nervous about buying and what people think

[lexi_22]

hi everyone, little bit about me so i can explain my situation,
i'm 24 years old. i have always been around and ridden horses since i can remember. when i was 10-13 i loaned a pony and loved her so much but my family couldn't afford her and so i went through a period of not being even able to ride let alone have a horse. so afterwards i rode my friends horses and ponies when they didn't have the time. when i was 17 i was able to pay for lessons myself and every week i was paying for riding. it was fantastic and i have really enjoyed it. i've had experience here and there with working/ looking after horses in yards etc but for no longer then 6 months at a time as it was favours for friends. now i'm turning 25 i want more. i want to develop on my own horse and build a long lasting relationship. i'm just scared that when i do look for a horse people might laugh at me. i have no idea really in the process (obviously i have read lots and know what to do and cost of it in theory) and have since moved away from friends who could help and give me advice and my mum who sorted out the loan of my pony passed away 5 years ago so what do i do? should i be worried that i don't know enough or need more experience? i am a veterinary nurse so have full access to advice/ help with veterinary care so i'm not worried about that its just everything else...
please any advice would be great

 

[JanetGeorge]

Why on earth do you think people would laugh at you (and if any did, they're obviously morons!) You're a vet nurse, you have experience, do what YOU want to. If you can find a GOOD local livery yard you could get some support there - but I doubt that you'll need it! Just don't rush into buying a horse - plan on trying at least 6 - and only buy one who gives you confidence. If you find one you like, go back and try it a second time (or a third!) And if the seller objects, run!

 

[Charem]

Take someone knowledgeable with you when you start viewing, perhaps a recommended riding instructor. Unfortunately there are vendors out there who are less than honest and it pays to have a set of eyes who knows what questions to ask and what to look for.

Although most importantly, enjoy shopping for your dream horse. It certainly is a buyer's market atm.

 

[soulfull]

In a way its good that you are nervous, it means you care
no one is going to laugh at you for being honest and after all you are the potential customer

First thing to do is find a nice yard with an owner or manager that is helpful and around

most important be careful what you buy!!
Obviously I don't know what your riding is like BUT bear in mind with the horses you have ridden, I presume someone else has ridden them in between you riding so if they have started to do a little something they shouldn't do it was probably stopped before it became a problem. you are going to want a trouble free experience as possible. so have a good budget, ideally between £3&6000
as a general idea your going to want something age 7+ thats done some of everything. one that is forward going but safe. There is nothing more hard work than a lazy horse
Ideally your looking for one that would be an ideal first horse for teenager coming off ponies
ALWAYS get the horse vetted, not matter what (even if they have a vet certificate)

search here and google for questions to ask when buying a horse and ask as many of them as you can over the phone

be prepared for wasted trips as a lot of people are not 100% truthful

be honest about your riding level


you want what most people want and the less money you have the more people will be looking for the same, so if horse is still for sale after 2/3 wks be suspicious that it is not what it says, otherwise someone would have bought it!!

So the process goes

search everywhere for adverts (especially new adverts) as local as possible

google the phone numbers, this will show you whether they sell lots of horses and may even show up old adverts for the same horse.

there are some good dealers out there BUT ask on here and other places before buying

phone and ask as many questions as you can

arrange to go and view with an experienced friend if possible

ALWAYS ALWAYS pre arrange that someone else will be there to ride horse first. If you can't see it ridden don't get on!! we all have a friend who can ride a nice horse, but how many of us would risk our friends on a dangerous one?

Do everything with horse, pick feet up, feel legs for lumps and bumps
make sure it leads nicely, moves over/back when asked
see horse caught/tacked up load (if possible)

ride horse, in school, jump if you wish or see it jump if you may wish to jump in the future

if all goes well and not too far away arrange to come back and hack out bring a friend or instructor if possdible. when on way back, ride horse past the entrance to the yard! this is always a good test to see if horse is at all nappy

ask for a short trial period, however most won't allow this any more, but you don't know unless you ask

never believe everything a vendor tells you, even if they are pretty honest horses and things associated with them are often subjective anyway

I am sure there is more but its a start hope that helps

 

[luna88]

Hiya read ur post and had to reply I also felt like you when buyin my first horse back in January so I ended up loaning a horse who then had to retire and to cut a long story short I've now got 3. I have had negative comments from people on here but you learn to ignore them my horses are well looked after it seems like some people on here won't give a novice a chance but as a fellow vet nurse we learn all about horse care and husbandry so what feels right for you ignore what people say as long as you and your horse are happy xx

 

[spartridge63@gmail.c]

Hi, We are in the same boat - must admit it is really scary. I am looking for a "forever" horse for my 15 year old daughter. We have always loaned so far. I took her to visit a horse last week, it was really nerve racking but I asked all the questions I could think of, clip catch, vices etc. Abby rode her for about half an hour. I guess sometimes you really have to take people at their word. We are going to look at some more next week. Wish me luck.

 

[Packhorse1]

Don't worry so much - if you can. I know some people are not so confident though so worrying is part of their nature - perhaps that is you. Try to rise above it. I would certainly search around for a good mature instructor to come along and help you find a horse. In fact they might have a network of friends and can call on people to search for a horse for you. Look in the local vets for instructors advertising locally and in local equestrian mags. Check feed shops and tack shops for adverts. As the staff who they recommend. Go for an older more mature instructor initially to help you buy a horse. Ask them to come along and look at horses you find too. You will of course have to pay them for their time. Ask other riders you see riding out if they know of a good instructor. Having someone along who knows what they are doing is always a good way to gain a bit of confidence

 

[hoffnung]

Try to follow your dream Lexi, this is what I am doing. Surround yourself with people who are able to celebrate you and your dreams. It must be hard doing these things without your mother...
I wish you lots of strength and luck

Mia

 

[hoffnung]

forgot to say, soulfull thank you for all this info I have to print it out!

 

[enchantedunicorn]

Usually people on your yard are more than willing to help you - it helps if your yard owner is nice and knowledgable too. Be confident though, you will learn fast and come to realise what your horse needs and doesn't

 

[Skib]

Buying a horse is always risky, but less so if you have a network of contacts locally to you. Your post suggests that you have moved away from your horsey friends and sadly have lost your mother.
My advice to you would be first to build up a new network of riding support and info where you now live. The best way might be to take some refresher lessons and look for a share. After a year or so you should be much better placed to buy a horse. Involving yourself with a school and livery yard, the owners and yard staff will help you find the right horse and provide a support network when you come to own one - you will know a good vet, a good farrier and a good saddler local to you.
I came to horse riding completely on my own and was constantly warned about the risk of buying too soon. The risk of sharing is that you will lose your heart to a horse that isnt yours - and be so happy with that , that you decide not to buy after all.