Is this crazy?!

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RidingAgain

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I've recently jumped back in to riding in a big way after a long break. I had ponies and then a horse growing up - all at livery, though I worked on the yard at weekends/holidays to earn my keep. Cannot get enough of it and am currently begging, borrowing friends horses and paying for lessons to ride as much as I need to. I was thinking about getting a horse of my own next year. I'd decided to keep it at lovely livery down the road from us while I get used to it all again, before eventually converting an outbuilding at our new home and then keeping the horse at home once I'd done the work to make the stable and sourced another paddock to rent.

BUT

I have found a small horse I think may be absolutely perfect right now. 9 y.o. schoolmistress, seems very genuine, only 2 owners, very forgiving as is used to novices but forwarding going, lovely paces, good jump - has done a bit of everything. Has been ridden by children but scopey enough for what I want with an eye on my (tall) 8 y.o. daughter being able to ride her when she's older if/when I might want to move on to something more ambitious. A real family horse who is young enough to stay with us forever - which is what I really want.

She's being sold on behalf of owner by a dealer who I have checked out with others locally and has a good rep. I'm trying her several times in and out of school, as well as getting her in from field, grooming her, checking her loading etc and will have 5* vetting. There is a £ back trial period.

I'm aware on one hand that I'm being seduced by having a horse now when I'd planned to be sensible and wait until next year, have more lessons, get to know the local scene more. I'm not v good at being patient! I do have a busy few months coming up and am still building up my horsey contacts locally. I know that the "right thing" is to wait.

However, something that will work for me right now, but has scope, is the perfect size for me but not to big for my daughter in due course, exactly the age I want, good with kids, totally stunning to look at, very local to me to enable lots of trials etc. won't always be available and I confess I've fallen in love a bit...

Any thoughts? Advice? Things I should really be thinking about? Could anyone play devil's advocate for me and make sure I've thought everything I need to through?

Also, I have a fledgling idea of bringing her to our home paddock immediately for a couple of months over the summer, not sending her straight to the livery yard. She's living out at the moment, which she'd need to do here as we don't have a stable (yet) and I like the idea of having more time with her at first, getting to know her, building that relationship, the children getting to know her and being part of the family while the weather is up to it. It's also a chance for me to try out having her at home before we go to the expense of converting our stable etc.

Limitations: we only have 1.5 acres grazing (it's just had sheep on it) and she would be alone (though apparently doesn't mind that) though there are horses and ponies in all the adjacent fields. Our next door and opposite neighbours (who I know a little, though we've only recently moved) all keep horses and are on hand for advice. They also have a menage to rent and have already given me the names of good local farriers/vets etc. I've made friends with a local vet nurse too! Again, is this a step too far? If I go for her should I just send her to the livery as originally planned?

I'd really value some sage advice today! Thank you.
 
I'd say Go for it but be prepared if she hates being on her own, my sister bought a horse that apparently "didn't mind" being on its own but it was desperately unhappy, most horses can't cope. Sounds like a good setup though, having a nice yard as a backup. Best of luck she sounds delightful
 
sounds brilliant and like you thought it all through. make sure to have her vetted. I would go to livery for a few months just to have support and make some friends. would write more but im at work :D
 
Yes- I am a little sceptical of the happy on her own thing - and would never plan that long term. When we have her back her permanently (oh god, I've already bought her in my mind!) we'll need a companion.
 
You have previous experience of ownership, you have your own land and you seem to have found your ideal horse, if you have the money and time now then I would go for it, have her vetted too. You don’t need to take a year to “know the scene” and the lessons you wanted you can take on your own horse and progress with her. The only thing I would say is just because a horse will live alone doesn’t make it right, just because they aren’t outwardly distressed at being alone doesn’t mean they are content - companionship is extremely important.
 
Thank you! And absolutely agree about the companionship thing. I'd only keep her alone here for a couple of months max. If she stays here we'll get a companion (or pay for turn-out with our neighbours) otherwise she'll go to the livery yard. Hate the thought of a miserable, lonely horse, but don't want to get a companion if she's just here for a month or two before going off to the yard.
 
I say go for it two but two things stand out for me: horses like her if they're as genuine as you say fetch a lot of money and usually go like hotcakes, so why is she being sold through a dealer?

The other thing is that I really just don't agree with horses being kept alone. I think it's cruel to deprive them of company when they are herd animals. If I were you I'd get a Shetland as well or a little hardy pony who won't cost you much.

Have you actually tried the horse yet?

ETA I just read your other posts. It's good to know she wouldn't be alone :)
 
I've tried, but I can't think of a reason against it!

You're being thorough in trying her out and you have a paddock at home. If you're sure she's the right horse for you, you can afford to keep her and your paddock is suitable (I think the size is fine), this would seem to be the perfect time of year to bring her home and have her living out for a few months while you continue with your other plans. You can always go to livery early if you need to. It's a good backup to have.

The only possible fly in the ointment I can see is this busy few months you say you have coming up. How busy? On the other hand, you're going to have busy times when you have a horse, even if you stick to your 'sensible' plan. It's something you'll need to manage regardless.

Seems to me having a horse could be a good way to meet more people and expand your new horsey network.

The perfect fit can be hard to find. If you're sure this horse is it, I say go for it.
 
