First Horse

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In a few weeks time im going to try a horse to see if she suits me and if so, will therefore become my loan horse.

I dont come from a horsey family/background and this will (potentially) be my first horse. Should i go on my own? Or take a non-horsey friend with me for support? Im only going to ride it so i can see what shes like and so the owner can "vet" me aswell.

As im not from a horsey family and i dont have regular lessons with any one instructor, im unsure what to do?

Im considering going on my own for the first time, meeting the owner and riding the horse and if all goes according to plan then take my instructor with me (ive only ever had 2 lessons with her in a riding school so we dont know each other very well, but she knows her stuff more than i do!) So then she can see/ride it and see if its suitable?

I also dont know what questions i should be asking?

HELP!

many thanks... F/T
 
If I were you I'd take someone at least vaguely horsey the first time you go. If you say you will ask your instructor to go with you the second time - I would say it would be better to take her with you the first time. I took my instructor with me when I was buying my horse, she pointed out a million and one things I didn't spot and it wasn't even my first horse! It would be rather unadvisable to go on your own unless you are very experienced, TBH.
 
I think i might ring and ask her to come with me.. im rather worried though as i dont know her very well & vice versa. Its better to be safe than sorry i guess!
 
You really must think about the safety aspect first and foremost. Make sure this horse is suitable for you... as an inexperienced rider you really need to find a horse that will look after you.
I think it is a must that you take someone with you. Don't want to put you off but there are so many stories about unscrupulous people trying to 'palm off' dangerous horses on to unsuspecting beginners.
Equally there are plenty of great success stories too. But take someone with you who knows their stuff even if you have to pay for their time.
It will keep you safe.
Good luck. x
 
I took my instructor with me to view my second horse. First one I bought I went by myself with my mum who isnt clued up bout horses and I bought the wrong horse. I didnt know my instructor much at all cuz i'd only had her a few times to help me deal with the first horse.

She was really great though. Asked questions I didnt think of asking. Really grilled the owners and gave me a bit of instruction when i was trying a jump. Ended up buying that horse there and then. My instructor totally agreed the horse suited me well.

Definately take your instructor if you can. Costs to take someone but I wish I paid 50 quid to my instructor the first time instead of losing out on £1000 in travelling and vetting costs on a horse who was not right for me.
 
Take someone with you who at least knows the right sort of questions to ask re work done, temperment, what the horse is like in winter, when not turned out etc etc. What facilities you have to work with and how the horse is used to them. Even someone on here would be willing to come along with you. Not too sure of othe area you are. Even if you end up going back 3 or 4 times. Make sure it is right for you and your situation.
Good luck and hope all goes well
 
Its always better to take someone horsy with you when you go to look at a potential horse, especially if you are not very experienced. Its a bit like going to look at a second-hand car - if you know nothing about cars, you have no way of knowing whether the car is even safe to be on the road.

Your RI is probably quite used to being asked to come and look at potential horses for people, you normally have to pay for her time, but that is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Even if you've only had a couple of lessons with her, she will be more experienced at assessing people from the ground, so when you get on the horse, she will be in a better poisition to judge if the horse is suitable for you.

Good luck on finding your first horse, though. Its very exciting ! Where will you be keeping it?
 
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