atropa
Well-Known Member
I think it's not a great idea, for all the reasons posted above. I'd be worried you would end up footing the bill for your instructor to get all the joy out of the horse
Buying a horse to share with my instructor?
- Thread starter MrsCentaur
- Start date
Ambers Echo
Still wittering on
An alternative is for the horse to be on full schooling livery. I live near Somerford Park Farm and a lot of people who livery there do this. They have good riders schooling their horses regularly so they stay sweet and easy for the owners to pitch up once or twice a week and take their fit, well schooled mount out for fun. This can even include having pros compete the horse. But the difference is that the instructors are being paid to ride/compete so the boundaries are much clearer. If your instructor wants regular access to a nice horse to compete she might offer you a very good price for the schooling/competing but because it is YOUR horse and you are paying the instructor to school the horse FOR YOU - and to compete if she likes but only on the understanding that the horse remains sane for YOU it could avoid many of the pitfalls discussed above.
ihatework
Well-Known Member
I think, if you can afford it, then having the horse in a full livery set up with a yard owner who can help keep the horse tuned up for you and also teach you is the way to go. Look for somewhere with a supportive environment and maybe other liveries that do riding club etc.
oldie48
Well-Known Member
Like Bernster, my trainer rides Rose for me and I am happy to send her on schooling livery when I am away to another local rider, however, their agenda is to make Rose more rideable for me not a competition horse for them. tbh Rose would be out competing at AM with either rider and doing very well but would not help me as she would need to be a lot sharper. and I don't want her throwing in changes if I move my leg slightly in canter. Why not buy a horse suitable for you and pay a trainer to do the work that you can't manage with a very objectives. A nicely schooled horse is always a pleasure to ride and a pro will keep any evasions (and they all have them) in check and you will be in the driving seat, so to speak.
Cowpony
Well-Known Member
I'm a bit confused by this post I'm afraid. You seem to have masses on your plate already - 5 young children, demanding job, long commute etc. You would have the horse on full livery and would realistically only see it a couple of times a week. So I'm struggling to see the difference between having lessons on a riding school horse and owning your own, beyond the sense of ownership that would give you. You talk about freedom, and maybe you can't go on a hack on your own with a RS horse, but in the depths of winter when it's dark by the time you can get to the yard you wouldn't be able to hack on your own horse either. And in the summer what if the instructor had competed the horse that day? You wouldn't be able to ride it at all.
There are plenty of people who are happy with the role of owner, and take great pleasure from seeing their horse being competed by somebody else and doing well. If that's you, then great, go for it! But I get the sense that the pleasure for you is in riding, so why not save your money for a time when life is a little less hectic, and continue with your lessons for now? If you've only been riding for a year as an adult the horse you need now probably won't be the horse you will want in another year or two. You can also use the time to do courses in horse care which would help a lot when you finally buy your own, so the time wouldn't be wasted.
There are plenty of people who are happy with the role of owner, and take great pleasure from seeing their horse being competed by somebody else and doing well. If that's you, then great, go for it! But I get the sense that the pleasure for you is in riding, so why not save your money for a time when life is a little less hectic, and continue with your lessons for now? If you've only been riding for a year as an adult the horse you need now probably won't be the horse you will want in another year or two. You can also use the time to do courses in horse care which would help a lot when you finally buy your own, so the time wouldn't be wasted.
Christmascinnamoncookie
Fais pas chier!
Honestly, I sympathise with the whole desperate to have your own, but how many times a week will you see the horse? How will your husband react to you dashing off to ride while he is yet again left at home with the children, having not seen you all week. I know mine wasn’t thrilled when mid thirties, I decided I had to have my own!
I think you’ll be paying a fortune for your instructor to ride a nice horse, basically.
I think you’ll be paying a fortune for your instructor to ride a nice horse, basically.
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
Please walk away from this idea. You are basically buying a decent young competition horse for your instructor to enable them to fulfill the dreams they probably cannot afford to realise...but thats OK you can foot all the bills for them????
Frankly if your instructor was actually a good and honest instructor they would advise you very strongly against buying a young competition horse for your first horse wouldn't they? And if they had any real talent to compete youngsters they would not need to fleece you out of your savings to buy themselves a horse would they?
If this person gets to choose YOUR first horse I guarantee in 6 months you will NOT be strolling around the countryside enjoying relaxing hacks and low level pursuits to build up your confidence and experience.
Mad idea altogether!
