Ideal horse for me?

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Dotty123

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12 February 2012
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I have been saving up to buy my own horse and i have a stable and grazing ready. I'm 5ft 6'' and weigh 9 stone 2lbs. I go horse riding at our local stables twice a week and also help out.

I'm looking for a horse to go out hacking with and sometimes doing a bit of jumping, so what should i be looking for?

It's easy to look in the adverts and think he or she sounds nice, but i have no one with experience to go with me so i shall be doing this on my own, so any suggestions would be helpful. :)
 
Would your instructor be willing to go with you for a second viewing once you've found a horse that you like?

What sort of horse do you enjoy riding at the RS?

Where will you keep your new horse and how much support will you have?
 
Try and find someone to go with you even if not experienced it helps to have a second pair of eyes and ears, they can video or take photos that you can look at later to help with making a decision.

Make a list of what you do/ dont want in order of importance, if it is your first horse you need something that will be fairly sensible, not too old or young, ideally from a home similar to the one you are offering.

All the ads look good, or they should do, they are for sale so generally described as wonderful paragons that are perfect in every way :rolleyes:
Pick out a few that fit in with your list, by the time you really break down what is in the ad there will be far less than you think, discount any that do not sound worth a call.
Contact the seller, by phone is best as you can ask direct questions and hear the response and the way they talk about the horse will give you more idea than the written word can.

When you go and look watch the horse being ridden by the seller before you get on, see it walk, trot and canter also over a few jumps. If you like it get on, take your time and try it in all paces, if still happy go over a jump or two.
If it seems suitable go for a short hack or a canter in a field, if you can go back a second time do so and maybe do a little more. Make sure you get to try it in traffic, do not take the sellers word that it is perfect.

If you find the horse for you double check everything, get it vetted and hopefully you will be all set for some fun this summer.
 
Firstly, you MUST find someone experienced to go with you. If you don't know anyone suitable, ask your riding instructor, or ever pay them to come. There are a huge number of unscrupulous sellers who will rub their hands together with glee when they see an inexperienced novice coming along!

Forget about looks or size or even height to a degree. Even age isn't necessarily important: young horses need proper training and are more likely to push their luck, but many have a lovely kind nature. Buy something with a suitable temperament. Something kind, forgiving and sensible. You WILL make mistakes initially and owning your own is totally different from riding at a riding school a couple of times a week.

There are soooo many people out there who buy something a little too much do them and really frighten themselves. They may have been competent riders by riding school standards, but it nothing like having your own and having to deal with all their needs and bad behaviours, daily, by yourself. Riding school horses are worked hard and handled by professionals and therefore know to behave. Or else. Most privately owned horses will quickly suss out a novice horse owner and take advantage. Which is why a suitable temperament is so essential: some are far more charitable than others!

Also consider where you're keeping the horse. Firstly to make sure it's suitable (a woosey skinny hotblood will prob need a stable, good grass and hay over the winter. A fat cob need the ability to restrict grazing). But more importantly you will need HELP over the first couple of months, so part livery, or somewhere with a good yard manager onsite is essential.

Good luck! Horses are hard work, expensive, time consuming and often frustrating, but well worth it!
 
Thank you for all the replies. Good points were made on taking my riding school owner with me, i had all ready asked her but she said she didn't have the time, maybe she would make time if i paid her!

I also liked the point made about using a livery stable, i think that is a very good idea.

But i found this to be disturbing ''There are a huge number of unscrupulous sellers who will rub their hands together with glee when they see an inexperienced novice coming along!'' They obviously dont care about the horses they are selling.
 
Dotty123 said:
But i found this to be disturbing ''There are a huge number of unscrupulous sellers who will rub their hands together with glee when they see an inexperienced novice coming along!'' They obviously dont care about the horses they are selling.
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^^^ true :(
 
Dotty123 said:
Thank you for all the replies. Good points were made on taking my riding school owner with me, i had all ready asked her but she said she didn't have the time, maybe she would make time if i paid her!

I also liked the point made about using a livery stable, i think that is a very good idea.

But i found this to be disturbing ''There are a huge number of unscrupulous sellers who will rub their hands together with glee when they see an inexperienced novice coming along!'' They obviously dont care about the horses they are selling.
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That is very true unfortunately. Where abouts are you? Someone here might be able to suggest someone suitable otherwise.
 
Where abouts are you as i would love to go horse shoping :D but take your time and always go back for a second look and if seller won't let you or says someone else is intrested walk away and good luck :)
 
Nope, many are just interested in the money. Bear in mind most of the horses for sale are being sold as a business venture. Although there are private sellers having to sell on for one sad reason or another (can't afford, outgrown etc), they make up the minority as no owner WANTS to sell their beloved horse unless there's a problem. Most other sellers are out to make money. That doesn't mean none of them care about their horses, but money is the deciding factor for them.

And often the 'business sellers' are experienced horsemen/woman (not always the same as GOOD!) and can easily make a horse anything the novice buyer wants. Until they get it home ;-)

Few people will try and sell you a dangerous or serious problem horse, but many may try and sell you an UNSUITABLE horse. Something that is maybe a true star in the making (for a experienced rider) but too much for you to learn the ropes on.

My friend has just bought her first horse after many years of riding lessons. She deliberately 'under horsed' herself (i.e horse too easy for her) and is having a brilliant time just getting out and about, with no issues. She may need to think about an 'upgrade' in a couple of years time, but right now she's having fun. On the otherhand I could write you a list of examples where the owner has 'overhorsed' themselves (they rode the more advanced horses at riding schools, therefore they're advanced riders, yes?) and frightened themselves and ruined the horse. I got 2 free horses out of it ;)

If you're riding school instructor/owner won't come, maybe ask about for a freelance instructor to come with you. They'll prob be more than happy to help.

Or, as other have offered, most on here love horse shopping:D
 
Kallibear said:
My friend has just bought her first horse after many years of riding lessons. She deliberately 'under horsed' herself (i.e horse too easy for her) and is having a brilliant time just getting out and about, with no issues. She may need to think about an 'upgrade' in a couple of years time, but right now she's having fun.
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That sounds perfect to me!

Thank you for offering to come with me but i'm going to ask the stables owner.

I wonder how much money i should offer her, any suggestions?
 
I would work out an hourly rate based on the cost of a private lesson. I wouldn't bother taking her until you have found what you think is the right horse as you may well look at plenty that you will realise for yourself aren't right/not as advertised and no genuine seller will mind you coming back with an expert.

I second the livery suggestion. I have had a ten year break from ownership and have found the livery staff to be a godsend when i am fretting about what rug, adjusting feed etc, and theoretically i should have a pretty good idea having owned in the past.

In my opinion stable manners are just as important as what they are like when ridden for a first time owner. A horse that is difficult in the stable can really knock your confidnece.
 
Kallibear said:
My friend has just bought her first horse after many years of riding lessons. She deliberately 'under horsed' herself (i.e horse too easy for her) and is having a brilliant time just getting out and about, with no issues.
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^^ This! try to aviod horses that say 'not novice ride' because they generally require more experience as well. Try and have fun with your first horse and let the horse teach you :D
 
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