Is buying a youngster an option?

[muddycloud]

I’m struggling to find a super cob for sale. I viewed one for £10k, from Ireland, no known history, 7 y/o, crashed through show jumps, spooky, couldn’t canter round a bend in the school and rode like a 4 y/o. It’s feels like a minefield out there! Even if I had £100k budget I don’t think I’d find it what I’m looking for. It seems no-one wants to give up good horses unless they have to, and if they do - they will usually go to their mates.

So, my alternative route: is buying an un-backed 4 y/o cob sensible? I can guarantee it the best education (not by me, a pro) and it will be kept on full, schooling livery once started. I’ve had a horse in the past but wanted something more ready made this time round, but that’s proving difficult in the current climate.

Appreciate thoughts on the alternative route or whether I’m best to stick it out and wait for the right ready made cob I dream of to come along.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It depends, it sounds as though you would have a good support system - however it's usually recommended that a youngster is started and then left to chill out for 6 months, especially as cobs can be late developers - so would you be happy to take this time off?
Is your confidence up to what a 4yo may throw at you as they're figuring out the world?
Do you have time to be consistent with them? Do you have the experience to continue to train them into the horse you would like once they leave the pro's yard?

If you do then go for it! Otherwise it may be worth waiting until lockdown is over and everyone realises the extra horses they have taken on are hard to manage once they're working again, and the market crashes a little.

 

[jnb]

I’m struggling to find a super cob for sale. I viewed one for £10k, from Ireland, no known history, 7 y/o, crashed through show jumps, spooky, couldn’t canter round a bend in the school and rode like a 4 y/o. It’s feels like a minefield out there! Even if I had £100k budget I don’t think I’d find it what I’m looking for. It seems no-one wants to give up good horses unless they have to, and if they do - they will usually go to their mates.

So, my alternative route: is buying an un-backed 4 y/o cob sensible? I can guarantee it the best education (not by me, a pro) and it will be kept on full, schooling livery once started. I’ve had a horse in the past but wanted something more ready made this time round, but that’s proving difficult in the current climate.

Appreciate thoughts on the alternative route or whether I’m best to stick it out and wait for the right ready made cob I dream of to come along.

I did exactly that - bought a 3 yo (I think actually he was a very - Sept/Oct - late foal, for various reasons.)
He's been super (see my video post and a lot of other gushing posts by me *blush*) - everything I dreamed of and more.
I bought unseen from a video and he was NOT cheap. But I researched my seller and they have sold at least 12 of the cobs at HOYS every year in the past 5 years - they generally only sell unbroken 3 or 4 yo but occasionally do sell just broken and ridden away cobs.

Aughrim Stables on Facebook - K&K Cobs on YouTube

 

[Birker2020]

It depends on what websites you look on as to the value of the horse for sale.
There are some lovely horses for sale on local web pages and sites like Gumtree which are sensibly priced.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I’ve not produced a youngster before but did accidentally buy my 8 year old mare a lot greener than I thought she was and produced her. I’ve loved it and plan on doing the same with an actual youngster in a few years. I spent most of my time correcting issues other people had made and I want to skip that bit next time! I plan on doing similar to you, having the support of a pro but getting as involved as I can. I’m also a big believer in giving horses holidays (mine gets the odd week or two throughout the year and she’s now 12).

I think as long as you go into it with eyes wide open and have a great support network it is doable.

 

[Leandy]

I've seen this work well with the right support system but you need to be prepared for it to take at least 3 years from backing until you have the sort of horse you are probably thinking you want to have now ie one that is sensible, sane, has some life experience and a decent education so it no longer feels green.

 

[JackFrost]

IMHO it's a good option. You need to find the right one and as others say, you will have to invest time and effort to produce what you want. You will learn different things and it will be a different experience, but it is lovely to have a horse you have produced yourself.

 

[Birker2020]

I would shop around before making such a drastic decision, its years out of your life where you won't be able to ride/compete (depending on age) and you have to invest considerable effort into a young horse. Having had a horse that was four (I was told six before I had him vetted) he couldn't do half of what my previous school master could, and for obvious reasons. I felt I wanted something 'ready made' as I wanted to go out and have fun and I ended up with a horse I didn't really enjoy.

You have to ask yourself are you prepared to stick at something that could become challenging and that you might not have the experience for? And are you happy to watch friends going out having fun knowing you can't do that for a good while?

 

[spotty_pony]

Younger is better IMO. You can then put your own stamp on the horse.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

I’ve not produced a youngster before but did accidentally buy my 8 year old mare a lot greener than I thought she was and produced her. I’ve loved it and plan on doing the same with an actual youngster in a few years. I spent most of my time correcting issues other people had made and I want to skip that bit next time! I plan on doing similar to you, having the support of a pro but getting as involved as I can. I’m also a big believer in giving horses holidays (mine gets the odd week or two throughout the year and she’s now 12).

I think as long as you go into it with eyes wide open and have a great support network it is doable.

This could have been me! Bought mine at 8 and now at 13 (next week) we are only just about there! I love her to bits but don't want that again...so I bought the baby. 8 months old and an absolute superstar on the ground. When it comes to backing time, she'll go to a pro to be started, but I am then confident I can carry on the training once basics are established.

So I'd say....Go for it! If you have the time to put in it's an amazing journey. I have had my girl since December and she's just filled the gap I never knew I had. And here's some cute photos....just cause haha

 

[Polos Mum]

I bought a yearling and have waited patiently for 4 years to start him.

They say a rough guide is that it is 3 horse years to a human year - so a 4 y/o cob should be thought of a like a 12 year old kid - they can do a paper round and clean the odd car but you wouldn't want them 'in work'

I called two independent local professional breakers for mine and both hold me that if I wanted him for me, to last, then wait until he was 5 to break. - I wanted to pay them lots of money and they refused - so I assume they had good reason.

Horses (really of any breed) don't stop growing until they are 7 y/o - (in line with 21 year old adults) that is about when they are ready for proper work.

many 5-6 y/o's go through a 'teenage' phase and your sweet amenable 4 y/o turns into the devil.


It's a nice thing to do - it's not without it's risk - it's not cheap in the long run but it spreads the cash out over years of schooling / teaching / non ridden breaks.

They key thing is whether you can wait 3 years before you can really crack on with hard riding, competitions etc. Or whether sooner than that 3 years you could save to get just what you want without the wait.

 

[southerncomfort]

I bought an unbacked 4 year old last Autumn.

I absolutely adore him and I'm having so much fun training him. I find it teally rewarding watching them grow and learn. I count myself very lucky to have found such a wonderful youngster who is keen to learn and loves his work.

Training has been a bit stop start due to rubbish winter weather but he's about ready to sit on now.

I think if you have experienced help or are prepared to send away for backing then a youngster can be a good option.

 

[maya2008]

I bought a 4 year old for my first owned horse. She was backed and had hacked out for six months happily. She was calm and safe and laid back. I’d had share horses and summer loans so had some idea what to do! With the help of an instructor once a week (and a competent friend occasionally) we were just fine. She was the horse of a lifetime, is now retired in my field and still adored.

I would say that it depends on your confidence levels though - I found the excitable bits fun, so it didn’t bother me when she was prancing around at her first show or leaving at the sight of a squirrel chasing down a tree. My husband has just taken over his 14.3hh who we bought as an unbacked 3yo. The horse is an absolute saint, literally, but he is nearly six now and I did all the training and the tricky stuff with him. My husband would not have been able to take his horse on as a 4yo even with me riding him too - husband is a competent rider but not the most confident! We have done this before - I hand them over when they are 6yo and have seen the world. Works well!