Buying a horse for a novice

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anniedoherty

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I am currently trying to buy a horse for my novice, but improving fast, OH. I wondered about approaching riding schools as I know that some of them sell their horses on after a certain time. Has anyone else done this or is it a bad idea as the horse may be sour from too much time in the school?
 
A RS pony is a good idea
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The only problem is, they may have a problem with hacking out or schooling on their own.
 
Yes, I thought that might be a problem. I suppose it depends on how long it had been "institutionalized" at the riding school. I have heard that some riding schools sell their stock on after 6 months or so but not sure if this is right or not?
 
I think they're usually quite expensive. BUT, I always thought this place looked good when I was looking for a horse (I'm a novice): http://www.middletonequestrian.co.uk/ click Horses For Sale, and there's a More Horses for Sale bit on that page
They say they don't keep them for more than 2 years as they think that's long enough for them to spend in a RS.
 
Ty came from a riding school but had only been there a few months. Thing to remember is that they completely change character when not being used 5 hours a day!

I'd personally try and find something word of mouth that's in a similar situation to what you want him/her for - that way you're in for less suprises!
 
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I'd personally try and find something word of mouth that's in a similar situation to what you want him/her for - that way you're in for less suprises!

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Completely agree with this - if the horse's situation changes his character will change too and a novice won't necessarily be able to cope. I'd definitley go for something that is doing what you want to do at present - at least you will know it's not going to change dramatically!
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Also, we had two nutty little ponies who were too sharp for small kids but the local riding school took them on as it does not take them long ina a place like that to calm them down, but as soon as they go to a normal home they can go crazy again, and why would the riding school sell a good quite horse??

Haz
 
My boy is ex riding school and he was there from age 4 to age 8. His character didn't change at all when he had less work, still a very lazy, ploddy cob LOL! However, he was very nappy for quite some time and it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get him to hack out on his own. In the end I did manage it and I'm very novicey, and we now hack out every day on our own. I wouldn't completely discount RS horses, at least you would be aware of what the possible problems might be. Good luck.
 
Ooh Dennis on the more horses for sale page has lovely markings, very unusual!

Yes I would stay away from a riding school horse that has just elft the school, going from about 6hrs a day to perhaps 6 hours a week, well it can make them a handful, plus you have the possible complications of them perhaps beng reluctant to go out alone, not ideal for a novice.

If you can find a riding school horse that has been out of it for a while you may find something nice.

What type of horse are you looking for, a cob, size etc?
 
Tweenie came from a riding school. She's a lovely pony but can be nappy or sharp (or both at the same time
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) when schooling alone. She's brilliant when following another horse though.

The RS I had her from only did group lessons and they very rarely took the ponies out of the school for hacks etc. If you have a RS that offers one-to-one lessons and does some paid hacking then I'm sure the horse you buy would be rather more willing to work solo.
 
Thats not the case for every riding school horse! if any of ours (apart from the odd 1 or 2) they would be absulutely fine in a private home, they are used max 2 hours a day very occasionionally they the 3!

Almost all of them are schooled alone at some point, and private lessons obviously mean they are schooled alone. Also many of them are hacked on there own just for experience there is only 3 horses at my yard that wont hack alone (and one thems pickle!)

Think its a bit of a generalisation whats said above, some RS it may apply to but not all. It really fustrates me to be honest, most people learnt to ride in a RS then once they have there own go slagging them off!

I would definetly consider RS horses
 
Thanks everyone. I am looking for something 15hh - 16.3hh, quiet enough for a novice but not completely dead to the leg or hard mouthed because I will be riding it sometimes.
I am going to look at a couple of horses at the weekend which are being sold by a riding school on behalf of clients and both are currently on working livery.
 
Ella came from a riding school. I bought her 9 months ago as a happy hacker/confidence giver. She is not at all nappy or sharp and is very kind.
 
That's good to hear Jay2. You've obviously got a good mare there. I guess there are some very good ex RS horses out there and some not so good. Keep your fingers crossed for me and OH that we find a nice one too!
 
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