How much should I budget to

Hi GG2B, i could have almost written your post..

I'm planning to buy from September this year. I've been saving since the Olympics last year and so far have 7k with a target of 8k. I dont have a wedding to pay for tho!!! Of course this is for the horse, buying costs, all tack including some new gear for me and insurance etc.

I'm not sure what my budget will be for the horse, like you i want something to progress on... Thats both of us, but I really need to brush up my riding skills. I restarted weekly lessons at the beginning of the year and have done a week long intensive course with a dressage trainer and i have a second dressage and sj course booked so getting there!

I also want an all rounder, 15.3-16.2. I love tbs too! Had one 20 years ago. I too would love an exracer as I enjoy racing and often browse the ex racehorse ads, but i just dont have the skills at this time.. Maybe one day! I'd want to start with local events and then progress, perhaps affiliate?! It's difficult to know what to buy, do i go for a schoolmaster or something to bring on?

Good luck in your search.
 
Rhubarb - I'm so glad I'm not the only one struggling to decide between a schoolmaster and something to bring on. My fear with the schoolmaster is that I'll outgrow it fairly quickly once I'm riding regularly again and may find it's not capable of progressing past county level. On the other hand I worry that something needing bringing on could result in me losing my confidence and I know first hand what a downward spiral that can be.

Very jealous of your £8k budget. Makes me worry perhaps I need to save a bit more before looking.
 
Oh I wont spend 8k on the horse!!! Perhaps 3 or 4, 5 max. They rest is for the other stuff and emergency funds.

The other thing about a schoolmaster is, can you compete/affiliate at the lower levels if the horse has already reached that level? I dont know the rules about this.

If you got a greener horse you'd have lessons so your confidence and ability would increase as the horse progressed... as long as you bought something safe and sane and trainable.
 
Hi GG2B, don't mind you asking at all!

Quite simply...I sat on him, and I felt safe! I was riding him around the arena and felt like I was grinning like the Cheshire cat! Plus he really was exactly what I was looking for (touch wood!), done all RC activities, some hunter trials and I think a couple of ODEs. He seems to have an excellent temperament, very laid back- my mum once told me I'm possibly too laid back :P

Tbh when she said he's ex p2p, a little part of me went "eek" but he sounded fab by her description. Apparently the only time he remembers he ever raced is out hunting, and then all he does it actually go fast!
 
hi i read your thread earlier and have just seen this ad on fb https://www.facebook.com/groups/susanbussey/
Victoria Lane
FOR SALE - Quality Irish Sport Horse
Well Bred Irish Sports Horse Bay Gelding 10 yo, 16.2hh
Good to box/shoe/clip/travel etc
Hacks alone or in company, good in traffic.
Has evented at BE100 with teenage girl. Competed all unaff disciplines successfully. Been on fun rides and clinics
Fit and ready to go
Very Friendly and a very easy horse to have in the yard.
Needs quiet confident rider and priced to sell in current climate £2750.
All tack and rugs available by separate negotiation
Please call for more information, videos and pictures 07710 716796
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L8xzqVcwGM

there are nice horses wthin your budget out there , good luck wth your search
 
I don't think your budget is enough for a county standard confidence giving show horse that can live out, jump 3ft and pass a vetting unless it has some quirks.

I presume you would also like your horse to be good to load, clip, for the farrier and easy to catch and nice to handle in general.

This is the sort of horse lots of people will want so I think you may need to save more money unless you are willing to take on a horse with some issues.
 
Thanks SO1. As mentioned before I'm more than happy to put some work in to get whichever horse I buy to the level I want it to be and will have a trainer on hand to help me so quirks are no issue. In fact I haven't yet met a horse that hasn't had some quirks in one way or another.

Also with the age I'm ideally looking at I wouldn't expect the horse to be accomplished yet, I'd just expect it to be as safe and sane as one can expect a horse to be.

I'm realistic about the fact I don't have the biggest budget out there but am hopeful there may be something suitable if I look hard enough.
 
Ignore me totally if I'm off the mark but you've mentioned your confidence at least three times - I'd therefore suggest you worry less about the breed and spend more time finding one that is sensible.
Horses aren't really 1) schoolmaster or 2) need complete reschooling - it's all grey and there will be horses all the way along that spectrum.
A youngster/ ex racer with a good attitude and willing to learn may well do less damage to your confidence (all be it you'll have challenges to work through) than a 'schoolmaster' who's been overfaced, is stale and learned some nasty tricks to avoid work.
Take plenty of time and find the right attitude.

As an example my boy retired from professional eventing to me, I've had to do loads and loads of reschooling to turn him into the riding club horse I need. First time he saw a fox on the path when we were out hacking his eyes nearly fell out of his head and he span and ran for home - honestly don;t think he'd seen one before and as for tractors - forget it.
Crowds of people at a 4* with unbrellas - not a problem!!!
 
You should get yourself to the big Goresbridge performance sale in September even just for a look. You'll find every type there and all in one place. It can be very daunting...and even a bit depressing if you know what type your looking for specifically. But definitely an excellent learning experience
 
Polos Mum - I honestly hadn't realised I'd mentioned it that many times but I guess having lost my nerve once before I realise just how long it takes to gain confidence back and am being overly cautious when it comes to the new horse.

I definitely agree that horses come in shades of grey rather than ticking one particular box and having given it some thought over the weekend I'm going to keep an open mind when it comes to breeds and just look for one that ticks my main boxes i.e can live out year round, is a good doer etc.
 
Very sensible, you only have to look at the threads on here where people have bought unsuitable horses and lived to regret it to realise it's worth taking the time to find one that is really truely what you'd like/ get on with - not one that everyone else thinks you might need
 
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