first time buyer!

[dottylottie]

first time posting after lurking for a while so hi! after loaning and riding other peoples horses for 10 years, im looking to buy my own in the next 6 months or so - big far off but im excited! although i’d say im experienced with both the care and riding, purchasing is completely new to me and my horsey family is the same - me and my mum both looked after 2 ponies owned by my nana’s friend for the last 10 ish years but my mum has never bought one and my nana hasn’t had her own since she was 16 and loaned one? what is the process like? at what point do i look for a yard and how do i secure a stable? i know where i want to keep this horse but not sure when to contact to see if they have space etc, do have a few back ups though. also, any recommendations for connie dealers in ireland? kevin reilly is my first port of call after speaking to him already; may be crazy but i have my heart set on a 3/4 year old to do it all myself - with 100% to call in someone more knowledgeable or send them off to pony bootcamp if needs be, i won’t let my pride get in the way of this horse getting a solid education and beginning. last thing, would you go to view something you were on the fence about? i’d like to go and view/ride something else if it came up, but i don’t want to feel like i’m wasting anyones time if it’s not for me, but equally i don’t want to miss something more suitable for what i want to do because i’ve got it in my head i want an unbroken connie from ireland?

 

[shortstuff99]

Good yard spaces are often hard to find at the moment so I would hold a space and then find a horse.

Young horses take lots of time, work and set backs. Are you fine with that or will you want to get going and do fun stuff? If fun stuff I would buy an older horse.

I sometimes go and view horses that have caught my attention even if not what I'm looking for on paper as you never know they could be wonderful.

 

[dottylottie]

Good yard spaces are often hard to find at the moment so I would hold a space and then find a horse.

Young horses take lots of time, work and set backs. Are you fine with that or will you want to get going and do fun stuff? If fun stuff I would buy an older horse.

I sometimes go and view horses that have caught my attention even if not what I'm looking for on paper as you never know they could be wonderful.

more than happy to wait it out! im actually really looking forward to doing a lot of groundwork/natural horsemanship type things, and get out to some inhand showing for a bit of fun. i’d rather take it slow and have a sound horse for life than rush the process and have a horse that is retired before it’s teens! im not against something already backed and riding away, but connies with that experience come with a hefty price tag lol

 

[Glitter's fun]

I'd start talking to yards now. The right yard makes all the difference, especially with a youngster.
Do you live in Ireland? Can you contact breeders rather than dealers? I know nothing, good or bad about the man you mention but generally the more steps there are in the chain, the more chance one of them is dodgy.
What is the horse buying process like? - in a word dangerous! Do alot of research, never buy unseen. Take at least one very experienced person with you, even if you have to pay them to go. Trust no one, believe nothing you're told without proof. Look up genetic diseases of the breed you're interested in & make sure the one you buy has been tested.
Do a careful tot-up of costs- yes, Connies with experience come with a hefty price tag, that's because getting them to that stage costs a lot.
A lot about Connemaras here- Breeding & Owning - British Connemara Pony Society (britishconnemaras.co.uk)

 

[dottylottie]

I'd start talking to yards now. The right yard makes all the difference, especially with a youngster.
Do you live in Ireland? Can you contact breeders rather than dealers? I know nothing, good or bad about the man you mention but generally the more steps there are in the chain, the more chance one of them is dodgy.
What is the horse buying process like? - in a word dangerous! Do alot of research, never buy unseen. Take at least one very experienced person with you, even if you have to pay them to go. Trust no one, believe nothing you're told without proof. Look up genetic diseases of the breed you're interested in & make sure the one you buy has been tested.
Do a careful tot-up of costs- yes, Connies with experience come with a hefty price tag, that's because getting them to that stage costs a lot.
A lot about Connemaras here- Breeding & Owning - British Connemara Pony Society (britishconnemaras.co.uk)

thankyou! unfortunately will have to buy unseen for a connie from ireland as im in the uk, but will only be going to someone with a lot of testimonies. a quick search is here on the connie community group on fb will bring a load of recommendations for kevin. i’ve already read pretty much the entirety of the BCPS website and done a lot of research and will continue to do so! i’ve wanted a connie for a while, know about hwsd etc. i actually already contacted kevin to ask a ballpark estimate for what i want and also for transport to where i am my nana stewards for a good friend who is a judge, so both of them have a good eye for conformation etc, although would be better if they could see in person im hesitant to pay someone to view the pony in ireland as a lot get a commission if you purchase and id be concerned they tell me it’s all good for the money, also wonder how much insight they can offer regarding confirmation because it’s not exactly a pass/fail! not against it whatsoever, just need to know more haha!

