Buying a youngster

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HenrytheCat

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I am thinking of buying a much younger horse than I've had previously. I've got my eye on a native mare who's just turning 5. She was broken at 3 and then turned away. She had a foal at 4 and has just been brought back into work. I have previously bought a 6 year old WB who proved to be very nappy and far too much for me to handle so I am questioning whether I'm doing the right thing buying another youngster?

I have only seen photos so far but I am thinking that, as a general rule, a native breed wouldn't be as hard for a novice to handle as a WB. I will get lots of help from my RI and I already have one native that I love and I would love to do a pairs class with my daughter in the fullness of time :D

So, am I being stupid or is it do-able? I am not a brilliant rider but I am adequate I think. I just fancy a challenge somehow :)
 
If you are questioning your capability then no dont do it!! Generally speaking if true to type natives are easier than w/bloods/ tbs etc but my most difficult horse ever was a suffolk which should have been the easiest.
Whatever their breed a horse is a horse and they will all nap/ spook/ bolt and do all sorts of naughties if they dont have a very capable and very confident rider on them who isnt gonna be scared of what might happen and who will be able pass their confidence through to them.
Really think if this youngster throws a hissy fit and has a bronc because a bird flies out of a bush - really ask yourself how you would react - would you sit tight and calm and still be able to ride threw the tantrum or would you cr*p yourself and get off?
Honestly if your not sure then please dont this is exactly how so many 'nutty horses' are churned out onto the market because owners that are too novice cant handle or teach them properly.
Sorry if im being negative and its not what you want to hear but i have seen this way too often - get something older and go and have fun without the stress of training a youngster.
 
I really wouldn't advise it. You can get an older more experienced horse who you can enjoy and will enjoy you.
No youngster is easy no matter the breeding. I have found this out recently and I am not a novice. Youngsters are difficult and go through various stages, they can be great at 4/5 turn into nightmares at 6 or vice versa it really does take a lot of skill, experience and patience to bring them on as nice well rounded horses.
Apart from the horse it could be very detrimental to your own confidence.
Plenty of horses around find yourself a lovely more established horse that you can have fun with.
 
A second both the previous posts, the type doesnt realy matter, the only difference would be size. Remember natives can be very very stubborn too. I would only go for it if you are 100% you can mange, or have expert help to back you up.
 
Thanks everyone. I need to hear the negatives as well as the positives. I already have an older mare (12) whom I bought three years ago. My RI says that she thinks I am ready to bring on a youngster. I wouldn't even consider it if she hadn't given the go ahead as I trust her judgement.

I think I could negotiate a short trial period, during which my RI would help me and give her honest opinion. She has agreed to help me for as long as I need her. Again, I don't think I would even be considering a youngster with no support.

I'm not particularly brave but I am not going to wobble out of the side door with every little spook either. The WB I had a few years ago reared and bucked for England and that is why I couldn't cope. Please tell me that not all youngsters are the same?
 
I would say it sepends on the horse.

I lost all my cofindence on an 8 yo mare, and then proceeded to buy a 5yo irish cob!

But I think if you can get spooky, difficult older horses, then you can equally get calm, sensible youngsters.

As long as you have support and take it slow, I'd say go for it.
 
I would say that you wont know if this pony is suitable until you go and try her. Make sure you see her ridden in all paces and also hacked out in open spaces and traffic both alone and in company as well as catching her, tacking up etc yourself. If you feel confident around her then go for it :)

I have only ever had newly backed horses that have been hacking but very green and have managed with support of a couple of knowledgeable friends one of whom is an RI to deal with handling, behavioural and ridden issues as they have arisen.

Although these horses would have progressed more quickly in their ridden work with someone more confident and experienced, we have progressed as I've had regular lessons and also someone helping with schooling when needed as I'm but more confident on the ground having deat with several horses with handling and behaviural issues in the past.

