Nothing Suitable for novices Anymore

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jessikaGinger

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Why is it every advert i look at these days says 'needs experienced rider' or not suitable for a novice

Tbh im not entirely sure what novice means anymore either?

i can walk/trot/canter have owned 2horses (have a VERY unpredictable horse atm) but i still class myself as a novice

Where have all the good get on and go horses gone?

In reality i am looking for what everyone wants 15.2 10yro done a bit of everything bombroof for around £2k

Does everyone have this problem or just me?:o
 
This is interesting often I wonder what that means on an advert ,sometimes I suspect it means the horse is a complete nutter sometimes that it's just a bit green also,peoples definition of experianced varies so it is difficult to tell.
You would think looking for a ten year old you would find it easy to find horses to view where as you would expect to find more of the adds for five year olds so say needs experianced rider.
However over many years I have worked out the only time you see loads os adds for the type of horse you buy is when you are not looking.
I think perhaps price is the issue I sold a ten year old homebred ( was too quiet to event ) it was suitable for a novice would jump 90 cms all day but did not want to go on did a good test nice hack and I got three times your budget for it perhaps the cheaper horses are cheaper because they are not staight forward and not for a novice or needs experianced rider is code for its got a quirk or two.
I wish you luck with your search you will find one you just have to persevere .
 
No, I just think the really nice horses are being snapped up quickly!

Currently looking for my first horse, (have shared for a few years) but if I like the sound of an advert and it says 'not a novice ride' I usually will give the sellers a call and ask in what way is it not a novice ride. If it's forward going but safe I can deal with that!

I'm also looking for the same thing as you! But from searching the net, it seems like for anything decent you're talking at least £3,500+ so I'm thinking of putting my search on hold and saving up a bit more.
 
It's your budget. You are lookin for what everyone else also wants (as you rightly point out in your OP). I sold a horse (younger than you want) who was suitable for novices and a total bombproof hack last year for more than double your budget and the phone rang off the hook for him. I am sure I could have got more money for him.
 
I think its a case of reading the ad carefully.

If its for a fancy warmblood or something with fantastic potential and needs a dressage/SJ/event rider, then experienced means something totally different to the average ned.

If its a riding club all rounder type then experienced rider will not mean someone who can school and train to a high standard. It means a competent rider who can deal with quirks which all horses have.

I would want someone experienced if I was to have sold mine in the past. No-one wants their horse to go a someone with no idea, particularly about management.

For that sort of horse I think you are experienced. Dont put yourself down. I do think the sort of horse you are looking at might be over your budget, even in the current market. You might have to do some of the work yourself.
 
I think novice is a hard word to define when it comes to riding, many people now seem to be looking for horses when they can barely ride, others have owned a horse and class themselves as experienced riders so when looking aim way above their ability. This makes advertising difficult so people just seem to put not novice ride to cover themselves if the horse has any life at all. I never put not novice in an ad, if they are sensible and generally safe I describe it as such then screen the calls to avoid complete beginners coming to try.

If I am looking I always read the rest of the ad to give me more idea of the standard of the horse and will phone and ask more in order to make a better judgement, if it seems that it is sensible a viewing is the best place to make your own decision.

You are looking for something hard to find, a genuine 10 year old that has done a bit of everything, will pass a vet and is in any way bombproof will rarely be for sale, if it is it will be worth significantly more than £2k. You really need to either widen your search or increase the budget.
 
i think my problem is im Very nervous of a horse a don't know, where as if a horse i know is spooky im fine :o

I think the whole ' going to try out the horse' is the scary part which makes me assume im novice

im definatly going to keep saving as im not in a rush to buy
 
maybe look for something younger. I bought a 4yo they said it was green and needed more work he was 14hh cob £1200. When we got his he was fine could do everything on him he was literally bomb proof and a schoolmaster. I had a 8yo loaning him hes was perfect to do in everyway a cobby plod. i asked why they said he was green and they said he just isnt great at working in a outline ect. but i was more bothered about having a fun family horse and he was great in everyway. I wouldnt just look around you can get some amazing bombproof youngsters i prefer them to be honest older ones. but good luck
 
I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons here but... Does anyone think this is at least in part due to the trend for blood horses?

So often now I see what I would deem a novice with a TB or Warmblood which they can't cope with, duly ruin and pass on to someone else.

A nice cob or native is a far more forgiving creature and will do each and every job the amateur rider wants to do but he isn't seen as fashionable enough :o(
 
What does the actual word 'novice' mean ?

This thread really made me think. I have owned horses for decades and done lots with them, but now, at over 50, not fit, rather windy and not requiring to leave the floor anymore, my ideal purchase would have to be classed as 'suitable for a novice'.

I would be unlikely to respond to an advert that says 'not a novice ride' because that comment to me, says horse is sharp, prone to a whip round on the road, needs plenty of work and is possibly not too genuine.

However, to someone else the comment may mean, horse is in front of the leg, light to the hand and willing in his work with a fair few buttons that a novice rider would quickly bxxxxr up.

Now I could ride the latter but would not even consider getting on the former. I do think advertisers should read the advert from a purchasers view and perhaps word the adverts in more basic terms actually detailing why the horse is not a novice ride especially when advertising pleasure horses that are bound to attract weekend/first horse owners.
 
AdorableAlice said:
What does the actual word 'novice' mean ?