 

[Winters100]

Regarding yards I would definitely want to know that my preferred yard had space before buying. I would also want to be sure that it had year round turnout, and I don't mean 'year round depending on weather', and for a new owner I would want to know that there was a knowledgeable hands on YO who would be willing to help.
Now to horse choice. I am assuming, based upon what you have written, that you have no experience of backing and training youngsters, I'm sorry to be so direct, but I believe that this would be a very poor choice for you. You need an enormous amount of time, knowledge and experience to do the job properly. I do not know how deep your pockets are, but sending pony away to 'boot camp' as you call it is not a quick fix. Sure they can back the pony for you, but it then needs to be ridden and handled by someone experienced with youngsters for a long period of time. This is fine, they can stay with a trainer to be educated for a couple of years, but it will cost.

What are your reasons for wanting an unbroken horse? I know people who have purchased youngsters thinking that they would form some sort of unbreakable bond, only to be disappointed to find that they have a horse which they cannot ride themselves and just shell out money for someone else to ride. For most people this is not fun.

I would also say that buying unseen is not for the faint hearted or inexperienced. I have done it myself in the past, but only with my eyes open, and with full understanding that I would sell on, retire, or worst case PTS if something was wrong, and knowing that I was prepared to lose the money if this was the case. What is the reason that you do not want to travel to view the horse?

I honestly believe that owning youngsters is a huge responsibility. It is their education in these formative years that can dictate the life that they will have. If they get the right education and turn into good reliable riding horses who are nice to handle then they will most likely have a good home for life, even if something unexpected happens to their owner and they are forced to sell. A difficult horse on the other hand has the highest chance of ending up with low end dealers, passed from home to home.

I am not saying that it is impossible, just that you have to be sure that you have all the resources in place, and this means not just money, but also time and knowledge.

 

[Starzaan]

I would reserve a space on the yard now and pay a retainer.

As above, I’m assuming you have no experience of backing youngsters. If you don’t have extensive experience of backing, riding away and bringing on youngsters, absolutely do NOT get one. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to re build shattered confidence because a first time buyer bought a youngster thinking they could handle it and it all went horribly wrong.

I would look for a nice safe all rounder who knows their job and can teach you. I’m afraid from what I’ve read, if you asked me to come and view horses with you I would refuse if it was a youngster. Especially unbacked.

 

[dottylottie]

Regarding yards I would definitely want to know that my preferred yard had space before buying. I would also want to be sure that it had year round turnout, and I don't mean 'year round depending on weather', and for a new owner I would want to know that there was a knowledgeable hands on YO who would be willing to help.
Now to horse choice. I am assuming, based upon what you have written, that you have no experience of backing and training youngsters, I'm sorry to be so direct, but I believe that this would be a very poor choice for you. You need an enormous amount of time, knowledge and experience to do the job properly. I do not know how deep your pockets are, but sending pony away to 'boot camp' as you call it is not a quick fix. Sure they can back the pony for you, but it then needs to be ridden and handled by someone experienced with youngsters for a long period of time. This is fine, they can stay with a trainer to be educated for a couple of years, but it will cost.

What are your reasons for wanting an unbroken horse? I know people who have purchased youngsters thinking that they would form some sort of unbreakable bond, only to be disappointed to find that they have a horse which they cannot ride themselves and just shell out money for someone else to ride. For most people this is not fun.

I would also say that buying unseen is not for the faint hearted or inexperienced. I have done it myself in the past, but only with my eyes open, and with full understanding that I would sell on, retire, or worst case PTS if something was wrong, and knowing that I was prepared to lose the money if this was the case. What is the reason that you do not want to travel to view the horse?

I honestly believe that owning youngsters is a huge responsibility. It is their education in these formative years that can dictate the life that they will have. If they get the right education and turn into good reliable riding horses who are nice to handle then they will most likely have a good home for life, even if something unexpected happens to their owner and they are forced to sell. I difficult horse on the other hand has the highest chance of ending up with low end dealers, passed from home to home.

I am not saying that it is impossible, just that you have to be sure that you have all the resources in place, and this means not just money, but also time and knowledge.

thankyou for your reply! i do have experience backing and schooling youngsters, i’ve been involved in the process with a few different ponies, being the test dummy initially and riding them away/schooling. also backed a 3 year old i was loaning - i am more than willing to admit i don’t know everything though and i’ve not done it completely alone, but i have to start somewhere! as i said, im more than willing to have someone come out to help me or put the pony on schooling livery for 6 weeks or so - i enjoy the process and want to be able to do it all myself, but i won’t sacrifice a good education and start just for me to be able to say “i backed him myself”. a friend of mine had an instructor out everyday to teach her to do it herself rather than sending her away but after the initial long reining realised she didn’t want to do it herself so asked me to take over instead - instructor gave me the lessons with her instead and i carried on schooling her afterwards too (got dumped in the summer though because she only wanted me to do the “boring” part and she hacked her out in summer lol). in an ideal world i would love to go over to ireland and view myself! im just being realistic in that it might not be possible - have been looking at equine viewer ireland if this is the case though. I don’t want to seem as though i’m rebutting every criticism/being defensive, just trying to show i’ve thought it through for a while!