If I can do it I'm sure you can as long as you have experienced help when needed :)
 
Sorry to be negative but I would beware. I don't think its about staying on as much as it is confidence. I had a 5 year old who had been previously sensible, good on roads when out of the blue he had two major 'baby fits' one which ended me up in an indoor school wall and one over the menage fence. I am not a novice and had professional help but as confident as he appeared he was taking alot of that from the rider and you mentioned your not that 'brave'. We spent a fortune on getting help with him and lessons but it was a total uphill battle and not really any fun at all. I think you have to think of the cost of the help you may need and how long for.. It may work out really well but I wouldn't do it again..
 
Although it sounds odd and isnt what most people look for I always feel its better to go one way or the other to the extreme, either for a horse that is unbroken/just backed, or for a really really experienced older model who you can just know will do the job.

The reason for this is that while people sometimes sell fantastic horses in their young prime of 5-10 years old, mostly if they can ,they hang on to them if it is a private home. Dealers a bit different as they may bring them on and sell them at 5-6, so I would consider that. Also as a hooligan teenage phase they may test you a lot if they are in a new home?

I bought a fairly young (6yo) and he has been quirky tho I love him dearly. Instead of getting a second horse that was more experienced I was put off by all the crocks friends ended up with! So with a lot of RI support, I bought a 3yo unbroken filly and we backed her and brought her on. It was the best thing I ever did, she is amazing and just rising 7 now.

I considered welsh cobs and highlands and dales but they were a bit too tank like as Id never brought on a youngster, and my experience of welshies had been of some very stubborn personalities! So I went for a very nicely bred GB reg Haflinger filly, and she was very straightforward to back and ever since. Some would say thats not Haffie typical but I think if you get them very early and are consistent and firm they are very cooperative if cheeky.

So really it partly depends on the individual horse and the support of your RI and your budget for that support, but unless this welshie is very cooperative I would go for something older or younger. If he is an angel I would snap him up!
 
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Sorry, the pony in question is a Highland and I am told that she was very easy to break. Her owner says that her temperament is really good. I have read about other people buying young Highlands and having great success so I am hoping that I won't encounter too many problems. I am wavering between thinking it's a good idea and thinking that I am being silly and I am not good enough to do it, despite what my RI says :(
 
I think it depends on you and the horse. I worked at a riding school, the owner bought a lot of younsters to break and bring on. I was lucky enough to help and get experience by helping her, ride them out and join in with lessons on them, as well as doing loads of groundwork. I bought a 2 year old and although I felt confident doing everything with her, I backed her and did alot of groundwork with her, I still sent her off to proffessionals to get her going. I went and did stuff with her at the yard I sent her to and carried on when she came home. I'm introducing her to new stuff all the time she spooks at some things and really doesn't care about other things. I don't get nervous on her and still call myself a novice, but she has turned out to be totally amazing!
 
ive just bought a 4 year old from ireland and i can understand your concerns.... ive done nothing since i got him but read posts on here about youngsters going fruit-loop:eek::o

i had a 15 year old 'been there and done it' lad whom i sold as i wanted to do more than he was able to, and its sooo different!

id say, if your RI is behind you, then go for it, but make sure you choose carefully and get your RI to try the horse out for you as well.

Its all a learning curve and Im amazed at all the little things i took forgranted with my older horse - like steering and balance, lol. but im excited to be the one who will bring him on.

i know a few people, some on here, who have had successful experiences with their first youngsters and i was having this conversation with friends today. i think you're more likely to hear the 'horror stories' than all those who quietly get on with things with no probs - and there are plenty doing just that.
 
HenrytheCat said:
The WB I had a few years ago reared and bucked for England and that is why I couldn't cope. Please tell me that not all youngsters are the same?
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Of COURSE not all youngsters are the same!! If ANY of my youngsters reared and bucked - even during backing - I'd want to know why! :rolleyes: I've just sold a 17hh 4 year old and he DID buck the first day ridden - but it was our error that caused it and he never did it again - he's now about the safest horse I've EVER known to ride - or hack out! I have two other 4 year olds ready to go - both pure-bred Irish Draught - - and they're BOTH suitable for a decrepit 60 year old to ride safely anywhere! (That's why I breed Irish Draughts - I'm too old to cope with 'problem' horses! :D)

As to 'natives' - I'm not an expert on them - but I wouldn't chose a Welsh cob as a confidence giver. But they're 'ponies' - and ponies CAN be little sh*ts!! Get yourself a nice Irish Draught that's been properly handled from Day 1 - and you'll have SO much confidence you'll be doing it ALL in six months!
 
