Buying a horse

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toomuchlove

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Hi,

I’m finally at a stage in my life where buying and keeping a horse is a possibility.

However I’m nearly 15st (in normal clothes) and not even sure what sort of horse (if any) would be able to carry my weight happily.

I’m not looking to do anything overly strenuous, just light hacking but obviously don’t want to squish whatever horse I may buy!

I’m looking to lose more weight but due to health issues that may not be a possibility so I’m wondering if it’s even worth looking.

Has anyone got any idea about whether it’s a possibility or would I be better off buying a non ridden pony/horse and getting my fix that way?
 
I would say 15st isnt that comfortable to be honest. If you are looking to get riding, I would be aiming for two stone of that off for sure. Even buying a heavier weight horse to ride, you would be looking to be within 20% of their weight.
Ive just lost 3 stone 1 lbs in 5 months, it can be done!! I was within my 20% for my 17.2 tb but I can tell you the difference in how I feel is like night and day!!

Give yourself a wee target and stick to it ☺️
No better motivation than buying a horse to stick to it.
 
toomuchlove said:
Thank you both for your advice! I’ve lost 7st in the last 2 years so I’m no stranger to losing weight! Another couple stone is what I was aiming for but I have Lipoedema so it’s proving difficult, however it’s good to know that realistically I should be looking to lose it still for the horses sake.
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I don't want to comment on your weight but if you feel uncomfortable about riding a horse could you look into driving?
 
I think you've probably made some kind of a record being on the forum over ten years and only posting 4 times!

I think it should be possible to find a horse who can carry you. For 15%, which would be my limit, you need a mature, schooled, horse of around 600 kilos fit not fat weight, leg at each corner type with a strong back long enough for a bigger saddle to reduce the lbs per inch weight on the back. They certainly exist.

How long is it since you've ridden? You must be well out of practice and finding a riding school to get some miles in before you go the whole hog and have your own would be nigh on impossible, I think, with the weight limits that riding schools have these days. Jumping straight in to ownership and riding would be quite a leap.

Buying a horse as a pet would seem a very expensive way to get a fix. There are probably people who would pay you to do some chores and spend some time with theirs. You could try advertising on local equestrian sites, maybe? If you were really lucky you might even find a suitable loan/share.
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toomuchlove said:
Thank you both for your advice! I’ve lost 7st in the last 2 years so I’m no stranger to losing weight! Another couple stone is what I was aiming for but I have Lipoedema so it’s proving difficult, however it’s good to know that realistically I should be looking to lose it still for the horses sake.
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Well done thats brilliant!!! 🤩

Its not only for the horses sake really because you will get plenty of horses out there that will carry you easily. Im meaning for your comfort as well 😍i know that taking some off is so much easier(less sweaty🤣)
If you have lipoedema then that is different again as your weight will fluctuate too, take into account how much of it is the condition and how much is actual weight to lose. You may well be near your goal already.
 
Hello! :D

A first horse is a big step up for anyone, let alone from not riding at all.
I'm wondering if you can organise a "program" for yourself, getting horse time and ground jobs experience while you loose the rest of the weight?
Is there somewhere you can volunteer to do mucking out , or could you be a 'side walker' for RDA, perhaps?

Then I'd try to get fit!
You don't say how much riding experience you had previously or how much exercise you take but your height, body make-up & balance and strength will make some difference to how easy it is for a horse to carry you.
Is there a gym you can join? Have you tried any of the specific Pilates programs that are designed for riding?
You are only just above the weight limit for mechanical horse lessons. (90Kg)

Then I would try to use the contacts you made while volunteering, to find a share.

Then buy. Keep the goal in front of you while you're doing the hard yards at the gym etc. Plenty of horses can carry your weight, if you were fit, balanced and confident.
 
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First of all, thank you everyone for the advice I really appreciate it!

It’s been about 10 years since I last rode and although I’ve worked on yards more recently, even that’s been 5+ years. Finding somewhere to volunteer or a share was my first idea, and I’ve done multiple adverts and asked around local yards, but nowhere within around an hour of me by public transport or walking has anything for me!

My fitness level isn’t where I’d like to be, I had a baby 6 months ago and my C-section scar has only just healed so whilst I walk a few miles a day and have done for the last couple of months, I’ve only just been cleared for more strenuous activities so a gym is very much my next step.
 
Is there anywhere near you that has a mechanical horse? You'd have to check the weight limit but I think it's 16 stone. They're great for starting to work on your riding after a break. I've been using one after fracturing my collar bone last year.
 
Kunoichi73 said:
Is there anywhere near you that has a mechanical horse? You'd have to check the weight limit but I think it's 16 stone. They're great for starting to work on your riding after a break. I've been using one after fracturing my collar bone last year.
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I’ve also looked into this (and I know it sounds like I’m making excuses!) but again I can’t seem to find anywhere near me that offers this? I have found one place and the weight limit is 16 stone, but they have no availability for what looks like the next year
 
It depends where you are.

Racewood in Cheshire has a range of coaches who run sessions there. But that might be too far for you to travel.

www.racewood.com

INFORMATION FOR RIDERS

The NEW, purpose-built Training Centre features one Interactive Dressage Simulator and one Interactive Eventing Simulator. The Training Centre facilities include: Heating / Air conditioning ...
www.racewood.com
 
I don't think 15 stone dressed is too much at all. A sturdy 16hh ID type would eat that, as long as not too old or young and with good conformation. I would just be honest with myself that weight is either stable or still going down, as it is easy to yo-yo, and if you are currently on a low, it is extremely hard to be stable and it would be gut wrenching to have to sell again.
 
toomuchlove said:
First of all, thank you everyone for the advice I really appreciate it!

It’s been about 10 years since I last rode and although I’ve worked on yards more recently, even that’s been 5+ years. Finding somewhere to volunteer or a share was my first idea, and I’ve done multiple adverts and asked around local yards, but nowhere within around an hour of me by public transport or walking has anything for me!

My fitness level isn’t where I’d like to be, I had a baby 6 months ago and my C-section scar has only just healed so whilst I walk a few miles a day and have done for the last couple of months, I’ve only just been cleared for more strenuous activities so a gym is very much my next step.
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The baby changes things a bit. There have been a few threads recently about mixing babies and young children with owning and riding horses, do take a read and be sure you understand what you'd be letting yourself in for as both a novice owner and a mother with a small child. I admire people who have the organisation and energy to do both, even reading about it sounds exhausting to me!
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I think 15 stone is do-able provided your weight is stable, but if it’s going to creep up then you may get yourself into a grey zone.

What you will need is an ID or a cob, 16hh+, but importantly a well put together one with good musculature. Those do not come cheap I’m afraid.

Given your fitness is low and you haven’t ridden for quite a while (plus post c section) do not underestimate the impact on your balance, confidence and ability under saddle.

I really think you would be wise not to jump straight back into horse ownership but look for things as suggested on this thread to help you prepare for a horse over next couple of years.

If you could post your general location you might find people could point you in right direction of where to look
 
I would focus on losing weight, unmounted hacking is an excellent way to lose weight (some people call it walking, but unmounted hacking sounds more fun IMO).

You mention public transport, do you drive at all? It would be very difficult to own a horse and not drive, yards are rarely located on public transport routes and horses do not adhere to bus schedules.

Also, you mention a c-section, having a young child and horses is difficult, when mine was tiny I found it difficult to find time to ride (even on full livery).

I think there are lots of steps you can take towards horse ownership or with ownership in mind but to me it doesn’t seem like the right time for you to make the full leap.
 
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