For those actively looking to buy a horse - how hard is it now?

[MuddyMonster]

That doesn't explain anything. Why not buy a well behaved 5 year old if it's doing the job you want it for?
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I can totally understand wanting to buy older.

As 5 is still young mine certainly went through some growing up/Kevin and Perry phases despite the fact he could do the job I wanted him to do (it was just a lot more work at times!) but by 10 he was far more established and could be relied on far more to be consistent in far more circumstances.

Although lots of us may end up buying younger than planned - I did! - there's nothing wrong with and can be very sensible to hold out for an older, more established horse if you aren't in a rush.

 

[ycbm]

I can totally understand wanting to buy older.

As 5 is still young mine certainly went through some growing up/Kevin and Perry phases despite the fact he could do the job I wanted him to do (it was just a lot more work at times!) but by 10 he was far more established and could be relied on far more to be consistent in far more circumstances.

Although lots of us may end up buying younger than planned - I did! - there's nothing wrong with and can be very sensible to hold out for an older, more established horse if you aren't in a rush.

I do agree but looking at the kind of horses that B is looking at buying, then they would seem to be an unwise buy at any age if you don't feel yourself capable of managing a well behaved 5 year old already doing the job.
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[Birker2020]

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I can totally understand wanting to buy older.

As 5 is still young mine certainly went through some growing up/Kevin and Perry phases despite the fact he could do the job I wanted him to do (it was just a lot more work at times!) but by 10 he was far more established and could be relied on far more to be consistent in far more circumstances.

Although lots of us may end up buying younger than planned - I did! - there's nothing wrong with and can be very sensible to hold out for an older, more established horse if you aren't in a rush.

Thank you

 

[Goldie's mum]

Some more well-meant advice, based on personal experience.

If you haven't ridden for a while make sure to get some regular riding somewhere before you start seriously looking. However fit you keep by other means, it's shocking how your muscles change when you're not riding & viewings are stressful enough without adding more problems. If you're buying one, forever horse you need to be able to tell if you gel with a particular horse & like it's way of moving.

After G went I didn't want to ride for a while then I borrowed a friend's horse a couple of times & hated her! She just seemed clumsy & I felt like I was fighting against her rather than being a team. I'm now riding a share regularly but last week he was waiting for the farrier so I rode my friend's again & she felt completely different- much better. Moral of the story is what I thought was a mystical joining of souls (or not) turned out to be balance, and muscle shape!

 

[ihatework]

Some more well-meant advice, based on personal experience.

If you haven't ridden for a while make sure to get some regular riding somewhere before you start seriously looking. However fit you keep by other means, it's shocking how your muscles change when you're not riding & viewings are stressful enough without adding more problems. If you're buying one, forever horse you need to be able to tell if you gel with a particular horse & like it's way of moving.

After G went I didn't want to ride for a while then I borrowed a friend's horse a couple of times & hated her! She just seemed clumsy & I felt like I was fighting against her rather than being a team. I'm now riding a share regularly but last week he was waiting for the farrier so I rode my friend's again & she felt completely different- much better. Moral of the story is what I thought was a mystical joining of souls (or not) turned out to be balance, and muscle shape!

100% this.

I don’t ride regularly any more but when my 4yo is weaned and comes into work next spring as a 5yo I have aspirations to ride her a bit. She is a bit of a Ferrari and so I’ve just started having weekly schoolmaster lessons in order to prepare myself!

 

[Birker2020]

I do agree but looking at the kind of horses that B is looking at buying, then they would seem to be an unwise buy at any age if you don't feel yourself capable of managing a well behaved 5 year old already doing the job.
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I don't have the experience or patience for a five year old. I know my limitations and do not feel I can guide a young horse the way it would need to be guided at that age.I am grateful that I am able to recognise that. By the same token I don't want anything that isn't genuine or is going to be spooky when jumping fillers

The ads I put up reflect my requirements and the horses in them are the school master type I need, consistent, safe and predictable. Just because they have photos taken of them jumping at shows doesn't insinuate they are competition machines or are wild or unpredictable requiring loads of work or breathe fire!

Bailey was very much a competition horse but she had a family friend who was a near novice walk, trot and canter her in the school and over the years had a succession of other people who were nervous ride her.

Unfortunately the age, breed and type of horse I'm looking for commands a higher price which I am prepared to pay.

As i have said, I will have lessons and get a pro to ride so I have the necessary back up.

