First Horse

[marco54]

Hi all,
I am 42 years old and recently took up riding after my daughter wanted to start. We have been having lessons every fortnight for the last 10 months and progressing nicely (just started jumping!!). I am totally hooked and started to look at classified adds in order to buy my own as I would love to be able to enter events and compete but this is where my problem starts. I have no idea of what I should be looking at for a first horse!! I am 5'10" and weigh about 16 stone (I'm not fat I've just played rugby and judo most of my life). I've been told to look for a cob as these are nice strong stocky horses but what kind of height? I thought it would be best to get a nice young horse but then is this the wrong thing? Ideally my wife and daughter will be able to ride the horse too so again something 17 HH will be a little too big for an 11 year old. How do I know if the horse im looking at is in good health? Do vets do inspections like the AA would a car?? I look forward to any advice you can offer in the purchase of our first family horse

 

[Hungey]

Hi all,
I am 42 years old and recently took up riding after my daughter wanted to start. We have been having lessons every fortnight for the last 10 months and progressing nicely (just started jumping!!). I am totally hooked and started to look at classified adds in order to buy my own as I would love to be able to enter events and compete but this is where my problem starts. I have no idea of what I should be looking at for a first horse!! I am 5'10" and weigh about 16 stone (I'm not fat I've just played rugby and judo most of my life). I've been told to look for a cob as these are nice strong stocky horses but what kind of height? I thought it would be best to get a nice young horse but then is this the wrong thing? Ideally my wife and daughter will be able to ride the horse too so again something 17 HH will be a little too big for an 11 year old. How do I know if the horse im looking at is in good health? Do vets do inspections like the AA would a car?? I look forward to any advice you can offer in the purchase of our first family horse

Hi there it's great that you have taken horse riding up! I would definitely say get a cob as they are great novice horses and you will learn so much! Having a young horse will not suit your family. Young horse need to be taught a lot in their life and if they are ridden by novices then they can pick up bad habits. I would say get something above 8 so if you love it you can keep it for a long time, I would say the best size would be something above 15.2hh so around 16hh would be ideal. To know if the horse is in good health you can get a vetting. This is where a vet comes and look at the horses basic health and tells you if it is healthy. If it passes the vetting then you should buy the horse if it fits your criteria if it doesn't then don't buy the horse as it could suffer from some bad health problems. Hope you find the ideal horse and keep us posted!

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Well done you, my MIL started riding at the age of 46 and bought her first horse because she felt sorry for it, a 15.1hh chestnut arab mare with four white socks and wide blaze. She was a typical chestnut, arab mare but my MIL loved her. She was 10 when she bought her and she died a few years back at the age of 35. Good luck hope you find the right horse for you and don't rush into it.

 

[sandi_84]

Also (sorry if this is preaching to the converted!) seriously consider looking into the BHS horse owners certificate, it will teach you a lot of the basic care that you will need to know to keep a horse healthy and happy. There is so much more to it than the riding aspect

Be aware that although cobs in general have great temperaments for new owners there are exceptions to the rule, when you do go to look at a horse to buy take a very experienced horse person with you such as your riding instructor as they will be able to assess whether the horse is suitable for you and your family. Try to do as much with it as possible such as catching it in and turning it out from the field, groom and tack it up including picking up all of it's feet to pick them out, spend some time with it on the ground to assess it's personality last but not least ride it in the school - flatwork, trotting poles and jumping and also hack it out in company - make sure it will go in front of a ride/ in the middle/ at the back in all paces, make sure it goes well in a nice mannered way and has brakes when you need them. Hack it out on it's own too as this is quite important for the future (you may not always have a hacking partner) and it also can show whether the horse is prone to hacking/spooking or planting - where the horse refuses to move.

Bear in mind that a horse that is wearing a lot of "gadgets" such as strong bits/ martingales/ breastplates/ flashe or grackle nosebands may be a red flag as a new owner and less experienced rider that the horse may possibly be strong etc - your experienced horse person will be able to advise you though.

Try to have your horse stabled on a yard where they will help you for the first year or so, there is lots to learn (and you will always be learning as long as you own horses!) and lots can go wrong so it's a good idea to have very experienced and knowlegable people on hand to help you out with anything from day to day questions to injuries, naughtyness etc.

Good luck!

 

[Elsiecat]

By my reckoning that means you've only been onboard a horse about 20 times? Have you picked up much of the practical side in that time? Tacking up, grooming?
Perhaps see if your yard could offer you a workshop day where you get involved in all the chores?
I'd say unless you hit the jackpot, I'd be looking for something 8/9+ that has been there, seen it and done it. Otherwise you could wind up with a spooky rude young nightmare who you simply can't handle.
I'd be looking for a chunky 16hh+ cob. Possibly a shire cross or shire sort.
I'd take your instructor to view the horses and assess how suitable they may be for you.
Speak to a vet about getting a vetting. If you're not planning on going to hickstead (or not yet anyway! ) I'd probably look at a 2 stage vetting.
Also check around local yards and find one you like.
Also ring farriers and check someone local will take you on. (I had a nightmare finding a farrier who would take on anymore horses at one stage!).
I'd also buy a few books off the Internet on practical care.
I'd also keep up lessons on your new horse with your current instructor
Good luck

 

[RAF Rider]

If it was me (and this is how it went for me) I'd look at part loaning at the riding school first so you can see whats involved and also gauge whether you're ready to take that next step to having your own - get involved learning things out of the saddle.

 

[marco54]

Wow! A big thank you to all who posted you've certainly given me plenty to mull over. I don't intend on rushing in to anything as I know that I'm not quite ready to own my own horse just yet but it's nice to know WHAT I should be considering when looking. I never realised there was so much to consider!! I do however feel more confident thanks to knowing that more experienced owners, such as yourselves, are willing to offer up such great advice. Thanks again