Finding a ridden companion horse / pony

sparklypickle

sparklypickle

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Hello All! I'm new here!

My friend has a Highland mare who is being moved to a new field near Cambridge and needs a companion. Ideally she would prefer a riding companion who can be taken out on hacks. As I would be riding this horse I am trying to help find some suitable horse but I'm not having much luck so far. I suspect I don't know what I am looking for so if someone could read my situation and suggest what I SHOULD be looking for then that would be great (I don't want to waste sellers time just because I'm pitching my riding ability too high or low).

So - I spent most of my childhood around horses - riding since I was 6 until 15 then had a hiatus until about two years ago. I can walk / trot/ canter/ in a school / hacking. I can tackle a small set of jumps (or could in my youth!) and perform basic dressage movements (turn on the forehand / leg yielding / collection / extension of paces) but I've never ridden any particularly young or troublesome horses - but have ridden countless riding school horses and friend's horses / ponies out regularly with no problems.

I'm guessing that I should look for a 'novice ride' or 'first or second horse/pony' as I need them to be safe but I like my ride to have a bit of spirit and turbo power when asked!

I'm about 5'6 and something like 8-9 stone but the other rider would be a bit heavier so I guess the horse would need to be at least 14HH?

Ideally the horse should be fine to live out most of the time with a field shelter, but there is a stabling facility if needed, so a native breed would be ideal!

The other issue is price - Ideally a long-term loan is desirable as the budget is probably <£1500. The horse would only be hacked and lightly schooled (maybe a few little jumps) so a competitive / sport / younger horse would be wasted.

Can anyone tell me how much you would expect to pay for a suitable horse / pony including tack?

Also - where can you insure an older horse? NFU won't cover horses older than 16 for vets fees...

Thanks for anyone who reads all of this :o
 
Maybe someone cam confirm for me at least that if an advert says 'not suitable for a novice' that that means it's not the ride for me...I guess if I have to ask then there is my answer!
 
I would never even look at 'not suitable for novice' even though I'm not really that novice I would assume it is bonkers!

All you can do is look, if it is any consolation I am looking for a friend for similar, except she doesn't want any turbo but there doesn't seem to be much in this area. Maybe try further across the country.
 
I'd definitely rather have a safe plod than a bonkers ride...its no fun if you are constantly fighting to stay on board! Has your friend checked out the local rescue centres?
 
You don't say how often the horse will be ridden? Some horses when in full work are quiet plods but turn crazy in less work, whereas others it's vice versa, get more full of it the fitter they are
 
There is a very active page on Facebook called Horsepoo Cambridge - I'd recommend looking through the ads and perhaps writing a "wanted" post. There have been a few horses on there recently for your sort of budget though I don't know if any would suit.

Welcome to Cambs *waves*
 
Oh thanks! Steorra :) !

I didn't know about that one (thought I had signed up to every cambs / close related horsey fb group there was!)

I'll have a look at what adverts pop up and maybe put out a 'wanted' up though I've tried numerous other fb places with no avail...just loads of rescue ponies in wales who need homes (too far to go really)

It's easier now I know not to waste sellers times if they mention 'not novice'...I saw one which looks lovely but near York...a bit of a spendy transit I reckon...

:D we were in Cambs all along, just a change of location but thanks for the welcome all the same *waves back*

ok off to horsepoo ;)
 
Have you tried WHW at Snetterton? They sometimes have ridden ponies/horses available, and you have the back up there if needed, plus by taking on one of their horses you are freeing up a space for another equine in need :)
 
MrsElle, there are no suitable horses on their website but I can give them a call and see if there are any waiting to be advertised? If any local rescue places have anything suitable I'd rather help them out than buy a horse which is heading to a good home anyway - I've looked at blue cross, WHW, Essex horse and pony protection, redwings, horse rescue fund (toft monks)..are there any others locally?
 
No worries! Do scroll down/ load older posts as well 'cos adverts disappear off the page really quickly. There is a 14.3 "suitable for competent novice" a few pages in (don't know anything about him just going off the advert!) :)
 
My 17 year old is insured on Pet Plan Equine's normal policy - they also have one specifically for older horses, but it doesn't cover vet fees.
Have you tried Horses for Homes - might have something suitable (never used them but signed up for emails when I was looking and have seen what look like nice horses).
Good luck!
 
I don't think you'd necessarily need the safest plod in the world, you sound like you could handle a bit of spookiness or excitability in open spaces :-) you just don't want to knock your confidence too early!

