Horse buying (long post)

[Tartan01]

Bit of a ramble but hopefully some insights from you lovely people.

I’m a long time lurker on here.
I am thinking of getting a new horse but I’m not sure what to look for.

A bit of background about me. Will try and keep it short.

I’ve had my wb x ISH for 12 years now. I purchased him as a 9 year old from a very prominent event rider for £1 as he was going to be shot otherwise. He had a rough time as a youngster, cut late and he had been beaten up in his first home, prior to the person I got him from. He was incredibly difficult and has always been a bit quirky but in odd ways.

His flat work was ok, competed up to Novice affiliated but it would really depend on his mood on the day. He could be incredibly sharp.

Hacking out he is amazing. I can take him anywhere and he’s easy. In company, on his own 100% in all situations.



Jumping, well. I used to love to jump but he’s quirky. I tried for three years to jump him but unless you were 100% correct to a fence he would buck you off after. He’d always take off, never stop or run out but by golly if you got the striding wrong you’d be out on the other side.

I trained and trained, pros tried also (one notable 5 star rider got off him before even attempting to jump). I did a clinic with Geoff Billington who asked me quite honestly if I really enjoyed jumping him after a really difficult lesson and decided not to jump after that.

Recently he’s made it clear that he no longer enjoys schooling. He’s got the start of arthritic hocks so we’re just ticking over hacking out.


I have been preparing for getting
and have what is hopefully a decent budget in this mad mad climate - circa 20-25k.



But I don’t know where to start.


I would love to go up the levels in dressage. Before lockdown I was lucky enough to help out and ride at a dressage yard. The owner imported horses from Holland and they ranged from youngsters up to GP. They were amazing to ride but very sharp and not hack friendly. Some used to go hacking round the lanes but it wasn’t great.

I live in a rural area and have the luxury of wide open space and lots of bridle ways. I think I would have died on any of her horses.



I think I would like to jump again. But I’m not sure. Again before lockdown I rode a few friends horse to jump as I’d not left the floor in years. I realised that my own horse had really affected my jumping confidence. If my friend gave me instruction as I jumped I was fine. But I was always in ‘defence’ position on landing as that’s where I had to be on my horse.



So maybe I’m looking for a really nice all rounder? Rather than a ‘dressage’ or ‘eventer’ I hunted in my youth but realistically I probably won’t do it again.

Safe hacking out is paramount for me especially on my own.

Then second thing importance wise I guess is good on the flat. I don’t mind something a little green but the ability to go further would be great.

If I’m going to jump I would need the saint of all saints jumping wise and I doubt I’d really want to jump something at viewings as I’d panic.


I’ve realised that as much as I love my current horse, he has eroded my confidence in certain areas. Jumping is the biggest thing, but also I think on the flat, you had to be tactful all the time with my horse. On a good day he was on your side and unbeatable. But on a bad day, don’t even bother. That being said, he is definitely ‘my horse ‘ for better or worse. So I think I’ve become tentative if that makes sense?



I know I need to try and ride other horses as much as I can before buying but there’s only so much I can do this with friends.



So after all that the main questions are -



What am I looking for?

If you were selling would you be put off by me? I know now I wouldn’t be comfortable jumping something I don’t know. I called about a mare that sounded perfect, the owner was honest and said she didn’t think I was the right person for her horse, her mare needed a busier environment and she said she wouldn’t sell without seeing me jump her. I’m grateful for her honesty but also worried that s good sellers will be put off by me



I guess I do want something talented but also more straightforward and forgiving which I suppose everyone wants!



Congratulations if you got to the end of this and have any advice ?!

 

[TheMule]

Are you close enough to somewhere Talland that you could go and ride lots of different horses in a fairly short space of time? I honestly would try to get more of a starting point, especially as you have a really good budget so can get this really right

 

[eahotson]

Bit of a ramble but hopefully some insights from you lovely people.

I’m a long time lurker on here.
I am thinking of getting a new horse but I’m not sure what to look for.

A bit of background about me. Will try and keep it short.

I’ve had my wb x ISH for 12 years now. I purchased him as a 9 year old from a very prominent event rider for £1 as he was going to be shot otherwise. He had a rough time as a youngster, cut late and he had been beaten up in his first home, prior to the person I got him from. He was incredibly difficult and has always been a bit quirky but in odd ways.

