Finding it hard to find the right horse for my teen

[Squeak]

Looking for 15.3h-16.2hh, 7-12 ideally, and she wants to start competing in dressage, starting UA Prelim and working up to doing BD, plus hacking out, clinics, fun rides etc. She doesn’t really enjoy jumping but would do this occasionally.

That sounds sensible - unfortunately though very popular criteria! It could also be worth considering something a bit older too if it's got the right CV, as schoolmasters can be so helpful and also a bit more kind and forgiving? From what she wants to do, you'd be better to under horse her in terms of ability and size as it's her first horse as having too much horse can be scary and off putting and most horses and even ponies should be able to do what she wants.

 

[New-to-the-game]

That sounds sensible - unfortunately though very popular criteria! It could also be worth considering something a bit older too if it's got the right CV, as schoolmasters can be so helpful and also a bit more kind and forgiving? From what she wants to do, you'd be better to under horse her in terms of ability and size as it's her first horse as having too much horse can be scary and off putting and most horses and even ponies should be able to do what she wants.

Yes you’re right - ones that meet this criteria seem to go in a flash! We missed out on a great one a few months ago because we couldn’t decide on the spot

 

[Squeak]

In case it's helpful - from what you've said - first time owner, tall, slight 16yo who wants to do mainly dressage with some hacking and clinics this is the kind of thing I'd be looking at - although I do caveat this with I don't know what she rides like etc:

Don't know the dealer and know he's 15.2 but he should take up the leg and if he's done showing he should be more than enough schooled for prelim and not be fussed by atmosphere etc:

Elvis

<p>Temperament to die for </p> <p>A lovely hack and pop’s round a track of fences beautifully genuine to everything. </p> <p>3 mega paces he just oozes quality </p> <p>A delight to handle on the ground </p> <p>Very well schooled off the leg ride! A real smashing boy if Rolls Royce made horses...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Would want to check she would suit a first horse but another that would be ready to go straight out to dressage and clinics etc:

Amateurs Dream

<p>16hh 10YO ISH mare (Diamond Lad lines) <br /> <br /> <br /> Rosie is the ultimate amateurs dream. She has a kind willing attitude, well established on the flat with three correct paces & shows a huge amount of scope over a fence. Not spooky with fillers etc. <br /> <br /> Evented to BE100...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Again, don't know the dealer but she's the kind of type that I'd have thought might suit?

CUPPY - super allrounder

<p>CUPPY - Beautiful substantial 2017 15.3hh black Irish mare who is one of the most sweet natured girls we have had for a long time, she has character, wants to be your friend and is exactly what a super cob should be!</p> <p>She is a lovely leg in each corner type but yet she still moves in an...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Sounds like they're aiming him at a teen moving on to horses and an easy all rounder, I would think he's possibly done more SJ than needed and would want to know he's not too much of a compeitition type:

Super allround gelding

<p>16,1 10 rising 11 years gelding.</p> <p>Shelby is good to hack alone and in company.</p> <p>Good to box, shoe, clip, catch.</p> <p>Lives in or out with mares or geldings.</p> <p>Can be handled by anyone.</p> <p>Shelby has most recently been in a family home where he’s been used for SJ (No...

www.horsequest.co.uk

 

[New-to-the-game]

In case it's helpful - from what you've said - first time owner, tall, slight 16yo who wants to do mainly dressage with some hacking and clinics this is the kind of thing I'd be looking at - although I do caveat this with I don't know what she rides like etc:

Don't know the dealer and know he's 15.2 but he should take up the leg and if he's done showing he should be more than enough schooled for prelim and not be fussed by atmosphere etc:

Elvis

<p>Temperament to die for </p> <p>A lovely hack and pop’s round a track of fences beautifully genuine to everything. </p> <p>3 mega paces he just oozes quality </p> <p>A delight to handle on the ground </p> <p>Very well schooled off the leg ride! A real smashing boy if Rolls Royce made horses...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Would want to check she would suit a first horse but another that would be ready to go straight out to dressage and clinics etc:

Amateurs Dream

<p>16hh 10YO ISH mare (Diamond Lad lines) <br /> <br /> <br /> Rosie is the ultimate amateurs dream. She has a kind willing attitude, well established on the flat with three correct paces & shows a huge amount of scope over a fence. Not spooky with fillers etc. <br /> <br /> Evented to BE100...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Again, don't know the dealer but she's the kind of type that I'd have thought might suit?

