New Horse Bringing On

[Burley]

Hi
I am buying a 5 year old horse who has been backed and turned away, but done plenty of Natural Horsemanship on the ground. I would like to send him away to be brought back into work and a bit of hacking done. I would like him to go to someone who is more into Natural Horsemanship to continue his training. I live in Bucks - any suggestions please and any ideas of price.
Many thanks.

 

[be positive]

I don't want to put a complete dampener on your first purchase but please think extremely carefully about buying a green 5 year old that is not currently being ridden as your first horse, many people play about doing natural horsemanship as an excuse to not ride, this can be due to many things not least that the horse has proved difficult and frightened them in some way, or worse, so they play with it on the ground rather than ride it, it may not be the case with this horse but you are about to buy a horse that you probably have not ridden or seen anyone else ride, a video is not evidence that it will be ok.

I would say the same to a more experienced person so not just because you have not owned one before, it is a wonderful idea to buy, bring it on, have years of fun together but the reality is that you may be taking on more than you can cope with, sending it away for further training will cost in the region of £200 per week, expect it to be there at least 4 weeks and you will then need regular lessons to help you bring it on.
Having any horse is a huge step up from a RS environment, buying one that is not even being ridden is an even bigger step and one that I would not recommend, if I was selling that green horse I would not even consider selling it to someone as a first horse, that said I would never sell a horse that had been backed without having it in proper work so I could show it to it's best and assess any potential buyers to ensure they were capable of bringing it on, not all sellers are responsible enough to care or even worse can be completely deluded or dishonest, don't fall into a trap of the "lovely seller who thinks you are offering the perfect home" , please think very carefully, find an experienced person to go with you to view and if you still go ahead do get it fully 5 stage vetted.

 

[Sparemare]

Is this going to be your first horse OP?

 

[be positive]

Is this going to be your first horse OP?

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...m-and-advice-welcome!&p=13578273#post13578273

 

[Burley]

I have two horses which are now retired. I have ridden all my life but last couple of years only been exercising friend's horses.

 

[ihatework]

I have two horses which are now retired. I have ridden all my life but last couple of years only been exercising friend's horses.

I'd not get too hung up on natural horsemanship. I'd also not be getting a green 5yo.
Get yourself an older horse that has proven to be kind and genuine under saddle with a rider of a similar experience level to you. Then find a good, patient instructor to help you make the new partnership work. If you are anywhere near the High Wycombe area then a lady called Liza Fairclough would be a good person to help you.

 

[be positive]

I have two horses which are now retired. I have ridden all my life but last couple of years only been exercising friend's horses.

That is not the same story as in the thread you started previously, there you described yourself as an intermediate RS rider that has only ridden on occasion over the last few years, if you have not ridden regularly recently then you are still only an intermediate RS rider at best which is not very experienced on anything other than made horses.

You seem to have been thinking of buying this horse for a month or so, assuming it is the same one, and the owners presumably have still not got on and started riding it, you have not ridden it so my post is still relevant, I have had years of experience, brought on numerous horses in that time as part of my business and I would probably not take on this horse unless it was gifted/ extremely cheap and was seriously nice, well bred so worth investing my time and possibly neck into, I have the experience, skill to do the work required and know my limitations.

 

[Fidgety]

I have two horses which are now retired. I have ridden all my life but last couple of years only been exercising friend's horses.

How many times a week have you ridden all your life? Riding already made horses, especially RS horses, will be a totally different kettle of fish to what you're proposing. I brought on a newly broken youngster after having owned riding horses (not companions) for 20 years prior to that - but I would never have contemplated the idea if I hadn't been in the situation where my instructor was on site and there for me every step of the way.

Personally, I wouldn't touch with a barge pole (why has this horse been backed so late and then had nothing done with him?). Be Positive talks a lot of sense, it's not putting a dampner on your plans but simply a desire that you go into this with very open eyes and thoroughly explore all the suggestions/opinions that others offer in their replies to you.

 

[Burley]

Thanks for all the replies, all very wise counsel which I completely understand and accept. I will keep looking.