His flat work was ok, competed up to Novice affiliated but it would really depend on his mood on the day. He could be incredibly sharp.

Hacking out he is amazing. I can take him anywhere and he’s easy. In company, on his own 100% in all situations.



Jumping, well. I used to love to jump but he’s quirky. I tried for three years to jump him but unless you were 100% correct to a fence he would buck you off after. He’d always take off, never stop or run out but by golly if you got the striding wrong you’d be out on the other side.

I trained and trained, pros tried also (one notable 5 star rider got off him before even attempting to jump). I did a clinic with Geoff Billington who asked me quite honestly if I really enjoyed jumping him after a really difficult lesson and decided not to jump after that.

Recently he’s made it clear that he no longer enjoys schooling. He’s got the start of arthritic hocks so we’re just ticking over hacking out.


I have been preparing for getting
and have what is hopefully a decent budget in this mad mad climate - circa 20-25k.



But I don’t know where to start.


I would love to go up the levels in dressage. Before lockdown I was lucky enough to help out and ride at a dressage yard. The owner imported horses from Holland and they ranged from youngsters up to GP. They were amazing to ride but very sharp and not hack friendly. Some used to go hacking round the lanes but it wasn’t great.

I live in a rural area and have the luxury of wide open space and lots of bridle ways. I think I would have died on any of her horses.



I think I would like to jump again. But I’m not sure. Again before lockdown I rode a few friends horse to jump as I’d not left the floor in years. I realised that my own horse had really affected my jumping confidence. If my friend gave me instruction as I jumped I was fine. But I was always in ‘defence’ position on landing as that’s where I had to be on my horse.



So maybe I’m looking for a really nice all rounder? Rather than a ‘dressage’ or ‘eventer’ I hunted in my youth but realistically I probably won’t do it again.

Safe hacking out is paramount for me especially on my own.

Then second thing importance wise I guess is good on the flat. I don’t mind something a little green but the ability to go further would be great.

If I’m going to jump I would need the saint of all saints jumping wise and I doubt I’d really want to jump something at viewings as I’d panic.


I’ve realised that as much as I love my current horse, he has eroded my confidence in certain areas. Jumping is the biggest thing, but also I think on the flat, you had to be tactful all the time with my horse. On a good day he was on your side and unbeatable. But on a bad day, don’t even bother. That being said, he is definitely ‘my horse ‘ for better or worse. So I think I’ve become tentative if that makes sense?



I know I need to try and ride other horses as much as I can before buying but there’s only so much I can do this with friends.



So after all that the main questions are -



What am I looking for?

If you were selling would you be put off by me? I know now I wouldn’t be comfortable jumping something I don’t know. I called about a mare that sounded perfect, the owner was honest and said she didn’t think I was the right person for her horse, her mare needed a busier environment and she said she wouldn’t sell without seeing me jump her. I’m grateful for her honesty but also worried that s good sellers will be put off by me



I guess I do want something talented but also more straightforward and forgiving which I suppose everyone wants!



Congratulations if you got to the end of this and have any advice ?!

can I say that I think you have done incredibly well with your present horse.Give yourself more credit.If I was selling a suitable horse for you I wouldn't be put off at all.

 

[Tartan01]

Thank you both. Sorry struggling with the quote function

@TheMule im not close to Talland but there is a very good classical dressage centre not too far away I could try. They’re not open yet but will hopefully get there. I’m not in any great hurry to get another horse but I’m aware that now I’m not riding in the school either I could have not jumping and flat as an issue.

@eahotson thank you ?. I do love him even though it’s been a challenge! I think if he hadn’t have hacked out as well as he does I wouldn’t have kept him ridden. He’s also a saint on the ground which is a massive plus. He also provides a great nanny (manny?!) service in the field for the babies ?

 

[sport horse]

Keep your eyes open for a show jumper that is not good enough to 'go on'. ie it has reached a level way above your requirements but moves well enough to do dressage. The show jumping bloodlines are, in general, much calmer than many of the pure dressage bloodlines. Also a jumper will have been taken out to shows from fairly young and be pretty immune to sights, sounds and travelling. Make sure the horse is used to hacking as part of its routine and that you can try it out hacking.

