How do you know when you're ready?

[Puzzles]

How did you know when you were ready to have a horse of your own? I know it's always a bit tricky at first but things tend to work out ok, but I want to give my horse the best possible care and am not sure what needs to be laid down first.
In a nutshell, I've been riding for 10 1/2 years, helped out at yards and with other people's horses, shared a horse and now care for 4 horses, of whom I ride 3. I used to be very 'savvy' and up-to-date about general horse knowledge (it helps being so obsessed with horses!) - as well as the practical side, I read magazines, was a regular on a different forum, read all sorts of books, research papers and articles. However these days although I still ride & look after horses, I feel very much out of the loop, like all that information is very inaccessibly deep inside my head. Now I am seriously considering when I will finally be able to get my own horse (I have 1 more year left of university) and am wondering at what point will I know I am ready and can support the time, money, knowledge and finances for it?
I am not too fussy about what kind of horse I would like: aside from being the right size for me, it's honestly the horse's character that's the most important thing. I have always wanted to start off with a young horse - say 2-3 years old - as a blank slate that I can spend the first year or so mainly doing lots of groundwork with. I have always had rescue dogs and ridden difficult and problematic horses, and love the idea (although I'm aware of the difficulties and potential pitfalls) of rehabiliating/re-training an rescued slaughter or ex-racehorse. However I do know that would be a massive decision not to be made lightly, as I would need to be undoubtedly 'good enough' for a horse like that. I would eventually like to compete the horse in eventing and SJ with possibly a little dressage.
I have a friend the same age & circumstances as me, who rescued a 2-year-old horse from slaughter and was very, very lucky as he has turned out to be a gem. I know what people say about 'first horses' but my first horse will be my horse for life, so I don't want to buy something that I know I would have to sell on somewhere down the line. So would it be stupid to get a horse know to have issues?
Experiences and opinions welcome, please

 

[sophiebailey]

I can't give any advice re the racehorse part however for me, purchasing my first horse came about when I was browsing horsemart etc etc during my lunch hour and I clapped eyes on bailey's advert; the rest is history!! I had no intention of getting a horse so soon but my gut feeling said it had to happen now!!!

So I'd say wait until the right opportunity comes along, and add up how much its going to cost you each month and then add 100 pounds and make sure you can afford it on top of everything else

Good luck with it all hun xxx

 

[Moobucket]

You'll meet the right horse..

 

[IsabelleJ]

How about doing something like the BHS Horse Owner's Certificate? Then you will know that you have all the knowledge required.

I would tend to recommend that people start out helping at their riding school for a couple of years, then share a horse for a while. Also, finding a good livery yard, with lots of support and a knowledgable Yard Manager will make things a lot easier when you finally have your horse.

Keep up with the research and the forum reading - I have picked up so much from HHO about subjects that I'd never even heard of before! In my experience, the very fact that you're asking whether you know enough is a good sign!

However, while a lot of people have success with buying a youngster for a first horse, I would always recommend an older schoolmaster. I like being able to just get on with riding and looking after an already established horse. Remember that everything you learn from your first horse will still be there when you eventually get a youngster. The more experience you have, the better things will go!

Isabelle

 

[CatStew]

I agree with everything isabellej says!

BHS horse owners certificates are a handy thing to have, they teach you basic knowledge 'by the book'. Some riding schools also offer stable management courses and equine first aid courses too - its definitely looking in to if you wish to brush up on your skills and knowledge.

A lot of people don't realise the time commitment that comes with horse ownership, so, again as above it may be beneficial to have a share horse or arrange a short term loan to ensure you can cope with it!

Of course you'll also need to take into account the costs, so do a lot of research to make sure you can afford everything too, and still be able to put a bit away in case of emergencies.

Although I don't believe any horse is 100% bombproof, you would probably need an older horse (12 upwards?) who has seen many different things. Many riding school horses are a lot different to privately owned horses, so you'd need something that is relatively safe to maintain your confidence.

Good luck with it all!

 

[Mike007]

You'll meet the right horse..

Thats how it happens, the right horse will find you and you will know its right. Sounds silly from a man of my age but it is true.

 

[brighteyes]

Doesn't sound silly at all, Mike and it's absolutely true.

 

[Puzzles]

Thank you for all your replies. It sounds a bit like finding a relationship in a way! I have shared 2 horses and currently look after 4 horses, 3 of which I ride. However it does has its limits and getting my own horse seems the obvious next step in the near(ish) future. Before this, I used to help out at a couple of yards at weekends and one evening in the week. I do have my BHS Preliminary Stage 1 certificate, although it is very basic.
I see what you mean about getting an older, more experienced horse, but I just don't like the idea of getting a horse that is already half-way through it's life, that someone else will have taught and done everything with. It's definitely a dilemma! Does it have to be one or the other and is there a way of getting a balance/compromise/something in the middle?

 

[Mike007]

You will meet the right horse and know this is the one. its much easier than finding the right woman , trust me.