 

[Starzaan]

I’m afraid you still don’t sound experienced enough to take on an unbroken youngster to me. I would strongly advise against it, and I would also strongly advise against buying unseen for your first horse.

 

[Winters100]

Sorry OP but I agree with Starzaan here. You have clearly thought about it, and have some experience, but to make a real success of this you really need to be someone who has 'seen it all before'. I am guessing that if you asked Starzaan what experience she had when she started doing this alone she would probably tell you that it was years of working with someone very experienced and handling multiple horses. I know you say that you can get help in, but a young horse learns every day, and it learns both the good and the bad, so it is not enough to send the horse away for 6 weeks and then have a trainer in a couple of times a week.

Whatever you decide I wish you luck with it, but I strongly believe that you would have the most fun with a good reliable first horse, who already knows his/her job and is not going to be constantly pushing boundaries, and who you can get on and enjoy from day 1.

 

[JBM]

I know someone who breeds connies but not sure they have any for sale right now
Ireland based

 

[eggs]

I know it all sounds rosy to buy an unbacked youngster, form a fabulous bond with it and do the backing yourself with/without help. However - there is no guarantee you will like riding the horse/pony once the time comes. To be brutally honest I have bred a number of foals and bought some which are always with me for life but if I had gone to try a couple of them as broken in riding horses I would not have bought them as they did not really suit me.

 

[tyner]

Agree with the other points made about finding a yard before the horse..
I am at a good place now but I consider myself really lucky, and went through a few places that were unsuitable that casued a significant amount of stress to my horse. As an ex-racer he took the yard moves in stride but if he was a 3-4 yo unbroken Connie with an unknown history I'd imagine it would have put some serious delays to your training and relationship building.

I'll also say that you can't forsee any eventuality and if you try to engineer the perfect situation you will constantly be left lacking and will never get the horse! Know what you can handle and ask lots of questions of the yard and get things in writing. Be confident in what you know and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Horse purchases are a leap of faith in a lot of respects, perfect vettings don't always catch everything, get good insurance and if you don't have non-negotiable expectations about going to the Olympics or HOYS but rather are there to enjoy the journey and whatever comes, you'll always enjoy the ride.

 

[gallopingby]

Why does the pony have to come from Ireland? There are connies in the UK. I agree with the others however experienced you think you are unless you have someone on hand to help you whenever you need help and can spot when things are likely to go wrong you’d have more fun with a pony who has been ridden and has a few miles on the clock. Yes it’s great bringing on your own pony but people aren’t always as confident as they think they will be. I sold a super pony last year to someone, fortunately local to me who l thought was experienced, she came and rode the pony a few times and everything seemed fine. Bought everything new!!! ie saddle, bridle etc did ask for info about what to buy, few weeks later the pony came back as she couldn’t cope. Fortunately not too much damage done and we were able to turn things round and find a new home fairly quickly. Find a good livery yard, ride as many different horses as you can and then look for an established pony. Yes it might cost more money but it will be worth it in terms of your enjoyment and also long term expenses. A decent Irish Connemara will cost the same as a decent UK one. They aren’t cheap but so versatile. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Barton Bounty]

thankyou! unfortunately will have to buy unseen for a connie from ireland as im in the uk, but will only be going to someone with a lot of testimonies. a quick search is here on the connie community group on fb will bring a load of recommendations for kevin. i’ve already read pretty much the entirety of the BCPS website and done a lot of research and will continue to do so! i’ve wanted a connie for a while, know about hwsd etc. i actually already contacted kevin to ask a ballpark estimate for what i want and also for transport to where i am my nana stewards for a good friend who is a judge, so both of them have a good eye for conformation etc, although would be better if they could see in person im hesitant to pay someone to view the pony in ireland as a lot get a commission if you purchase and id be concerned they tell me it’s all good for the money, also wonder how much insight they can offer regarding confirmation because it’s not exactly a pass/fail! not against it whatsoever, just need to know more haha!

I have a friend in southern ireland, she and her hubby are a deal in the horsey world. I could ask her for recommendations ?