CUPPY - super allrounder

<p>CUPPY - Beautiful substantial 2017 15.3hh black Irish mare who is one of the most sweet natured girls we have had for a long time, she has character, wants to be your friend and is exactly what a super cob should be!</p> <p>She is a lovely leg in each corner type but yet she still moves in an...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Sounds like they're aiming him at a teen moving on to horses and an easy all rounder, I would think he's possibly done more SJ than needed and would want to know he's not too much of a compeitition type:

Super allround gelding

<p>16,1 10 rising 11 years gelding.</p> <p>Shelby is good to hack alone and in company.</p> <p>Good to box, shoe, clip, catch.</p> <p>Lives in or out with mares or geldings.</p> <p>Can be handled by anyone.</p> <p>Shelby has most recently been in a family home where he’s been used for SJ (No...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Thank you! It is really useful to see examples of the sort of ads I should be looking for and will check out some of those

 

[I'm Dun]

In case it's helpful - from what you've said - first time owner, tall, slight 16yo who wants to do mainly dressage with some hacking and clinics this is the kind of thing I'd be looking at - although I do caveat this with I don't know what she rides like etc:

Don't know the dealer and know he's 15.2 but he should take up the leg and if he's done showing he should be more than enough schooled for prelim and not be fussed by atmosphere etc:

Elvis

<p>Temperament to die for </p> <p>A lovely hack and pop’s round a track of fences beautifully genuine to everything. </p> <p>3 mega paces he just oozes quality </p> <p>A delight to handle on the ground </p> <p>Very well schooled off the leg ride! A real smashing boy if Rolls Royce made horses...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Would want to check she would suit a first horse but another that would be ready to go straight out to dressage and clinics etc:

Amateurs Dream

<p>16hh 10YO ISH mare (Diamond Lad lines) <br /> <br /> <br /> Rosie is the ultimate amateurs dream. She has a kind willing attitude, well established on the flat with three correct paces & shows a huge amount of scope over a fence. Not spooky with fillers etc. <br /> <br /> Evented to BE100...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Again, don't know the dealer but she's the kind of type that I'd have thought might suit?

CUPPY - super allrounder

<p>CUPPY - Beautiful substantial 2017 15.3hh black Irish mare who is one of the most sweet natured girls we have had for a long time, she has character, wants to be your friend and is exactly what a super cob should be!</p> <p>She is a lovely leg in each corner type but yet she still moves in an...

www.horsequest.co.uk

Sounds like they're aiming him at a teen moving on to horses and an easy all rounder, I would think he's possibly done more SJ than needed and would want to know he's not too much of a compeitition type:

Super allround gelding

<p>16,1 10 rising 11 years gelding.</p> <p>Shelby is good to hack alone and in company.</p> <p>Good to box, shoe, clip, catch.</p> <p>Lives in or out with mares or geldings.</p> <p>Can be handled by anyone.</p> <p>Shelby has most recently been in a family home where he’s been used for SJ (No...

www.horsequest.co.uk

I wouldnt even ring about any of those. Both the cobs would be a hard no, even at half the price. The grey looks very sweet, but is aimed as show jumping as is the bay.