I'll go against the grain on this one.

One of the safest and nicest horses to ride that I've ever been on was a just turned 5 year old. Welsh x Tb if it makes any difference but far saner than my 13 yr old Welsh D!
I would say it depends on the individual and the support you have around you. The 5 yr old I refer to was very very green- didn't know what a circle or straight line was, just a wobble! But I had backing from the ground and enough confidence to work him to improve him- plus it helped he was sane/sensible so his problem was just he was green in the school, not in terms of being a spooky baby. So if it's just she's green/inexperienced and you have the confidence/skill/back up to deal with this then I would ssay at least take her on trial if the option is there- if it doesn't work out at least you tried.
However, if she is a baby and inexperienced she may be more likely to need some-one confident enough to ride her through any spooks etc and then maybe I'd reconsider and go for something a bit older which perhaps need some work but will still be a rewarding project for you without being a risk of becoming dangerous.
It may be the horse I knew was one of a kind- certainly I haven't seen any other youngsters like that but I wouldn't tar all youngsters with the same brush, it's worth looking at them as an individual.

:)
 
Being ever sceptical, I'd want to know a lot more about the mare - why was she put in foal just after being backed? How much handling has she had in the interim? Does she have any veterinary, hormonal or behavioural issues? Why are they selling her now?
She could be a gem or a nightmare regardless of age but then I'd think twice about buying a mare at all, so maybe not much help :eek:: :rolleyes:
 
It doesn't matter about breed.

My first horse was a newly broken 3yr new forest, he was good as gold, we had a few confident issues later on with hacking alone but we got over them.

If you think you can do it, then go for it, at the end of the day everyone has to start some were, I didn't know a lot about youngsters at the time but I went on to buy 2x 2yr olds, 10month old, 2x 8months old and a 10yr old that turned out to be in his 30ies! I didn't do so bad, its all a learning curve but i went into it knowing they had a forever home x
 
HenrytheCat said:
Sorry, the pony in question is a Highland and I am told that she was very easy to break. Her owner says that her temperament is really good. I have read about other people buying young Highlands and having great success so I am hoping that I won't encounter too many problems. I am wavering between thinking it's a good idea and thinking that I am being silly and I am not good enough to do it, despite what my RI says :(
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i think if you doubt yourself then you may well fail, im not meening to sound harsh but horses even the older ones will take their confidence from the rider /handler

i bought my current horse as a 4yr, ive got 30 years with horses under my belt, youngsters stallions, problem horses the lot, but this horse has some issues with stabling and tieing, which wound me up i couldnt ride her, id get on and be so uptght it went to her which then started to give me ridden issues with her. to the point i couldnt ride her i lost my confidence with her.

i knew it was stupid and i was more than capable but it all went pear shaped.

the turning point was when the person i had riding her came back from a hack having had major issues with her, it was at this point i thought this is nuts my horse that cost me thousands and i hate it. It was the kick up the butt i needed(also at this point i had put her up for sale)

one of the huge turning points was also moving yard, that cured the stabking issues.

we have since come on in leaps and bounds, BUT she is still a baby and still has those baby moments, shes laid back in some ways but other days shes a sharp as they come and given an inch she would take a mile, I think with babies one of the keys is knowing when to tell them off and say oi get on with your job, but to also know when they are feeling insecure.but again, if your going to have your confidence knocked by being bronced across a school, or flying across a road when a bt of grass moves then a youngster is not for you.

I really do not think it is about your technical experaince, as in ability to school etc as this can be done under a instructor. I think its largley about how much balls you have. as well as paitiance and resiliance lol!
 
Highlands are very opinionated and know how to use their weight against you. I won't say whether or not it's a good idea. Until you've been to see the horse you won't know what it is like.

I used to school a green Highland that napped and bronked for England. Nothing wrong with it, just throwing it's weight around. You can get youngters that are angels, helped with a Connie a couple of years ago that was the biggest saint I've ever met. I've done a lot of natives and I would say they have an immense cheeky side and most go through a bucking napping stage at some point. If you're happy to ride through it, great. However if you don't want to go through that sort of thing, maybe best to get something a bit older.
 
