buying my very first horse! advice needed please :)

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louloux

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So a lifetime of waiting is finally over, I'm 19 years old and working full time, therefore I can finally afford a horse of my own.

I have been riding since a young age. I've had an irish sports horse on share, but don't know much about the characteristics of the different breeds of horses.

I'm looking for a horse that is quite fine in body type (not a fan of chunky cobs), foward going, a good all rounder and a great first horse that I can really bond with. My friend has suggested I go for an ex racer.

Any suggestions?

(Oh I am also 5ft 11 so needs to be over 16hh!)
 
I am in pretty much the same position although bit older! I love ISH and my current share is an ISH with a bit of connie, I love her as she is clever (too clever) reliable, healthy and solid, still going really well at nearly 23 :-)

I thought about an ex racer too but I don't think I have enough experience as they can be really daunting (I'm a bit heavy anyway)! How about an ex racer that has been reschooled and settled into other types of work with a different owner? I saw a lovely one on horsemart for bargain price! There he is....

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/ex_raceh..._16_1_hh_chestnut_mid_glamorgan/advert/222108

Good luck :-)
 
i know i am going to get shot down in flames now but why a TB true they are very cheap to buy but not to keep i really think you should think twice before you get one there was an article in the horse and hound a few weeks ago about owning an x racer very good and very true there are plenty of finer breeds of horse even an irish sports horse can be quite fine in build we have 3 horses who have been on box rest recently 2 of them x racers i had many years ago an x hurdler and though a lovely gentle horse cost me a fortune in vets bills all i am saying if its your 1st horse to buy yourself just take your time
 
My first instinct before you said about your friends suggestion was an ex-racer. But,...be careful!! Some can be total loons, but find a good and fairly youngish retired/un-successful one and you're set :0) I've had both bad and good with ex-racers, but the bad was only through ill treatment of old racing owners. If you have the time to bring on and really bond, an ex racer seems a good bet to me
 
cassie summers said:
i know i am going to get shot down in flames now but why a TB true they are very cheap to buy but not to keep i really think you should think twice before you get one there was an article in the horse and hound a few weeks ago about owning an x racer very good and very true there are plenty of finer breeds of horse even an irish sports horse can be quite fine in build we have 3 horses who have been on box rest recently 2 of them x racers i had many years ago an x hurdler and though a lovely gentle horse cost me a fortune in vets bills all i am saying if its your 1st horse to buy yourself just take your time
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I do hear and understand this. TB's can be a nightmare to keep as they are dainty and easily breakable etc,....but, the last one lived out 24/7 and was a hardy thing. I agree though, take your time...make sure its exactly what you want or something you know you can work with and bring on with your ability and experience.
 
Why has your friend suggested an ex-racer??

Unless it has been in a private home for a few years its not going to miraculously be 'an all rounder'.

IMO a horse of that nature is the one to have when you're on you're 3rd or 4th horse, when you're looking for a big challenge and can handle a horse that is uncertain away from a crowd, doesn't know about being mounted from the ground, has either never jumped a stick or stood off every jump 8ft.

OK, this is a large generalisation, but please don't go for an ex-racer just because they're cheap.

Buy a RC all rounder sort, pref from a private home or a horse that the sellers can prove its background.

Good luck!!
 
SpruceRI said:
Why has your friend suggested an ex-racer??

Unless it has been in a private home for a few years its not going to miraculously be 'an all rounder'.

IMO a horse of that nature is the one to have when you're on you're 3rd or 4th horse, when you're looking for a big challenge and can handle a horse that is uncertain away from a crowd, doesn't know about being mounted from the ground, has either never jumped a stick or stood off every jump 8ft.

OK, this is a large generalisation, but please don't go for an ex-racer just because they're cheap.

Buy a RC all rounder sort, pref from a private home or a horse that the sellers can prove its background.

Good luck!!
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totally agree ^^^^^
 
Go for something EASY. Deliberately under horse yourself a bit. Everyone has a massive crisis in confidence with their first horse so definitely do not take on something that is at the higher end of your ability. Most horses mess about and play up for a while in a new home so if you're bought something that's at your max ability whilst being good, you'll just end up frustrated, frightened and poss hurt when it messes about.

Some people like the idea of a 'challenge' to bring round and fix. As a first horse that's a terrible idea! Get something you can enjoy and relax with, take out to shows, go to lessons and go and DO stuff with from the beginning. You'll get far more enjoyment out of a horse like that than something you need to spend 3months at home with before you can even canter it safely!

Forget breed, pick a size that's suitable and a general build (if you like the finer horses, go for the 'not too heavy' types) then look for the right temperament, schooling and experience. Decide what you'd like to do (dressage? Jumping? Endurance? Hunting? Hacking? Showing) and make sure the horse will be able to do that without a fuss or battle. Consider an older horse (teenager) as they will have been there and done that, cheaper that an 8yr old and you could have so much FUN going out and about, making the most of their experience.

I would definitely not go out looking for an exracer unless they've had a lot of reschooling already (although a truely reschooled exracer can be a fabby horse) because they take a lot of time, money, experience and patience. You certainly won't be able to go out and enjoy your horse this summer with an un-reschooled ex racer. Nor a just backed baby. Unless you particularly enjoy teaching a horse everything from scratch (it can be wearing, believe me!)
 
louloux said:
I'm looking for a horse that is quite fine in body type (not a fan of chunky cobs), foward going, a good all rounder and a great first horse that I can really bond with. My friend has suggested I go for an ex racer.
Click to expand...

