Does such a creature exist?

R

rustyrider

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 May 2009
Messages
83
Visit site
My OH has been learning to ride and would ultimately like something to continue to learn on, hack and maybe hunt. Being the impatient sort I am, I've been thinking about a spot of horse shopping - even though he probably has another 6mths of lessons before he's even vaguely competent. So I have a couple of questions for you lovely people:
- at what point do you think a novice is 'ready' to have their own horse, if it was kept on full livery, they were having regular lessons (x2 per week) and they had an OH to help them if they got in a pickle?
- is there any chance of finding a horse which would tolerate a confident novice bouncing around, and still be capable of going out for a spot of low level eventing with me? Or am I dreaming?
- what sort of horse would happily carry a 14.5stone, 6.1ft chap and his 9.5st, 5.6ft wife?
- does such a creature exist and how much would we need to budget?

Thanks so much for your ideas!
 
I think the key is the help available which in your case sounds ideal, there is no reason that you could not find a horse to do this job, I know of one that would,[not for sale though]
A good ID or IDx would have the right credentials and would not need to be to high to carry the weight, they can be forgiving and not too sharp.

Budget, how long is a piece of string,I would think around £5000 for something established to a reasonable level, maybe slightly older could suit.
 
They are about because we have one. He is 17.1hh so big enough for OH, but not so big that he can't be ridden by 5'7" daughter as well. They are both competent riders, but in his previous role he has been ridden safely by beginners as well, as he has a laidback temperament. Still capable of jumping decent courses though and has respectable flatwork.

He is on loan though, so no idea of what a horse like that would cost. To give you an idea of breeding, he is half Irish Draught (dam by Clover Hill) and by an event stallion (who is part Anglo-Arab).

This is him:

DSC_0902.jpg
 
ID was just what I was just what I was thinking. It's just a question of finding the mythical beast. Do you think it would be possible with a private sale? Or easier just to go to a dealer? No idea if they would have this sort...
 
Sounds like you are describing my lovely cob - he has given me back my confidence and taught my OH to ride in 6 months. Problem I now have is that OH loves it so much that he will "borrow" my horsey and go off with him riding through the woods for 2 hours. We are going to do Trec together in a few weeks - I will do the obstacles and OH will tackle the 12km POR phase.

But sorry, our lovely boy will never be for sale!

Good luck finding your horsey - these solid little cobs are hard to find but when you get the right one you will never let them go.
 
I'd look for a school master / mistress, something with a sensible head and not fizzy. A kind eye and a good reputation for not getting spooked by things. Make your OH wear a body protector out hacking. These types of horses are I think a tad hard to find but I am sure you will find one, get your R I to help you find the right one. Good luck!
 
Such an animal does exist I have recently brought one. 16.3 irish sport horse, 1 am 5'3 and my hubby is 6'2 and the best part of 16 stone. The horse is perfect he is steady enough for OH to hunt and do fun rides and just flops over the little jumps with him. But then he revs up enough for me to gallop round a x country course and take show jumping. Horse is very green but has a fantastic brain and is really willing to learn. He has brought OH on no end. Best of luck in your search!!
 
Thanks everyone, this is encouraging. TLS, out of interest, how was your new horse advertised? I was wondering if there was something specific I should look out for.
 
I'd wait a couple more months as he may get dumped from horse and that tends to put them off for a little while, or he may decide he's not really into it and you will have gotten your hopes up.
 
My horse is probably half a hand too small (would carry the weight but would probably make a tall man feel a bit like they were on a pony) but in all other respects yes, he would do the job you want. If he was a bit bigger he'd still be totally rideable by you. 12 year olds ride him and he's 15.3 and rides pretty big and they're fine. My totally novice OH rides him and he is as good as gold. He's dead good at pony rides but isn't totally talentless either

And he isn't a cob, it is the brown one in my siggy. I doubt very much he's the only such beast out there!

If your OH wants a horse I don't see any reason not to buy now. All the knowledge is there for its care after all :)
 
rustyrider said:
Thanks everyone, this is encouraging. TLS, out of interest, how was your new horse advertised? I was wondering if there was something specific I should look out for.
Click to expand...

Hi, I contacted a dealer told them exactly what i needed and she recommended this particular horse. I only rode him for 5 minutes and knew he was perfect for the job
 
i have 2 so they do exist. An ISH who i was eventing with, will happily jump 1m+ but stick him behind someone to go hacking and he is a proper plod. And a cob, bought for OH as a novice ride, but they other day discovered he can jump 90cm oxers!
 
what you are wanting describes my horse to a T, although now he is a retired horse! he's a big 17.2hh ID x, temprement of a saint, i can put anyone on him and know they are safe but at the same time i can put an experienced person on him and he will do as they ask, he was used for hunting before i got him and some say the ex hunters are the safest horses because they've had to learn to keep a cool head and all that.

they are out there but they don't come cheap, i was lucky with my boy!
 
It does indeed and I have it sat in the field at home at the moment! 17hh ish ID x WB,; build & temp of an ID and paces of a WB!!!!!
Absolutely bomb proof to hack, alone or in company, without being a plod, can lead him on a piece of cotton, 1000% gentleman in every way. Capable of jumping 5 bar metal gate from a standstill!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately he's not for sale!!!!!!!!!!
They are out there you just have to be on the look out for them - don't expect them to come cheap though, it would cost someone a fortune to convince me to let them buy my boy!
Good luck :)
 
Haha! Good point, although he's already fallen off and it didn't seem to put him off. It sounds like everyone who has something that fits the bill couldn't be persuaded to part with them, which reassures me that there's a market out there to find said creature a new home if my OH decides his heart isn't in it (i already have one and don't have the time or funds to have total responsibility for a second). It sounds like contacting a reliable dealer could be a good alternative to trawlling the small ads - i've always brought privately in the past, but i guess dealers make a lot of sense when you have something very specific in mind.

Thanks a million!
 
A pure Irish draught is what you need but a really nice well trained one won't be cheap we have one here that would do your job would never part with him he's great but he would happily do low level eventing and be happy with a novice rider as well.
 
When you say wouldn't be cheap? Can you give me a sense of what you have in mind? I'm a great believer in you get what you pay for but i guess everyone has a different concept of cheap and expensive and it would be super helpful just to check what i have in mind is the right ballpark
 
Hi

I wouldn't definately go with an Irish Draught or ID cross. I had the same problem. My OH wanted to learn to ride and I didn't want to get him a geriatric plod as thought he wont be as commited as me so better to find something safe enough for him but good enough to be my second hunt horse....I found it! 4yr old just backed Irish sports horse. Obviously didn't stick OH on for a few months but now the horse is a darling. I've been cubbing him all season and he is a star but will happily hack out quietly for OH. He isn't a plod in the slightest but ever so kind, not sharp and beautifully responsive. He will happily tick along on the buckle in walk trot and canter but I can hop on and gather him up and burn around the hunt jumps. He also has beautiful paces so I may event him next year :)
I got mine from a dealer in Sussex,
 
If it were me, I would get a horse that you want but that could easily carry your OH. That way, he can keep having lessons and in the meantime you could be settling the horse in and doing a spot of eventing etc with him. OH could try him occasionally and see how he got on (with an instructor and in an enclosed area) until he is ready to properly share him with you. If you buy something more steady and ploddy now, then I think you will face the probability of having to sell it when you both want to progress and do more things. So go for a horse that is what you want now and OH will have to just catch up. You will be amazed at just how quickly men seem to progress with riding. They tend to have more confidence and impatience to progress than women.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top