularity of 60/70cm classes and intro dressage. I think most people have more horse than they need.
Personally if you like the horse, can afford to loose the purchase price if it all goes wrong (I think this applies to any purchase) and the temperament is right - go for it

 

[Bernster]

Hmm, I don’t think that’s right. Maybe when you’ve had it a while, if you’re then hoovering up the prize money well below the capacity of both horse and rider, then possibly yes. But buying a more capable horse and then competing lower levels as a new partnership, that isn’t my notion of pot hunting. And even if it is, if OP wants the horse and is ok with that, why should someone else’s view of whether she’s pot hunting stop her ?‍

All hypothetical atm ofc until/unless OP goes to view.

 

[chaps89]

Do take into account though that if you will significantly change the horse's management, lifestyle and work level, that it may change the horse's demeanour and way of going and it may be difficult to predict how that will go.

This

plus you have previously posted about having to pay your vets back in instalments and money being tight. I’m not sure it’s very sensible to go emptying your (generic, anyone’s) savings pot.
My approach is to not spend more than I could feel comfortable about losing, that amount will be different for different people, and means for me at the moment I’m priced out of the current market, but to empty my savings account on something that could break the day I get it home would terrify me.
You also mention wanting to have lessons with the new horse, could you do that if you’d emptied your savings account.

 

[spacefaer]

I'd want to make sure that any winnings/level of competition didn't put me out of eligibility for the level of competition I wanted to do

 

[Melody Grey]

If you can afford it and handle it, go for it. Do keep in mind though that some sellers (especially if they’ve bred or
Produced the horse) might want it to go on to a competitive home that will better it?

 

[Annagain]

I mean this in the nicest possible way Birker so please don't take offence but I think you need to temper your excitement a little and maybe only worry about these things once you've seen the horse in question rather than thinking through every single thing the second you see an advert for something that might be worth a look. You might get there and really not like him - that wouldn't be wasting anyone's time, it's just one of those things.

So far you've thought that every single horse you've seen is going to be the one and none of them have been. I get it, I was the same to a certain extent but soon learned not to get my hopes up too much to protect myself from the disappointment. By all means go to see him but go with an open mind rather than thinking because he's already doing more than you would want to do he must be perfect.

 

[paddi22]

I'd just be conscious that established horses often don't automatically turn into schoolmasters.These horses are often used to very confident riders who balance them, get them the right speed and can place to them fences. I've seen SO many times people buying horses like this and thinking they will cruise around lower courses and it doesn't always turn out that way. it might, but not always. horses like that can turn into very tricky animals with amateur riders, the problems can range from them not being used to carrying unbalanced riders, to not liking riders with unsteady hands or aids. To just realising they not need to worry about knocking poles, or realising they can just run out. It all depends on the horses temperament. But there's no guarantee it will suit an amateur rider automatically.

I think with buying higher level quality horses your main thought has to be 'do I have the potential to be the rider this horse needs?' rather than 'can this horse downgrade to do a lower level'

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If you can afford it and handle it, go for it. Do keep in mind though that some sellers (especially if they’ve bred or
Produced the horse) might want it to go on to a competitive home that will better it?

This is true someone I know rang a dealer that had some top level dressage horses on sales livery, they asked what level she was riding at and what she was intending to do with the horse, because she wasn't a competition home and no where near the horses level they wouldn't even let her view them.

 

[J&S]

It sounds to me that you would like a horse that has already reached his/her potential and is now on the way down.
The horse would have all the manners/education/ability that you require but you would have no guilty feelings about letting him/her take it a bit more easily. Also might be a bit cheaper??

 

[Birker2020]

I don't think that's fair. I want a schoolmaster type as I don't bounce anymore, so I want something that isn't going to run out at fences at the last stride, or duck its shoulder and send me flying because their is a shaft of sunlight between the double of jumps. When you are in a large class of unaffiliated and there's 40's and 50's in the class and you get placed its a huge achievement - I don't agree its all down to the horse, I put my heart and soul into it and we were placed in large classes a lot, but not due to speed as I'm no speed demon, it was cutting corners more than anything in the jump offs!

