Buying a horse and experience

[Elopi]

Looking for advice and opinions,

is it necessary to be a competent rider before owning a horse? I've been taking lessons weekly for roughly 2 years, and I have part-loaned a variety of horses/ponies. I don't see myself as a competent rider - I don't jump or do dressage or cross country. During my lessons I always focus on my flatwork and mainly improving my riding, however my desire for owning my own horse is growing stronger each day. I am a confident rider and I love spending time around animals, however I am hesitant about whether I would be judged/struggle owning one. I would be able to manage financially and have enough knowledge of yard jobs. My main concern is where the horse would be stabled.
I would love to keep my horse at my riding school, however I feel like I would be out of place as many of the riders there are way more experienced than me and I'm worried that my instructor would not agree to the idea as she would think I'm not experienced enough. On the other hand, if I kept the horse at a livery how would that work? Would they allow me to stable my horse there even if it's my first horse? I have so many questions and doubts however my concience is just telling me to take the plunge and go for it as it's something I really want and would enjoy, I love having a routine and want to take it further than just loaning or taking lessons weekly.

Thanks fir any advice/suggestions

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would expect your instructor to be the best person to advise you, as they know you best.

 

[Leandy]

Agree, have a chat with your instructor. Many people do what you are proposing and most people buy their own horse at some time before they become "competent" riders. Put the other way around, it is fairly unusual to become a competent rider without having your own horse. To be able to keep it at your riding school at least initially would be ideal because then they could give you the extra support you know you need. If that isn't possible then they should be able to suggest other suitable local livery yards which would be able to help you to progress your knowledge and skills. If your current riding school takes liveries generally, I would be very surprised if they would turn you down if they have space as you will be good business for them and are obviously a loyal client. Maybe you will soon become one of those more competent riders you are currently looking at in awe? They all started somewhere. Why not have a chat with some of them about when they got their first horse? I bet you will be surprised how encouraging they will be. Good luck!

 

[Elopi]

Agree, have a chat with your instructor. Many people do what you are proposing and most people buy their own horse at some time before they become "competent" riders. Put the other way around, it is fairly unusual to become a competent rider without having your own horse. To be able to keep it at your riding school at least initially would be ideal because then they could give you the extra support you know you need. If that isn't possible then they should be able to suggest other suitable local livery yards which would be able to help you to progress your knowledge and skills. If your current riding school takes liveries generally, I would be very surprised if they would turn you down if they have space as you will be good business for them and are obviously a loyal client. Maybe you will soon become one of those more competent riders you are currently looking at in awe? They all started somewhere. Why not have a chat with some of them about when they got their first horse? I bet you will be surprised how encouraging they will be. Good luck!

Thank you for your reply, and I totally agree with you. My riding school do take liveries however they rarely have space. I'm not sure if i have the confidence to bring up the topic of owning a horse to my instructor - I will try!

 

[Flame_]

You don't need to be a competent rider if you buy a beginner's horse!

If you are inexperienced in horse care it would be important to keep it somewhere with lots of support and supervision whilst you're new to it but as long as you can afford that and you are open to taking lots of (only good!) advice on board, do it there's no reason why not IMHO

 

[kc921]

In all honesty I took lessons for 2 weeks, had 2 full days at a yard and then went and brought my horse, it was the best thing I did.
I was lucky as my auntie and nan had horses when I was alot younger so had advice when I needed it.

I basically self taught to ride and I loved it, I got a hacking horse which didn't like schooling and I taught him to school and taught him to go off voice commands.

Now 5 years down the line I have a TB ex racer and still have hand only a handful of lessons.

Go for it and good luck

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Some riding schools let you share a horse. This might be a good next step before taking on the full commitment. You could do more of the care and ride outside a lesson.

Owning a horse is fab. It’s likely to cost more than you think as various things can add up e.g. vet, physio, lessons, equipment, clipping. See what your instructor thinks, you’ll want them to come and view any horse with you.

 

[popletaa]

I would go for it. I honestly don't think anyone is truly knowledgable enough for a horse until they just take the plunge and get one, I had been riding/loaning for about 20 years and thought I knew enough... nope! It's a steep learning curve but everyone goes through it with their first horse, you'll just learn as you go along. Just make sure that you get a horse to suit your experience and find a yard with lovely people that are willing to help you out. Good luck!

 

[mini_b]

If you have the financial means to and can source a suitable novice horse go for it!

Bear in mind the most important part here (bar the horse being totally suited) is that you have a good support network.

A good instructor you like and trust and then a yard owner/manager that understands you are novice and is willing to help. Not leave you to your own devices then chastise you when it goes wrong (because it does, and you will learn from it!)

also one thing to bear in mind is the most beginner horse can sometimes have a wobble when they move home, allow some settling in time - again hopefully your instructor/YO should advise with this.

the more you ride, the more competent you will become. Buy (loan?) the horse you need now, not what you want because confidence is a fragile thing.

good luck!! Xx

 

[Lois Lame]

I wonder how many who post on this forum were competent before getting their first horse. I sure wasn't. (I still aren't.)