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While I've got you all... vetting: I'd prefer to have her vetted by a vet I've had recommended to me here who won't travel to where she is now. Thought I'd do that during the 7 day £ back trial. Apart from the horridness if she does need to go back after the vetting, any reason that's not a good idea?
 
Straight talking - I like, thank you. Absolutely yes to the weekly lessons. Why do you think no to having her here for a month or two? I can think of reasons but would like them confirmed as it's very seductive!
 
RidingAgain said:
While I've got you all... vetting: I'd prefer to have her vetted by a vet I've had recommended to me here who won't travel to where she is now. Thought I'd do that during the 7 day £ back trial. Apart from the horridness if she does need to go back after the vetting, any reason that's not a good idea?
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If you're confident about the vet, I think it sounds like a very sensible way to go about it.
 
The reasons for the dealer seem genuine - teenage rider has boyfriend/new job and isn't riding much so parents have put in to selling livery with dealer friends to ensure horse doesn't lose condition. I do feel a bit nervous about buying from a dealer so have done a bit of checking.

Haven't tried the horse yet - going on Sunday and have said I would want to go again with my instructor if I like her.
 
RidingAgain said:
I'd only keep her alone here for a couple of months max.
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But the horse won't know it's temporary situation, despite the dealer assurance you may find you dream horse gets becomes a bit different (sharper, spookier etc) after being taken from presumably a busy dealers yard to a small space alone. If you can't get a companion asap I would put her straight on a livery yard.
 
That's a really good point @Merlod. I was sort of hoping that as there were neighbouring horses she might not feel so alone but you are quite right that it could impact in a big way and I wouldn't want that to upset her and marr our new relationship.
 
RidingAgain said:
While I've got you all... vetting: I'd prefer to have her vetted by a vet I've had recommended to me here who won't travel to where she is now. Thought I'd do that during the 7 day £ back trial. Apart from the horridness if she does need to go back after the vetting, any reason that's not a good idea?
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Have the vetting done at the dealer's yard. It's going to be a lot less hassle if she fails. If she fails you'll have to most likely take her back yourself. I can't imagine the dealer is going to want to come and pick her up for you. Plus it's just a bad idea. You get her home, have all her things ready, she fails and you have the heartache of having to see her go.
 
I would def go for it - having just bought the perfect horse I would be gutted now to have missed out on her. I would seriously think about putting her in livery initially though - you've just moved, your place isn't quite ready for her and the support of a livery could be hugely valuable in the first few months. I would also seriously question keeping a horse alone. My newbie is perfectly happy in a separate paddock but she's post and rail away from my others and they groom and nuzzle each other all the time. Very few horses do well completely alone.
 
Go for it, I've just bought a pony even though I was going to wait a while till I'd had more lessons as I'd had 4 years off from horse ownership. A friend of a friend had a lovely little cob for sale who I've ended up buying and I'm over the moon with her and very pleased I didn't put it off and miss out.
 
Lots of good advice here :)

As you haven't tried to horse yet - I wouldn't get too ahead of yourself! She might sound perfect on paper but you never know what 'feel' you'll get from a horse until you see it and ride it.

Regards to vetting - if I were you I would get it vetted at the dealers yard, because of the reasons stated above if she DOES fail. Or if she shows up lame etc the dealer could argue that that's happened at your yard not at the sales yard so he's not taking her back - probably wouldn't happen but you never know!

I'm another for I wouldn't keep her alone. My boy is OK out alone in his field if there are others out in the field next to him for a while. But it's electric fencing between them so he can't interact. He would be OK for a short time but i wouldn't keep him like that all the time as they need the interaction with other horses (He has other horses he shares the field with BTW). Also livery yards to provide alot of support when you first get a horse!
 
SpringArising said:
Have the vetting done at the dealer's yard. It's going to be a lot less hassle if she fails. If she fails you'll have to most likely take her back yourself. I can't imagine the dealer is going to want to come and pick her up for you. Plus it's just a bad idea. You get her home, have all her things ready, she fails and you have the heartache of having to see her go.
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Vettings are not always clear cut, do it before you take her otherwise you could end up with a horse that has failed that for some reason the dealer will not take back, minor injury while in your care being the most obvious but there are numerous scenarios which can cause issues when you try and return it.
Far easier to vet so you know you are taking on a sound horse, can get the insurance underway and far safer for the dealer who knows the horse will not return because it has failed on something minor.
 
My only piece of advice here is the bit about moving it home after a while, I would never want to keep a horse on its own, they are a herd animal, I'm not sure how it would settle, if its used to being at a busy yard! so do you have the ability to have a livery or two at home to keep her company?
 
If you go for it personally I'd send her straight to livery, whilst it's easy to be seduced by having her at home you won't have that support network and like you say you're still building your contacts.

Also she's more likely to settle sooner with other horses around, and won't have the upheavel of another move for winter.
 
Coming from a dealer wouldn't bother me in fact you have far more come back with a professional if it all does horribly wrong. I would personally speak to your neighbours who all have horses and see if any of them have a small knackered old family pony that they might loan you for the few months you are keeping the horse at home before going to livery. Most people I know with land and horses have something lurking in a back paddock ;-) Lots of horses are absolutely fine with being kept alone but as you really cannot be 100% certain its worth having a back up plan!
 
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