 

[I'm Dun]

this might be worth ringing about

PARC REAL MAGIC (Mo)

Where do I start with mo!<br/>He's the perfect boy<br/>A very reluctant sale<br/>He can turn his hoof to anything you put him to. <br/>He's done lots of local shows and been successful. <br/>He's produced a few good dressage tests with good scores. <br/>Won working hunter classes/showing...

www.horsequest.co.uk

and this one

Dream happy hack / all rounder

Rosie is a 16h 6yo mare. She has the ultimate dream temperament in and out the stable, quiet and easy to handle but loves fuss and attention. She is a chestnut mare but don’t let this put you off she’s a complete Labrador!!!<br/><br/>She has taken in part in all activities, camps and rallies...

www.horsequest.co.uk

this would depend how ballsy your child is and just what the hock blemish is, but it sounds like he's a much loved horse and she would be honest if he would suit or not

Stunning chunky oversized Connemara gelding

<p>15.2hh 5 year old Connemara Gelding purchased from Kevin Riley in Ireland.</p> <p>Still growing and is very nearly 15.3hh. Great top quality oversized solid built Connemara.</p> <p>I had him sent over from Ireland as a 3 year old and I broke him at 4 years old.</p> <p>He was an absolute...

www.horsequest.co.uk

this isn't what I'd be looking for, but is probably a dressage focused teenagers dream horse, but I'd want a very competent child and seriously good back up. If anyone wanted to buy me this one though I wouldn't be sad about it!

Very attractive Lusitano X Hispano arab

Full up 15.3hh palomino Spanish mare. Lusitano X Hispano Arab. I imported her from Spain 2 years ago with a full clean 5 stage vetting.<br/><br/>Stunning to look at , moves very well, lots of look at me presence.<br/><br/>She is not suitable for a novice, due to being green, she has never bucked...

www.horsequest.co.uk

 

[I'm Dun]

Its slim pickings isnt it? And why is every second ad an overweight connie? Where have they all come from??

 

[New-to-the-game]

I wouldnt even ring about any of those. Both the cobs would be a hard no, even at half the price. The grey looks very sweet, but is aimed as show jumping as is the bay.

Most of what I see is aimed at showjumping tbh. It seems to be hard to find something that’s more dressage focused but at the lower levels. That’s why I was excited about this one

Yes, please do!!

Have sent PM

 

[New-to-the-game]

Its slim pickings isnt it? And why is every second ad an overweight connie? Where have they all come from??

It seems so, but can’t help feeling we should have been able to find something by now!

 

[gallopingby]

The Welsh cob or connie might be worth investigating further. It’s difficult to know what size of horse / pony will be a good ‘fit’ without seeing the jockey. So much depends on the build of horse and rider ie some people are long in the back and short in the leg. A chunky mountain and moorland or cob will easily take up the leg even at 14.2 or 14.3 if for example it’s a pony who’s has been measured out for showing. I’d be happy to look at horses up to 14 years or older if they had all the boxes ticked and a consistent record.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Have any of you used sourcing agents? What’s the feeling on these? Some charge a % of the purchase price and some a flat fee, which of these is preferable if at all? I really need help!

I did when looking for my last horse, was great for getting me thinking outside the box, but was quite pushy/salesy when the one that ticked all the boxes on paper just didn’t quite gel for me in the flesh. I started having doubts when they sent me one that was very evidently lame followed by another that was with a known dodgy dealer that a friend had had issues with. I think they thought I wouldn’t necessarily know of their rep as we’re not from the area, little did they know we’d relocated from the SE a few years previous so have a good handle on those to avoid down that way. The sourcing agent had a great rep if socials were to be believed, but based on our experience I’m not convinced that part of their business model wasn’t to help iffy dealers shift some of their stock.

In the end my boy popped up on Facebook not too far from us, and tbf the agent was very good about us terminating the contract at that point so I can’t fault them there, but if I were looking for a first horse I’d be leaning towards utilising contacts/word of mouth over an agent.

 

[New-to-the-game]

I did when looking for my last horse, was great for getting me thinking outside the box, but was quite pushy/salesy when the one that ticked all the boxes on paper just didn’t quite gel for me in the flesh. I started having doubts when they sent me one that was very evidently lame followed by another that was with a known dodgy dealer that a friend had had issues with. I think they thought I wouldn’t necessarily know of their rep as we’re not from the area, little did they know we’d relocated from the SE a few years previous so have a good handle on those to avoid down that way. The sourcing agent had a great rep if socials were to be believed, but based on our experience I’m not convinced that part of their business model wasn’t to help iffy dealers shift some of their stock.

