Just getting my first 5yo

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nikolethompson

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so i have ridden from 3 years old to 20 years old (am now 27)
owned my own horses from 11 years old until 18 years old

I am picking up my new boy in less than 3 weeks now! i have bought everything for him and we are all set to go apart from the fact i havent ridden him yet!!

I went to see him being ridden last weekend, but with the stirrups only being for children and the girl riding him had tiny feet i couldnt get on him myself.

He's a 14.2h 5 year old piebald cob (6 at the end of may) In the stable he is so so sweet, very loving, very quiet, a little angel! he hasnt done much paddock work at all and can nap at the beginning towards the gate but with a firm hand he settles straight in. He was walking and trotting perfectly, did a few little canters. He did do a little turn for the gate and a quick crack of the crop on his shoulder he was straight back in his place

I mainly want him for 'happy hacking' he was broken to drive professionally two years ago, though hasnt done any since and very very happily goes on group hacks but the lady owner has had him since 5 months old has never taken him out alone.

I walked him upto the very very busy main road (60mph road) and he was ok, a little nervous as i dont think he knew what was going on, a strange person leading him to a crazy road! but very quiet, didnt drag me back to the yard or anything.

I am wondering how soon i should leave it before getting on him? should i get on him the same day (picking him up in the evening) or shall i get on him the day after? as he hasnt done any schooling really do i get on him in there or take him for a short hack? do i lead him first and show him around where i am going to take him or just get straight on?

I have read tonnes of threads, and i know that nothing is completely safe but i want to do it the safest way possible to protect myself and him! I havent ridden for 7 years and he is still only young with not a lot of work being done with him in the past. the girl who rode him sunday jumped straight on and he hadnt been ridden in a good few weeks

any help much appreciated, please no bad comments about his age etc, i need words of encouragement not words to make me nervous! i am already very nervous but completely in love with him. I am more determined than ever to make this work!!
 
Nicole, when you do ride make sure you have on a riding hat to current safety standards and a body protector or air jacket. Make sure that you have someone there too. Anyway, how big is he and what breed is he! I want more details I love hearing about peoples new horses!
 
Hi :)
he's 14'2 and a piebald cob xx
hes so so so so SO gorgeous xxx
I will of course have a riding hat, but cannot find a body protector to fit me! fortunately it is quite a soft sand paddock. x
 
Oh, Nikole you didn't get him from totally cobs did you? He sounds gorgeous :) but having damaged my back muscles semi permenantly from not wearing a body protector you really do need to or if not wear an air jacket.
 
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If you are going to have 3 weeks before getting him may I suggest you get some stirrups and go back to try him properly, he may be gorgeous and just what you want but I cannot understand why anyone would buy without riding especially when you have not ridden for some time, take an experience person with you and try him before you buy.
His age would not put me off but the fact he has never been out alone and you have not even sat on him would be of concern sometimes you get on and they just don't feel how you think they will, I have bought and sold numerous lovely horses over the years and know that what you see from the ground rarely tells the whole story.
 
be positive said:
If you are going to have 3 weeks before getting him may I suggest you get some stirrups and go back to try him properly, he may be gorgeous and just what you want but I cannot understand why anyone would buy without riding especially when you have not ridden for some time, take an experience person with you and try him before you buy.
His age would not put me off but the fact he has never been out alone and you have not even sat on him would be of concern sometimes you get on and they just don't feel how you think they will, I have bought and sold numerous lovely horses over the years and know that what you see from the ground rarely tells the whole story.
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Agree with this. You really need to ride him. I've tried plenty that might look the part but we didn't 'gel' when I rode them.

If you get him, then I'd advise having him at a yard with knowledgeable and experienced help. Maybe lunge first then get on in the school if there is one, hat and body protector, someone on the ground to help, ideally an instructor. Have a few lessons at that start so you're always with company, have someone experienced hack him out in company a few times, then hack out yourself with a good nanny horse. That's what I did with my new horse, also 5yo, last year. I'd been riding for several years and had had a few horses, but I wanted to be ultra careful.
 
I am feeling blunt this morning .
The best way to protect your self is leave this one and go and find something a bit further down the training path.
You need to ride a horse when you try it if you're going to hack alone you need to see it hacking alone as a priority and then you need to ride it
Then you decide to buy and then you have the horse vetted .
Don't take this horse on without further viewings .
 
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