Frankly if your instructor was actually a good and honest instructor they would advise you very strongly against buying a young competition horse for your first horse wouldn't they? And if they had any real talent to compete youngsters they would not need to fleece you out of your savings to buy themselves a horse would they?
If this person gets to choose YOUR first horse I guarantee in 6 months you will NOT be strolling around the countryside enjoying relaxing hacks and low level pursuits to build up your confidence and experience.
Mad idea altogether!
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
Some people have questioned why the OP wants a horse. I say why not. If its your dream, then do it! (just be careful about the instructor share thing)
Mrs. Jingle
Well-Known Member
I totally agree Muddywellies - follow your dreams for sure - but don't let your instructor steal your dream to fulfil her own.
doodle
Well-Known Member
Another don’t do it! The horse your instructor wants and the horse you need are 2 totally different things. By all means buy a horse for YOU, put it on full livery and pay someone to ride 2 or 3 times a week so that then you have a suitable horse for when you can get over and ride.
Sail_away
Well-Known Member
My main concern here would be that there’s a difference in training for ability and training for rideability by a novice. I do school a couple of 4/5 year olds, one is a very clever, athletic little horse who could go far in a competitive home. But he’s not, he’s owned by a novice rider, so I have to walk the fine line between keeping him engaged enough to learn but underpowered enough so as not to put off his owners.
If the instructor was riding it four times a week or so, I think - even without meaning to - she would start to push it in order to improve it. And you might well buy a chilled out youngster, and in a couple months have a forwards, powerful, onward-bound type of horse who won’t tolerate a novice rider. And I know others have said it but it’s worth repeating - if she’s a good rider she should be able to find any number of young talented horses to bring on, and charge for it as well. So I wonder if she is looking for a really ‘classy’ warmblood type to school, which wouldn’t suit you at all.
Don’t let it put you off buying a horse! There are other ways to do it - either by finding a good young rider without a mount who would love ride 3/4 times a week, or by putting your horse on a proper full livery with exercise.
If the instructor was riding it four times a week or so, I think - even without meaning to - she would start to push it in order to improve it. And you might well buy a chilled out youngster, and in a couple months have a forwards, powerful, onward-bound type of horse who won’t tolerate a novice rider. And I know others have said it but it’s worth repeating - if she’s a good rider she should be able to find any number of young talented horses to bring on, and charge for it as well. So I wonder if she is looking for a really ‘classy’ warmblood type to school, which wouldn’t suit you at all.
Don’t let it put you off buying a horse! There are other ways to do it - either by finding a good young rider without a mount who would love ride 3/4 times a week, or by putting your horse on a proper full livery with exercise.
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
i would say buy a horse for yourself, by all means let the trainer ride it a few times a week to keep it schooled but it is a horse for YOU, so needs to be easy for you to ride.. if the trainer only intends to do low level competing that should be ok but not if she is wanting to go round badminton....i understand why you want to own your own, i have had to give up for physical reasons although i am still ok to ride, just cant do all the heavy work needed at diy and i cant afford to pay for someone to do that for me. i have had countless offers from people who want me to ride their horses, but i need more than just a hack a couple of times a week, so i am hoping some money may land in my lap so i could get another horse..thats my dream..
MrsCentaur
Well-Known Member
Thank you all so much for such kind and realistic feedback. Sounds like buying specifically to share with the instructor isn’t a great idea then, which is a shame - it was a fun daydream. A few people have asked whether I would consider being a sharer instead, given that I’m fairly novice and don’t have very much time and put simply, no - I’ve shared ponies before, albeit a long time ago now, and I don’t want to do it again. I just want my own, even if most of the time I’m enjoying the idea of it from my office in Mayfair rather than breathing in the horse smell back home in the sticks. It will be worth it to me.
I do like the idea of buying a horse for me, and paying someone - perhaps my lovely instructor, who is inundated in horses to play with but understands the longing to have one’s own - to school it for me, albeit at a level where I can learn from it but it isn’t too good for me. In the meantime, I shall keep plugging away at improving myself as an equestrienne, and we’ll see where we are in December - I’m never going to set the world alight but I would be very pleased with a gentle all-rounder who will be patient whilst I give everything a go, so I’d imagine that’s what I’ll end up looking for.
Thank you all very much again!
