Horse for disabled rider

DrSeuss

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I was hoping to buy my first horse this year, but it's difficult to get a sense of what is and isn't a realistic price for the kind of thing I'm looking for, especially as horse prices seem to have risen suddenly and steeply of late.

I'm disabled. I'm pretty confident and competent when actually in the saddle, but on the ground I'm the definition of awkward turtle. I'm going to need a patient horse with good ground manners who doesn't mind that it takes me longer than average to tack up, groom, etc. The trouble is that most steady gentle horses like this tend to be getting close to retirement, or are generally placid "dope on a rope" types. I'm not aspiring to Badminton or anything, but I want a horse with more ginger than that! I enjoy dressage and I want a horse who is responsive in the school (doesn't have to be a perfect schoolmaster).

Does anyone have tips on the best place to find a horse that meets my needs, and what I should budget? Most people hear "disabled" and seem to think I'm after a nice therapeutic horse, even when I've been clear that isn't the case.
 

Red-1

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Apart from not buying a green baby, then most well educated horses should be fine. I have taught riders with a disability, and they have just had nice, kind horses.

I would simply look on Horsequest and go to view. Without knowing you, it is difficult to know what your specific needs are, but if you are unsure I would take someone experienced with you to try stuff first. I used to do this as a service for clients, to make sure the horse wasn't an ejector seat prior to them getting on.

Rather than simply say 'disabled' when you call, I would probably tell the vendor exactly what you are looking for. This is what we did, as some vendors will have a fixed idea of a disabled person not being...able... to do much at all.

TBH, sometimes to buy a horse, you have to kiss a lot of frogs, more so if you are specific about some needs. As long as you are honest about what you need when you first call, and take an experienced (as in experienced in BUYING as opposed to someone who can stick on a horse) then you have as good a chance as anyone of getting a good match.
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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A Riding for the Disabled Centre should have exactly what you are looking for! These horses are used to being ridden and handled by people with all sorts of disabilities and are chosen for their temperament and ability to do this job.

Sometimes horses that have been used for RDA work DO come up for sale! I've been to view two at an RDA centre, the last of which was my mare who I couldn't resist and brought home! Horses are offered for sale for all sorts of reasons; sometimes they get a little "stale" of continuously being ridden in a school environment, or perhaps they just need a change of lifestyle for whatever reason, and usually anything that is offered for sale from an RDA Centre tends to be snapped up quickly.

Might be worth getting in touch with your local RDA centre??
 

DrSeuss

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Thanks for the advice. I'm moving soon (North East) and I don't know many people up there yet, but I'll touch base with the local RDA when I arrive and see if I can get a knowledgeable buyer to help out.

Meowy, is there a particular reason you recommend Arabs? I've never set that much store by the breed when it comes to judging temperament, but I'm learning new things all the time!
 

Auslander

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A Riding for the Disabled Centre should have exactly what you are looking for! These horses are used to being ridden and handled by people with all sorts of disabilities and are chosen for their temperament and ability to do this job.

Sometimes horses that have been used for RDA work DO come up for sale! I've been to view two at an RDA centre, the last of which was my mare who I couldn't resist and brought home! Horses are offered for sale for all sorts of reasons; sometimes they get a little "stale" of continuously being ridden in a school environment, or perhaps they just need a change of lifestyle for whatever reason, and usually anything that is offered for sale from an RDA Centre tends to be snapped up quickly.

Might be worth getting in touch with your local RDA centre??

i would have thought that RDA horses would be unlikely to offer the sort of ride that the OP is looking for. Bless their cotton socks - they do a fabulous job, but "gingery" they ain't
 

teapot

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i would have thought that RDA horses would be unlikely to offer the sort of ride that the OP is looking for. Bless their cotton socks - they do a fabulous job, but "gingery" they ain't

The more advanced RDA/Para horses would but they're rarely for sale, for good reason!

Sounds like OP just needs something that's safe on the ground and a lovely willing ride. I wouldn't be going anywhere near RDA centres for that type. I think word of mouth, or someone who can help you find something would be the best bet OP!
 

Meowy Catkin

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Meowy, is there a particular reason you recommend Arabs? I've never set that much store by the breed when it comes to judging temperament, but I'm learning new things all the time!

I did start from the position of having had a very sweet anglo-arab before I was injured so had had a positive experience. When I started to look for my first horse after my accident I thought back to him and wondered if maybe an ex-endurance horse would suit. I really wanted to hack with a horse that had seen lots and was safe alone, in company and could canter in open spaces, so that was my logic there.

I ended up with my chestnut anglo-arab mare who although bred for endurance had never competed. She was however not too tall so I could tack her up alone, sensible to lead and naturally polite and trainable. She's probably a bit backwards thinking for some but that made me feel safer. I bought her in 2006 and I have never, ever felt scared either riding her or dealing with her in-hand. That horse really is worth her weight in gold to me.

