first time buyer!

[Smogul]

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)

Actually, natives can be high maintenance. Have you ever had to deal with a pony that needs restricted grazing all the year round and incredibly careful management to avoid laminitis? Something that has to be muzzled all summer and hates it? Something that has no respect for electric fencing and simply walks through it, protected by a thick native coat? A pony that needs clipped all the year round? There is also the odd native that drops weight at the first frost and was incredibly difficult to keep in good condition over the winter.

Sorry it that sounds negative as well but people do make some rather odd assumptions about native ponies. We have always had natives and cobs and this has been our experiences!

 

[stangs]

If you have a limited budget, why would you go for a Connemara?

Native types are only low maintenance if you have the right grazing for them, and the vast majority of this country doesn’t.

 

[gallopingby]

Smogul and Stangs are so right about natives / m&ms l always say they’re easier to look after in winter than in summer when there’s nearly always too much grass. They really are much higher maintenance than people realise unless you’ve a common/hill/fell they can be turned out onto when they self regulate over a year. Connies are great and can turn a hoof to most things IF you get the right one but they are worth their weight in £££££s as are most of the other native breeds. The talk of prices reducing really only applies to someone needing to sell in a hurry or a pony with problems. Sadly there aren’t enough being bred to meet market demands. Have a look on HQ, HM or the breed websites and compare the numbers of specific breeds to non specific types. A first horse / pony should be fun and easy to look after as well as confidence giving (even if you don’t think you need it!).

 

[dottylottie]

Actually, natives can be high maintenance. Have you ever had to deal with a pony that needs restricted grazing all the year round and incredibly careful management to avoid laminitis? Something that has to be muzzled all summer and hates it? Something that has no respect for electric fencing and simply walks through it, protected by a thick native coat? A pony that needs clipped all the year round? There is also the odd native that drops weight at the first frost and was incredibly difficult to keep in good condition over the winter.

Sorry it that sounds negative as well but people do make some rather odd assumptions about native ponies. We have always had natives and cobs and this has been our experiences!

i have actually yes lol, both of the mares i had for 10+ years were natives, one a shetland x welsh who was incredibly prone to lami, another a new forest who had gotten obscenely obese whilst out on loan before we started looking after her - she now has cushings and even before the diagnosis was constantly out in a grazing muzzle that she hated. whilst everyone’s else’s we’re out 24/7 in summer ours were still having to come in frequently and were in the lami field so we could keep on top of it, and also factoring in that one was retired and the other semi retired but very limited in what she could do due to past injury, so yes those two amongst others have given me a lot of experience dealing with them. something like a tb however i have no experience of, hence why i wouldn’t buy one. for someone who is well acquainted with them they might be very easy to keep, but i have no expertise with them and would not choose my first experience with them to be one where i’m solely responsible for them and figuring it out as i go.

 

[SO1]

If you are serious about wanting to show a lot of connies are going over height now so you need to be careful about youngsters as they may go over height. I would want to view and if not viewing make sure the seller puts a measuring stick to the pony.

They are also being bred as sports ponies so can be sharp and you have the hwsd issues.

Many UK breeders are I believe still breeding the smaller traditional types for showing whereas in Ireland they appear to be more overheight small horse types or they are keeping the best smaller ones for themselves.

I know you have very limited time to view because of your work and rota but I think unless you are willing to take the risk of having to sell on a unsuitable pony at a loss I would try a view if possible. It is much more fun having the right horse than having to deal with wrong one anf you reduce that risk by viewing. Most people work to fund horses and can only view on non working days or have to take a day's holiday to view.

It can also take a while to find the right one. I am looking to buy a new forest after loosing mine after 15 years and it is hard. I am being very fussy because I keep for life and want to have fun. I have a 10k budget and so far not seen anything that would be suitable worth viewing. Connies are even more expensive as they are so fashionable.

Native ponies are no longer cheap and as others have said management of weight to prevent laminitis can be a challenge.

