Horse buying decision making - youngsters (also in CR)

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Ahrena

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As some of you may know, given my multiply threads on the topic! I have been considering buying a new horse for some time now.

In a nutshell I have a completly fantastic 15 year old, who to be honest if I could clone and have him as a baby I'd be happy forever.. Alas that is not possible. I want to buy a baby as I want to produce something to go onto once he needs to hang up his boots.

So I've been toying with what age to buy. I'm reluctant to buy a 3yo now as I don't currently have the time for 2 in work and although I wouldn't be in a rush to back it as I'm very much a take your time/at the horse's pace believer, it would obviously be sooner than if I bought a 2 year old. However this is changing in September when I will be working less and earning more, in a nutshell.

But then again, I'm very happy having just the one horse in work and pouring my time into him.

So I was looking at 2 year olds, really. But a very nice yearling has popped up very local to me. I am actually seeing him later - I have spoken to his owner about my concerns re. age as I don't want to waste her time, but she said she was very happy for me to come see him anyway, and I feel if I see him I will know more what I want. I've already decided I am not impulse buying, I will take the rest of the weekend to make a decision whether its right for me.

Now I have a few concerns about buying a yearling. As well as a few things making me want one!

Firstly, its a long time until I will be backing it. I am concerned something will happen to my dear boy in the meantime and then I'm stuck in a situation where I either have to sell baby or not have anything to compete meanwhile. I feel expecting my 15 year old to continue eventing until he is 18 is a gamble - touch wood he is very sound and enthusiastic, and I know plenty of 18 year olds are still out there, but it is a gamble all the same.

I could probably afford another at a push should something happen, though. And then again, even if I buy a 2 or 3 year old, Squirrel could go do a leg tomorrow and I'd be in the same situation.

Also, my other concern is that I don't know enough about buying babies this young to have an eye for it. I've found I've got a good eye for an older horse - I tend to be able to look at a horse and just /know/ if its good or capable. Don't ask me how, I just seem to know, without wanting to sound like I'm blowing my trumpet. But I've never been in a situation where I've assessed a horse of this age.

But then again, its a gamble with any youngster. I can't be sure a nice 3 year old will do the job I want it to do, but I feel I would have a better idea. But still, with a 3 year old I would know sooner if it will do the job, so it wouldn't be as hard to sell as I'd be less attached. But I am hopeless at selling.

So I'm concerned that in 3/4 years time, I will find, actually I havn't got a horse capable of what I want it to do, and then I would find it very difficult to sell. I've never sold a horse of my own, I tend to keep for life, but then I also don't want to restrict my own life and ambitions for the next 20 years!

On the plus side, I know enough about youngsters and have enough experience with handling babies from birth to being ridden away so that I feel confident I can produce a lovely, very well rounded, sensible horse. I would adore to produce my own from this age, I find it so satisfying and would enjoy it a lot.

I feel with getting something this age, opposed to a 3yo, I have a lot more in the way of time for desensitizing and things like that, and creating a bond with it before backing.

My last concern is that his breeding isn't as good as it could be. Don't get me wrong, he is nicely bred with dad jumping foxhunter and I've seen videos/photos of him jumping 1.50m at home with tonnes of scope and a lovely shape and lots of dressage (grand prix) further up the lines, and grandsire is known for producing horses for a fantastic temperment. But then on the other side of his pedigree he has Catherston Dougal, who from my research did have a bit of a questionable temperment.

But then AGAIN, breeding isn't the be all and end all. But then for a youngster, who's future I'm trying to predict as much as possible, it does seem fairly important.

Foalie in question did very well at his grading, and I have seen some super videos of him at home which make him look very bold and brave for his age, and they say he has a very good temperment.


Sorry very long rambly post, am thinking out loud!

Basically if I had a crystal ball, and could be sure that he will grow up into what I want, and Squirrel stays sound and competitive long enough, it would be PERFECT, and I will really enjoy having him from such a young age.

But then it seems a bigger gamble on both parts as this age opposed to a 2 or 3 year old. :o It feels like a huge decision!

Just to add, I do have good facilities for a horse of this age at my livery yard, and there is another livery with a horse similar age to be his buddy.
 
I'm not sure I have much to add as you're obviously thinking this through thoroughly, but I didn't want to read and run. As you've said, whatever you buy, whether this yearling or another 2yr old or a 3yr old, it'll always be a gamble. You're clearly using your head, now maybe it's time to listen to your heart - go see this baby and see what your heart and gut tell you.
If your old boy does need to retire earlier than planned maybe you could loan something until the youngster is ready to start work.
 
I actually lied :o this chap's breeding is very good, I got mixed up with another horse.

Sire didn't do a lot, but Grandsire has produced several international event horses, including a european champs winner (but it was ridden by Michael Jung so..)

I think thats my thoughts. If I see this chap, if I still have doubts its not the right decision.

On the other hand also though, I ride freelance and several of my clients are starting to make noises about me competing their horses, especially 1 who is trying to get pregnant and wants me to event hers if he does, so that would certainly bridge the gap if there is one.
 
I wouldn't be so worried about something happening to your older horse. You're outlining a very "what if" situation regarding him breaking down, despite the fact that you say he is fit and enthusiastic. Well, any horse can sustain an injury at any time, at any age. It's pointless getting tied up in knots over "what ifs"! There's no reason why, if he is well maintained that your horse couldn't carry on eventing into the future. I knew of a horse that was 19 and still tearing round BE100 quite the thing, completely fit and sound.