We've jumped, gone to shows hacked alone and in company. Met all sorts (steam engines, car with flat tyres being chased by the police, swans etc...) gone under dual carriageway underpasses, over the dual carriageway bridge, through open fields and deep water, accompanied green horses and got so lost in the woods that she had to find our way home.

So a purebred seemed a sensible choice when she needed a companion due to a house move. So I bought my lovely grey who has lots of Crabbet blood (definitely a good thing) and she's wonderful and very sensible too but a bit more forward thinking. My gelding is the hottest but he has more american 'halter' breeding. Having said that he's fab too and I wouldn't part with him and his eternally cheerful attitude.
 

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canteron

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My advice would be to keep a sizeable budget aside for help and to identify your support team
It is likely that whatever you buy will not be completely perfect - and this will mean you can spend the time and money necessary to train the horse to be right for you?
As older horse with the ‘been there done it’ t-shirt shouldn’t be discounted as a first horse?
 

windand rain

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I think if the groundwork has been put in that most well educated horses should fit the bill it is evident that on the floor is in many ways more important than ridden. I am inclined to agree that a high % arab might be a good choice, Good size and generally trainable. Some welsh ds would also fit the bill nicely if started and educated well again a size and ground manners thing again very trainable, Small warmblood for dressage but might be a bit silly or a bit stupid not called dumbbloods for nothing. If I could find one my choice would be a native cross with either an arab or tb but a really well brought up one. Wouldnt discount a young horse some are perfect as have youth and ginger and are often not plagued by learned disobediences
 

Meowy Catkin

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No an older horse should never be discounted if the temperament is right. Yes, some training may be required and it's exactly what happened with my chestnut mare.

On the other hand I have found that having the two from yearlings has been really successful as you train them right from the start to suit your physical limitations and you don't have to undo someone else's bad training. This does of course mean a much longer road and would not suit everyone.

I was leading two of mine recently (the two chestnuts as it happened) down to the stables and we need to go through a small ford. Unfortunately I went splat (not uncommon) and of course there was a splash of water etc... They didn't spook or bog off to the grass verge for something to eat, they stood, waited for me to get up and then we carried on. So that's one bought as an adult horse and one bought as a yearling coping with my idiosyncrasies as if they're perfectly normal. :)
 

ihatework

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It’s difficult to advise accurately from a forum because much of it will depend on what your disability is, your specific needs and your riding ability. If this is your first horse purchase then I would assume you are fairly novice (maybe wrongly), irrespective of any disability.

So it may be that RDA is the right point of contact for you, even if not for one of their direct horses they may have the right contacts and they will certainly be able to advise you. Again the suggestion of contacting your local BD para rep is also a good one.

Id be less concerned about finding the right horse to manage on the ground - any well handled and educated horse should be able to adapt reasonably easily. Its getting the right one under saddle that is just as, if not more, important.

Have you found a suitable yard to keep the horse at? Some will be better set up than others so that might be a make or break thing to do first.

Budget is difficult. Hopefully RDA/Para can advise you. It will boil down to age, soundness and how much quality you want. You are probably talking somewhere between 3-12k, which is a huge range I appreciate

Please let us know how the horse hunt goes and what you buy ?
 

Misty 2020

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I have a learning and physical disability. I have my own horse. I actually found my horse though a riding instructor. RDA probably would be the best place to start.
 

Meowy Catkin

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This depends entirely on the individual RDA group that you speak to and probably on the individual that you speak to. The RDA group I rode with was run by a great group of volunteers who were enthusiastic, lovely people but they were not that next step up in regards to horse knowledge. The ponies they had were old and had belonged to the RDA way before they themselves joined. The ponies were kept at a local riding school and there was an arrangement with the RS. So on non-RDA days, the RDA ponies were used in school lessons and on the RDA days, the RDA could use the safer school horses to accommodate their taller or heavier clients.

So in that specific case the group had no experience at all of finding a new horse or pony for the group. Maybe people higher up in the RDA would be more helpful?

I went to regional RDA dressage comps and there were some seriously smart, forwards and big moving horses there. It was very inspirational.
 

DrSeuss

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Thanks everyone. To be more specific, I have ataxic cerebral palsy, which is a form of cerebral palsy that affects balance, co-ordination, and spatial perception. (This is actually how I ended up riding as a child - my physiotherapist rode, and she told my parents it might help me.) In practice that means I have a wobbly awkward walk and I'm prone to falling over and dropping things. I also struggle with fiddly tasks. I can't co-ordinate my fingers and grip well, so things like getting a bridle buckled and unbuckled take time.