I loved Bailey with a passion but I'm not looking through rose tinted glasses, I had some nasty falls with her because she was very spooky at certain fillers, I've had the results of my MRI back and luckily the consultant says I do not need spinal surgery but I have wear and tear on my si joint which is causing the symptoms I've been experiencing so I don't want to put myself at further risk of injury by buying a horse that is not experienced over fillers.

Of course accidents happen with horses but I am trying to negate the risk as much as I can, without having to diffuse the type I like with too much cold blood. It is certainly not a case of pot hunting but self preservation.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Since you've viewed a few now and been a bit disappointed at the viewing, maybe you should let someone that knows you well/a trainer help?

I've bought off of a video without a viewing and would do so again, but I know how to read between the lines, so to speak, and can tell a lot from a video. Plus, I buy green horses so my expectations might not be as high. Anyway, my point is, and I mean this kindly, is maybe you need another eye to help you. Someone thorough and experienced that knows your abilities. This may lead to you spending less time on viewings that don't work out. I may he off base here, but just a suggestion in case it's applicable.

As for a horse being "too good" for the owner/rider, sometimes it's not a problem, sometimes it is. Depends on the horse. I've seen it work, and I've also seen it fail (frustrated horse, rider loses confidence, etc.). So I would really pay attention to the horses character. Some won't step down so well and/or be able to take a joke.

 

[Birker2020]

It sounds to me that you would like a horse that has already reached his/her potential and is now on the way down.
The horse would have all the manners/education/ability that you require but you would have no guilty feelings about letting him/her take it a bit more easily. Also might be a bit cheaper??

Do you think? You might be right. I'm kind of thinking I need to be looking at the 10-12 age range maybe to get a horse like that.
My first horse was a Grade B SJ, I had no idea when we bought him what Grade B meant, what affiliated was, I just wanted something that was nice and well behaved and he didn't let me down. He never once ran out of a jump and he is the type of horse I really need I think.

Its taken me a long time to realise what type i want, friends were trying to steer me away from WB types but its the type I'm i love with really. That or ISH which have a lot of WB in them. Its easier to say what I like than what I don't for fear of offending people.

 

[Birker2020]

Since you've viewed a few now and been a bit disappointed at the viewing, maybe you should let someone that knows you well/a trainer help?

.

Great advice CC. I don't have a trainer, I probably had about 10 lessons in total on Bails and haven't competed for 5 years before I lost her so don't have that avenue of trust with someone who knows me and my capability. I agree with what you have said and my horse physio friend has offered to come with me. The trouble is she works Saturdays and in order to get first look in at a horse I need to be there first thing on a Saturday morning with the market the way it is at the moment. Sunday is usually too late, the horse is gone. As it happened this viewing was a Sunday as the owner didn't want to advertise the horse (and I now know why). That's why we could go on Sunday, but my friend was unable to come with me as she had a prior arrangement. I am able to decipher a lot of unsuitable horses by either reading between the lines of the ads or watching the horse move when I have requested a video to be sent to me by a seller, so I'm lucky in that respect, I've had a lot of practice with watching videos with my physio friend to guide me when she's been round ours for tea, so its really helpful, and of course experience with Bailey and her zillions of issues!

I am due to see another friend who posts on here from time to time so I will ask her whether she would be able to come to a viewing with me, again its always an availability issue as she competes often on a Saturday.

 

[Birker2020]

Do you think? You might be right J&S. I'm kind of thinking I need to be looking at the 10-12 age range maybe to get a horse like that.

My first horse was a Grade B SJ aged 11, I had no idea when we bought him what Grade B meant, what affiliated was, I just wanted something that was nice and well behaved and he didn't let me down. He never once ran out of a jump and he is the type of horse I really need I think. I tracked down his groom who used to groom for his rider abroad and she said he used to do all the speed classes and the derby's, he was great, I wish I had that opportunity again.

Its taken me a long time this time to realise what type i want, friends were trying to steer me away from WB types because I was worried about injurying myself but its the type I'm i love with really. That or ISH which have a lot of WB in them. Its easier to say what I like than what I don't for fear of offending people, especially people on the yard who have taken offence with certain things I don't want in a horse.