Hello, And long question!

L

luinlote

New User
Joined
28 May 2013
Messages
3
Visit site
Hi:) After searching the internet for weeks trying to find a place to ask advice and get honest,no fluff, knowledgeable answers, I luckily came across H&H.

After being out of the horse scene for about ten years I am now looking to get another horse. I spent most of my childhood owning horses,nothing serious,just pony club, mainly just hacking out with friends. I then had a few years away before taking up lessons and starting some basic dressage training. Then I got married had kids and had no time. So now as I said, I am looking to get back into the scene again. I am want something that I can learn dressage on and of course have fun with.

My problem is that I don't have anyone to seek advice from when buying and I don't feel that I know enough to just go out and do it myself. Anything I buy will be fully vetted of course but it's things like suitability and conformation that I am worried about. I would consider myself a a fairly intermediate rider at a push however when it comes to the actual buying I have no issue admitting I am a complete novice.
All the horses I have found online so far are going to be a plane trip away to view, I don't mind this but I don't want to waste too much time and money viewing totally unsuitable horses.

Pheew, so anyway I wondered if I could get you guys to give me some tips on what to look out for and how to best avoid being taken advantage of.
Here are a few I have inquired about...Am I on the right track or am I looking at the wrong type/conformation should I even be buying with my limited knowledge etc.. I realise I can't expect much help online but I just need some basic info.
Sorry didn't mean it to be this long......If you got this far, thank you!

http://horsezone.com.au/category/218/Draught-horse/listings/23255/Beautiful-Big-Clydey-X-TB.html

http://www.tophorse.com.au/horses-f...se/Beautiful-Buckskin-Gelding__16-8-12-848891
 
The first horse looks nice but the comment about him being nervy would worry me - technically whilst not a beginner it is harder to come back to something and have the same level of confidence that you did as a kid. I thought I could pick up where I left off 18 years ago but it wasn't that easy

Do you have lessons? If not I'd probably start there and get a good instructor. Horses come up for sale all the time locally but are sold without being advertised so having someone in the know is really helpful

If you are forced to buy further afield then I would hire a professional to accompany you and see it as part of the costs

If you buy alone even getting a warranty for a horse it sounds like it would be a huge logistical undertaking to send it back!

If you really really have to ho it alone then ask lots of questions of the seller to try to find the most genuine person you can - for example if both horses are great why are they being sold and why did seller number two decide to sell that horse as opposed to one of their others - if they are genuine they will take time to explain if you approach them

Good luck!
 
I'm from Ireland so now real help in regards to your market or horses! But the only thing I would say is that any horse I buy I have found through word of mouth! Ask about at riding schools or competitions to see if anyone knows of anything, any horse I have bought hasn't been advertised and has been far better value for money when it came to what we were getting as people wanted to sell to a good home rather than for money!

Good luck with the search! :)
 
I have just moved to the area, I think that's part of the problem, I just don't know who to ask. Would it be rude to contact a riding school to ask advice?
I will be getting lessons definitely but as I have my own property would be keeping the horse here. Or should I start by keeping it at a yard for support at the start? Sorry, so many questions lol.
 
It would be a good idea to get a professional evaluation of your riding and fitness now so personally I would get a few lessons and a good relationship with an instructor asking them from the offset for help when you are ready to look for a horse. That way you get a true idea of what it's like to be back on the saddle as well as how much you remember etc plus you get a person to whom you can turn for advice

If you will be having dressage lessons after you have bought the horse then it makes sense to find your instructor now and start to
Build the relationship.

It may delay your buying by a month or two but would be time and money well spent in my opinion
 
That sounds like a great plan (why didn't I think to get some lessons first!) I guess I just assumed I should buy and get lessons then.
I have a fairly good budget for buying, much to my husbands horror, so paying for a professional to help me buy when I am ready is a good idea.....And will likely save me a fortune in the long run.
 
I have just bought a new horse, after last buying 10 years ago, when I was 14. I didn't have anyone to take with me, so I was a bit nervous, but bar having to fight to get a deposit back for a horse who failed the vetting, seem to have managed to end up with a decent oss :). I've

Why not get yourself a good few lessons first, then you will also have an idea of the kind of thing you are after, size, breed, ability and temperament wise. No point rushing into buy! If you have regular lessons, then you will also be able to get advice from your instructor on the kind of thing you should look out for, and hopefully they will go with you to look at some.

Those two ads have a MASSIVE height difference. One is 14.2hh and the other 16.2hh. You don't want to totally out-horse yourself. Also, would rule out anything nervy for a first horse, especially if you have had a long break.

"He has jumped 1.05m"...I could say my old pony jumped 3'5". We did it once! Doesn't really mean much to me. also sounds to me like he might be quite speedy.

If you could keep at yard for the first month or so, you'll get a helping hand to start you off.

I would get yourself back into riding with lessons, and maybe look for a loan or share before jumping into buying. In 6 months' time, your horse fund will still be there (and will have grown!) and your knowledge will have come on leaps and bounds.
 
Start with lessons.
Riding and stable management.
Refresh your knowledge plus things change.

It would not be rude to ask for selling advice.
Hire a knowledgable person.

Keep new horse at a yard to start with before moving it home so you are confident.

If you find a nice yard they could do all of this for you.
plus word of mouth is good so they might know of a nice horse!
 
All of the above.

Also, don't forget horses are herd animals and most will not be happy kept alone. If you are planning on keeping your horse at home will it have any company? You could consider offering livery or a getting a companion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top