If you don't want to plait and are petite and want to show and don't want anything too wide arabs are another possibility. If I wasn't so sentimental and wanting another new forest because I loved my last one so much I would be considering arabs. I have ridden some amazing ones on riding holidays.

thankyou, im definitely not ruling anything out - i do want something suited to low level showing at the very least, my first pony was a cracking little jumper and we did well in the workers/riding club/equitation (first and only sash was won with her in my first equitation class, the judge came over to us whilst we were loading and told my mum never to let me stop riding because i was “the next charlotte dujardin” - he was definitely just being kind to a nervous little girl, im capable but im definitely not up to her standards lol, but it’s a lovely memory), but she was a welsh x shetland so we never got far in anything else haha and i had the ride of a gorgeous section a who again was ace in the showjumping and inhand but did not enjoy a normal ridden show. i LOVE the atmosphere without the intense pressure of actual showjumping etc and i definitely don’t expect to end up with a HOYS pony but i’d like something that stands a chance at local level?

other than that, as long as it’s between 14hh and about 15.2hh and not a cob or tb (personal preference) i’d consider it! but would rather a native to avoid plaiting lol.

had he been a little git he would’ve definitely been a gelding! personally i wouldn’t have kept him entire anyway since he’s not being used to breed from so would rather him be able to play out properly with other horses but he’s not mine anyway and that’s a completely different area for opinions?

*edited to add* thankyou for the “it doesn’t mean you can’t ride” - whilst i understand where everyone is coming from it was a bit of a smack in the face to be told i need something older to teach me haha

 

[dottylottie]

If you are serious about wanting to show a lot of connies are going over height now so you need to be careful about youngsters as they may go over height. I would want to view and if not viewing make sure the seller puts a measuring stick to the pony.

They are also being bred as sports ponies so can be sharp and you have the hwsd issues.

Many UK breeders are I believe still breeding the smaller traditional types for showing whereas in Ireland they appear to be more overheight small horse types or they are keeping the best smaller ones for themselves.

I know you have very limited time to view because of your work and rota but I think unless you are willing to take the risk of having to sell on a unsuitable pony at a loss I would try a view if possible. It is much more fun having the right horse than having to deal with wrong one anf you reduce that risk by viewing. Most people work to fund horses and can only view on non working days or have to take a day's holiday to view.

It can also take a while to find the right one. I am looking to buy a new forest after loosing mine after 15 years and it is hard. I am being very fussy because I keep for life and want to have fun. I have a 10k budget and so far not seen anything that would be suitable worth viewing. Connies are even more expensive as they are so fashionable.

Native ponies are no longer cheap and as others have said management of weight to prevent laminitis can be a challenge.

If you don't want to plait and are petite and want to show and don't want anything too wide arabs are another possibility. If I wasn't so sentimental and wanting another new forest because I loved my last one so much I would be considering arabs. I have ridden some amazing ones on riding holidays.

thankyou, as i’ve already said i will definitely go and view, i will see if i can find any uk producers because i know a lot of irish connies do seem to be the sportier stamp and i do want a traditional, 14.2hh max connie haha.

i really like part arabs! i’ve seen a few lovely ones, but i’m not sure a full arab would be for me - i’ve never had any experience with them myself really so would have no idea what i’m dealing with. i’ve also seen on a few other threads on here that ridden arabs particularly around the 15hh mark are really hard to come by haha.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

It's unlikely you have experience of many horses other than riding school ponies, who are managed
Why not try a charity who loan horses and will not let you have something unsuitable.
By a charity, I mean a well respected and established charity not someone who takes on horses which are unsaleable.
Showing is about two to three times the cost of just owning a pony.
You need transport, good farrier, good tack, advanced instructor. Entry fees, your kit, etc etc
I have a good eye for a horse or pony, having been riding since I was eight, and have ridden everything from Shetlands (broke about fifty in two months) to Clydesdales, mostly racehorses. My limited experience with showing riders is that they are fine on rocking horses.
If you are good enough to ride at County show standard you will be asked to ride other horses , so no need to buy one. Of you are not good enough, have a different plan . I did showing in hand at local level, and my little boy won a few rosettes, including Show Champion. I was very pleased for him

 

[Starzaan]

thankyou, im definitely not ruling anything out - i do want something suited to low level showing at the very least, my first pony was a cracking little jumper and we did well in the workers/riding club/equitation (first and only sash was won with her in my first equitation class, the judge came over to us whilst we were loading and told my mum never to let me stop riding because i was “the next charlotte dujardin” - he was definitely just being kind to a nervous little girl, im capable but im definitely not up to her standards lol, but it’s a lovely memory), but she was a welsh x shetland so we never got far in anything else haha and i had the ride of a gorgeous section a who again was ace in the showjumping and inhand but did not enjoy a normal ridden show. i LOVE the atmosphere without the intense pressure of actual showjumping etc and i definitely don’t expect to end up with a HOYS pony but i’d like something that stands a chance at local level?

other than that, as long as it’s between 14hh and about 15.2hh and not a cob or tb (personal preference) i’d consider it! but would rather a native to avoid plaiting lol.

had he been a little git he would’ve definitely been a gelding! personally i wouldn’t have kept him entire anyway since he’s not being used to breed from so would rather him be able to play out properly with other horses but he’s not mine anyway and that’s a completely different area for opinions?