A few people have asked whether I would consider being a sharer instead, given that I’m fairly novice and don’t have very much time and put simply, no - I’ve shared ponies before, albeit a long time ago now, and I don’t want to do it again. I just want my own, even if most of the time I’m enjoying the idea of it from my office in Mayfair rather than breathing in the horse smell back home in the sticks. It will be worth it to me.I do like the idea of buying a horse for me, and paying someone - perhaps my lovely instructor, who is inundated in horses to play with but understands the longing to have one’s own - to school it for me, albeit at a level where I can learn from it but it isn’t too good for me. In the meantime, I shall keep plugging away at improving myself as an equestrienne, and we’ll see where we are in December - I’m never going to set the world alight but I would be very pleased with a gentle all-rounder who will be patient whilst I give everything a go, so I’d imagine that’s what I’ll end up looking for.
Thank you all very much again!
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
I used to have lessons at a yard where some of the horses were owned by people who commuted to London for work so they were very busy but still enjoyed horse ownership. With the right set up it definitely can work. The key with full/part livery is trust - find somewhere that you trust with your horse.
mini_b
Well-Known Member
Full livery is a godsend! Do it!
I pay for all services but if I can be there to do jobs, I do. My work is unreliable so I’m glad I have my YM to fall back on but she knows I’ll come do if I’m not stuck at work.
I ride every day but I still get my instructor to sit on him to make sure we are still going in right direction.
After reading your posts again, I just felt I had to say, all those that ride at what is considered “lower levels, unaff, fun ride, trec” etc still put a lot of time (often blood, sweat and tears) to make sure their horse stays sane, sound and a pleasure to ride in those environments - it’s not to be assumed they can hop on once a week and expected to behave/perform.
I pay for all services but if I can be there to do jobs, I do. My work is unreliable so I’m glad I have my YM to fall back on but she knows I’ll come do if I’m not stuck at work.
I ride every day but I still get my instructor to sit on him to make sure we are still going in right direction.
After reading your posts again, I just felt I had to say, all those that ride at what is considered “lower levels, unaff, fun ride, trec” etc still put a lot of time (often blood, sweat and tears) to make sure their horse stays sane, sound and a pleasure to ride in those environments - it’s not to be assumed they can hop on once a week and expected to behave/perform.
Shay
Well-Known Member
I've seen this happen. In practice it amounts to buying a horse for the instructor to produce and later sell. And advertise thier services along the way. And in fairness that was exactly the intention in the scenario I witnessed. The "owner" got a kick out of being listed as able to ride several serious up and coming competition animals. They got to sit on them (and fall off them) once or twice. But they also got to go to events and say - thats my horse. Its just my instructior riding ATM because I am injured / busy.... etc.
If that is what you want to spend your money on - heavans go for it!!! But don't think this is going to end up as a rideable animal for you as a novice. There is lots of fun to be had spending money to buy horses for professionals to ride. If that is what you want to do - that is great. We have wonderful up and coming riders who need sponsors and thier contribution to our sport cannot be over emphasised.
If that is what you want to spend your money on - heavans go for it!!! But don't think this is going to end up as a rideable animal for you as a novice. There is lots of fun to be had spending money to buy horses for professionals to ride. If that is what you want to do - that is great. We have wonderful up and coming riders who need sponsors and thier contribution to our sport cannot be over emphasised.
mini_b
Well-Known Member
Agree 10x over.
If I had the cash...
I’d buy something amazing I can oooo and ahhh over, possibly put in foal and have my trainer bring on and take a cut of the share...
then I’d buy something proven and fun for myself!
Winters100
Well-Known Member
I agree with the advice above - joint ownership is a bad idea. But horse ownership is wonderful even with very little time, provided that you can afford all the extra care.
I would recommend buying a lovely school master / mistress and putting them on full livery. If you find a nice person who would like to ride when you are busy fine, if not pay the pro to exercise. You will have a lot of fun without all the stress that would be involved in any sort of shared ownership. Plus you can have the horse which suits you - you do not have time for endless lessons to get up to the level of riding that you would need for a youngster, so get a horse who you could enjoy right now.
Also if you have easy safe horses you usually have many offers of people willing to ride when you are busy. We just finished quarantine after my partner was exposed to Covid during his work. Although there is a pro at the yard who can ride them I was more than happy to let another owner who just turned 18 exercise them - and she was absolutely delighted to have the opportunity. I already have everything set up at the yard that all other tasks are done, so I did not have to worry about them.
