I need help please!

S

Smith123

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 May 2010
Messages
579
Visit site
Hi Everyone -

I am new to this site, i have been having riding lessons for about 2 years. I think i am ready to buy a horse as i live on a farm with my wife, we have stables and both really want to ride regularly at home. We are looking for a bombproof horse that will just plod around queitly and safely! I am 14st and my wife is 10st i have found this horse on an advertising website - please say if this will be worth going to see - i am 6ft and my wife is 5ft 8 - advice please!! this is the advert - http://www.horseseekers.co.uk/details.php?page=Horses&id=447&cat=Horses:Family Horses&pagenum=

Thanks

Jacob
 
I think 14.2hh maybe a bit short if you are 6ft! I'd be looking for a 16hh plus if I were you, or maybe a chunky 15.2hh at a push?
What area are you in? Do you have a budget in mind? I'll do a bit of searching for you if you like?
 
hello!!

i wouldnt rule it out as haffies ARE weight carriers but you are both going to be big on this pony- even if just tall.You might be better with a similar build cob type of about 15.2hh from that point of view.

if i were you i would STRONGLY advise joining your local riding club and enlisting the help of a riding instructor to come with you to viewings and try horses for you to ensure they are suitable. Even though you dont have a horse at the moment you could still be going along to riding club lessons and events to watch and get to know people. With any luck they might also hold stable management/horse care/first aid/owners certificate evenings you could go to as well. I cant stress this enough - but having a network of horsey people around you for advice and support can be the make or break in buying and succeeding with your first horse.

good luck:)
 
Perhaps if you can give your location, and your budget, the window shoppers amongst us can find something more to your needs!
 
ehm, I think it's a bit on the small side and a lot on the expensive side:D
You can always go and have a look, see how you feel on board, but at 6ft you will be towering over the creature I think.
 
Not wishing to be rude but at 14st and 6ft you really would be too tall and heavy for this little horse.

Suggest you may be better searching for MW cob or warmblood around 15.2 - 16hh

Hope you find one soon
:)
 
Last edited:
have to agree - he is cracking looking pony, but he'll be far too small. I'm sure someone here will be able to come up with a fab alternative tho. Sorry, sm x

oops, my post crossed, just ignore me :D
 
JacobSmith said:
Thanks for being so nice and helpful everyone! Our neighbours have horses and said they would help us with anything we were unsure about - what about his one - http://www.horseseekers.co.uk/details.php?page=Horses&id=350&cat=Horses:Cobs:Allrounders&pagenum= its bigger!
Click to expand...

It's only 5, I'd be looking for something a bit older for a first horse.

Have you considered doing a BHS Horse Owners Certificate? They are excellent for first timers.
http://www.bhs.org.uk/Training_and_Qualifications/BHS_Examinations_and_Qualifications/Horse_Owners_Certificate.aspx
 
NeverSayNever said:
nnoooo - dont take on a 4yr old as your first horse, espec given you will be going at alone and not be on a yard

- the ones justjasper posted are more the thing - i like the first and third
Click to expand...

Agree with this, dont buy a youngster. You need one thats been around and seen most things
 
Oh, how exciting!

Haffys are gorgeous x

A good cob type, perhaps ID x Cob could be a good combination. I would say nothing below 15hh, given your height and a reasonable weight carrier. If you are a balanced rider you may ride light or if not you could ride as if you were several stones more.

Do you have anyone to help you look? I didn't have anyone but struck lucky with Archie, however, so if you have no one to help all is not lost.

I would recommend is that you ask as many questions as you can, ride and spend time with your prospective new horse as much as you can and get it vetted. Any good seller will accommodate your need to assure yourself you are suited to the horse they are selling.

Also, give some thought to equine company. Are there other horses around? If not, there are other options for company but it can be very lonely and potentially harmful to have one solely on its own. I know people do keep horses solitary but generally it is better if they have company.

So, you may be looking for two, not one!

Good luck in your search and let us know how you are getting on x
 
I have to agree with the other posts - 4yr really a bit young for a first horse, they are still learning and if you are too that's not a great combination.

Maybe try looking for something that has been there, done that which can teach you and your wife and you can really enjoy.
 
I'm loving the dun fjord. Age doesn't mean sensible but it would be good to find something that has mastered the basics of what you are looking for, schooled and hacked, alone and in company, good on the ground, no vices, used to your type of surroundings ... I know of a police horse that could cope with busy traffic but could not cope with quiet country roads with the odd pheasant flying out under him.