 

[nagblagger]

There are very cheap flights to Ireland at the moment from various airports, arrange a few viewings with different dealers/breeders over a weekend.
I share the others concerns regarding buying a youngster as a first horse, but we don't know your experience and it is your choice. However, buying an expensive youngster without seeing is not advisable, you need to get that 'feel' (hard to explain) from a younger horse which, i think, is more important than looks etc if it is going to be your horse for life.
Also there will be more to choose from if you visit the dealer/breeder- or 'the one' will choose you.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Honestly, an unbroken, unseen horse as a first horse is just asking for trouble. However much experience you may have, this is your first horse so set yourself up to succeed and have as much fun as possible.
It's a huge step owning a horse. My advice is, don't make it any harder than it needs to be.

 

[Bobthecob15]

You'd be better getting something older with experience, my first horse was 15 and absolutely perfect for a new owner (I'd loaned horses before him) x

 

[dottylottie]

thankyou everyone - even for the harsh truths that hurt to read earlier in the day? i definitely don’t want my heart to lead and make a poor decision which is why im not 100% set on something unbroken and unseen is definitely not the ideal for me, it was just something i felt i might have to consider. i do want to add though, i’ve never had a “made” pony to show me the ropes so to speak, i’ve always had to take the rides i was offered so i can wholeheartedly say i do not feel i need an older horse as a first horse, however i am being realistic in why im wanting at least a native type for the lower maintenance (i know they’re still a big responsibility! just less than an ex racer) and something known for a more chill temperament, and yes i am aware that a lot connies can be quite quirky. should also add i will not be 100% alone, yes im an adult but whatever i end up with will be for my mum to be involved with too, who is clued up and of course i can trust - she’s just useless for the buying side!? but a bit of a geek for the research lol. after being initially disheartened by the responses earlier i just wanted to reply and say im definitely taking it on board, but with a pinch of salt because of course myself and the horsey people in my life know my ability and experience better than what can be taken from the limited info i’ve given on here. my horsey family members will definitely not allow me to bite off more than i can chew, especially whilst im living at home until i finish my masters and if i end up in hospital it’ll be my mum that has to do the mucking out? very long reply so apologies, but can anyone offer me a advice more specific than “don’t buy a youngster you plonker!” in terms of what to look out for etc and how to find what i want? there’s a few dealers that i know others have had good experiences with, not in ireland lol, but i’m also sceptical to buy from a private seller because at least with an actual dealer you have legal rights ie having to return and the good dealers value keeping a good name for their business

 

[dottylottie]

also to the people saying they have recommendations - please give me their names/details!

 

[AntiPuck]

I am currently watching a very experienced friend suffer a confidence crisis with her unbroken 3.5yo connie bought unseen from Ireland, and he's not a crazy pony at all. Apparently it's quite different when they're your own and you are 'on your own'.

It's odd that you wouldn't just go to Ireland to view, though - why does it have to be unseen? It doesn't cost much to fly over (from the UK, I assume?), and the amount of money/heartache that could save is surely worth it.

If you cannot afford a trip like that or are not willing to invest in it, you need to seriously question if you have the cash to pay for the professional help you may well end up needing with an unbroken youngster. Don't assume it will be a cheap option, a lot depends on the horse.

 

[gallopingby]

also to the people saying they have recommendations - please give me their names/details!

Don’t know where in the country you are but Gee Gee equestrian near Carlisle seems to have a good reputation although not a huge set up sometimes smaller is better.

 

[PSD]

What’s your budget? Friend of mine is selling a wonderful 5 year old gelding mother daughter share

 

[dottylottie]

I am currently watching a very experienced friend suffer a confidence crisis with her unbroken 3.5yo connie bought unseen from Ireland, and he's not a crazy pony at all. Apparently it's quite different when they're your own and you are 'on your own'.

It's odd that you wouldn't just go to Ireland to view, though - why does it have to be unseen? It doesn't cost much to fly over (from the UK, I assume?), and the amount of money/heartache that could save is surely worth it.

If you cannot afford a trip like that or are not willing to invest in it, you need to seriously question if you have the cash to pay for the professional help you may well end up needing with an unbroken youngster. Don't assume it will be a cheap option, a lot depends on the horse.

thanks for the reply - as i’ve said in one of my replies, it’s not that i’d rather buy unseen, of course i’d rather meet the horse im about to drop a whole lot of money on lol. unfortunately i do have to work to be able to afford this horse and i can’t just take the time off to go and look at ponies, my rotas are done months in advance and if i was to plan a trip 3 months in advance for example there’s no guarantee the dealers with good reputations that are worth a visit will have what i want.

