~horse hunt help please ~

[shiresrus123]

looking for:

2 x

bombproof,safe for complete novices, 16hh give or take, weight carriers

must be 100% for novice rides, handling etc

plod and safe are the keywords

geldings only

for no more than 2500 each if possible

for happy hacking and pleasure only

12 yr age limit

we have looked at all the well know advert sites, and are waiting for safetycobs/happyhackers to get back, but any other such sites would be welcome

thanks

 

[shiresrus123]

booooooomp

 

[soulfull]

Too be honest with you upper age limit and budget you are really going to struggle to find anything that is sound and a TRUE novices horse.

If you were to increase age to say 16 to 18 you would be far more likely

Keep looking though something will turn up. just avoid welsh cobs! They are rarely novice horses and are often fine with current experienced owner around, but when you get them home they gradually take over

 

[shiresrus123]

thank you,

the reason we put that as an age limit is we thought anything over 17 might be starting its way down the over the hill path?

 

[duggan]

thank you,

the reason we put that as an age limit is we thought anything over 17 might be starting its way down the over the hill path?

Depends what you want. A top class event horse/racehorse/show beastie maybe that's right. But a horse like you're trying to find definitely no. I rehomed a 19yo last year that has taken his novice rider to a couple of fun hunts, pleasure rides and is doing a wonderful confidence building job. That horse has life experience, and that is what you need. I sold him for £1 so he was 'owned' by them, on the condition he is sold back to me if not required.

I bought a 16yo gelding last year to teamchase. He's gone through the grades this spring without issue and I expect him to be doing opens in the autumn. He can carry on doing that until he's had enough, Junior was one of the top team chase horses of all time and he was still top class at mid 20's. And open teamchasing is very demanding....it's all about the individual horse, how you take care of them and a bit of luck.

Having said that, don't go paying a fortune for an older horse, you'd be better looking at a late teens horse IMO but there's no need to be paying that kind of money. You may also find people will loan you an older horse that will do your job, rather than sell him.

Keep your options open and good luck in your search!