I returned to riding as an adult, after a ten-year gap. Recently I asked my RI how she judges my ability and she said intermediate. Obviously this refers to ability in a lesson. As I've never had a horse before, I'm new to many of the challenges that go with horse ownership.

When I was house-hunting I deliberately looked only in areas that had a good number of livery yards nearby. Lockdown has stalled my move, but once I'm there I'll be able to start visiting yards and getting to know people who can help. I'll email the para rep and the local RDA as soon as I'm settled, and I'll keep you all posted on how things work out.
 

Red-1

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I have been to try 2 RDA horses, and a friend bought another.

TBH, if they are any good for a disabled rider, the 3 separate stables would not have been selling them.

One was obviously unfit when we arrived, the handler tried to trot it up and it blew through the halter and took her for a run, back to the stables. I did try hacking and, although it may have been able to walk in a string of other horses, with 2 handlers at his head, he was far from suitable for normal hacking at that time.

The second was the most dipped back horse I have ever seen. A pantomime horse. It was fabulous to hack, went out alone in heavy traffic. But, had an absolute phobia about banging noises (the reason for sale) to the point where he would turn and burn. I also think he would have been lame in no time.

The third was a notorious bucker. His back was sore from years of beginners and handlers who didn't recognise an ill fitting saddle. He bucked for England, took years to sort out.

That is 3 different RDA centres, in 3 different counties.

So, I would not old out for an RDA centre having anything, but instead would look for a trainer to help you find a suitable horse. They may have a dealer/agent's details, but also riding clubs and pony clubs are good sources, as well as Horsequest etc.
 

Silver Clouds

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I am increasingly more disabled as the result of a degenerative joint disease and associated conditions. When I bought my current riding horse four years ago I had had unsuccessful surgery, and was told I wouldn't be able to ride again. I went looking for a pony to break to drive (I had been driving for years with my last horse and a friend's ponies), and was quite cross about the whole thing, especially about having to 'downsize' to a pony, but I needed something I could rug up etc without help.

It took me six months to find the right one, and he was only the second I viewed but I rang about loads- I was upfront with all of the sellers, and the owners (and in one case a dealer) of those I didn't view were very happy to tell me honestly that they thought their horses wouldn't be suitable. I ended up with a 14.2hh 6yo Connemara from a hunting home who is perfect. He is gentle to lead and handle, and I can lead him when walking with sticks or from a wheelchair with no problem. He will stand perfectly still whilst I faff with things or am trying to mount. He turned out to be so sensible that I ended up riding again, and the driving is now secondary for us. Despite no more than basic training before I had him he follows voice commands for speed (both up and down through the gaits), and is forward going enough not to need the rider's legs.

The riding has helped me enormously (physically- my legs are stronger now, and my straightness has improved), and the experience has taught me that I was wrong when I thought that I wouldn't be able to find a suitable horse, although it took a little time. I now also ride friend's horses, but can't tack them up as they're too tall (I'm 5'8'' but can't extend my arms much)! I have had a second pony on loan (from a friend) for the last year and although a lovely lad it took him a little longer to learn what I needed, but he is great now. Interestingly, a pony I drive for a friend is known to be a thug to handle on the ground- initially I would stand back whilst he was harnessed up and only interact with him when driving- but he seems to have learnt that I am wobbly and I can now handle him without any trouble (I wouldn't choose him for my own though!).

I work in paediatrics and a large part of our caseload is children with a variety of types of cerebral palsy. Several of them have ponies, and a couple of the teenagers compete regularly, so the right sort of horse will be out there for you. I think the most important thing is knowing what your limitations are and being honest with the seller, and also realising that you may need to be patient to find the right one. Personally, I find that the set up/layout of where I keep the horse is also very important, almost as important as the horse in terms of ease of daily care.

Good luck and I hope you have fun searching! (and sorry for the essay)
 

ihatework

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I wish you all the best OP and hope horse ownership is the best thing you ever do!

I would suggest you find a nice full livery yard with an experienced manager/instructor on site that ca build you a livery package that supports you sufficiently. Certainly for the first couple of years.
 

DrSeuss

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I have a 10k budget. I thought I'd set aside half for actually buying the horse (to include tack and vetting) and the rest for any extra training I may need for the horse when I get him/her. Does this sound feasible? I keep seeing wildly different figures given for the various expenses! My RI says it's an uncertain time because of Covid, and she thinks prices might fall in the winter.
 

ihatework

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I have a 10k budget. I thought I'd set aside half for actually buying the horse (to include tack and vetting) and the rest for any extra training I may need for the horse when I get him/her. Does this sound feasible? I keep seeing wildly different figures given for the various expenses! My RI says it's an uncertain time because of Covid, and she thinks prices might fall in the winter.

I think you might be disappointed with what your budget will stretch to.

