First time buyer - Questions and concerns?

[Swanmay]

Dear lovely people of H&H,

I come bearing great news! I've finally saved up enough cash (after years and years of trying) to buy my first horse. Now let me be clear on this, I am not new to the responsibilities owning a horse as I have shared and loaned when I was younger, but this will technically be my first horse. After an extended hiatus from all things horsey I got back into riding when I came to college to study Equine Management. I can most certainly support the horse I buy in every way and I have a plethora of far more experienced people than I that I can go to for help should the need arise; which it undoubtedly will at some point or another.

My issue is the buying process itself. I have been reading through the forums and I have garnered a few great tips, but I'm still at a loss for some things. So I hope I can have those questions answers and the concerns that are creeping in assuaged.

First of all, I'm unsure if what I am looking for will fit my budget. I am wanting a 15.3-16.3 horse -preferably a mare- that is safe, sane, with good manners that has the potential to do a bit of everything; although my true passion has always been eventing. My budget is £3500 including tack and equipment... From conversations I have had with friends and instructors it seems I am left with a few options;
1.) An older horse that doesn't necessarily have too many years left under saddle.
2.) A young horse that needs bringing on or is unbroken.
3.) An ex-racer that needs reschooling.

Now this might not necessarily be true at all (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong on ANY of this as it is only what I have been told), but if it is I don't want to potentially ruin a good horse due to my lack of skills (time isn't an issue and I don't forsee it being one). Now, that is not to say I'm totally against this idea since I have worked with young horses/ex-racers before and they have turned out lovely. However, I would much rather have a horse that already has at least the basics down. Is this possible on my budget?

Furthermore, I don't want to "waste" a horse that can go further in it's career due to my undecidedness on a discipline. I realise this may be overthinking things as I haven't competed much myself (the odd local show and college events), and in theory any horse can go on to be the next Valegro with the right set of circumstances. So I don't really know what to think I guess. I don't forsee myself absolutely committing my career to eventing -for argument's sake- but I don't want to buy a horse that can't do that. I hope I'm phrasing this right and can get some help because I've seen a lovely looking TB mare that I would like to see but her previous record is making me feel like I wont necessarily bring out the best in her. Has anyone else had this feeling? Is it a valid feeling to have, and should I let it dissuade me from looking at horses?

On a slightly lighter note, I will want to have the horse vetted and I understand that there is a 3-stage vetting and a 5-stage vetting. Would somebody be so kind as to explain the difference between the two? From what I have read stages 4 and 5 check the horse again to make sure the vet hasn't missed anything. Furthermore, since this is my first horse I want to be thorough so I don't hit any unforseen bumps, but is a 5-stage vetting necessary for this?

Thank you anyone who has read this far in, and more so to anyone willing to offer advice. I realise this could all just boil down to me being a nervous nellie and just needing a kick up the backside to spur me on, so once again thank you for your patience with me.

P.S. This is actually my first ever H&H post, so hi all!

 

[Shay]

Hi there - welcome!

OK - where to start... To my mind your budget actually looks reasonable for what you want. I'm not sure you would be limited (If that's the right word) as you describe. Although it does depend to an extent where you live and how far you are prepared to travel you should be able to find a horse within that budget. You're not going to get a grassroots eventer or a top competition prospect for that - but you don't seem to want one either.

What I do have an issue possible with is planning the cost to include all equipment. In my experience buying horses for quite a long time - the tack they come with doesn't often fit. You're going to need to budget for a new (or new to you) saddle. If that amount also includes all the basis - wheelbarrow, mucking out kit, grooming kit etc then you have sold yourself short and are going to struggle to find something nice for that sort of money.

However.... 2 possibilities. What about considering a horse from a rescue center? The good ones are few and far between and one may not come up in your time frame - but it is worth a try. Also perhaps look at Horses 4 Homes. You might find someone looking for permanent loan or even to home something where the home is more important than the price. Again - not a basket to put all your eggs in. But an option.

You can also find the type of horse you are looking for as the owner goes off to Uni, or leaves Uni and enters the world of work. This meas they are often not advertised - they are passed on by word of mouth usually through pony club or riding club. Again - worth making those contacts.

As to vetting....