*edited to add* thankyou for the “it doesn’t mean you can’t ride” - whilst i understand where everyone is coming from it was a bit of a smack in the face to be told i need something older to teach me haha

Ok, I think the ‘smack in the face’ came from me, so let me explain myself a little more.
I have ridden since before I could walk. I have ridden professionally, specialising in ‘dangerous’ horses. I have run very large yards for many years, and taught riders of all levels. I have bought and sold hundreds (if not thousands) of horses, both for myself and on behalf of clients. I have backed and brought on countless youngsters for myself and for clients, and am incredibly proud of the fact that I am respected and have an excellent reputation in this industry.
I’m sorry if you thought my comments were a ‘smack in the face’. I was at no point insinuating that you can’t ride. We ALL need to learn more - I have regular lessons, as do Olympic riders. The biggest mistake someone can make in this industry is to think they have no more to learn.
This forum is full of exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable people. We can tell quite a lot from how a post is written, and have advised you accordingly.
If you were to come to me in a professional capacity and ask for help finding a horse, I would CATEGORICALLY not help you find a youngster. I have had to pick up the pieces of situations like this so many times I’ve lost count. That does not mean that you ‘can’t ride’. It means that you are not experienced enough for a youngster. There is a big difference. I had ridden professionally for several years before I felt confident enough to buy a baby for myself. It doesn’t mean I couldn’t ride, just that I didn’t have enough experience with young horses.
Apologies for the ‘smack in the face’ but those of us who have been around the block multiple times with this situation get increasingly frustrated when people ask for advice and then seem offended by it. We can see an issue coming a mile off and are simply trying to help so that you get the most out of your first horse.

 

[TheBayThoroughbred]

A few years ago, before I bought my first OTTB, I bought a horse from a very established and well known breeder. They have endless 5 star recommendations, the owner was even commended by the Queen and was the president of the breed's society for a time. I won't post the breed because I don't know if anyone can identify them from that. The horse was a 9 year old hack, sold as the gentlest temprament and very experienced, and I'd wanted that breed for as long as I could remember. She was very expensive, I drove three hours each way to view her, and she passed the vet check easily. The owner was very rude to me and my mum, shouting at us when we came to see her, but I was insistent that this was my dream horse. Upon bringing her home, she became a horse that I was terrified of. On the ground, she would kick, swing her rump around towards anyone who stood near her, and act extremely unhappy. After a month of trying to get to know her, the saddle fitters came. She threw in some half rears when she was saddled, and after riding her in a few circles, she went into a full rear, throwing me clean off. After untacking her, she reared up again, flipping herself over backwards. The saddle fitters couldn't believe what they were seeing, and immediately told me that she seemed dangerous and unmanageable. My trainer had been saying the same thing over the past month. I ended up calling the breeder, and found out that she had done some small half rears in the past, but that it wasn't a huge issue for them. I spoke to the owner, who insisted that it was entirely my own fault, and offered to take her back without returning my money, before ignoring all of my calls. Eventually, I left a message saying that I would take him to small claims court for mis-selling a horse to me, and I finally was able to send her back and get my money back. This was from one of the most highly acclaimed breeders in the country, who is known for producing horses with outstanding temperaments, and has dozens of glowing reviews across the web.

My point is, never, never, NEVER buy a horse unseen, no matter how good the reviews are. I actually saw this horse and still bought her, and it ended up almost ending my riding career. I also think a big part of her behaviour change was that she had never left the breeder's, so she was terrified of this new place, and she was already well under saddle, so I can't imagine how stressful it would have been if she was a young horse. I am not saying that your experience will be the same, but I do not recommend not even viewing the horse.

In the time and money you will spend paying a trainer to ride the horse, or sending them to "pony bootcamp", you could instead buy a really well established Connie. They will be more expensive, but I am so glad that when I did buy my current horse, I spent the extra money on a horse who was well established and wordly, because it's saved me a huge amount of money in training and handling.

 

[Gloi]

My friend, who is a reasonably experienced rider who has had several other horses, twice bought 4yo recently broken Connemaras from Ireland, and they both ended up being sold on after seriously frightening her. Their early training had fried their brains.

