New to the forum and advice welcome!

[Burley]

Hi,
I have just joined and wonder if anyone can give me some advice/support/warning. I have had, for about 10 years, two rescued horses, companions, both geldings. I used to ride regularly and was the level of an intermediate rider. I have ridden occasionally over last few years but could get back into regular riding fairly easily. I am thinking of getting a horse for me to ride but wonder what the view is on me getting a 5 year old - broken but still fairly 'green'. I would do a fair amount of Parelli work with him and also get regularly lessons. Totally insane idea?
Thanks.

 

[Auslander]

Hi,
I have just joined and wonder if anyone can give me some advice/support/warning. I have had, for about 10 years, two rescued horses, companions, both geldings. I used to ride regularly and was the level of an intermediate rider. I have ridden occasionally over last few years but could get back into regular riding fairly easily. I am thinking of getting a horse for me to ride but wonder what the view is on me getting a 5 year old - broken but still fairly 'green'. I would do a fair amount of Parelli work with him and also get regularly lessons. Totally insane idea?
Thanks.

The parelli bit is bonkers, but the rest sounds fair enough, if the horse is suitable for your level of experience

 

[JennBags]

It depends what you mean by being at the level of an intermediate rider, that will mean different things to different people. Do you mean you were at the level of intermediate eventing, or intermediate in a riding school?

Agree with Auslander, Parelli is bonkers, but if you find a 5yo that's suitable for your level of experience, then why not.

 

[Pinkvboots]

agree with above not a lover of parelli myself it sounds like you have the ability to deal with a green 5 year old so go for it.

 

[Burley]

Thanks everyone. Intermediate as in riding school standard. All replies very welcome and helpful!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Drop the Parelli, it is not a kind training system IMO.

OK, from the extra information I would say that you shouldn't get such a green horse unless you have the correct support available on tap. My philosophy with horses is to set yourself and the horse up to succeed, so getting a horse that is a bit more experienced just seems sensible (more likely to be a success) in your circumstances.

 

[JFTDWS]

I'd advise buying something older, less green and more novice-friendly, if you're a lapsed, intermediate level RS rider looking to get back into it. I also agree with the comments about re Parelli and being very careful to ensure you have a decent support network around you (good instruction, supportive yard staff etc), regardless of what horse you buy.

 

[JillA]

Agree with the above, especially about Parelli. I know a few local exponents and even if you take away the cruel and egotistical part, they generally don't have much of a clue beyond what has been drummed in to them. One came to my yard couldn't even catch a slightly wary horse! You would be better joining Kelly Marks Intelligent Horsemanship Forum.
Also you will need a support network - to cultivate that support, why not ride for/with other local people for the rest of the summer, get yourself back up to speed and buy in the autumn when prices generally are lower going in to winter. Lots of local people generally are glad of help exercising their horses, and almost everyone is happy to offer help and advice. Just beware the "local expert" - you will recognise them by the fact that in general they make a pigs ear of most of what they do lol, and their advice generally fails the "common sense" test. Look for the quiet confident experienced folk.

 

[JessTheYank]

As an American I find myself feeling guilty about the many blights my country has unleashed on the world - Justin Beiber, President Baby Hands, two illegal wars, and Pat Parelli.

You sound like a solid rider definitely, but it might be good to get a bit of a tune up on a school horse before taking on the youngster? I stupidly bought a young, recently gelded, fire breathing dragon of a horse after taking a four year hiatus from riding and definitely paid the price I still have him and love him very much, but he really made riding terrifying and not fun for about a year.