As for being judged, there will always be someone who will judge. It's a part of life.

I agree with telling your instructor of your desire to get a horse. For one thing, s/he will be able to help with the sort of horse to look for and will probably agree to come and see the horse to give an opinion on suitability and health etc etc. before purchasing. You'll want to avoid all the traps and charlatans and downright liars. An instructor or experienced person will see through most.

 

[Kaylum]

I would maybe look for a horse share to begin with. I wouldn't buy a horse at the moment. I would wait until after lockdown and beyond. Even dealers who are meant to have a good reputation are selling lame horses just because they can.

And then there is the saga of actually buying one. And that needs a thread all of its own at the moment.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

In all honesty I wouldn’t be too worried about being a very novice rider...with the right horse and instructor and regular lessons you would improve rapidly. What would concern me is lack of knowledge of horse care and management, I genuinely think a course under your belt before owning would give a base on which to build. Our yard has older people who bought horses because they have disposable income now and their well meaning but uninformed actions cause problems for their own animals and those of others.

 

[Pippity]

Absolutely go for it, as long as you have a knowledgable support network around you. You definitely need to discuss it with your instructor, though.

I'd been back into riding for eight years when I bought my first horse, had shared a horse for five years, and was keeping mine on full livery so didn't need to worry about my stable care skills. I still nearly called the seller to take her back on the first evening because I was terrified I didn't know enough to keep her alive, never mind ride her. Two and a half years later, she's definitely still alive, and I have the bills to prove it.

 

[Bernster]

Agree about the network and good help, on a good yard. Id had a pony as a kid and did some lessons at a riding school as an adult, then went and bought my own. Now that I look back on it, I was pretty novice and didn’t know much, but I did have good help in choosing my first horse (who was a first horse for a teen who was also a novice) and in caring for and riding her.

 

[Trouper]

Stop wondering - start exploring! Open up those conversations with your instructor about the best way to acquire and keep a horse of your own and talk to others whose opinion you respect. I think a lot of us have learnt most actually "on the job" of keeping a horse so you will never go into it knowing everything. You just need to have support around you to help you thro' the early days.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Lots of good advice above, the only extra thing that I can add is, if you can, try to ride at other RS/friends' horses, there are different ways of doing things, that are not wrong, just different and which might be better for your horse, if/when you hit a problem.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I wonder how many who post on this forum were competent before getting their first horse. I sure wasn't. (I still aren't.)

This is definitely me. I accidentally bought an 8 year old connie just over from Ireland that with a decent rider on looked OK. I bought her home and didn't have the knowledge/skill to hold her together and it became apparent just how green she was! But she was very kind, very forgiving and very willing (on the whole, she is a mare at the end of the day).

 

[Hanno Verian]

Looking for advice and opinions,

is it necessary to be a competent rider before owning a horse? I've been taking lessons weekly for roughly 2 years, and I have part-loaned a variety of horses/ponies. I don't see myself as a competent rider - I don't jump or do dressage or cross country. During my lessons I always focus on my flatwork and mainly improving my riding, however my desire for owning my own horse is growing stronger each day. I am a confident rider and I love spending time around animals, however I am hesitant about whether I would be judged/struggle owning one. I would be able to manage financially and have enough knowledge of yard jobs. My main concern is where the horse would be stabled.
I would love to keep my horse at my riding school, however I feel like I would be out of place as many of the riders there are way more experienced than me and I'm worried that my instructor would not agree to the idea as she would think I'm not experienced enough. On the other hand, if I kept the horse at a livery how would that work? Would they allow me to stable my horse there even if it's my first horse? I have so many questions and doubts however my concience is just telling me to take the plunge and go for it as it's something I really want and would enjoy, I love having a routine and want to take it further than just loaning or taking lessons weekly.

Thanks fir any advice/suggestions

There are really two parts to this -

Ensuring that you get a suitable horse - Your instructor should be able to advise and ensure that you dont end up becoming completely overhorsed, your riding will come on massively when you have your own horse simply because you are quadrupling your saddle time, but back it up with tuition otherwise you'll spend the next few years trying to unpick your bad habits that will have become established before you know better. Dont forget that what you need now may not be what you need in a few years, there is a trade-off.

Ensuring that your horse is looked after correctly - Putting a horse on DIY as a novice is a recipe for disaster unless you have good support and by that I mean people who will spot where there is an issue that you arent aware of and help you deal with it, you should get this at a livery yard but thats not always the case. This also means working your horse for you to school it to keep it fit and going correctly until you are at a level where you can take this on more for yourself.

It can work, my technical knowledge in terms of horse management isnt great, I've always had partners who were more experienced in this area than me, I now keep my horse on a small yard on full livery, my horse is fully managed for me, I can ride when I want, my YM is also my trainer, who also sourced horses for me. We get on very well, my horse is well looked after, in fabulous condition and schooled for me my riding is coming on massively.

