Buying youngsters?

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katiejaye

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I have been considering buying a youngster at some point at the end of this year to bring on to compete in dressage in the future. I am looking for something unbacked and with the potential to eventually compete up to PSG. I am hoping that my current horse will take me up to medium/ advanced medium. I haven't had a youngster before but have been a horse owner/rider for many years and have a lot of experience. I also have a trainer at my yard who backs horses and trains dressage so I have a good support system.

My question is when did you get your first youngster and just how rewarding is it?

How much should I be expecting to pay for a good quality youngster and what ages should I be considering.

Also can anyone recommend any good breeders that I should consider.

Thanks
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Rocks was the first youngster i produced, i got him 2years ago when he was rising four, he was backed but only just and unschooled. Its been the most rewarding experience of my life and i've built up the most spectacular bond with him. Would recomend it BUT you obviously need to be experienced and confident enough (which i have no doubt you are)
 
I think you want a nice weanling end of this year, perhaps by Mill Law and out of Deco?!
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I'll have a word with it to make sure it will dressage up to the level you want and of course with that breeding it will be fine when your jumping urge gets the better of you every so often!
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Producing your own youngster is wonderful. I bought my top horse, a dutchwarmblood at the age of 8 months he's been with me ever since and we have competed internationally it felt amazing and really special was meeting up with the breeder and him watch his 'boy' do so well.
It does have its risks there is a lot of time to be inputted and there is no guarantee that you will have the horse of your dreams at the end of it. I have produced a lot now and yes lots have gone on to do well i've only had one special one. When you know them so well it is a very special relationship that you have and you know that any problems or issues are yours and yours alone. Klimke has written an exellent book on producing young horses also his autobiography that he wrote about him and his olympic horse is wonderful too. He was a great trainer so even now his books are still relevant.
There are many good breeders in this country it depends on what you like. the meadows stud has some good stallions , exellent mares and they know a thing or ten about breeding.
 
thank you for the feedback, I am really looking for that special bond and for that rewarding feeling of bringing a horse on myself (obviously with experienced guidance). I def feel I am ready to make the step
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I think you want a nice weanling end of this year, perhaps by Mill Law and out of Deco?!
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I'll have a word with it to make sure it will dressage up to the level you want and of course with that breeding it will be fine when your jumping urge gets the better of you every so often!
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sounds perfect
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Can you ask it to be ginger as well
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thank you for the reply, I am really looking for that special relationship. I have really enjoyed growing and learning the ropes with my current horse although I bought him as a 5 yr old and he came with some "baggage". He has been amazing and we've learnt a lot together but like you say I'd love the idea of having a horse from the beginning with no pre-existing issues or problems. I will def look into that book and start preparing myself for making the step
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Of course I understand things don't always go to plan but I am also looking forward to the experience of bringing on a youngster, not just the final outcome.

Thanks again
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It will be the most exciting, challenging and yet rewarding experience of your life, or at least it has been for me. Will be really interested to follow your progress
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good luck!!

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I have to admitt I get excited just thinking about it
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I will def keep you updated when/if I decide to take the next step
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Flash is the first youngster I have bought and I'm delighted with the decision. Although he had competed he was very green and the feeling I get when I know we've made real progress is second to none. It is hard work, but well worth it
 
Oh I will be so happy if it is orange! The odds are against it, but will make my year if it can overcome them! Although deco has cow hocks she was actually very good at dressage, particularly collected movements. She can do canter pirouette, changes (sometimes with more emphasis on the flying than the changing!), very good lateral work, and I got the beginnings of piaffe on her
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, great fun to play about on once she'd stopped being a "proper" competition horse I didn't want to muck up.
 
the very best of luck to you , you sound like your more than ready for the challenge i hope you get what you hope and deserve.... go for it and let us know what you get. I'm off to Germany tomorrow to look at some potential international horses and am very excited so i know how you feel its all an adventure!
 
having youngsters is great - I breed a few and they are very rewarding (and although I can no longer do the backing and riding myself I get a huge buzz when they do well)

tbh I wouldn't go as young as a foal or yearling as it will be too young to do much with.

If you got a 2 or 3 yr old then you can start doing things with it slowly - e.g. introducing bridle, roller, loose schooling, little bit lunging, etc and by having something to 'work' with you'll get more of a bond going than is involved in merely handling, grooming, leading (although those are important too).

My 2 yr old will be introduced to suchthings this summer - but not on a daily, hassle, basis but on days when he's chilled and it's warm (so they don't feel like being silly) and without any pressure. I usually do something 'new' with that sort of age horse about every 3 weeks - consolidating what has gone before

You sound more than ready - good luck

One thing though - don't buy anything toooo big as a baby - 'cos you just don't know how much bigger it will grow and the last thing you want is to bond with something that turns out to be 17.3 at 6 when you are 5ft tall
 
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the very best of luck to you , you sound like your more than ready for the challenge i hope you get what you hope and deserve.... go for it and let us know what you get. I'm off to Germany tomorrow to look at some potential international horses and am very excited so i know how you feel its all an adventure!

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thank you, my YO/Instructor is off to Germany and Denmark in a few weeks to look at some potential horses so I may ask to tag along to just have a nose around and get an idea of what to look for and how much I should be expecting to spend. Good luck with you trip, hope you find some lovely neddies
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thank you for the advise. I will def be considering something 2/3 yrs old, not quite sure I'm quite ready for a foaly just yet
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I have some really good support at my yard so will have good help on hand for when/if I should start introducing things etc.

Def won't buy something too big. I am a fan of smaller horses anyway (my current being 15.3hh) so won't really be wanting anything above about 16.2. I will take my YO/Instructor along with me when I actually go looking as he'll def be able to advise on size etc.
 
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*whispers* The danish horses are looooovely katie
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GL with your eventual search, im sure you'll get on fabulously with a youngster
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I know, i'm a bit concerned that going for a "nose around" in denmark may result in me coming back with something...my YO is a big fan of them
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I think I may have to restrain myself
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Have a 4 yo that I bought at 2 months. The bond is amazing and the trust that you have in each other. I wouldnt have missed it for the world.

Please dont buy from abroad - loads of super youngstock in this country now at some great prices. Visit the British Bred Foal show.

Would reccomend Meadow Stud also, as my baby came from there.
 
Very, very rewarding.
2 year olds are generally cheapest though can be tricky to see through the ugly duckling stage! Go for one with decent breeding and see the dam if poss.
 
Aww having youngsters is just wonderful.
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They are so lovely to have around - even to just sit with a glass of wine out on the deck and watching them in the field is so interesting and rewarding.

I've had lots of youngsters. I always aim to buy yearlings although I will consider some 2 year olds if they have the right attitude. Yearlings or weanlings are by far my preference though. You can do soooo much with them! And you know that YOU are the first one to ever have done a lot of the things with them so this in itself is particularly heart-warming.

I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy the experience - I know I do; each and every time I do it. I love producing them - best part of my job.
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I love buying youngsters and bringing them on. I find it almost more fun than riding established horses. Ive usually bought 4yo's (ready to back), although did have a 3yo. Ive just bought mine privately. Its worth putting wanted ads out - Ive found a few of mine that way.

Maybe if your looking for a serious horse though, you may be better looking abroad at those performance sales or something?
 
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