The training aspect 5k is very feasible (and sensible).

A 5 stage vetting these days costs around £300-400, excluding any scans. I’d budget for a failure too. Realistically I’d set aside 1K for vetting and it’s a bonus if you don’t spend it.

Tack, well not everything gets sold with tack. If you need to purchase all kit from scratch you could easily be talking 1K if an easy fit and buying second hand but 2k might be more realistic.

Then don’t forget transporting the horse.

If you are hoping to purchase in the 3-4K region there will need to be some significant compromise on what you are buying.

The most obvious thing would be to eat into your training budget to upgrade on the horse if needed.

If you find the right full/training livery set up then a lot of your training costs will be incorporated into your weekly livery fee.
 

DrSeuss

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Thank you. I should probably allow money to have the tack properly fitted, as the right saddle is helpful for my own balance as well as the horse's comfort. Assuming it takes a good few months to find the right horse, as with Silver Clouds' situation, I'll be able to save a bit more towards this. The challenge will be not to let the excitement get the better of me and rush to buy! I'll just have to read some Internet horror stories about horse sales gone wrong if I catch myself getting overeager!
 

canteron

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Just to say Good Luck and enjoy the fun of finding a horse, its the start of an exciting life!

I would initially start off by putting lots of energy into finding a lovely supportive place to keep your horse - who knows they may have a possible horse already at the yard for sale over the next few months, who at least then won't have to settle in. It also a good way to start off your networking for finding a good horse/trainer/saddler/farrier/vet.

Also, don't underestimate the time it takes for a horse to settle into a new environment - as with lots of life, the slower you take it at the beginning the quicker you successfully get wherever you are going!
 

Wishfilly

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I wouldn't rule out an older horse as a first horse, necessarily. You will often get more for your money with an older horse (15+) and although you may not have as long together, having an older, been there done that type of horse is often really good as a first time owner (regardless of disability). It's worth bearing in mind that riding without an Instructor around or hacking out alone etc can actually be quite daunting for a first time owner, so in my opinion it is a good idea to go for something you feel really confident riding to start you off, rather than something that feels like it's at the edge of your riding ability. There are plenty of older horses out there with the ability to do a reasonable dressage test and that you could have a lot of fun with!

I agree that it shouldn't be a huge challenge to find something patient and sensible on the ground, and part-bred arabs especially might be a nice size and type. I'm not sure your budget would stretch to a pure bred, unfortunately.

With a budget of £10K, I think unfortunately you will need to spend at least £5k to get the sort of horse you want, then budget for tack/vetting on top of that. This would hopefully leave you with £2-3k for training initially and you could perhaps add to this if more was needed later on? At the moment, horse prices are a bit mental, so waiting until the autumn if you can might mean you get more for your money as well.

Good luck with everything!
 

Littlebear

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I would say just keep your mind very open here, i have had 2 horses over the years that would have suited well but neither would you have looked at from the ad.
One was a PRE - i am sure nobody would suggest one of these generally but i bought her for a fair bit under 10k having not done much, she was the most utterly solid and reliable horse i have ever had, never got het up over anything, super patient and reliable, a friend who had been left disabled after an accident was able to be assisted onto this horse for hacks and rides and this was the only horse she was happy to get on and felt safe with everything that went with her fear of riding again.
The other one i sold as an eventer/ dressage horse, would have looked too much from the ad but was absolutely solid and responsive at the same time, also a fair bit under 10k.
I would just not be scared to ask about horses that may at a glance be unsuitable or advertised to a different market.
 

oldie48

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Why not have a look at the BD website, each area has a para dressage rep and you will find their name and contact number on there. I think you might be Northern and in that case it would be Gillian Brown 07872 923456 or you can email her directly from the site. My advice would be to take advice from a trainer who is used to working with para riders, don't set your heart on any particular breed or type, it's all about temperament and you will find that it any breed. As you probably already know there's lots of aids that can help with the things you find difficult. TBH I think the most important thing is a willing forward thinking attitude to work so you can focus on your body and balance. I once owned an ex para horse that had competed internationally, he was bloody hard work as he'd become rather school sour which is no doubt why he was sold on! He did have lovely manners though. Good luck in finding your perfect partner. If you were in my area I could recommend a suitable person to train with but I'm sure you will find someone in your own area.
 

seamoth

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As you have problems with buckles on bridles you could look at the Endurance range Zilco in particular have clips instead of buckles so easier to do and they become headcollars so again saves swapping over from headcollar to bridle. Just an idea.
 

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Although suitable ones in this country are like hens teeth if you fancy something a but different have a look at the Icelandics in the UK https://ihsgb.co.uk/
They are second to none for temperament and patience and I know at least one person with cerebral palsy that has one. I've owned two in the past with incredible patience and were totally unflappable.
 
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