Really good luck, and I hope that you find the perfect horse and yard
I would recommend buying a lovely school master / mistress and putting them on full livery. If you find a nice person who would like to ride when you are busy fine, if not pay the pro to exercise. You will have a lot of fun without all the stress that would be involved in any sort of shared ownership. Plus you can have the horse which suits you - you do not have time for endless lessons to get up to the level of riding that you would need for a youngster, so get a horse who you could enjoy right now.
Also if you have easy safe horses you usually have many offers of people willing to ride when you are busy. We just finished quarantine after my partner was exposed to Covid during his work. Although there is a pro at the yard who can ride them I was more than happy to let another owner who just turned 18 exercise them - and she was absolutely delighted to have the opportunity. I already have everything set up at the yard that all other tasks are done, so I did not have to worry about them.
Really good luck, and I hope that you find the perfect horse and yard
9tails
Well-Known Member
We all understand the draw of owning our own horses, most of us are proud owners after all. But we're not keen on the young competition horse as a first horse and sharing with the instructor, who may have aspirations to compete on said horse. It's very easy to believe that all horses are basically the same and can be ridden if you know a bit, but not many youngsters (if any) are able to keep a level head with a novice then step up for a more experienced rider. It would be a very confusing life for the horse.
Fred66
Well-Known Member
There are some potential pitfalls as people have mentioned. So talk these through with your instructor.
Equally there are advantages in that you have yourself said you are quite novice and having a sharer who is competent will hopefully help in ensuring your horse doesn’t develop bad habits and is nicely schooled and taught manners for when you ride.
You just need to make sure that the horse you get is not the type to get fizzy when fit.
Good luck whatever you decide.
EDIT remember if the horse is yours and you do find yourself over horsed then you can sell it on and also if it doesn’t work out with the instructor you can move to full/part livery. Knowing some of the pitfalls to watch out for will help avoid them.
Equally there are advantages in that you have yourself said you are quite novice and having a sharer who is competent will hopefully help in ensuring your horse doesn’t develop bad habits and is nicely schooled and taught manners for when you ride.
You just need to make sure that the horse you get is not the type to get fizzy when fit.
Good luck whatever you decide.
EDIT remember if the horse is yours and you do find yourself over horsed then you can sell it on and also if it doesn’t work out with the instructor you can move to full/part livery. Knowing some of the pitfalls to watch out for will help avoid them.
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HashRouge
Well-Known Member
As others have said, if you really want your own horse then buy one that suits you and find a decent full livery yard where they will keep it exercised when you can't go down. I worked as an SJ groom on two different yards for a while and both also took on a few full liveries. One woman worked in central London and could only ride at the weekends. The SJ rider kept her horses ticking over for and produced the younger one to jump, but it was always with the view to the owner being able to compete/ ride it, not the pro. It was also the type of horse that suited an amateur rider - it wasn't a pro's ride really (which I can see you ending up with if you let your RI choose the horse!). Another yard I worked at had a similar set up - lovely young sports horse gelding was produced and exercised for the owner during the week, and she would rock up at weekends to ride him. This one was actually competed by the pro, but he was never aimed at anything top level and was a really manageable ride for an amateur. I had a lesson on him once and he is still one of the nicest horses I have ever ridden - so responsible and well schooled, but lovely and laid back. If money was no object for me, I'd try and do something similar.
The problem with buying a horse for you and your RI to share, is that it sounds like you would be doing all the financing. I don't really understand how/ why that would be a share? Sounds more like you buying the RI a free horse. Why don't you buy the horse you want, then pay the RI to ride it a few times a week to keep it going when you are working? That way you'll have much more control over what horse you get and how it is schooled/ what it does. I know you say you don't want to be a sharer and that you just want your own horse, but I think the share situation you describe would end up with the horse not really feeling like yours anyway.
The problem with buying a horse for you and your RI to share, is that it sounds like you would be doing all the financing. I don't really understand how/ why that would be a share? Sounds more like you buying the RI a free horse. Why don't you buy the horse you want, then pay the RI to ride it a few times a week to keep it going when you are working? That way you'll have much more control over what horse you get and how it is schooled/ what it does. I know you say you don't want to be a sharer and that you just want your own horse, but I think the share situation you describe would end up with the horse not really feeling like yours anyway.
Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't do this either but then I'm quite possessive!