Stage 1 - prelim exam, basic health check, horse stood on level ground.
Stage 2 - Walk & trot on a hard surface. Flexion test. (You can ask for the flexion test to be omitted or moved later in the process depending on the horse)
Stage 3 - more strenuous exercise to clear heart & lungs
Stage 4 - Resting check - the horse sis rested for 30 mins and the heart & lungs checked again. Bloods taken if requested.
Stage 5 - Trot up again and check for any stiffness.

What level you choose can depend on the type of insurance you want, the value of the horse, its age and what you expect of it. Many people stop at the stage 2 or 3. Obviously the full 5 stage is more expensive because the vet has to sit around for 30 mins extra!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[gnubee]

Your budget doesn't look s million miles off, but you might have to spend some time waiting for the right one. If you're using pretty much all your budget do not buy a youngster. If training and bringing on is your key area of interest then it might work, but it sounds like you want to get out competing and that means if issues come up you will probably want to pay someone who knows what they are doing to fix them rather than doing it yourself very slowly. If you're thinking lower levels, keep an open mind about what an eventer looks like. Plenty of cobs/ponies are more than capable of doing 80cm course and might open up your price range a bit more than warm bloods, ish etc. TBs generally are cheap so whilst retraining one may not suit you right now, one that has already been retrained and has a few miles under its belt should be available in budget. For the type of horse you are looking for also consider rehoming from TRC where they are retrained and ready to go, and you could save a lot of your budget for tack and further training if you wanted it.

 

[Dry Rot]

Advice from me -- keep posting on HHO, there's a mine of very knowledgeable and free wisdom on here! And if you don't agree with the advice, you don't have to take it!

 

[Clodagh]

From me - horses don't feel they are wasted. My old boy doesn't stand in the field thinking 'Dammit I could have gone to HOYS'.
Have fun looking.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Advice to any buyer:

A, B, C

A - Accept nothing as gospel.

B - Believe no-one

C - Check everything

NEVER ever get on anything you haven't seen ridden first, without exception.

ALWAYS take a knowledgeable friend and/or professional with you.

ALWAYS return for a second viewing on another day.

NEVER feel pressed into making a decision.

Good luck!

 

[applecart14]

Check the horses stable for signs of crib biting or door kicking.
Check that the horse hasn't been deprived on water - this can make them dehydrated and dopey.
And the best tip of all, when you finally get on the horse and ride it have a friend/family member film you riding whilst they ask the vendor "does this horse buck"? "Does it rear"? etc, etc. If you ask "has this horse any vices" you can't make any differentiation between vices if you run into trouble when the horse gets home. You then have the vendor stating that the horse is vice free on video which can be used as evidence should you need to at a later date.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Advice to any buyer:

A, B, C

A - Accept nothing as gospel.

B - Believe no-one

C - Check everything

NEVER ever get on anything you haven't seen ridden first, without exception.

ALWAYS take a knowledgeable friend and/or professional with you.

ALWAYS return for a second viewing on another day.

NEVER feel pressed into making a decision.

Good luck!

lol, I disobeded most of that when I bought my first Irish Draught! Owner turned up in fashion slacks and high heels - I guessed. I was on my own - but I guess I was a professional. He hacked down the road and over a motorway bridge with no trouble, then bucked every time I tried to canter him right (we were on a common.) I came back and bought him. Owner was a bit surprised: 'don't you want to see him again" - I said: I don't think he'll change in a hurry. Then, 'don't you want to get him vetted?' My answer: Why - is there something wrong with him. (he was 7 and had done very little.) He's 24 now - never really stopped spooking at the silliest of things - but only hops on the spot. He still does it - though he is fully retired as babysitter to some 3yos! Never had any regrets and started breeding IDs as a result (it's all HIS fault I have 75 odd horses now!)

Just had an 11 yo vetted today and vet didn't find anything I hadn't told the buyers about - and he wasn't worried about them though I nearly had a fit when his heart rate got to 100 with some pretty stenuous cantering (he's about as fit as my rider, lol - she was ready to drop!) But thankfully it had dropped right down in 10 minutes!

 

[smja]

It depends how much equipment you need to buy within that £3500. If you're starting from scratch, I agree that you might be a bit pressed to find a horse like you describe.

Most horses can manage up to about BE100. If you like the idea of eventing and want something to begin with, any sound and sensible types should see you through.
In your shoes, I'd probably look for something Irish, they make nice allrounders. Don't worry about 'wasting' a horse, generally if they have food they're happy