Good luck x
 
JacobSmith said:
i would love to get this one - its gorgeous - however maybeunfair to buy it! http://www.horseseekers.co.uk/details.php?page=Horses&id=174&cat=Horses:Riding Club Horses&pagenum=4

What is your opinion on buying competition horses for a queiter life, do you think it is nice for them - an easier life or do you think it is a waste of a talented horse?
Click to expand...
It's nice, but I think you would be better off with something more experienced in a job you want it to do, and maybe not freshly retrained racer (OK, P2Pter)
 
As you've been having lessons for a couple of years your instructor should know your riding style and ability very well. Have you thought about asking her / him to come with you to see any potential horses.

It's always a good thing to have an experience professional with you to ride and give a critical analysis.

As a rule of thumb - and this is a vast generalisation - you may not want to take on a TB or TB cross a first horse. Whilst you get some that are steady, sane and wonderful there is a more than equal chance of having the stereotypical hotness. I love TB's and would have another tomorrow but you do have to be happy to roll with their quirks!
 
ok thanks for all your help guys!

What were your first horses like? Did any of you start riding later on in life? I am 26 btw!
 
Sorry to hijack the post with nothing sensible to say but Gluttonforpunishments post just made me smile so much. The bit about 'rolling with TBs quirks' hits the nail on the head! I've never heard it put that way but it will sure ring a bell with anyone who owns one
 
JacobSmith said:
ok thanks for all your help guys!

What were your first horses like? Did any of you start
riding later on in life? I am 26 btw!
Click to expand...

i rode as a kid/teen but had 8 years off and got my first proper horse aged 29 - 4 years ago;) believe me when i say i made some AWFUL mistakes. I bought 2 totally unsuitable horses and was taken for a mug to begin with and had a whole heap of heartache and lost money. Til i finally got Blue - whom i had for 2 years. He taught me sooo much , so much so i was ready to move on and sold him in Feb of this year. I now have a new lad, Finn.

I honestly cant recommend joining the local RC enough.... i also know of someone who would act as an agent for you if you were willing to take cheap flights to ireland. This person just found me my current horse i i was seriously impressed. Moreover they have a reputation for finding good, safe first horses;) PM me if you want details.
 
I started riding from about 4yrs old on our shetland - wonderful, boistous little monster that she was! Moved on to a 12.2hh heinz 57 until I went off to boarding school.

Just did riding school stuff until I left school and then took on a friends 14yr retired 7/8 TB hunter. He was brilliant - taught me a heck of a lot. Sadly he had to be PTS a couple of years later but that was where the love affair with TB's came from. Once bitten and all that!:)
 
I rode from 13 to 15 then had a nasty fall. Started riding again at 19, 18 months ago, I ride weekly at a riding school and have also taken my BHS stage 1 & 2. Im now looking forward to getting my own horse in the summer.

Agree with the comments about TB's some are lovely but most fit the nutty stereotype.
 
Hi and welcome :)

The others have said all the good and wise things - I'll just offer you a hot choccy and a Ferro Roche :D

As to first horses. I rode as a child. Then rode Polo ponies, and was a groom then for showjumpers, then worked at an equestrian centre, then went to America and broke in and schooled horses, then came back here and had a break from horses. Got back into it and had a few lessons. Children came along. Eldest took up riding(!), and we got her a Traditional Cob when she was twelve - he's still with us three and a half years later :D. We bought our other daughter a Welsh cross, but he turned out to have had a tough time of it, so after he dumped her a few times and eldest outgrew him, we retired him to the life of Riley lol. I bought an IDxTB three and a half year old mare, who sadly had to be pts a year later :(. That was hard, very very hard :(. Hm. Then D (hubby) bought me a four year old Dutch Warmblood mare - and since then life has been interesting lol. Let's say that, hopefully, we're getting there, but it's definately been interesting :D :D :D

This is her with my eldest daughter on top - horse is beautiful, but she spins (hence the name 'Dizzy'), bounces, bunny hops, and argues like billyo if she feels so inclined.

photo2-1-1.jpg
 
This is Big Cob (15.1hh), my friend's horse - he is ridden by everyone from the youngest child to me 'n' m'fat butt :D. He is indeed a star :D. I'm five eight, and D1 (riding him here) is about half an inch shorter, so you can get an idea of size. Forgot to say, Dizzy is 17hh-ish, but not fully grown yet, so still is to broaden out and take up the leg a bit more :)

IMG_1408.jpg
 
I have seen Percheron (sp) mare on a site or around £2300 and can't for the life of me think what site it was on. Would that be any good or OP . I'm trawling through the sites now.:)
 
Jacob, I think this guy could really suit you and your wife, take a look:

http://www.rightequine.com/horses-for-sale-advertise-free/all-rounder/6964.html

As for my first horse.... I cant have one yet! :'( being a student with an uncertain jobs future I cant take on the responsibility. I started riding at riding schools when I was about 11, but didnt start learning to RIDE until I got a job as a groom/WP! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top