 

[ycbm]

I'm going by the breeding and the look of them B.

Perhaps the easiest way I can explain what I mean is that I think you would be more likely to end up in a good place by looking at horses with thicker legs and slower brains.
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[Birker2020]

I'm going by the breeding and the look of them B.

Perhaps the easiest way I can explain what I mean is that I think you would be more likely to end up in a good place by looking at horses with thicker legs and slower brains.
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Well I have a weight/size limitation for my trailer so can't have anything too ID/ heavy.

I dont really see them as any different to my last comp horse below but I'm not going to labour the point. Thanks for your comments all.

 

[Red-1]

I think ycbm has some great points and is being kind in spirit.

A few years ago I wouldn't have given either of mine a second glance. Funnily enough though, after having these and a more spirited share, I could be tempted to a more sporty type again, but to have got one a couple of years ago, when out of practice, would not have gone well for me.

Another vote for thicker legs and slower brains.

BTW. I had a generous budget for a smaller version of when birker is looking for and still couldn't find one for love nor money. But, by buying a thinker legged and slower brained version, I have enjoyed bringing on a 4yo, which was certainly not my intention initially, especially a grey one!

From what you describe birker, I think you may have to save a bit more than the 12K that have been the price tags on the ones you have been considering, for a sound, sane one that is. maybe not if it is towards the 14yo age, with some controlled conditions.

 

[ycbm]

I dont really see them as any different to my last comp horse below

That's my point. They aren't any different, but you are.

 

[blodwyn1]

Accidents happen without even getting on the horse! I went to fun club yesterday with G and was brushing her tail on the lorry when she moved over I stepped back lost my footing on the ramp and fell backwards! I don't remember anything else, apparently I was talking gibberish with lots of where am I ? Consequently didn't get to do fun club and husband drove us home. Good job new pony is away being broken but I can't see me being allowed on her at this rate!

 

[Birker2020]

I think ycbm has some great points and is being kind in spirit.

A few years ago I wouldn't have given either of mine a second glance. Funnily enough though, after having these and a more spirited share, I could be tempted to a more sporty type again, but to have got one a couple of years ago, when out of practice, would not have gone well for me.

Another vote for thicker legs and slower brains.

BTW. I had a generous budget for a smaller version of when birker is looking for and still couldn't find one for love nor money. But, by buying a thinker legged and slower brained version, I have enjoyed bringing on a 4yo, which was certainly not my intention initially, especially a grey one!

From what you describe birker, I think you may have to save a bit more than the 12K that have been the price tags on the ones you have been considering, for a sound, sane one that is. maybe not if it is towards the 14yo age, with some controlled conditions.

Oh I will have saved a lot more by the spring. I was just putting ads on of those type I liked, have no intention of looking at the moment.

It's so hard when you don't currently ride too. There is a horse at the livery yard I can ride but at £60 a pop I'm not sure I can do that too often.

 

[Birker2020]

Accidents happen without even getting on the horse! I went to fun club yesterday with G and was brushing her tail on the lorry when she moved over I stepped back lost my footing on the ramp and fell backwards! I don't remember anything else, apparently I was talking gibberish with lots of where am I ? Consequently didn't get to do fun club and husband drove us home. Good job new pony is away being broken but I can't see me being allowed on her at this rate!

Ouch. I hope you feel better soon. Of course accidents happen with horses and to suggest otherwise would be crazy but I'm hoping to mitigate the risk somewhat with an older one. Fellow livery bought a 17.2hh 13yr old and has done exceptionally well with it it's nice and sensible compared with the younger one she had before him.

 

[Ceriann]

I have gone a hand smaller, older and less “athletic” for my latest horse. I’m older, not confident and just don’t want to deal with anything sharp or difficult. I spent at least 12 months looking for her and stepped away from a few that would probably have been fine just because of my criteria. I probably undersell my capability to counteract my concern sellers would oversell the horse’s temperament, experience etc. I’ve got the right one because of this and a very good budget - I can now tune her up if I’m feeling braver or ride her on the buckle and she’s got some pop if I ever want to jump (I have a friend who does this with her every now and again). She’ll do a decent novice test, maybe elementary with some work but she’d also happily be a happy hacker. I wouldn’t have considered her 10-15 years ago but she’s perfect for me now.

 

[IrishMilo]

I think saving up and adding an extra 5k you could have something like this jumping nicely in very poor weather.