I breed show jumpers and have sold several to people just like yourself and I hate to say it, but been inundated with people looking! Sorry I do not have anything at the moment!

 

[Tartan01]

Keep your eyes open for a show jumper that is not good enough to 'go on'. ie it has reached a level way above your requirements but moves well enough to do dressage. The show jumping bloodlines are, in general, much calmer than many of the pure dressage bloodlines. Also a jumper will have been taken out to shows from fairly young and be pretty immune to sights, sounds and travelling. Make sure the horse is used to hacking as part of its routine and that you can try it out hacking.

I breed show jumpers and have sold several to people just like yourself and I hate to say it, but been inundated with people looking! Sorry I do not have anything at the moment!

Thank you. Would you think me a total weirdo if I was a prospective viewer of a show jumper who didn’t jump on viewing?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I don't think it's weird but I suppose you will get some sellers that want the horse to go to a jumping home, but I am sure there will be some that wouldn't care if the horse never jumped again.

 

[Tartan01]

Thanks for your reply @Pinkvboots. I do want to jump again. I just think I really want to get to know the horse well. A luxury I know I won’t get when buying ?

 

[oldie48]

Something bred for eventing might suit you well especially if there's some WB in the breeding. We had a Ricardo Z gelding who would have fitted the bill for you, great on the flat, easy to jump and fab to hack. He'd never had gone advanced as he was a bit heavy to make the time but would have gone up the levels dressage wise. The thing about eventers is they have seen a bit of life, whereas a lot of dressage horses (not all by any means) have had a more sheltered life. With your budget I'd look wide and long and if you don't want to jump a horse you are trying, why not take someone with you who will and is capable of giving you an assessment?

 

[southerncomfort]

can I say that I think you have done incredibly well with your present horse.Give yourself more credit.If I was selling a suitable horse for you I wouldn't be put off at all.

100% this.

If I were selling you'd be exactly the sort of person I'd be looking for.

You've more than proved that you are extremely capable and willing to work hard to help your horse.

Don't be put off by the first phone call. Much better that both owner and buyer are honest about what they are both looking for, and it sounds like this owner wanted the horse to be jumped competitively.

You have a fantastic budget and I think the advice above to ride a few different types and breeds is spot on. It'll help get your eye in and decide exactly what it is you're looking for.

 

[Sail_away]

I think you should be able to find something really nice - safe horses are very valued on the market now but you've got a good budget. Any well-schooled all rounder horse you buy will be able to do a 90cm course without too much input from you. If you want to go higher than that, perhaps an eventing schoolmaster would suit, something that's been there, got the t-shirt and doesn't make a fuss about it.
I know of someone who bought a lovely eventing schoolmaster, success at Novice BE and AM dressage, sensible and an energy conserver but will up the gears if asked - would that sort of horse appeal?
But also, it's okay to learn exactly what you're looking for as you go along. When I was looking a few months ago, we looked at all sorts at first but by seeing what didn't work out we ended up with a quite specific type, age, experience etc. You may start looking at one type and then gravitate to another. I know I thought I wanted a high tb% Irish type, workman-like movement, and all the ones I had vetted were flash continental warmblood crosses out of showjumping sires.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Keep your eyes open for a show jumper that is not good enough to 'go on'. ie it has reached a level way above your requirements but moves well enough to do dressage. The show jumping bloodlines are, in general, much calmer than many of the pure dressage bloodlines. Also a jumper will have been taken out to shows from fairly young and be pretty immune to sights, sounds and travelling. Make sure the horse is used to hacking as part of its routine and that you can try it out hacking.

I breed show jumpers and have sold several to people just like yourself and I hate to say it, but been inundated with people looking! Sorry I do not have anything at the moment!

This!! I bought a 9 yo showjumping, he is now 25. Had been rattled round courses from a youngster. I bought him to jump, the seller was bothered what I wanted him for!! After a few months I decided a bit of further schooling he would make a fab dressage horse and he did! Neither of us missed jumping!! As long as a horse i had to sell was going to a fantastic caring home I would not worry what the next owner wanted to do as long as the horse was suitable.

