Looking for a horse.....

[Peanot]

Well, scanning the adverts but I am very suspect about a lot because of how they are worded. The ones with `will go far with right rider???` definately not for an amateur then!
I have a good friend who has bought horses from a man whose son rides on the international circuit at only 21, he is brilliant. Well they buy, bring on and sell, and they have a 4yo who has a lovely attitude and only had 4 wks work last year, and 4 weeks now. I rode her and she is so light and in a constant outline but they have taken her to a show today and last week, just for the 80cm. I am concerned that although she is a lovely horse and acted like an old pro by standing on the lorry and standing around as good as gold, that they are taking advantage of this and doing too much too soon and perhaps by the age of 5, she could throw in the towel. She is a lovely soft natured thing, really honest.
Now, I would say, that due to recent problems with my horse, that I need a horse that has done a bit and proved himself/herself as honest and genuine.
Friend says that if I buy youngster, then I can start from scratch, but if I buy 6-7, which is what I would prefer, then I could be buying other peoples problems. But she is riding and bringing on youngsters all the time, so she has the confidence and also jumps Foxhunter level with one horse.
Just feeling confused really, but I really feel that I should go with about a 5-7 yr old to give me confidence and so that I can go straight in at BN or Discovery and gain my confidence and have some fun.
Any advice? Thanks.

 

[KatB]

I brought a youngster who I adore, but I don't think I would buy a 3/4yr old again! So far has been a right roller coaster, it is frustrating, blooming hard work and sometimes feels like you are doing alot for nothing, but then something will click into place and the feeling is magic! But, if you want to get out doing things straight away, go out and get an older horse, that way you wont constantly question what you are doing with them, and wil enjoy anything you do do! ALso, if you are questioning this mare, then although she may be lovely, she isnt the one for you. if she was, you wouldn't be posting this!

 

[Weezy]

If you want confidence then go for a horse who has been there and done it - no younger than 8 - 10 I would say!

 

[Peanot]

I bought Rox at the age of 6, I had my last jumping mare, who was brilliant and so honest etc at the age of 6, she had a foal and I backed her myself and brought her on myself and sold her at 11yrs old. I am not a bad rider, but do lack confidence at the moment. Rox is 11 now, so ideally I would like a 6-7 year old that has been out and seen some shows/fillers/crowds etc and is honest. Then this next one should see me through to my retirement.

 

[Weezy]

See the thing is some 6/7 year olds can be greener than 5 year olds - my mare is 8, she rides like a 4 year old schooling wise and deffo jumping wise, even tho she will pop 1.40m with her eyes shut, her ring craft and apptitude to run a course is lacking. So therein lies your prob! I say buy an 8/10 year old, but you could have what I have and have to start schooling from scratch, BUT, if you are lucky enough to find one like mine, with that age you get SENSE, which, for me, is brilliant after a succession of nut cases

Only way you are going to find the right horse is to go try loads. As it is the season, go to local RC shows and enquire what is for sale

 

[482739]

I agree with Weezy, im looking for a horse atm, and i was going to buy a 4 year old if she didnt have a tendon issue, but i was loooking for horse lke your looking for and found that the four year old was eveything i had wanted.

 

[Starbucks]

I haven't ever bought any horses older than 6 (probably due to that I can't afford much else!) but in my experience, young horses are much nicer and don't have as many bad habits! Fair enough an older horse might take you round a BN strait away, but what if he jumped like a stag for his previous owner but didn't for you?? I always think - at least you have an excuse with a baby, and when they get good you can feel proud of yourself!

I'd give the 4 yr old a chance. xx

 

[Rambo]

I'm a little confused

You say the horse did 4 weeks last year and 4 weeks this year....but you're concerned it's doing too much too soon

Sounds like they're taking it very slowly and carefully to me

Most of the 4yo's I see on the circuit are jumping BN and probably Disco too...wouldn't be concerned that it's off to jump an 80cms.

From what you say about your confidence though I would suspect that you need something a little more experienced. A baby needs to take it's confidence from it's rider and if you can't give it that it could all end in tears. I'd be more inclined to look for a 7/8yo if I were you

 

[AmyMay]

I have just bought an 8 year old. I was initially looking for something younger. However a few of things on my tick list were really only going to be evident in something a little older.

I really didn't want anything green or poor in traffic. I also wanted something that had a good natural jump, and was schooled to a certain level over a fence - and was honest.

Basically something that had had all the edges nocked off them - which is exactly what I appear to have found

 

[wench]

I bought a 10yo horse, and his jumping was exceptionally green (didnt know when I bought him) ie he had never done a course of jumps in his life.

 

[Butterbean]

When I was looking for a 2nd horse, my instructor & other people were very keen for me to get a young horse - no bad habits yet, the satisfaction of bringing on a youngster etc ... in the end I got a horse that had just turned 5.
To be perfectly honest I wish I had stuck to my original impulse to get a 7-10 year old that had been around a bit, & would perhaps give me more confidence & I could have a bit more fun. B is a lovely horse but I worry so much about doing the wrong thing with him & potentially ruining him. Whereas with an older more schoolmaster type I could have been out and about a bit more having fun.
If you are having any confidence issues I think a bit older horse would be better idea.

 

[Peanot]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a little confused

You say the horse did 4 weeks last year and 4 weeks this year....but you're concerned it's doing too much too soon

Sounds like they're taking it very slowly and carefully to me

Most of the 4yo's I see on the circuit are jumping BN and probably Disco too...wouldn't be concerned that it's off to jump an 80cms.



[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Rambo, When I say 4 weeks, I mean that it was only backed for 4 weeks last year, then returned to owner. This time it was backed and after only 2 weeks of backing, it was taken to a show. Then taken the next week. I would have thought that 2 weeks newly backed, was a little soon to take a baby out to a show. But like I said that because it has such a good nature, are they pushing it too soon. When I rode her she had been backed for a total of 3 weeks this time. She was a little green with her turning and transitions, as would be expected but she was so light in front, it was like riding a 6 year old. So you know of horses that are 4 and jumping BN and Discovery? Well that puts a new light on things.

 

[Peanot]

Thanks BB2.

 

[Peanot]

[ QUOTE ]


I really didn't want anything green or poor in traffic. I also wanted something that had a good natural jump, and was schooled to a certain level over a fence - and was honest.

Basically something that had had all the edges nocked off them - which is exactly what I appear to have found

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Anymay, this young mare seems to be really laid back and they have cantered her through the fields with no problems, she stands quietly at shows on and off the lorry and she takes everything in her stride. So she acts like an older horse now.

Its just that I can`t make up my mind. Maybe I should buy 2.

 

[Peanot]

Thanks Butterbean for your reply. This is what I am thinking. I would like a horse that is already out there jumping. It is my confidence that needs building. This little mare is definately honest and so would do my confidence good at the lower levels, but I need something to give me confidence over the bigger tracks. I am at the moment doing BN and Discovery but I would like to go further with my present horse as she has loads of ability, but my confidence won`t let me, so I need something that will give me back my confidence, so as I can take my mare further. I hope that I am coming across as I am meaning to.