What I'm trying to say is don't be overly concerned with the age of the youngster you go for, look for quality and potential instead. It would be such a shame to turn down a lovely yearling just because you are worried about your older horse being out of action, which may of course never even happen! I bought my little horse at 10 months and I will say one negative thing about getting them so young is that you're itching to ride them but of course have a long wait! I backed her finally last year and am currently bringing her back into work to start her career properly.

The lovely thing about having them so young is that you know them inside out before you even think about getting on them. It makes backing much easier in my opinion if you've already built up a relationship over the previous years and I've found them more trusting and relaxed to be working with you.

I went for good bloodlines but also good temperament was vitally important. I wanted something friendly but fiesty! Everyone's different and has different preferences. I'd sit and have a good think about what would be a must-have and what would be a deal-breaker for you. I think it's really important to get a good match with a baby as you have years ahead of you to spend together and if there's a personality clash it's going to be a rocky road.

Super excited to hear how you get on. It's the most rewarding experience taking a little baby and bringing it on all by yourself. The sense of achievement is amazing. :)
 
How exciting! You are obviously masses more expert at this than I would be but here's my 2 penn'orth!

I bought a 6 month old foal who is now 2 and it has been a real pleasure working with him and getting him leading in hand and really liking people. So a younger youngster can be brilliant and you know nobody has meddled!

On the other hand it was pointed out to me on here that they don't really mature in strength etc until about 7 and can have their moments before then - so if you are eventing now, will you really be in a position to compete as you want to much before your youngster is 7? Which willbe6 years from now and your boy will be21.

Have you thought about getting a 4 yo that you could still bring on really slowly to give it time to mature, but be able to compete properly in a couple of years?

Hope you have fun with whatever you decide? :)
 
I'm just going through this exact scenario. I have a 24 year old gelding who has slowed down for a few years with me having children he is now back in work a few days a week ans we are both loving it ! I have just bought a colt literally when he was a few days old and he ones home in September when weaned. My reasons where similar to yours. I can't see myself never owning a horse so have bought a lovely colt with good bloodlines to potentially event or bsja , I have done this as if my old boy goes without me having another horse I dint think I could get back to horse riding ever as would look for a horse like him all over again which I wouldn't find . I bought a baby because my youngest son doesn't go to school for another year in August so when the real work comes with the colt ill have the time to spend with him and do him justice.
Don't let age put you off if its the right horse, good luck hope you find what your looking for.
 
I was in similar situation, needed a companion for my horse and was thinking about getting a youngster so she he retires the youngster is starting ridden work. My only concern was everything happened very suddenly so needed a companion pretty quick but didn't think I had time for 2 ridden horses or the time to work a 3 year old. Went to ILPH looked at rescue horses etc instead of youngster as companions and the work and potential costs were pretty excessive and the rescue horses available wouldn't be company for my boy as he's still very active and likes to play in field but non of them would have coped. So back to youngsters and saw a nice ready to be backed 3 yo quite a distance away so thought I'd make sure I saw a couple more on-route. One was an unhandled yearling (younger than I had considered, got my old boy at rising 3). As soon as we saw the filly, her unspoilt innocence and paces...wow we were smitten. Drove to see 3 yo we had intention of buying and it was so disappointing they had done so much with it handling wise it was 100% bomb proof but problem was it couldn't lunge or loose school as it ignored schooling stick. There was no spark or personality, he was in prestine condition and looked the part but to me he had been spoilt. Instantly, decision was we go with yearling as I couldn't handle dealing with issues created by other people. Best decision I ever made and it gives me 2-3 years before she'll be in ridden work and time to set the foundations and build a relationship with her .we did end up with a loan pony as a companion too.

Either way they are a lot of work but a 3-4 year old needs a lot of consistency and training now, whereas 1-2 year old can be left to mature, get basic day to day handling without the training / riding element.

Depends on your situation and experience, I'm sure you'll find the right solution. Good luck
 
Thanks very much guy
I've given it a lot of thought (my head hurts), we're going to see him again later so my mum can see him, which is a formality really as after the pictures she's already in love to put down a deposit subject to vetting.

To be honest, from what I want from my own horses, a yearling is the right decision. I don't enjoy having 2 in work so its probably unlikely will both be in full work and if there is a gap between competing - I ride for a living and my clients are rumouring about me eventing theirs so I think that would bridge the gap, if there is one.

I'm relishing the thought and challenge of producing a Fantastic horse, and I've always wanted to start pretty much from day 1.
 
Hmmm it is a tricky one! I agree with your sensible points but I agree with someone who posted before that you are maybe thinking to many 'what ifs' and that's completely natural, I'd be the same!

I can't really say what's best or not but I'd go see the yearling :) I don't think it would hurt. Then you can also get an idea of whether its what you want or not.

P.s do you still have Lacey?
 
I do still have Lacey, but have a fantastic sharer for her who just hacks her and enjoys her shenanigans :) so tbf I do always have her to hack about on should it all go wrong.
 
Go see him and then listen to your gut - if it says yes then go for it, if you have doubts then think them through but listen to them.
 
I think you should go for older.

From what you have said about yourself, I think that you might be wasting your talent/expertise waiting for a yearling to grow up.

And as you have a good foundation competing and that's what ultimately you need, it would be very hard for you if something you had had for years turned out to be not up to that standard.
Especially as you have said yourself, you don't like letting them go.
 
Thanks :)

I actually panicked an hour before we were meant to go back to see him and cancelled it. I knew if I took my mum up there, we would come home with him. Luckily i had warned the owner I was very unsure about buying a yearling so hopefully she doesn't think of me as an entire time waster.
 
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