I'd possibly get something aged in its early teens that doesn't have to be ridden every day that you can then pick up when you're available to ride. You could then have your instructor ride it for you during the week if you wanted or get a sharer so the horse is still exercised. I'd definitely look at a yard with floodlights so if you fancied a ride after work in the week you could still do that. Also if you're limited in the days you can get there, you want the horse to be available for when you want to ride as its your horse so want to be able to make the most of your time at the yard.
I'd also make safe to hack and on the ground my prime target when viewing as like me it sounds like hacking is important to you. If its slightly under schooled you could always get your instructor to tune it up for you but nice on the ground and hacking would be first on my list
If you do get a sharer make sure you get a proper written contract drawn up about who is responsible for that, what happens if horse or tack is damaged when they're riding etc etc
I'd possibly get something aged in its early teens that doesn't have to be ridden every day that you can then pick up when you're available to ride. You could then have your instructor ride it for you during the week if you wanted or get a sharer so the horse is still exercised. I'd definitely look at a yard with floodlights so if you fancied a ride after work in the week you could still do that. Also if you're limited in the days you can get there, you want the horse to be available for when you want to ride as its your horse so want to be able to make the most of your time at the yard.
I'd also make safe to hack and on the ground my prime target when viewing as like me it sounds like hacking is important to you. If its slightly under schooled you could always get your instructor to tune it up for you but nice on the ground and hacking would be first on my list
If you do get a sharer make sure you get a proper written contract drawn up about who is responsible for that, what happens if horse or tack is damaged when they're riding etc etc
Renvers
Well-Known Member
Glad you have taken all the good advice on board. How often do you ride now? Maybe before getting a horse see how many lessons a week are doable to get an idea how much time you have for the horse. Can you spend half of each day at the weekend at the stables away from the family? It's not terrible to wait until your kids are older so you have more time in your schedule.
I too have a high pressured job and getting on your horse after a long day/week is fantastic. However, on those days I prefer getting on my older schoolmaster than the youngster. I can enjoy the ride and relax, with the youngster it is focussed on training.
I too have a high pressured job and getting on your horse after a long day/week is fantastic. However, on those days I prefer getting on my older schoolmaster than the youngster. I can enjoy the ride and relax, with the youngster it is focussed on training.
Kat
Well-Known Member
I agree sharing with your instructor sounds like a recipe for trouble one way or the other.
Also take into account that lots of instructors at riding schools are not at a level where they are competing at a high level or up to bringing on a nice young horse well. Teaching novices on riding school horses is a very different skill.
You have a big budget so I would recommend that you look for a really good school master horse that is suitable for you and can help you learn. Keep it on full livery somewhere they have a decent rider on site who can exercise the horse for you either included in the livery on a regular basis or on an add hoc basis at extra cost.
Once you have the horse and have got to know it consider looking for someone to share your horse if you want extra help exercising it without paying someone. If it is a capable school master kept at livery with facilities you will have no trouble finding a sharer if that is what you want.
Alternatively if you like the idea of owning a competition horse approach a genuine pro who is competing in your chosen discipline already (albeit a younger more upcoming person might be a good idea in terms of your involvement and value for money) but accept that a fit and competing professional horse is unlikely to be suitable for a novice to ride.
You could also consider buying a horse and putting it on working livery at a good riding school/equestrian college so it is being exercised for you at a lower cost than the full livery option but this has its own disadvantages and if you can afford full livery with exercise that is likely to be more satisfying.
Also take into account that lots of instructors at riding schools are not at a level where they are competing at a high level or up to bringing on a nice young horse well. Teaching novices on riding school horses is a very different skill.
You have a big budget so I would recommend that you look for a really good school master horse that is suitable for you and can help you learn. Keep it on full livery somewhere they have a decent rider on site who can exercise the horse for you either included in the livery on a regular basis or on an add hoc basis at extra cost.
Once you have the horse and have got to know it consider looking for someone to share your horse if you want extra help exercising it without paying someone. If it is a capable school master kept at livery with facilities you will have no trouble finding a sharer if that is what you want.
Alternatively if you like the idea of owning a competition horse approach a genuine pro who is competing in your chosen discipline already (albeit a younger more upcoming person might be a good idea in terms of your involvement and value for money) but accept that a fit and competing professional horse is unlikely to be suitable for a novice to ride.
You could also consider buying a horse and putting it on working livery at a good riding school/equestrian college so it is being exercised for you at a lower cost than the full livery option but this has its own disadvantages and if you can afford full livery with exercise that is likely to be more satisfying.