I would have quite liked a rideable companion for my horse (also in Cambridge) but I ended up getting a darling small pony on loan instead :-) I struggled to find anything to loan that was big enough so you may do better if you can ride ponies!

The lady at final furlong on facebook often has nice ex racers which are often great hacks, some can live out and I know a few who do... A native would be better from a running cost perspective but may cost more for a nice sensible one. That said, my friend got a really super pony for 600 quid, hacks brilliantly for a 4yo, so they do exist but you have to have your eye on the ball and be prepared to make a quick decision!

Your budget is not that small, have seen several horses within that on facebook groups, I agree horsepoo is the best one.

I'll keep an eye out for you as always browsing ;-)
 
Just wanted to add that my part loan boy was advertised as not a novice ride. Now I am a novice with experience if that makes sense, and got to know him quite well over the winter before getting up top. Yes he can be an opinionated ******, but he's a good lad really and we get on very well now. We did have a very hairy moment once when I tried to take him out for a walk in hand and he started boxing at me on a slippery grass incline - eek! I did worry that I had overhorsed myself, but we have done lots of groundwork since then, and now he is teaching me to jump! Over the last couple of months he has become such a fab willing boy. BUT I am not asking a lot of him, as I don't have the technical skills. I ask him to hack out safely, do some very basic schooling, and we have popped one tiny jump together. He is fab, but was advertised as not a novice ride, needs an experienced and confident rider.

ETA - he can spook and nap occasionally but we work through the naps and I can so far sit the spooks and ride him forward :p
 
Thanks all for your replies they are really helpful abd encouraging :)
Leam Carrie - I am checking there thanks for the suggestion :)
Mandwhy - sorry you couldn't find a ridden companion, I'll take a look at those thoroughbreds but I think a native would be Better :)
and YES thats what she's looking for (I'd looove the chance to ride that chestnut guy) I emailed that very ad to my friend last night followed by a text saying she had mail ( then sat containing
excitement ) :D
Tankgirl - thanks for the insight, yrah I can sit little spooks and be firm if a horse naps . I'm glad your horse worked out for you and that you are learning from him to jump :) the only other reason to go for a sensible safe plod is so they dont set off my friends spooky mare!
 
Thinking about it, the pony I was riding until recently is being advertised as suitable for novice
but he napped badly when trying to hack alone, tripped a lot,
occasionally falling down to his knees and once bolted, depositing me on the floor with a broken wrist. Now I know even the safest
pony can get scared and run, its only natural but he was often
difficult to deal with on the ground
too (occasionally rearing, often barging and extremely aware of his strength) I guess this is why I'm questioning the terminology...to my mind he wouldnt be suitable for a novice unless they are experienced, if that makes sense? Don't get me wrong he was a lovely boy most of the time I just have reservations about some advertisers honesty / my understanding of their wording!
 
Why does a pony described as "not a novice ride" (is anyone ever going to use that phrase again to advertise a pony??:rolleyes:) have to be a spooky nut case?

I know where there is a lovely Highland for sale that has never put a foot wrong who is "not a novice ride". That's because she is still learning and so far showing a lot of promise. But a novice could very well give conflicting signals and knock the bloom off and quickly wreck her completely.... Not in the OP's price bracket, so not suitable anyway, but an example.

Surely, anything worth having is worth a little trouble and it is sometimes worth exploring beyond a badly worded advertisement? I thrive on such adverts for my purchases as they generally put off the opposition! Yes, and POAs too!:D:D:D
 
Dryrot yes I have seen that phrase many times! You know- pic of a little kid on the horses back but text saying not novice ride! Or do you mean after this discussion?
I totally see your point re young / green horses. I wouldn't even consider a young / green horse for the very reason that I wouldnt want to risk the situation you outlined. You also make a good point about poor wording being an advantage :) if we don't see for ourselves we won't know :) there is one amazing looking pony advertised which I know has had no offers and the only reason I havent asked for more details is 'not a novice ride' but as I've said before, I dont want to waste sellers time!
 
Going to view an excellent candidate companion on Saturday :D oooo excited !!!

(found through a friend of a friend of a friend, not advertised)

wish us luck!! If all parties are happy expect a flurry of cute
pictures :o
 
Ooh good luck!

I wouldn't not ask about something because it said 'not novice ride' but I would make it my first question. It can be down to youth or because they will take a mile if you give them an inch... My haffy is very good but she is 6 and I wouldn't want someone who wasn't confident handling her all the time, although my OH is a complete beginner and handles her just fine with my supervision, and I should think he could ride her if he ever wants to! She's the 'stand there and do nothing' kind of horse until she knows she has to do something :-)
 
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