 

[Annagain]

You absolutely could get your own horse now - the important thing is you get the right horse and keep it at the right place with the right support and that you're open to listening and learning from those around you.

I've shared / owned horses for 30 years, since I was 13 and I'm still learning. There's plenty I don't know but I've managed to keep my horses alive and healthy to their late 20s (apart from my new boy who is only 6 at the moment) without much support. I had 'worked' at a riding school before my first share horse this so knew the very basics of how to muck out, groom, tack up etc but the pony was kept at his owner's home and I did the days she wasn't around so I had very little help as my parents were totally non-horsey. I just picked it up as I went along. Common sense and being calm in a crisis is 90% of it and if you're at the right yard you can ask for help with the other 10%.

As others have said, speak to your instructor. If the riding school can't accommodate a new livery, ask for recommendations for a local yard. I don't necessarily agree that you need full livery as I think you'll pick far more up doing everything day in day out but you do need a yard owner or manager who is around a lot of the time and happy to help you. If you do go down the DIY route, I'd also opt for somewhere that offers ad hoc services as I'd say the biggest shock to new horse owner are the twice a day / 365 days of the year visits so being able to take a holiday knowing the horse is cared for is a big help. You could also study the BHS modules for horse owners if you wanted to up your knowledge.

 

[Pippity]

To start with, I'd suggest 5/2 livery, so the yard does the weekdays but you do weekends.

 

[McFluff]

I would agree with all of the above. Horses are a long and never ending learning curve - so you will never stop learning.
Having your own horse is an amazing experience, however, please also think through all the what-ifs so that you know how you will manage when/if things go wrong. There are some subtle differences moving from riding at a school to your own...
Consider:
How will you feel when the horse goes lame - a lame horse costs as much (if not more) to keep and you can't ride until it is better?
Do you have a realistic day to day budget - plus a contingency?
What are your alternative plans if a yard you are on closes - how flexible are your finances and is your job and general routine? (in my experience the more you can flex your money and routine, the more options you have!)
How willing would you be to sell if you needed to? Or how well will you cope with making the hard end of life decisions?

 

[Bambles]

Haven't seen it yet but World Horse Welfare do regular webinars. Tonight's was: 'Buying a horse: Traps for the unwary'. The others have been good so probably worth a watch. They normally upload them to their YouTube channel a couple of hours after they run.

 

[BaronSamedi]

How about sharing something at your riding school whilst looking for something suitable to buy. Then you are gaining more experience as you look and if you can when you go to look take someone with more knowledge with you to advise you and hopefully avoid you buying something unsuitable

 

[BaronSamedi]

To start with, I'd suggest 5/2 livery, so the yard does the weekdays but you do weekends.

Around here they call that part livery. Just so the OP knows for future reference

 

[eahotson]

You should be able to approach your instructor with confidence to ask about this.One suggestion may be working livery at the riding school for say 12 months.This will be a gentle entry,often riding schools offer reduced lesson prices in with the deal and the horse will settle well into its routine.

 

[Pippity]

Around here they call that part livery. Just so the OP knows for future reference

The definition of 'part livery' varies from yard to yard, never mind region to region. Some people would class my setup as part livery (they do all the chores, but no exercise/tack cleaning/etc). Some people class part livery as 'they do one end of the day, I do the other'. That's why I clarified exactly what type of part livery.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You should be able to approach your instructor with confidence to ask about this.One suggestion may be working livery at the riding school for say 12 months.This will be a gentle entry,often riding schools offer reduced lesson prices in with the deal and the horse will settle well into its routine.

Working livery can work well in some instances but can also be a trap for the unwary novice, the horse is likely to be so busy at the weekend, so the owner will struggle to ride then and actually very few novice owners want/need their first horse to be as fit as a RS horse needs to be.

 

[Elopi]

Thank you everyone for your wondeful replies. I will take all of them into account and let everyone know what I decide

 

[Wishfilly]

Riding is less of a concern to me than stable management- as long as you are able to buy a suitable horse and are prepared to invest in lessons.

It's true that you can put a horse on full livery for £££ and not have to do much of the day to day care BUT in my opinion the responsibility for welfare has to stop with the owner. On this forum you do hear of full livery set ups that don't always care for horses that well. I think you'd need to have a lot of trust in the yard owner and staff if you have very little knowledge of horse care.

It's also the things like deciding what to feed, when to call the vet, what to do in a crisis, how to know if your horse is unhappy with the set up and what to change...

But that can all be learnt and as long as you are willing to take advice from experts, make an effort to learn and talk to people it can all work out.

I think if you want to go for it I wouldn't worry about being judged. I would worry about buying a suitable and forgiving horse!

 

[Chuffy99]

As a first horse for a novice owner buy the horse you need now to teach you the ropes and make it a safe enjoyable time.
The beautiful prancing youngster is probably for next time
Have fun