Horse buying decisions?!

P

pone-less

Member
Joined
9 February 2012
Messages
14
Location
The east!
Visit site
Good afternoon lovely HHO'ers. This may be a loooong one but could use some opinions!

I will hopefully be looking for a new horsey in the next few months after a break in horse ownership (rise in salary permitting!!) and just cannot decide what if I am looking for is the right thing.

It may sound silly but how do you know if you are ready/experienced enough to bring on a younger horse? I feel that I am experienced and can deal with most things on the ground having worked with horses until I had my break from them.

Until my late teens (I am late 20's now!) I used to ride lots of 4yo's and loved seeing them improve but at the time never really saw it as 'bringing on a youngster' I just got on and introduced them to the basics and always just aimed for them to be relaxed and happy in their way of going and learning things through repetition. I ideally wanted to look for something younger to bring on, bond with and enjoy.

Reading so many posts on here it seems that its a big deal to bring on a youngster and you have to be a certain kind of person to do so. After owning a couple of horses that weren't right for me I lost a bit of confidence and reading many posts on here I am now doubting myself, my experience level and my decision in wanting to bring something on and wondering if I should just get something older.

Can anyone who has or had a younger horse and brought it on themselves let me know their experience level and how they found it. Other peoples views and experiences would be great! :)
 
Get an older horse. Young horses need experience, and most importantly confidence. If you have any doubts about your confidence, buy an older horse.
 
If its confidence round horses your lacking then not a youngster, if its doubt in your own ability from stuff you've read, don't write it off. It's perfectly possible to bring on a youngster without having tons of experience if you have the right back up, which usually comes at a price. If you've been out of horses for a while how about loaning or sharing a schoolmaster for a while first & then getting a youngster at a later date? Or finding a reputable breaking & schooling yard nearby & see if you can volunteer to give yourself an idea how much you do or don't know before making a decision?
 
Thanks for the advice Littlelegs. It certainly isn't confidence around horses, in fact I feel at my most confident when i'm around them! I have ridden several times in my break and every time I do its as if I have never had a day away. I would certainly make sure that I had a lot of back up if I do buy a younger horse, I will definitely look into volunteering at a breaking & schooling yard, it's a really good idea! I certainly won't rush into anything though :)
 
It very much depends on the horse, I have always had my horses from youngsters and would always have said that you need to have ability to see them through their 'testing' years where they push the boundaries, but that isn't a blanket rule, I know of a 4 year old tb who was the most laid back horse I think I've ever to this day known, I think we used the term of brain dead in describing her!! And now I have just broken in my 3 year old cob who has taken to it like a duck to water, he's been the easiest youngster I've ever known without being 'brain dead' lol!!! I think the answer is whether you have the back up, if the youngster turned out to be one that needed more experience. btw if the latter horse sounds suitable pm me....
 
How fantastic you are getting a new horse! very exciting.

I had a similar dilemma recently, I have a fair amount of experience, fantastic yard back up and great instructor. I bought a 2yo back in feb...he will be 3 in a few weeks.

I have gone into it with my eyes open, it does take a lot of patience and time, the main thing I had to consider was whether I can commit enough time over the next 3-4 years.....whilst patience and confidence are important just have a think whether you are likely to want to ride 4-5 times a week.

I am certainly not trying to put you off....I just know this was a major consideration...I spoke to my yard to make sure they were happy to add him to their exercise list when he is ready as I know I cannot ride enough.

I love my boy...I would not have bought a youngster but he was a breed I had longed for!!
 
If you want a horse that you can see improve which you said you loved you could just get a 'blank canvas horse' rather than a youngster.

I agree if you doubt a youngster then might not be a great idea. Maybe getting a slightly older horse that you can train to what you want without the very young mind.
I got my horse when he was 8 - he was western and in the 4 years I have had him I have re trained him to do a simple DR test ( not my thing) and 3'- 3'3 courses. I saw it as training a 'older youngster' as had to teach him everything he knows but he never acted green.

Good luck! :)
 
are you intending keeping at a yard
or at home/own field?

from what you say (and littlelegs suggestion should help confirm)
it sounds like you have the necessary background

BUT bringing on a youngster (or a tricky project) on your own with no backup is v different from having it at a decent yard with companions to hack with
or keep half an eye on you when you are riding in school etc
 
I have just bought a rising 5 year old after 15 years out of the saddle... I wanted an older all rounder who had been there and done it, usual story... I fell in love with a cheeky youngster! But I think it very much depends on the horse, their attitude, your confidence and your support network. Mine is unphased by everything, takes it all in his stride, has his moments like they all do, but his mentality and attitude to everything is amazing with such a sensible head on his young shoulders. When there are problems I'm at a professional yard and I have help whenever I need it (at a price!) and from friends. I think you have to weigh everything up and make a decision from there as every 4/5 year old is different.
 
Thanks for all your really helpful replies!

Labruyere, I would be keeping him or her at a livery yard as there would always be someone on hand to help and the correct facilities to do everything in a safe and suitable environment. MerryVB, I think that is definitely something I would consider, an older brain with more to learn. It will have done a bit more, but will be something that I can still school on and enjoy. Seeing a horse improve and learn is so fulfilling and it's something I can't wait to get stuck in to! I suppose that after bringing on a couple of problem horses only to sell them when they were going well, I have not been able to enjoy the work I put in.

I hope I haven't come across as too much an idiot. Not being a horseowner for a while has left me out of touch with all my horsey friends who would be able to give me a kick up the backside and help me out with decisions. I tend to over think so many things and can't really see how it is! I really appreciate everyone's input and advice!

Oooh I love a spotty Spotsrock! Feel free to send me some info! :)

Lots of luck with your lovely youngsters Parker79 and LouiseG!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top