 

[SO1]

With that sort of budget you will probably have a great choice of horses. Maybe see if you can get something word of mouth as it sounds like you are good caring experienced owner. Perhaps if you ask around at local riding clubs there might be something suitable.

The pony club classifieds are sometimes a good place to look. There is a nice one advertised on there at the moment.

https://classified.pcuk.org/classifieds/show-ad/?i=5480&id=5480

If you want to improve your jumping skills maybe once things have opened up a bit you could look at going on a short course or weekend away somewhere where they have schoolmaster jumping horses.

 

[Tartan01]

Thank you everyone I feel lots better.
I’ve not purchased a horse in so long it’s a minefield.
I think I’ve overstressed myself over it.
as @sport horse mentioned about dressage horses, I found the ones I rode sharper than anything I’d sat on in a long time. I know it’s also to do with their lifestyle- being stabled more but they are so flashy and their insane movement coupled with a sharpness just reminded me that although I enjoyed the movement I already have the almost Jekyll and Hyde thing with my own horse and I just want something easy going.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Are you miles away from central Scotland? A lovely bay mare all rounder 7 years old is for sale from the yard I’m on for half the price of your budget.

 

[ihatework]

If I were you I’d be looking at a show jumper who just doesn’t quite have the scope and technique to go up the grades. Maybe something at 1.20 ish that’s having a pole or two but is otherwise genuine. Some of the sj bred horses move very nicely and as long as it’s not the super careful/spooky type then they often convert to lower level Eventing well too. Just avoid those that have obviously spent their entire lives in draw reins

 

[Tartan01]

Are you miles away from central Scotland? A lovely bay mare all rounder 7 years old is for sale from the yard I’m on for half the price of your budget.

Unfortunately I’m approx 300 miles away ?

 

[sport horse]

Thank you. Would you think me a total weirdo if I was a prospective viewer of a show jumper who didn’t jump on viewing?

Absolutely not! However if you do hope to gain courage and jump a bit in the future do watch it jump and maybe take someone with you who could pop it over a jump. The last horse I advertised I actually had a waiting list of people wanting exactly a 'lacking scope' show jumper for them to hack/dressage. I could have sold the horse 10 times over and he went to the first people to look at him and he is still with them two years later.

 

[sport horse]

Thank you everyone I feel lots better.
I’ve not purchased a horse in so long it’s a minefield.
I think I’ve overstressed myself over it.
as @sport horse mentioned about dressage horses, I found the ones I rode sharper than anything I’d sat on in a long time. I know it’s also to do with their lifestyle- being stabled more but they are so flashy and their insane movement coupled with a sharpness just reminded me that although I enjoyed the movement I already have the almost Jekyll and Hyde thing with my own horse and I just want something easy going.

Rest assured it is not just the lifestyle. My young jumpers went into turnout paddocks for the first time this week in 7 months - (it has been so wet and we do have sand corrales for them to chill in) but throughout that time they have all been hacked out 3 or 4 times a week with the young grooms. They have been out competing again for about 3 weeks and even the young ones starting their careers have been pretty well behaved.

The blood lines for top level dressage are big moving horses with masses of presence and personality - features not always required by an amateur rider and possibly not the best traits in a happy hacker!!! There are some lines of jumpers that are pretty sharp but many more that are known to produce pleasant, easy going horses.

 

[Tartan01]

Rest assured it is not just the lifestyle. My young jumpers went into turnout paddocks for the first time this week in 7 months - (it has been so wet and we do have sand corrales for them to chill in) but throughout that time they have all been hacked out 3 or 4 times a week with the young grooms. They have been out competing again for about 3 weeks and even the young ones starting their careers have been pretty well behaved.

The blood lines for top level dressage are big moving horses with masses of presence and personality - features not always required by an amateur rider and possibly not the best traits in a happy hacker!!! There are some lines of jumpers that are pretty sharp but many more that are known to produce pleasant, easy going horses.

Ooh I’ve found how to quote haha.
Yes definitely not required for the amateur rider! Well not this amateur anyway. They are awesome to ride in the school and I was really grateful for the chance to ride them. If I was in my 20s again I’d leap at the chance to buy one. But I was also stone broke in my 20s ?