Buying a horse: head vs heart (talk me out of it please)

[Shinx]

I’m seriously worried I’m going to buy this three year old (mentioned in previous thread). My head and heart are engaged in a battle of wills.

Cons: I don’t need another horse.

Pros: If I did need another horse, he’s just what I would want.

I can afford it.

He’s still young, so no pressure to ride two at the moment, he can have some time to grow.

He would have a nice life with me.

I’m obsessed with him and keep watching the videos and gazing longingly at the photos I took. Even bum high he’s just a stunning horse and my head is fighting a losing battle.

But I don’t need another horse! One horse is just right, so easy, so much less pressure on my time and wallet.

Someone please talk some sense into me before I cave and give them all my money. Alternately, please tell me how you bought a horse you didn’t need and it was the best thing ever.

 

[Gloi]

You only live once.

 

[webble]

Lets be honest we never NEED a horse its all about want ..................... I'm no help am I

 

[Shinx]

You only live once.

**adds to list of pros**

 

[meleeka]

Erm, I think you've come to the wrong place if you want someone to tell you not to buy the horse

I say if it'll make you happy to be see his face each day, then buy the horse! If you can afford it, you'd be better regretting something you did, rather than regretting something you didn't do.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The 3yo that looks ‘like two different sized horses put together’? Head over heart advised.

He may yet even out, but at 3 that is by no means a given. A croup high mature horse is a challenge to keep sound when under saddle.

Pass on by this one.

 

[Shinx]

The 3yo that looks ‘like two different sized horses put together’? Head over heart advised.

He may yet even out, but at 3 that is by no means a given. A croup high mature horse is a challenge to keep sound when under saddle.

Pass on by this one.

Yes, that one. It does concern me, but he’s a slow maturing breed and still well within his growth period. The genetic evidence for evening out is strong, I think? If he did even out (and on balance, I think he likely will) he would be perfection itself.

 

[dorsetladette]

What breed is he? My 3 yr old has been bum high his entire life and at 'rising 4' still looks like 2.5year old. That said I bought him because I felt sorry for him not because of what he looked like. I'm sure he will be nice when he finishes maturing (at about 25 the way he is going) and in the last few weeks he's actually started to look 'OK' in my eyes. HHO members think differently to me.



ETA - cross posted with above - So when does he arrive?

 

[Shinx]

Erm, I think you've come to the wrong place if you want someone to tell you not to buy the horse

I say if it'll make you happy to be see his face each day, then buy the horse! If you can afford it, you'd be better regretting something you did, rather than regretting something you didn't do.

Exactly!!

My heart is clearly answering these replies, even if my head composed the OP

 

[Shinx]

What breed is he? My 3 yr old has been bum high his entire life and at 'rising 4' still looks like 2.5year old. That said I bought him because I felt sorry for him not because of what he looked like. I'm sure he will be nice when he finishes maturing (at about 25 the way he is going) and in the last few weeks he's actually started to look 'OK' in my eyes. HHO members think differently to me.



ETA - cross posted with above - So when does he arrive?

He’s a PRE. They do take ages to finish growing (ignoring the fact that his half siblings look full grown!).

I am trying so hard to not buy him today. Is there a rule of thumb, sit on the decision for a week or something, that other people follow??

 

[dorsetladette]

He’s a PRE. They do take ages to finish growing (ignoring the fact that his half siblings look full grown!).

I am trying so hard to not buy him today. Is there a rule of thumb, sit on the decision for a week or something, that other people follow??

Only rule is you have to post photos once he arrives! - and HHOer's talked me into buying the pity purchase I mentioned above so you have no chance here!

@meleeka is right! Better to regret buying him than regret not buying him!

 

[Jenko109]

If you decide you are ready for a second horse this time next year, would you be able to find one similar to him easily enough?

If not, then go buy him.

 

[nagblagger]

Head - did you get photos of him as a foal and was he straight then?
Heart - s#d it buy him even if he wasn't! (cheaply though)
Helpful aren't I !!

