Buying a yearling...

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HashRouge

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Right HHO'ers, I need some advice from someone who has bought a horse more recently than me! I've spotted a rather nice looking Arab colt for sale, only about 20 mins away from where I keep my two. I'm not actively looking for another horse but have been keeping my eyes open to see what's available, as I am in a position to buy and would like another in the next 12 months. I was just going to wait till after the summer, as I am off to Brazil for a month in July.

I've so far seen pictures, including one of him next to a 15.2hh (he looks like he will be tall!) but my question really is how easy is it to tell what you will end up with when you go and see a yearling? I know height is tricky, but do gorgeous yearlings often turn into duds as adults? If I go and see him, would someone with a good eye for conformation mind taking a look at photos of him? He looks nice from the photos I've seen but they aren't perhaps the best for judging conformation, and I never really trust my own judgement anyway!

I'm not worried about taking on a youngster as I've worked with quite a few, and I'm not in any hurry to crack on and get in the saddle, so I wouldn't mind having a yearling. There is a yard next to me that has young stock livery, so could see about him going there for 12 months then joining my two later on. Though my gelding is v playful and would probably love a young friend. Is this a completely mad idea? I was looking more for 3 yo +, but he's so close to me it seems like fate! Help!!
 
Not mad! My grey was 12 months when she was delivered and the gelding was 18 months old. I was able to meet both dams when viewing and the grey's sire. This really helped me. Yearlings do go through the fuglies at times, but basic good skeletal structure will always be there if they have it, you just accept that they will go through bum high stages during growth. Both have the same temperament as when young, so if you don't get on with the youngster my advice would be to not buy. You can also tell how trainable and willing to learn they are at that age. My grey is so clever and quick and the gelding needs more repetitions than her to learn things plus he is easily distracted if bored. They were like that as yearlings and they are like that now.

I'd love to see a pic if you have one to PM. :)
 
Have you ever owned an Arab?
They tend to be a particular taste (my mum has bred several) and they are lovely to look at, none have been my cup of tea as riding horses but that’s just personal preference.
Aside from that if he’s a nice person and you are an Arab fan i would go for it seeing that you have somewhere to put him close by.
Is it possible for you to see mum and dad? And are there any other offspring from them that are older you can look at?
 
With youngsters you pay your money and take a chance the temperament it set it they are nice horses at a year they are nice horses as adults. As to height you can make a rough guess by using the string test or cannon bone length measures especially if they come out roughtly the same. If he is well made now wth good limbs he will stay that way. One thing my farrier says he prefers them to be slightly toe out as if dead straight or toe in they will end up slightly or even more toe in as adults due to the chest filling out and pushing the elbow out but not certain that is true of finer built horses as he has cobs and was talking about my highlands. The limb however should be straight and the movement straight
 
I'm on my 6th Arab yearling and if they have a nice temperment when young., It just gets better as they age, if they are stunning youngsters they remane beautiful, their faces will slightly alter, as in they will fill out, but will remain a dished face. They also mature slowly and will have no chest on them I've started my youngsters at 5 and 6 years old as they werent nature enough in mind and body.
 
Littlebear - I currently own a 26 yo Arab who I have had for 18 years. I love them!

Thanks for all the input guys, although I looks like it may be hypothetical! The seller doesn't seem to think he will be suitable for what I want (hacking and maybe some low level eventing), which strikes me as an odd thing to say about a well put together yearling. I know an Arab won't take me round Burghley, but surely they should all be capable of popping round an 80 if they're started properly? I think it does Arabs a disservice to say they wouldn't be suitable for this. In typical me fashion I was all excited about going to see him, so feel quite deflated now.
 
Boo! :( I agree that most arabs could do that level with the right training. There have been a few eventing arabs posted on both this forum and arabianlines in the past. One was a halter bred arab by Rod Jones' stallion Master Design GA and an arab called Tiger (sorry I can't remember his breeding) did everything from jumping to showing side saddle.
 
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Mukhtar Ibn Eternity
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Marcus Aurelius
http://www.avonbrookstud.co.uk/stallions.html
 
Faracat said:
Boo! :( I agree that most arabs could do that level with the right training. There have been a few eventing arabs posted on both this forum and arabianlines in the past. One was a halter bred arab by Rod Jones' stallion Master Design GA and an arab called Tiger (sorry I can't remember his breeding) did everything from jumping to showing side saddle.
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I remember Jess and tiger, they were a great couple
 
Maybe I should show her this thread!

I have (very politely) asked if she could clarify why she thinks he wouldn't event as I'm genuinely intrigued, but not sure if I will hear back.

This whole thing has made me realise how keen I am to get another horse though, maybe I should start looking in earnest!
 
He is very leggy but he has something about him I quite like not that I am in the market for another baby and certainly not a colt as we have fields full of mares
 
windand rain said:
most horses not just arabs with the correct training should be able to do low level anything
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Yes this is how I feel!

Faracat he's very sweet, but out of choice I would go for something slightly older, (3+). It was just because this yearling was so close to me and there was something about him that caught the eye which was making me consider it. I've seen a nice, tall 4 yo at Combe Farm and now trying to decide if that is too far to go!
 
I would buy a young Arab again I love the time you have before backing to form a strong bond, Arabi was a 2 year old colt when we bought him he has not really changed that much his still a sweet loving little thing, he was slightly pigeon toed as a baby but his fine now.

Ooh I am trying to figure out which horse your interested in now, saw a few young ones on preloved a few days back? Pm me with the advert I really would like to have a look;)
 
HashRouge said:
I don't think he is on Preloved - he was advertised on a Facebook group I'm part of. Though browsing Facebook I've just found an ad for someone after a rider for a 6 yo Arab quite near me, so thought why not...!
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I wouldn't have seen it don't do Facebook, that sounds ideal I hope it works out let us know how you get on.
 
I'm trying this gelding on Saturday! Apparently he's closer to 16hh than 15.2hh, which is massive for an Arab! And v sharp apparently, so sounds just my cup of tea. Fingers crossed!
 
At one time an Arab held the world record high jump, Arabs can do anything, where did TBs come from? A friend has Arabs and they did the whole Pony Club from show jumping, eventing and even racing and did endurance through to her 20s.

A few years ago H & H did a series on successful eventers and show jumpers and it was surprising just how many had an Arab back in the pedigree. I suppose it was a while ago and now everyone wants purpose bred warmbloods.
 
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