Buying first horse advice

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1Lucie

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Hi,

I am currently looking for my first horse to buy. I have been riding for 15 years (but 6of those i barely rode). I have had 3 horses on loan, the most recent one was sold 3 weeks ago. I had him on loan for 3 years and although offered him, i declined to buy him for many reasons. I feel i am ready to take the plunge with the right horse.


I have traweled the internet with little luck, having made enquries about 6 horses all of which have been sold. Appears i'm too slow off the mark :(

Can anyone recommend a good dealers/websites? I feel as though im looking for a horse that doesn't exsist!!!!!!

My critea is as follows:

15.2hh plus
8-12yrs (consider slightly younger if quiet)
100% all ways particularly hacking (confidence giver when out)
medium weight type cob build
Ability to do nice dressage test (w&t or prelim unaff)

willing to travel max 150miles from e anglia to right horse.

Any advice/guidance and general nudges in correct direction gratfully recieved!!!!
 
My advice would be to ask EVERYTHING to the buyer, no matter how ridiculas it sounds!
You want to know if the horse is good to clip, box, shoe, hack alone/in company. What is its competition record, is it good in traffic or does it have any hang ups about paticular things i.e tractors.
What are they like in open spaces.
And ask to hack the horse and ride in a school. Ride in a field too if possible and ask to see it being led out to a field. Nothing worse then a horse who is safe to ride but unsafe to handle on the ground!
I always look to see how they behave when tacked up. If tack is included in the price, have a quick sceet of the fit and quality of the tack. Sometimes you are better walking off and buying new tack!
When I buy a horse, sounds bad but I always ask about every aspect of the behaviour of the horse, right down to have they ever coliced, if its a mare what are they like to ride and handle when in season etc.
So basically my advice is to be thorough! Leave no stone unturned and get the horse vetted by a reputable vet in the area :)
Good luck!
 
Thank u so far, i have looking for about 3 months (i knew my loan horse was up for sale). Jeezz such a minefield, i never realsied how hard it was to find a horse until now!
Im being pretty picky, reading between lines of adverts. But i guess its prob not a bad thing!
 
What budget are you looking at as well? Really good confidence givers/school masters tend to be slightly more highly priced than a lot of horses as they are so highly in demand.

Why not also approach something like the local PC club to specifically look at horses that going to be put on the market shortly with the rider going away to uni?
 
Um my riding instructor is on the look out for me, she has alot of involvement at local pony club. But so far no avail! My total maximum budget is £4,500, i really cannot go anymore.
 
I would say, do not believe what people tell you, unless you have tried/seen the horse do it. Try to get references for the horse. Make sure you speak to their instructor and to their farrier. I would also get them to pu in writing that the horse has no vices and is straightforward in all ways. I would also say that you should try not to over-horse yourself and try to buy something at least over 7 years of age. Don't let anyone persuade you to buy a youngster.
 
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