 

[mini_b]

thanks for the reply - as i’ve said in one of my replies, it’s not that i’d rather buy unseen, of course i’d rather meet the horse im about to drop a whole lot of money on lol. unfortunately i do have to work to be able to afford this horse and i can’t just take the time off to go and look at ponies, my rotas are done months in advance and if i was to plan a trip 3 months in advance for example there’s no guarantee the dealers with good reputations that are worth a visit will have what i want.

if you know your rota 3 months in advance can you not schedule a viewing for your day off?

don’t know where in country you are but Jack thomas Watson has a lot of stock in which changes regularly. You can tell him what you’re looking for, go visit and he will show you what is suitable for you and within your budget.

if it’s the first horse you have bought you need to go see it, ride it and get a feel for “is this the one”

 

[AntiPuck]

Saw this beautiful fella, thought of this thread! What a cracking pony he is https://www.facebook.com/1000646426...QitExEJK7cYoHZY99XbDo1fxLHi8gCEDUDCQn9UEcAyl/

 

[Glitter's fun]

but can anyone offer me a advice more specific than “don’t buy a youngster you plonker!” in terms of what to look out for etc and how to find what i want?

No one has called you names & I'm sure we don't wish you any ill but you asked for advice & it would not be helpful or honest for people to just reflect your own views back at you.
Sorry, I know you have already decided what to do but if you want a "keeper", how you find what you want is meeting horses.
My next door neighbour is a big well-known stud. The ponies run pretty much wild on a large area but the filly foals that are good enough to keep for further breeding come down onto the crofts for handling & to stay away from the stallions until old enough. There are two here at the moment. It's a job, so they all get halter trained, feet picked up etc then go back. They are all from the same very careful breeder & all have good conformation but I don't like all of them. Now & then there's one I really don't take to at all & I'm glad when it's brood mare appointment comes round! Maybe one in ten I think "ooo you could stay if it was an option!". You are looking for that one & you won't recognise it from videos.

 

[dottylottie]

Saw this beautiful fella, thought of this thread! What a cracking pony he is https://www.facebook.com/1000646426...QitExEJK7cYoHZY99XbDo1fxLHi8gCEDUDCQn9UEcAyl/

Thankyou! he is lovely, unfortunately i’m not ready to start my search just yet, im still building up my budget and need to wait to finish my exams in the new year, at the very least my first set - sadly i know what im like and i would very much neglect my assignments to spend time with the new arrival?

i really have a thing for a dun, (technically buckskin, i know about the genetics vs irish word origin argument lol) but im so drawn to greys when they’re younger? but i know as soon as they start to fade i’ll be faced with dread at the poo stains lol

 

[dottylottie]

No one has called you names & I'm sure we don't wish you any ill but you asked for advice & it would not be helpful or honest for people to just reflect your own views back at you.
Sorry, I know you have already decided what to do but if you want a "keeper", how you find what you want is meeting horses.
My next door neighbour is a big well-known stud. The ponies run pretty much wild on a large area but the filly foals that are good enough to keep for further breeding come down onto the crofts for handling & to stay away from the stallions until old enough. There are two here at the moment. It's a job, so they all get halter trained, feet picked up etc then go back. They are all from the same very careful breeder & all have good conformation but I don't like all of them. Now & then there's one I really don't take to at all & I'm glad when it's brood mare appointment comes round! Maybe one in ten I think "ooo you could stay if it was an option!". You are looking for that one & you won't recognise it from videos.

thankyou for the reply - i don’t seem to have gotten my point across very well that i haven’t already decided i want to buy unseen or 100% what i want, i know that as much as i want a lovely dun gelding with connie or sport horse breeding, i could well end up with a coloured mare because i get that “feeling” from them! i would love to view and buy in the uk, but this option is relatively straightforward to organise as opposed to finding dealers worth a visit in ireland haha, hence why i asked for more info on that side. Im not opposed to viewing horses whatsoever, i’d rather have some pony days out that buy one unseen and it arrives and that’s the excitement of the process over? but i also feel guilty for viewing horses just for the experience of the process, even though i know it’s very much necessary- i don’t want to be labelled a “joy rider” for viewing something even if i do like it and it ultimately being the opposite of what i want. i know i’ll need to find out what i don’t want in order to find what i do want, but i think i worry far too much about what the seller will think of me rather than the steps i need to take for my own sake?

 

[Vodkagirly]

Temperament is everything for a first horse, a willing horse makes such a difference and is so much more enjoyable and you can't tell that from videos.
Please go view.
I would chose temperament over breeding every day.