 

[Winters100]

Ok, I think the ‘smack in the face’ came from me, so let me explain myself a little more.
I have ridden since before I could walk. I have ridden professionally, specialising in ‘dangerous’ horses. I have run very large yards for many years, and taught riders of all levels. I have bought and sold hundreds (if not thousands) of horses, both for myself and on behalf of clients. I have backed and brought on countless youngsters for myself and for clients, and am incredibly proud of the fact that I am respected and have an excellent reputation in this industry.
I’m sorry if you thought my comments were a ‘smack in the face’. I was at no point insinuating that you can’t ride. We ALL need to learn more - I have regular lessons, as do Olympic riders. The biggest mistake someone can make in this industry is to think they have no more to learn.
This forum is full of exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable people. We can tell quite a lot from how a post is written, and have advised you accordingly.
If you were to come to me in a professional capacity and ask for help finding a horse, I would CATEGORICALLY not help you find a youngster. I have had to pick up the pieces of situations like this so many times I’ve lost count. That does not mean that you ‘can’t ride’. It means that you are not experienced enough for a youngster. There is a big difference. I had ridden professionally for several years before I felt confident enough to buy a baby for myself. It doesn’t mean I couldn’t ride, just that I didn’t have enough experience with young horses.
Apologies for the ‘smack in the face’ but those of us who have been around the block multiple times with this situation get increasingly frustrated when people ask for advice and then seem offended by it. We can see an issue coming a mile off and are simply trying to help so that you get the most out of your first horse.

OP I would really recommend that you take note of this post. You are basically getting free advice from a professional, and it could save a lot of tears later on.

Regardless of a judge telling your Mother that you were the next Olympic gold medallist having seen you ride a shetland, there is a reality that young horses need more than just someone who has ridden for a long time and helped out with a few youngsters. I count myself in this category, I am a competent and experienced rider, I have competed to a reasonably high level, but I would not consider myself capable of having a youngster without it being in full time professional training for a long period, and I mean years not months. This is why people like Starzaan have successful businesses doing the things that people like me are not able to do.

No one is trying to give you a 'smack in the face', but it is simply very obvious from your posts that you do not have the experience required for the proposed course of action. Every reply you give seems to indicate less and less experience. This may seem harsh, but please remember that when you buy a youngster you owe it to the horse to be able to give a proper education. Speaking personally I have not come across any professionally trained horses who do not load easily, object to being tied, or who lack manners when ridden, but there are plenty who have spent their formative years in the hands of well meaning amateurs who display this behaviour. Of course some are just good natured, but you will not know when you buy if the horse in front of you will turn out to be easy or not.

I am sure that you are a perfectly good rider, as many of us are, but this is not just about you, it is also about a horse, who has the right to want an owner with sufficient experience.

 

[Wishfilly]

im not comfortable to to divulge my income on here (which of course nobody would expect lol) but i do work full time hours on a good wage, with very minimal outgoings beyond my cheap, low maintenance car (sorry flora ?) and rather high maintenance poodle, so the cost for upkeep of the horse isn’t a concern for me, but i doubt there’s vary many working class folk who have upwards of 6k sitting around to shell out for a pony? i only started this job recently after working crappy hours for even more crappy money in hospitality jobs so beyond having a comfortable emergency fund sitting in my savings i wasn’t in a position to be saving the amount i am now haha.


.

I get what you are saying totally- I don't have 6k sitting around either. But, realistically, you'll be shelling out around £500-600 a month on the pony (more if it goes off to schooling livery), especially when you first buy it (or is it just me who couldn't resist buying stuff for the first 6 months when I had a pony?). So, if it were me, I'd try to save up for 5-10 months or so, and build up a decent budget, and then you can buy something you like.

I know what it's like- but honestly, it's so much better if you can view with a decent budget (and I think horse prices will come down more this winter, so you'll get more for your money in the spring!).

Also worth bearing in mind that although connies are very fashionable right now, a nice part bred, or a new forest, or a pony with no known breeding can do anything a connie can do, long term, and can be just as much fun and tend to be more reasonably priced!

I know it's really tempting to buy the pony now but if you could save up a decent pot you could make the choices you want to make, rather than feeling pushed into things by finances?

 

[canteron]

Dottie - you sound completely sensible and any horse you buy has an element of risk so as long as you have good people around you, a lot of patience and prepared to take the time it takes and a reasonable ‘emergency’ bank balance then go for it.