In the end my boy popped up on Facebook not too far from us, and tbf the agent was very good about us terminating the contract at that point so I can’t fault them there, but if I were looking for a first horse I’d be leaning towards utilising contacts/word of mouth over an agent

Thanks for the insight. I’d love to benefit from knowing who to avoid round this way if you don’t mind sharing? PM me if you’d rather.

 

[Squeak]

Most of what I see is aimed at showjumping tbh. It seems to be hard to find something that’s more dressage focused but at the lower levels. That’s why I was excited about this one

Have sent PM

As long as something has been schooled it shouldn't matter that it's showjumped - my only caveat to that would be the same as with any competition horse, that if they've competed to a high level then they're likely to be too much of a competition horse.

An eventer would be even more ideal as it means they've done dressage tests. Really an eventer is an all rounder, that does dressage and jumps, and it doesn't matter if it doesn't go eventing or SJ with your daughter. The grey has done BD and the bay says it's done combined training successfully which means it can also do dressage - I'm not at all saying they're perfect but I wouldn't be ruling horses out just because they've also jumped.

 

[oldie48]

I've bought a three ex eventers, they had competed at a Novice/intermediate level and were looking for a quieter home, co-incidentally they were all aged 11years. What I loved about them was they had all been well schooled and had had a proper education. They all hacked out, didn't get stupid about being in fields, were easy to take out and handle and generally had seen life. Two of them would happily pop a fence, the third had decided jumping was not for him despite being bred for eventing and doing Novice as a 6 year old but he'd focused on dressage and he was totally ace. I'd really recommend looking at eventers, check their record for ominous gaps in competing but if the daughter has only ridden school horses I'd also recommend having help to hand as she might have to step up her riding a bit. fwiw two were sound, healthy and sound, the third wasn't but it was not caused by his eventing days.

 

[maya2008]

You need an allrounder. Something that has been produced to be safe and sane and do most things to riding club level. So in an ad I would expect to see photo/video evidence of jumping around 70-90cm. I’d also look for evidence of affiliated Prelim/Novice dressage and that the horse has done well. Score sheets, videos etc. I’d want to know they had been on a fun ride and been sane, that they hack alone and handle easily.

When she makes it to Novice BD herself, if she is able she can school the horse on to Elementary/Medium with the help of a good coach - or sell and buy something more dressage specific at that point. She would have a few years of dressage behind her and lots more knowledge than she has now, so it would be more likely to work as a partnership.

For now, you need something sweet, safe and sane that has some schooling and doesn’t hate the arena. Something she can enjoy without worry.

 

[homepaddock]

Have any of you used sourcing agents? What’s the feeling on these? Some charge a % of the purchase price and some a flat fee, which of these is preferable if at all? I really need help!

Just come across your thread and yes I have, with great success. I went through Exclusivia and as a result purchased the most perfect horse for myself last May. I'm an experienced and long-term horse owner but this time round I just wanted a safe buy in a difficult market. I have no reservations in recommending this service and would 100% go down this route in future should I ever need to buy again. Read on their website then phone Sasha the agent and chat. She’s totally genuine and there will be no pressure to go down this route if you feel it's not for you. Hope your search is fulfilled soon!

 

[New-to-the-game]

You need an allrounder. Something that has been produced to be safe and sane and do most things to riding club level. So in an ad I would expect to see photo/video evidence of jumping around 70-90cm. I’d also look for evidence of affiliated Prelim/Novice dressage and that the horse has done well. Score sheets, videos etc. I’d want to know they had been on a fun ride and been sane, that they hack alone and handle easily.

When she makes it to Novice BD herself, if she is able she can school the horse on to Elementary/Medium with the help of a good coach - or sell and buy something more dressage specific at that point. She would have a few years of dressage behind her and lots more knowledge than she has now, so it would be more likely to work as a partnership.

For now, you need something sweet, safe and sane that has some schooling and doesn’t hate the arena. Something she can enjoy without worry.

Thank you for the tips! Much appreciated.