First Horse?

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express_75

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Hi all
Im looking to buy my first horse sometime soon. Im 32 and have been riding 2 and a half years (used to ride as a kid) This is the sort of riding ive been up to ......
I hack out my friend's TB mare, she's great in traffic but i'd probably find her hard work if i galloped her in open spaces (ex p2p), i've done schooling, loads of hackin on a CB x (15.3)
A year of riding a TB x arab (15h) schooling, hacking and fun rides etc on him. I want someting that safe, sane with good brakes but not a plod as i do like a good canter!
How would you describe me as a rider? Novice? Beginner?
My friend (very experience) will be heping my find my ideal horse as i want one for life, don't want to chop and change.

Any advice on what i should be looking at?
Im, 5'2 and 10st.
Love small hunters
PS I don't have my own yard so the horse would be turned out / stabled near me - would that be a problem to the seller?
Thanks
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Possibly one of the most important things to consider it exactly what you want the horse to do. You must consider what you want to do in the future aswell. So many people buy a horse & it's ideal for them at that point however as they progress & want to do more they find that their horse is unable to fulfil their hopes. Then it's a case of either abandoning your future hopes or sell & change your horse.

You want one for life so give this alot of thought...& of course take someone with you who knows alot & also get any prospective purchase vetted.

Good Luck....it's an exciting time isn't it!
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What an exciting time for you! I bought my first horse when I was 30. Like you I wanted one for life so i wrote a list of all the things the horse had to be and I wasn't going to compromise on! eg must be good in traffic, hack out on its own, stand still to be mounted, get on with other horses. Then there were desirable things like, less than 14 years old, less than 16.3hh but I would perhaps compromise on if it ticked all the other boxes. I found my ideal horse, and he wasn't perfect but I kept him for 9 very happy years til he died this spring. Try lots of horses. DON'T let your heart rule your head and always be prepared to walk away - there are plenty of horses for sale out there. You sound like you can give a horse a good home so be prepared to time your time to find what you are looking for. Good luck!
 
I would say a novice rather than beginner as youve ridden quite a few non-school horses. Something about 15.2 and a light/middleweight. Maybe a native x TB. I dont think you want something that says"suit beginner" but would look for something that is suitable for a novice.

My theory is you can usually pep them up by feeding the right thing but its not as easy to calm them down if they are naturally "energetic"!!!!
 
no hard and fast rules what to look at, you sound like a sensible but novice rider and are having help too.

Definitely reiterate the advice from whoever said make sure you get it vetted.
 
How exciting - well you have ridden the best so don't settle for less - get yourself a nice Cleveland Bay cross
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Make sure you take someone with you who is knowledgeable - and remind them that you are buying the horse for your ability - I think we all can get swept up in the moment.

I think most of us on here do not have our own land and are on different livery types - make sure you organise it first and do not be surprised if the seller wants to come and see where you will be keeping the horse.

Good luck
 
blimey sounds like me last year. Got my first (own) horse at 32 as well and love a good canter- had been riding again for 3 years after not having ridden for 15 years.
I wanted a safe horse too but one that i knew enjoyed a blast if i fancied it- ended up buyin one through a friend (in signatures) which i know the hstory of and could trial for a month first to check he didn't leg it off or have any nightmare vices.
My boys an arab but typically un arab like so can't really go by breed imo.
Where are you in the country - people can prob recommend places to you .
 
Don't rule certain breeds out just because of stereotypes! I was 14yrs old when I started riding my Thoroughbred and everybody said to me "you don't want one of those" "you'll never manage him" "never do anything with him" - I've had him 6yrs now and he's the best
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Just make sure you have an experienced person with you and do vetting etc.
 
Take your time, get someone experienced to go with you, have it vetted and check over prospective yard very thoroughly. Good luck!
 
i echo echodomino - dont rule out certain breeds because of others, i bought my first horse in may and he is a 14.3hh 7 year old cob and impresses me all the time. first show having only had him 3 weeks. started jumping him after 6 weeks. gallops every single time i want him to yet shows the older "wiser" boys at the yard how unscary a tractor / bag / shooting gun / motox bike is...still working out the cows though! good luck and do vet, i had one fail but alls well that ends well.
 
I disagree with the "dont let your heart rule your head"! Ive always done that and only ONCE have I regretted it! I go a lot by gutt feeling.

Remember temperament and attitude is THE most important thing you should look at. There's no point in buying a very handsome well bred creature if his attitude stinks.
 
I think you want something described as a 'good second horse.' Meaning its generally safe but can be a handful at times and needs someone who can ride fairly well. I know this doesnt make sence as your looking for your FIRST horse but something described as a 'good first horse' is likley to be a plod.
 
I suppose I went against my own advice when I bought my new horse because my head said 'buy a dependable cob' but I fell in love with a trekehner a local dealer was selling. I had him on trial for 3 weeks and bought him last week. So far he has proved to be perfect - so maybe I should retract my advice about head ruling the heart! I also agree with the advice about breeds - look for the qualities you want and don't get hung up about the particular breed.
 
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