The answer is that it depends on the horse.

I bought a 5 year old Dales pony who was a real wise head on young shoulders. On the other hand my 22 year old mare was a nutcase most of the time. In fact she got worse the older she got!

I also had a Highland pony when I was a child who had 'interesting' brakes - or lack thereof.

With my own homebreds I have found that they are usually as good as gold to back but then try to test the boundaries when they get to 5 but turn the corner at 6.

The only thing I would question is how green this mare is. With her history it doesn't sound as though she will not have had much schooling and in my opinion, it is vital that the early schooling work is done correctly and consistently.

Definitely take you RI with you when you go to see her.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm still very undecided. Having failed once I keep thinking that maybe I shouldn't try again but then I tell myself that this is a different horse altogether so there's no reason for it to be nappy. I will go and try it and, hopefully, if I like it, get it on trial for a short while to see how things go. I will probably be back on here for advice before long :D
 
eggs, I have been told that she is forward going but that she does have brakes. She is very green but I will have lots of lessons with my RI who is also my YO to make sure that I school her correctly. I love schooling so I have bags of enthusiasm. It just remains to be seen if I have enough talent to do a good job. If I start to struggle I will ask one of my more experienced friends to step in and take over for a while but, hopefully, it won't come to that.
 
Even the most laidback youngster can throw things at you that will test you. Ive brought on 2 youngsters now and I must say it is easier the 2nd time round but there are days when I do have to be really brave! Just to stick on and ride through things while being relaxed and calm isnt always easy.

You really have to use your head with a young horse. Its a lot about common sense and patience. It may be a brilliant learning curve for you or it may be to much hassle. It depends on the horse but I knew a highland which while lovely and easy could still throw the odd buck and spook! He was 9!

Its also a lot of schooling to do. Your young horse wont just pull up from a canter unless hes been taught transitions properly in the school and is suitably balanced. Could you cope out on a hack if you wanted to go from trot to walk, hes got unbalanced and surged forward.. would you you tighten up and cause him to panick? Or would you have a secure enough seat and the confidence to gently ease him back to walk while hes trying to trot or canter off?

How would yopu cope over the first fence? If he tried to duck out? What about the first dustcart he sees out hacking?

Im not saying you cant do it but its a lot to think about. My youngster isnt dangerous in any way shape or form. Hes actually very laidback but iv still had to sit up and ride him through the odd buck and spin. A lot of baby horse will have a buck in canter for instance when they get unbalanced and they can be sharp even the natives.
 
HenrytheCat It sounds as though you have the right attitude and set-up/support to take on a youngster.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

If it is any consolation I find that WBs seem to be a lot more backward thinking and nappy than some other types/breeds.
 
sorry I got mixed up on breed, must be premature senility.

The only thing I wanted to add was that I strangely felt braver on my youngster than on my 17 hander bought older. It was almost like because I had to be brave for both of us, and if I did she would be brave, I had the willpower to do it. Also she never just tanked like my big chap, so I didnt have that fear, provided I stayed brave!

So you might find inner courage too!

You cant rule out nightmares but its a question of minimising them if youve had dodgy experiences in the past..... for me the scenario painted doesnt sound minimal risk but you only live once - it just depends if you click with this horse!

Before I got Liesel I always said I would never have a mare as the ones i knew were all moodies. Now I wouldnt ride anything else by choice, we just communicate in a way I never could with my gelding, tho I love him dearly!
 
I think if you try the horse and get on with him/her then go for it! My boyfriend has been riding my very green ex racer, he is a novice rider, and she has been brilliant with him so he helps out with the schooling too now :)
 
Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated :) I've had a chat with OH this morning and he says that it will do no harm to drive down to see this pony and try her out and then things may become clearer in my mind, so that's what we're going to do.
 
Things will be alot clearer for you oce you have seen it and ridden it for yourself x You will be able to judge your capabilities better, i think you have a strong backing in your RI who thinks you are capable and as she knows your riding and we dont i would trust her esp as she is your YO too you will never be short of advice xx
 
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