Looking for a horse advice

It does sound very annoying. But on the other hand you describe that you’ve ridden on and off whereas she has her own yard. I’m not sure if you’ve actually owned horses before? And I think her interest is coming from a good place and maybe a little more experience than you have? In that case I would listen a little bit to her advise. She might actually be better suited to find you your dream horse than you are yourself.

There’s been so many posts on this forum where the advise for buying a horse is “don’t buy with your heart, buy with your brain” and that’s where your friend can be helpful. And you WILL love the horse that actually gives you many nice rides and is nice to handle everyday, even if it doesn’t speak to your heart at first like the unbroken, slightly to small with bad conformation but a pretty face and kind eyes horse does. If your “heart horse” gives you hell everyday when riding and handling you probably won’t enjoy it as much in the long run as you will the nicer boring bay... A nice horse is easy to love!
 
AUB said:
It does sound very annoying. But on the other hand you describe that you’ve ridden on and off whereas she has her own yard. I’m not sure if you’ve actually owned horses before? And I think her interest is coming from a good place and maybe a little more experience than you have? In that case I would listen a little bit to her advise. She might actually be better suited to find you your dream horse than you are yourself.

There’s been so many posts on this forum where the advise for buying a horse is “don’t buy with your heart, buy with your brain” and that’s where your friend can be helpful. And you WILL love the horse that actually gives you many nice rides and is nice to handle everyday, even if it doesn’t speak to your heart at first like the unbroken, slightly to small with bad conformation but a pretty face and kind eyes horse does. If your “heart horse” gives you hell everyday when riding and handling you probably won’t enjoy it as much in the long run as you will the nicer boring bay... A nice horse is easy to love!
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I’ve owned as a teen family horse. But your right . she’s bought and sold many over the years
 
Just, as an "on the other hand" - my YO found my current horse for me, I probably wouldn't have tried to get a viewing as I'd have thought he was too capable for me. Then when I did view him I didn't love him immediately - he is very much not the "horse of my dreams" (to be entirely honest). But my head could see that he was a sensible buy, he'd been a very good boy at the viewing, and she pushed me to buy him, so I did. He's been worth his weight in gold and it is just lovely having a trustworthy, kind horse. So if you have good reason to trust this friend (has she always been a good friend to you?) I would probably consider her advice. At the end of the day if you really think something is not worth going to see, you can put your foot down and say why you don't think this one is a goer.

AUB said:
A nice horse is easy to love!
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- Exactly!
 
Another who says she might be being helpful. I had a friend who was adamant I needed something that was different to what I thought and I had suspicions that it might end up being more their horse than mine.

Well.. the horse I got was the opposite of what I was looking for and exactly what they were looking for and has been the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. The other person has only ridden it once.

The market sounds like it's very hot at the moment so is it possible she's just trying to get you booked in for viewings as otherwise you might not get the opportunity to view?

Are you able to give us more information as to what you're looking for and what your friend is looking at for you? That might give us a better idea of how helpful they're being.
 
You possibly need to have a chat with this YO/friend and clear the air, before you entirely ditch them.

We are hearing this from your perspective, which is how this experience is making you feel - you are excited to buy, but the YO isn’t seeing things the same way as you and is either taking over or taking the joy out of it for you. I get that, it’s going to be your horse paid for by your money!

When buying horses, there are a lot of pitfalls. And I mean a lot. All very easy to miss when your heart over rules your head, especially for a less experienced buyer.

So having someone experienced in buying horses, that can remain impartial and have your best interests at heart is a good thing. Even if you don’t like it.

That said there are equestrian professionals that don’t have their clients best interests at heart. They buy what they want/like rather that what the client needs.

For you, you need to ascertain what situation you are in. The former or the latter. The starting point is to open up a conversation with the YO and depending how that goes will probably clarify things in your mind.
 
Gloi said:
I'm seeing something like this currently at the yard I'm at. A new pony arrived on the yard a couple of weeks ago bought be a woman who has not had one before for her sweet 5yo daughter for lead rein classes. Stable care and feeding done by the yard so that's ok and it is a really lovely section A type. However it is full of itself. I think they had an instructor help them buy it and she can't ride it without the instructor there to lunge it before the girl gets on to be led around on it.
I was there yesterday to my pony and the instructor was long reining the kid's pony before the child rode and it was cantering a circle then spun and as the reins were through the stirrups got completely tangled up. I feel they have got caught up on its looks and show potential and ignored that the child is a timid novice that needs a quiet pony before they get put off
Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it off my chest.
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Poor child now has a broken arm ?
 
I think an open and honest chat is the way to go. It may be the YO is trying to be helpful. It may be that due to their set up, certain horses may not be suitable for their yard, as well? Especially if you are going on full livery to start with?

It may be that they have their own agenda too, but if you consider this person a friend, then I think it's worth at least trying to talk to them and clear the air?

Gloi said:
Poor child now has a broken arm ?
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I have seen similar to this a few times, it just never works out. A lot of show quality lead rein ponies need a really competent adult to help from the ground, in my opinion, and so often it's the child who ends up getting hurt or put off.

And of course, there's nothing you can do but watch.

There was one on my yard recently, section B, novice daughter just coming off the lead rein and getting run off with. Adults involved were not horsey, but thought they had bought a bargain. Fortunately, the pony was sold before any of the children got hurt, but a friend on the yard later heard it had a reputation for running off with child riders.
 
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