HHO can be an amazing source of knowledge - but anyone who can gauge and advise on your personal ability and skill level from a few paragraphs on here is slightly out to lunch.

The trick is sucking up the good information without becoming offended.

 

[MagicMelon]

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.

I agree to be honest. Especially if you're going to try and do it on your own. Ive backed several purely on my own at home and it does make life a harder if you have to do it all with nobody on the ground to help. Its doable but could go wrong pretty easily. Id also avoid buying your first horse unseen... Im very much the type of person who thinks you get a feel for a horse very quickly and if its right for you, you dont get that if you cant see it. Do you really need a connie in particular? How about not worrying about the breed and simply seeing whats out there? You might find something local which ticks all the boxes for you (and might be backed!). I'll admit Ive bought 2 unseen years ago, one was unbacked and easy as anything - literally pulled off a hillside. The other was a just backed 3yo Welsh Cob from Wales who was my most difficult horse to date, I watched a video of him being ridden but what they didnt show me was how very bolshy he was! Taught me masses but wow was he difficult. Thats the risk you take buying unseen.

I also agree with Vodkagirly - temperament is a huge thing when Im looking for a horse. I couldnt care much about its schooling etc. but temp and attitude is 100% the most important thing, Ive never cared about breeding having had a couple of amazingly bred horses but one didnt have a good attitude and the other was very quirky. So much easier and more enjoyable to train a straight forward, willing type.

 

[sarcasm_queen]

I have a Connie. He’s wonderful, but a cheap option he was not!

 

[Wishfilly]

I watched a video of him being ridden but what they didnt show me was how very bolshy he was! Taught me masses but wow was he difficult. Thats the risk you take buying unseen.

I think this is a super important point- it's obviously still very possible to hide things at viewings, but it's really easy to take video which shows the horse in the best possible light and hides any bad points.

 

[SafeInSage]

It's unlikely you have experience of many horses other than riding school ponies, who are managed
Why not try a charity who loan horses and will not let you have something unsuitable.
By a charity, I mean a well respected and established charity not someone who takes on horses which are unsaleable.
Showing is about two to three times the cost of just owning a pony.
You need transport, good farrier, good tack, advanced instructor. Entry fees, your kit, etc etc
I have a good eye for a horse or pony, having been riding since I was eight, and have ridden everything from Shetlands (broke about fifty in two months) to Clydesdales, mostly racehorses. My limited experience with showing riders is that they are fine on rocking horses.
If you are good enough to ride at County show standard you will be asked to ride other horses , so no need to buy one. Of you are not good enough, have a different plan . I did showing in hand at local level, and my little boy won a few rosettes, including Show Champion. I was very pleased for him

She already stated her experience was not limited to riding schools and has ridden horses on behalf of others.

Being asked to ride other horses does not mean there is no reason to buy one. Your comment is unnecessary.

While I agree with some of the comments on this thread (though many of you could’ve worded things much better), a lot of you are becoming far too involved. At the end of the day, she is going to do as she wishes and she’s right to take advice with a pinch of salt considering none of us know her or her abilities. Give her some advice on purchasing - I think more than enough of you have told her a youngster is unsuitable and she should not get her first horse unseen.

I’m sorry, but when I see things like this it usually results in the OP feeling shit, defeated and ruins the buying process for them. Advice and the incessant need to show your own experience are very different things.

 

[Wishfilly]

She already stated her experience was not limited to riding schools and has ridden horses on behalf of others.

Being asked to ride other horses does not mean there is no reason to buy one. Your comment is unnecessary.

While I agree with some of the comments on this thread (though many of you could’ve worded things much better), a lot of you are becoming far too involved. At the end of the day, she is going to do as she wishes and she’s right to take advice with a pinch of salt considering none of us know her or her abilities. Give her some advice on purchasing - I think more than enough of you have told her a youngster is unsuitable and she should not get her first horse unseen.

I’m sorry, but when I see things like this it usually results in the OP feeling shit, defeated and ruins the buying process for them. Advice and the incessant need to show your own experience are very different things.

TBF, when I was looking to buy, I nearly bought the first pony I saw, and HHO talked me out of it- I now think that was a good decision! (There were lots of red flags and I really do think it's all worked out for the best!).

I agree the comment you've quoted is unnecessary, and incorrect, and I also think it's pointless when you've never owned your own for people to tell you to carry on loaning and riding other people's, because it isn't the same (good and bad).

But sometimes you do need people who are emotionally outside of the situation to talk you out of something when you're letting your heart rule your head to some extent.