 

[canteron]

I think for me it's when you have enough money in the bank to finance your way through any little problems you have ...... And there will definitely be several, that's horses.

Basically, if you have enough money for the horse, regular lessons and maybe a holiday or two with your horse, it will make it so much easier. I think with horses you often find out the hard way what you don't know!

 

[luckyoldme]

I think you sound more than capable of judging your own abilities against the horse your buy.
Lots of folk say get an older horse first but Im not sure about this. mine is spot on now but he does know every trick in the book and will very quickly find a weakness and exploit it. The other side of taking on an older horse at your age is that as your abilities and wants grow .. the horse is getting older and maybe needing to slow down.
Good Luck

 

[Persephone]

I have to say it's quite refreshing that you don't assume you know everything! To me your humility says more about your dedication than anything else

As long as you are financially able to keep one, then I would go ahead.

However, personally I would not advise you to get a young horse as your first one. Something older will teach you plenty, and I think you will have more fun with at this stage.

 

[DragonSlayer]

I like the sound of doing the horse owners certificate....might look into that myself one day!

 

[rascal]

Thats how it happens, the right horse will find you and you will know its right. Sounds silly from a man of my age but it is true.

Not silly at all. My cob found me when we both needed someone! I wanted a horse who needed some extra tlc, he was according to the vet two weeks away from being dead, he was in such a state. His owner answerwd my add, the rest as they say is history!! I have had him two years this month, and im so pleased with him.

 

[Tammytoo]

You're probably as ready as you ever will be, but I would wait to finish Uni and you have a regular job. You may find you have to move to another part of the country when you start work so it would be best if you were settled before you got a youngster to avoid the stress of moving around.

I agree with you wanting to "make" your own horse - the only time I came unstuck with a horse was with an older purchase who had collected some very undesireable habits in his 12 years!

 

[Puzzles]

The other side of taking on an older horse at your age is that as your abilities and wants grow .. the horse is getting older and maybe needing to slow down.

That's a big part of the dilemma. Not that I think it's necessarily wise for a young(well, ish) rider and a young horse to 'grow together' (as the saying goes, 'green on green makes black on blue') but I know my wishes/needs will change as I get more experienced and practised, and what if those wishes/needs are different to those of my horse? I wouldn't want to do a discipline that the horse would find difficult or unpleasant, but then I wouldn't want to have to sell that horse ...

I have to say it's quite refreshing that you don't assume you know everything! To me your humility says more about your dedication than anything else

Thank you, that's very kind! I always thought to myself that I'd be ready 'when I've got more experience' but I am coming to realise that you can only learn some things by taking the plunge and doing them. Lessons, sharing and working at yards can only teach you so much and, if anything, it'll be the massive responsibility that I think will worry me the most: making mistakes, not being able to give my horse the best turnout etc. But those are probably things all horse owners worry about!

You're probably as ready as you ever will be, but I would wait to finish Uni and you have a regular job. You may find you have to move to another part of the country when you start work so it would be best if you were settled before you got a youngster to avoid the stress of moving around.

I agree with you wanting to "make" your own horse - the only time I came unstuck with a horse was with an older purchase who had collected some very undesireable habits in his 12 years!

It will pretty much entirely depend on where I live, my income & work hours, I agree. Things are academically falling into place (fingers crossed) in terms of achieving the career I am working towards, but that'll be a long way off yet (as it takes extensive training & work experience) if I am fortunate enough to get there at all. It's just that having my own horse is more important to me than owning my own house and even having a car (though of course those things will have to come first) and I want to do as much as I can now to help ensure that having my own horse will be possible.
I suppose whichever horse I may eventually get would have it's uirks and habits then, regardless of age. Thinking on it, even a young hrose may have learned bad habits and won't be a complete blank slate.

Everyone has given me plenty of food for thought that I am sure will help me to make the right decision in the end. Thank you all so much.

 

[IsabelleJ]

I think you are definitely on the right track, and doing things in the right order!

You don't need to get an old horse, just an older one, hehe. I went looking with an open mind - I looked at anything more than 7 years old, figuring that anything 6 or under might still be a little flighty, LOL! I also didn't want just a 'plod' type. I knew I wanted to compete, so went looking for what I thought was the impossible - a competition horse suitable for a novice.

Just over 4 years ago I bought Sidney - a 9 year old Shire x TB who had competed at Elementary dressage, was good enough to affiliate BSJA, and a fab confidence giving ride. He is my horse of a lifetime, and has taught me so much But even though he is suitable for a novice, we have still had our share of problems and falls.

That's why I say to get an older horse rather than a younger one. However good your horse is, you WILL have your bad patches along with your good ones. If I had bought anything less novice-friendly than Sidney I am sure I would have lost my confidence by now and given up riding. It is such a huge learning curve!

Good luck, you sound like you're more than ready for a horse of your own. Make sure you don't rush, and wait for the right one to come along

Hope you have as much fun together as Sidney and I have had!

Isabelle