 

[Tarragon]

I still think of a pony that I trialled and loved, over 15 years ago, but didn't buy as it seemed so expensive, and I do regret it. There was just "something" about him!
I often wonder if my pony-life would have gone a very different way if I had bought this pony, and therefore not ended up with the Exmoor ponies I have got into instead.
Sometimes, I think that the reaction you can get when you meet a pony can be such a fundamental one, if you feel that there is something special, then go for it - PROVIDING (a) you can afford it and (b) you have the time for two! You can always sell him later if you are wrong, or circumstance change, but remember, it won't be his fault if he fails to level out.

 

[shortstuff99]

Is he British bred? Could you buy another from the same breeder?

 

[Shinx]

Tarragon I think that’s a really deep point. Sometimes something or someone just calls to us deeply. But how can we tell the difference between a momentary fixation that will soon be forgotten vs something that if we pass by we will regret for years to come?

The only horse I’ve been this obsessed with is my current one. But I was actually in need of a new horse and I bought him instantly. This one just sort of fell into my lap (or rather, scrolled across my feed ) and my heart skipped a beat. And now I can’t get him out of my mind.

 

[Shinx]

Is he British bred? Could you buy another from the same breeder?

No, he’s in Spain but the stud is large and there are also so many studs to choose from, both here and abroad… I see a lot of PREs every day though and they don’t usually move me like this.

 

[Shinx]

Head - did you get photos of him as a foal and was he straight then?
Heart - s#d it buy him even if he wasn't! (cheaply though)
Helpful aren't I !!

I haven’t yet! But I’ve asked and been promised they will look and see.

 

[pistolpete]

I have regrets about not buying a cute little mate eight years ago. She was so sweet no idea where she ended up.

 

[webble]

I appreciate the irony of me posting this given my recent I cant find horse post but there are enough horses out there that you dont need to buy one that has big and potentially expensive question marks next to it

 

[Shinx]

If you decide you are ready for a second horse this time next year, would you be able to find one similar to him easily enough?

If not, then go buy him.

See, I don’t know! There are always so many to choose from really, but very rarely do I like one so much. So… possibly?

 

[Shinx]

I appreciate the irony of me posting this given my recent I cant find horse post but there are enough horses out there that you dont need to buy one that has big and potentially expensive question marks next to it

Fair point!

 

[Blanche]

I still regret not buying a filly foal in 1986, I wonder what if every so often. Do you think you may regret not buying?

 

[shortstuff99]

No, he’s in Spain but the stud is large and there are also so many studs to choose from, both here and abroad… I see a lot of PREs every day though and they don’t usually move me like this.

Which stud (that is just me being nosy) but if it is a big stud why not go over and have a look and then there might be others that take your fancy?

 

[Shinx]

Which stud (that is just me being nosy) but if it is a big stud why not go over and have a look and then there might be others that take your fancy?

I did go look despite the others looking more grown, there’s just something about him that’s special. I’m considering asking if I can put down a small holding deposit and go see him again in a couple weeks… sort of a compromise between head and heart, if the breeder agrees.

Until then, the stud is a secret (lest someone steals away my wonky baby ). But if I do get him I will post lots of pics! I was surprised I had never heard of this stud before, they have really quality stock.

 

[shortstuff99]

I did go look despite the others looking more grown, there’s just something about him that’s special. I’m considering asking if I can put down a small holding deposit and go see him again in a couple weeks… sort of a compromise between head and heart, if the breeder agrees.

Until then, the stud is a secret (lest someone steals away my wonky baby ). But if I do get him I will post lots of pics! I was surprised I had never heard of this stud before, they have really quality stock.

I mean why not, my pre looked like a table when I bought her

 

[Shinx]

Shortstuff, that is such a baby!! How old was she then? Do you have a pic of her now?

 

[shortstuff99]

Shortstuff, that is such a baby!! How old was she then? Do you have a pic of her now?

She was about 18 months old there and in her right fugly stage

She is 6 now and looks like this

 

[Shinx]

Oh. My. Goodness! She grew up LOVELY.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I bought my spotty bub on a whim and it was the best thing I ever did. Think I’d put down a deposit within an hour of seeing the advert… went and saw him a week later.

How wonky are we talking? If he’s reasonably priced I’d be inclined to do it and chuck him in a field for a year and then re-assess. Of course there’s risk involved but I think that’s common theme with horses anyway