Newbie

[wallbags]

Bit of a long post so will apologise now!!
I’m 50 years old and started lessons just before the virus outbreak!
My daughter has had horses for the last 10 years so I’m well aware of the cost and what is involved and often help her out down the yard.
I’m not rushing into anything (don’t worry not one of these looking at owning a horse through rose coloured glasses) and will continue with lessons once the lockdown is lifted. I’m paying for private 1:1 lessons as couldn’t face being in a school just going round in circles!
My daughter has a young lightly backed chestnut Tb mare, so not one to cut your teeth on!!
I have been ‘window shopping at the moment’ and looking at cobs 14.2/14.3 slightly older 12/14 years. I’m 5ft 2” and weigh 10.5 stone, I really don’t fancy being perched up high!! I’m not looking to enter shows, I’m just wanting to hack out with my daughter and come back in one piece!!
As I said just window shopping at the moment, fully aware of costs/insurance etc having fully funded two of my daughters horses!!
I’m not rushing into anything and will continue with lessons just after advice/others experience on what to look for in a first horse/pony for a middle age novice!!!
Thank you

 

[Red-1]

Sounds like you are doing everything right!

A friend has just bought an ideal horse, 12 years old, been showing, coloured cob. She was quite expensive, but worth her weight in gold. Schooled and balanced, happy and willing. Fearless out hacking. Won't ever be a world beater, but is rocking my friend's world. Some people would have said she was too expensive, but she is worth every penny.

So, advice, get a mature one rather than a newbie. Get one that has some history of doing stuff. Get one that you can scramble aboard and go for a hack. Get one that is willing and able in the school as it will be a more balanced ride. Don't be afraid to pay for safety.

Most importantly, get one you feel you can't leave the yard without.

 

[be positive]

Welcome, it never hurts to do some window shopping and research, my advice would be to look for something that is proven to do the job, many people will want to move onto something more sporty once they have got the bug and the first horse is outgrown, not physically but in ability, that way you can do plenty of checking on the background, have access to the vet history and usually try it in a similar environment to the one you will take it to rather than buying from a dealer who may have no real history available.

When this is all over there may be a flood onto the market, some for genuine reasons, others less so, so do your research carefully, don't be afraid to ask questions, go with your instincts, if it feels wrong it probably is so walk away rather than trying to make it fit.

 

[wallbags]

Thank you for your replies?
What would you class as too old? I’ve seen a few 18/20 years and I’m assuming this can cause problems for insurance etc?

 

[neddy man]

If you are happy with your instructor and his/her horse knowledge ask them to look at them with you when the viewings begin.

 

[wallbags]

If you are happy with your instructor and his/her horse knowledge ask them to look at them with you when the viewings begin.

I will ask him as have known him many years. Thank you

 

[be positive]

You will not get full veterinary cover insurance for a horse in its late teens/ 20's so that needs consideration, if looking at anything over 15 I would want to see it's vet history, have evidence it has been in the same home for a reasonable amount of time, to my mind at least 2 years, ideally longer to show it has not been passed about a lot, the passport is not reliable for this as so many are not updated every time they are sold, and the seller must have a really genuine reason for selling an older horse not just that it has started to slow down, that can be because there is an underlying issue as yet undiagnosed or not even noticed.

 

[wallbags]

You will not get full veterinary cover insurance for a horse in its late teens/ 20's so that needs consideration, if looking at anything over 15 I would want to see it's vet history, have evidence it has been in the same home for a reasonable amount of time, to my mind at least 2 years, ideally longer to show it has not been passed about a lot, the passport is not reliable for this as so many are not updated every time they are sold, and the seller must have a really genuine reason for selling an older horse not just that it has started to slow down, that can be because there is an underlying issue as yet undiagnosed or not even noticed.

Thank you I did think insurance could be a problem.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

I’m a little bit older and taller than you, and before all this madness hit I’d started to have 1-1 lessons with a view to getting back into riding and going off on a hack with my daughter. I’m not looking for my own horse as sadly there’s no way we could afford two, however if I were in a position to buy another, I’d love to get the mare I’ve been riding. She’s a 15hh cob, only 8 but very sensible very safe and not ploddy - in my last lesson before lockdown we were doing leg yield and she was beautifully responsive. From what you’ve said it sounds like she’d be the kind of horse which would suit you too.

 

[wallbags]

Definitely the right size/breed. In my lessons I’m riding a 14.3 cob gelding, he’s 18 now and I’ve known him 8 years but he’ll be retired never sold.

 

[wallbags]

I’m a little bit older and taller than you, and before all this madness hit I’d started to have 1-1 lessons with a view to getting back into riding and going off on a hack with my daughter. I’m not looking for my own horse as sadly there’s no way we could afford two, however if I were in a position to buy another, I’d love to get the mare I’ve been riding. She’s a 15hh cob, only 8 but very sensible very safe and not ploddy - in my last lesson before lockdown we were doing leg yield and she was beautifully responsive. From what you’ve said it sounds like she’d be the kind of horse which would suit you too.

Definitely right/size and type. I’m riding a 14.2/14.4 gelding cob in lessons but he’s 18 now and will be retired but not sold.

 

[soapy]

If you like one of the horses you're learning on, just offer them cash for that. That's what I did 14 years ago. You'll probably pay over the odds, but you have the added benefit of knowing the horse and whether it's got any issues. I've never looked back. Probably the best thing I've ever done!