17hh 5yo Bay Gelding SJ Event Allrounder

Lovely big homebred young horse.<br/><br/>Slowly produced & given time to mature.<br/><br/>Started jumping round British Novice courses & ready to go on.<br/><br/>Has been XC schooling proving bold & brave.<br/><br/>Hacks out regularly with amateur rider. <br/><br/>For sale due to owners...

www.horsequest.co.uk

I looked at that earlier but too young really x he was good in that downpour bless him

I know this seller. She's a very honest person and really grafts with her horses. If you did want someone to go and take a look, that is!

 

[Clodagh]

Absolutely none of my business Birker, but please don’t rule out less highly bred horses just because they say ID or ID X.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I know this seller. She's a very honest person and really grafts with her horses. If you did want someone to go and take a look, that is!

I really like this one

 

[Birker2020]

I really like this one

He is nice but I don't have that much money so couldn't afford it yet anyway.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I don't have that much money so couldn't afford it yet anyway.

Yeah but you could look! no harm in looking….. that way you can tick a box

 

[CanteringCarrot]

At the same time, it's rude to waste a sellers time or take part in "riding tourism" as some call it.

It's hard because you do need to find what suits, but you also don't want to unfairly waste others time if you have no true intent or possibility to buy.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I would try to keep up with your riding, even if it's not right now, but atleast closer to the time when you're going to be seriously looking. I have to do the same, really. I haven't ridden in a bit, and I'll need to back my 3 year old in the spring. At which point I'm either keeping him if I like him well enough, or selling him and buying a greenie that I like more. Either way, my bum needs to be in a saddle in the meantime.

Plus, you won't get the full experience out of trying a horse if you're out of shape/muscle memory riding wise, IMO. Just my thoughts.

 

[Goldie's mum]

Yeah but you could look! no harm in looking….. that way you can tick a box

Shocked!!
That's not box-ticking, that's tyre-kicking!
Shame on you, BB!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Oh I will have saved a lot more by the spring. I was just putting ads on of those type I liked, have no intention of looking at the moment.

It's so hard when you don't currently ride too. There is a horse at the livery yard I can ride but at £60 a pop I'm not sure I can do that too often.

The horse cannot be hired to you for £60 a ride unless the owner has a riding school licence. Your rider insurance if you have any, and the owners insurance will be void if you are paying to ride the horse. Any accident or injury occurring will be a civil case. If the horse is part of a licensed establishment and listed on the licence you will be fine to hire it.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Shocked!!
That's not box-ticking, that's tyre-kicking!
Shame on you, BB!

Oh well, shame on me,,, lets make a big deal out it

 

[ycbm]

I ended up paying £10k for a horse advertised at £15k once by telling them I would like to view but only had £10k to spend. They said as long as I could complete the deal before their mortgage payment was due they would take it.

It's not fair not to tell them before viewing, but you can only ask, what's the worst that can happen?
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[Clodagh]

Oh well, shame on me,,, lets make a big deal out it

It’s not really making a big deal out of it, it’s unethical and wrong and very annoying for the person who gives up their time to let you play with their pony.

 

[SO1]

Depending on how long he has been advertised the price may drop Bert was originally 9750 but I waited and his price dropped to 8500.

I agree no point viewing if not in your price range or does not appeal to you.

Bert was the 6th I saw in nearly 8 months of looking and I didn’t start considering 5 years old until I realised the older ones within budget either had medical issues or behaviour ones or not suitable facilities to really try them properly.

 

[Clodagh]

Depending on how long he has been advertised the price may drop Bert was originally 9750 but I waited and his price dropped to 8500.

Sorry OP off topic, but how is Bert?

 

[Barton Bounty]

It’s not really making a big deal out of it, it’s unethical and wrong and very annoying for the person who gives up their time to let you play with their pony.

Well B is not viewing as she has stated anyway on several Occasions upthread so no deal to be made

 

[Hobo2]

Very interesting thread . Love the go for thicker legs slower brain. I made a mistake in lockdown going for what I thought was a very chilled , kick along 5 year old . I had wanted 8-10 as this was meant to be my last horse. Turns out he was bred to event and change of management turning 6 meant he was not the horse for a keen but not gung-ho 60 year old.
Last year I sold him to a super keen 16 year old and it is a match made in heaven.
I then bought a sensitive but sensible 5 year old thick legs , slower brain. We have had a few moments but over the year we get each other better and better . I have visions of my carer leading me around our woods on her in 15 years time!!

I hope you find your forever horse OP .