Do I? Dont I?

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Solstar

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Please help, I'm dithering!! :confused:

I have been approached with an offer to buy a 2 year old I did some work on this Spring.
He stands about 16.3 now, is gelded, wormed, vaccinated etc. He's started long reining, leads around, is good for the farrier, and is generally good to do. He moves like a dream, is soft as a brush and just loves fuss.

I'd literally buy him and turn him away until next Summer. I'm planning on wintering my 2 out so he could stay out with them. I'd feed him ad-lib Haylage and a Balancer and see how he gets on with regards to rugging him.

Now, the dithering bit.
I already have 2 horses- a TB that's practically retired and a 23yo who I'm doing a little bit of Showing/Dressage with.

Do I need another?
On the plus side, my old man will probably retire in the next couple of years, and if the TB struggles this winter it'll be his last- he'll have a lovely summer, then be PTS. (I've had him 9 years so I do know him well enough to know that that is the right decision!!!!)

Is it alot more work having 3 rather than 2?

The 2yo is Friesian x WB- will he grow much more?
I've never had any experience with the more 'Continental' breeds, only having Natives and TB's before, could you tell me anything/what to expect?


Thankyou!!
:)
 
Couldnt tell you how much more he might grow (but if he is 16hh+ at two.......).
If you are wintering them out then its not like you have to muck out an extra one, so no more/less work involved really is there!
 
go for it otherwise youll regret it :) im sure he would sell on in a flash if you cant cope if hes as nice as he sounds or you could loan him out or share him, i would buy him otherwise someone else will
 
See, that's my plan- if we don't get on/ I need the £ we can sell him rather than my 2 old men!! I will regret it if I don't get him- he could be a star in the making!!!
 
i think that being that size at 2 you would be looking at leaving him for at least 2 years before breaking him ie summer of 2012. depends on price versus quality conformation quality and breeding.
 
Blimey, he's going to be huge, I'm sure he's got at least a couple more inches in him yet...! I too wouldn't back him until he is four, you could do groundwork and make sure he stays nice to be around, maybe longline and walk him out in-hand, but I'd make sure he's grown up properly before doing any ridden work. If you get him can we have photos please? I bet he's stunning.
Oh yes, 3 will be plenty more work than 2, but since when did that stop any of us?? I'd just do the sums carefully, if hay prices are going to be as bad as it seems this winter, a horse that size eats a lot of the stuff.
 
I'd be considering the additional cost of another horse rather than additional work (we always manage that somehow, don't we!). Feed/hay for a big boy plus farrier, worming etc. If you can afford him, though, I'd definitely go for it as you clearly really like him and will always wonder 'what if' if you don't. Sounds like he'd be easily sold if you decided later he's not for you.
I also agree with those who say wait until he's 4 to break him. You can always do lots with him on the ground, get him used to to wearing tack, have a sit on, but physically and mentally I'm sure you'd reap benefits of waiting another year.
Size wise, he's going to be over 17hh I should think.
Good luck - let us know how you go on.
 
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