Ex riding school horse?

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dodgers89

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Hi. Thus might seem like an obvious answer but is there anywhere to find ex riding school horses for loan or sale? We don't really have any decent schools nearby that I can ask at so just wondered if anyone had any ideas? Thanks
 
dodgers89 said:
Hi. Thus might seem like an obvious answer but is there anywhere to find ex riding school horses for loan or sale? We don't really have any decent schools nearby that I can ask at so just wondered if anyone had any ideas? Thanks
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Why ex riding school ? they are often not the paragons of virtue when out of the hard work regimented routine of the school.
 
Why do you specifically want an ex riding school horse? the good ones will be worth their weight in gold to a decent school and be kept to work and earn their keep, the not so good ones may have issues that mean they will not always suit other jobs that well either, the rest will be ex due to old age and related soundness problems.

Not much help to your question but it seems an unusual request.
 
dodgers89 said:
They'd be bomb proof and pretty safe wouldn't they? I'm looking for a been there done that type horse.
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They may be while in a school situation but they are usually worked far harder than the average horse, many are only happy to go out in groups and are not very independent.
I would look for a privately owned horse, one that has been in a good home for some time, with evidence to back that up, that is maybe looking for a less busy life, don't restrict yourself to a RS horse, as I said before they will keep the really good ones, they may sell if the price is right but unlikely to be advertising them unless they are closing down.
 
dodgers89 said:
They'd be bomb proof and pretty safe wouldn't they? I'm looking for a been there done that type horse.
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Most likely not when work is reduced!

A riding school horse may do up to 3 hours work a day, six days a week......sure they are pretty laid back then as three hours keeps them sane and sensible.

Once out of this...doing maybe four or five hours work a week....... Well there's a lot of unused fitness and energy!

I'd look for a riding club horse....done some team stuff, clinics, hunting etc... They will be more suited and more laid back with less work than a riding school horse
 
Lol! Mine was a horror! Tb x Connie mare, 8yo when I bought her... Couldn't give her a day off for months as she tried to kill me the day after a 'rest' day... Knew every evasion in the book, stargazed like a pro for about 6 months and had lasting muscle wastage from a saddle that didn't fit.

After a good year of reschooling, she came good and was a fantastic SJ/XC horse, however never a novice ride and never did find breaks round a course of fences!
 
There are plenty of those sorts that are not necessarily ex-riding school horses. Look around and see what you can find in general, you're only limiting yourself. Some older horses would fit your bill, or just something quiet? Riding school are not always a novices kick along... push a button and will do anything (and they wouldn't sell the ones that are!)

Looking at riding schools is always an option though. How far are you willing to travel? Phone/email all the ones within that radius and ask if they've got any suitable horses for sale. Some even have a for sale section on the website. You could also google 'Ex riding school horse for sale' and a few come up.

But remember, there is always a reason for its sale with a RS, such as age/health/too much for the learners, whereas with private sales its more likely just a case of they now want something a bit bolder now. Plus echoing what everyone said less work will change them and they always prefer being in groups.

What are you looking for exactly? Something to learn to ride on? for a nervous rider? or otherwise?
 
Having worked at a riding school, those horses change when they get into a different situation! Not all, some are excellent whatever, but I remember our push button school master types who were used for absolute novices on lessons turn into fire breathing dragons once out of that environment. Having said that, lot's did come from private homes where they had been there and done that so that type are worth considering, but anything that hasn't known any other life, be careful of.
 
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