You can land on your feet or in a mess with an ex racer depending on temperament and what they've done once they've stopped...

Kallibear pretty much said my thoughts... Forget breed, keep an open mind and go for the one that feels right each time you test ride - ie, more than one viewing if possible... :)

Kallibear said:
Forget breed, pick a size that's suitable and a general build (if you like the finer horses, go for the 'not too heavy' types) then look for the right temperament, schooling and experience. Decide what you'd like to do (dressage? Jumping? Endurance? Hunting? Hacking? Showing) and make sure the horse will be able to do that without a fuss or battle. Consider an older horse (teenager) as they will have been there and done that, cheaper that an 8yr old and you could have so much FUN going out and about, making the most of their experience.
Click to expand...
 
Kallibear said:
Go for something EASY. Deliberately under horse yourself a bit. Everyone has a massive crisis in confidence with their first horse so definitely do not take on something that is at the higher end of your ability. Most horses mess about and play up for a while in a new home so if you're bought something that's at your max ability whilst being good, you'll just end up frustrated, frightened and poss hurt when it messes about.

Some people like the idea of a 'challenge' to bring round and fix. As a first horse that's a terrible idea! Get something you can enjoy and relax with, take out to shows, go to lessons and go and DO stuff with from the beginning. You'll get far more enjoyment out of a horse like that than something you need to spend 3months at home with before you can even canter it safely!

Forget breed, pick a size that's suitable and a general build (if you like the finer horses, go for the 'not too heavy' types) then look for the right temperament, schooling and experience. Decide what you'd like to do (dressage? Jumping? Endurance? Hunting? Hacking? Showing) and make sure the horse will be able to do that without a fuss or battle. Consider an older horse (teenager) as they will have been there and done that, cheaper that an 8yr old and you could have so much FUN going out and about, making the most of their experience.

I would definitely not go out looking for an exracer unless they've had a lot of reschooling already (although a truely reschooled exracer can be a fabby horse) because they take a lot of time, money, experience and patience. You certainly won't be able to go out and enjoy your horse this summer with an un-reschooled ex racer. Nor a just backed baby. Unless you particularly enjoy teaching a horse everything from scratch (it can be wearing, believe me!)
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What she said!! Who cares what breed it is, temperament and schooling is far more important. I've never ever gone out looking for a particular breed.
 
Kallibear - superb advice.

Nothing to add except for making sure you are fully prepared with questions etc when you phone up the adverts, loads of posts on here recently about good stuff to ask...might be something on there that you hadn't considered.

Also - think about where you will be keeping your new horse and bear this in mind when you go looking...if you plan to stable and you buy something that lives out 24/7 you may find it'll have a personality transplant!

Good luck
 
Hey, I was in a similar position a few weeks ago. I've just brought my first horse on Sunday and he's just what I want. I have been riding since I was young just like you and was looking for a fine type (light ISH or TB) as I too am not keen on cob types. Plus I am quite tall. Also I have had a 5yo Hanoverian x TB on loan.
I brought a 16.3 TB gelding who has been lovely so far. He raced 5 times and then was brought by his previous owners who lightly schooled him, only about twice a week possibly more for a year. Buying a TB like this and not straight out of racing i think is a good idea as you can see if they have developed any vices and you can see how they work out of racing and reduces the risk of your horse turning out to be not what you wanted. However, the only down side is that obvious the price will be higher than straight out of racing but I think it is worth it considering what could go wrong otherwise. (just to clarify I am not saying its wrong to buy a horse straight of the track, this is just my personal opinion). I want mine o event so ideally hes an all rounder :) Good luck on finding a horse!
 
You could try a REPUTABLE dealer. You will be able to tell them what you are looking for and they are likely to have a few for you to try. Some even offer trial periods so you can be sure your boy/girl is right for you.

On a different note, I've probably overhorsed myself with my first horse (17hh kwpn with some 'issues') because I felt a bit sorry for her. Glad I did though because she's the most rewarding thing when things are going right. I think it depends what sort of person you are (it would take ALOT to knock my confidence completley) and what you actually want from your horse. Admittidly I would quite like to be out competing but am happy to wait until my girl is ready (if she's ever ready!) :)
 
For your first horse have a look locally to you and go by word of mouth. don't lock down to breeds to begin with as we know tbs can be amazing the two we had at the stables anyone could get on them. A good horse is never a bad breed. Have a good look through the posts on here from people who have bought and are now having big problems and those that want advice on buying.
 
You might be best to get a good horse on loan for a year, something which has been there and done that, so you can go out and compete this summer, learn to school it up to your dressage level, then buy one to bring on.
The biggest cost is keeping and insurance, so not a great difference when buying, a TB ex racer, which can be tricky for a first timer.
Please, please pay for lessons, so many people rush out and buy a horse, then find they are too short of cash to afford lessons, but at your age you will get tremendous value from private lessons with a really good instructor.
 
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I love welsh cobs - they can be fairly fine and aren't necessarily chunky. They are great fun, can be very forward going and have huge personalities (ok, so that's a generalisation) but they can do most disciplines, are generally good doers and look lush.
 
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