This thread really made me think. I have owned horses for decades and done lots with them, but now, at over 50, not fit, rather windy and not requiring to leave the floor anymore, my ideal purchase would have to be classed as 'suitable for a novice'.

I would be unlikely to respond to an advert that says 'not a novice ride' because that comment to me, says horse is sharp, prone to a whip round on the road, needs plenty of work and is possibly not too genuine.

However, to someone else the comment may mean, horse is in front of the leg, light to the hand and willing in his work with a fair few buttons that a novice rider would quickly bxxxxr up.

Now I could ride the latter but would not even consider getting on the former. I do think advertisers should read the advert from a purchasers view and perhaps word the adverts in more basic terms actually detailing why the horse is not a novice ride especially when advertising pleasure horses that are bound to attract weekend/first horse owners.
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Well said AA, my sentiments exactly.

OP i think it's defiantly your budget. 15.2 ten yr olds that are suitable for RC & a novice ride are like hen's teeth :-) I'd expect to pay between £4000-£6000 for something like that.

As other's have said, you might be better to look for a young, but quiet, laid back, genuine cob or native cross? You should find one for your budget. Do you have a RI that could help you?

Good luck.
 
be positive said:
I think novice is a hard word to define when it comes to riding, many people now seem to be looking for horses when they can barely ride
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This I am afraid. I went to a show few months ago, and unfortunatly there were people there that should have still have been in the riding school. People yanking on horses mouths, and then screeching at them to stop when the horse ran off, and no steering when the horse ran towards the exit gate.

Yes I know we all have to start somewhere, and I am by no means perfect, but the above does make you wonder.
 
I have just had another thought - need a lie down in a minute !!

The horse I bought in 2004 was advertised as suitable for a novice. He was and remains schooled to medium level. I had my heart in my mouth when I tried him, but I can ride, I am just windy and was purchasing after riding the same 2 horses for 15 years, so getting on a stranger caused immense stress to me. I told the vendor this before trying the horse.

He was totally suitable for a novice rider because if his rider got it wrong he merely said "wrong button luv". However, he is forward, willingly and a tad spooky on the road, but will pass a combine harvester without batting an eyelid.

A 'novice' rider would get on him and need clean underwear, but he is truly suitable for a certain type of 'novice rider'. We are back to what does 'novice' mean ?

For the OP, save a bit more and up the budget, as others have said a horse suitable for whatever sort of 'novice ' you are can be worth a lot of money. Good luck in your search and don't rule out a older horse, mine was 10/11 and has given a lot of fun. He is 19 now.
 
To me, a novice ride is something that doesn't mind being pulled around but proably does not go very well as it is always being ridden by people who are novices - therefore not really ensuring the horse goes correctly.

I would far prefer to ride a horse described as a polite ride than a novice ride.
 
Because noone rarely ever wants to sell the true 'safe-ies' once they've bought them.

We happened to have a handful come in earlier this year who were complete safe all rounders, could put a complete novice on them to do anything on them and they'd go no different to someone experienced, giving you a fab ride [Couple of ex-hunters who were just mannerly and point and aim types, cobs which were seasoned hackers/school types.].

None of them stayed up for sale longer than a week, didn't have more than one person come out to try them and a couple bought before even advertising.

So yes. They are out there, but are hens teeth I find.
 
I had a falling out once with someone because I advertised my horse for loan as a confidence novices horse. I was threatened I would end up in court!!

To me this is like saying a novice ride but just adding an extra verb to it (think its a verb!!) My horse was safe, sensible, had breaks, didn't bolt, buck, nap and was fantastic on the ground. His only quirk was he would do the occasional spook and was an ex racer.

I think its so hard to define a novice, 2 novices can be at different levels of the spectrum. one can have experience but looking for a plod the other can literally be fresh off a riding school pony.

At the moment I'm looking for a loan for my mare who is a happy hacker. I have been her sole owner since she was a yearling. I've had maybe 2 other people ride her. She has always been a complete plod for me and other people who have hacked her out - pulls faces at you on the ground occasionally (typical mare type behaviour) but will stand and be groomed for ages and loves a fuss. one girl came and she nipped her mum - never done this ever!!! but hacked out brilliantly. Another girl came and couldn't get her to the track this was a lack of riding experience I feel though and lots of mixed messages and it just wound her up.

Since then I have amended my advert appropriately... so the moral of my ramblings.. read between the lines, a written advert on gives you just just the tip of the horse, there are many more layers and a phone call or email can never hurt. Quite often what I find hugely beneficial is if a person also adds a bit about themselves - almost like a little riding CV. For me as an honest owner it makes life a hell of a lot easier as I can say yes she possibly could be the horse for you or no - this too depends on how honest the person is responding to the advert is but once they have met and ridden the horse you often know then and there if they will be suited or not!
 
I think the description of a 'novice' rider has changed - more and more people are getting into horses as a new leisure activity, rather than those born and bred into it. Therefore they are less experineced and are often reliant on livery yards to guide the way.

I would describe myself as an 'experienced novice'. I have had horses all my life, kept at home, but too ride I only want to hack, compete at prelim dressage and jump under 3ft.....compare this to a buyer that has 6 mnths experience in a riding school environment and there is a big disparity.

i would say both my horses are suitable for 'novices', however if I ever came to sell I would vet the buyers very carefully. One can be strong on fun rides/hunting and the other can throw in an occasional buck, but 99% of the time are plods that I can put my 9yr old child on.

Or maybe more people are describing their horses as 'not suitable for a novice' as don't want to get sued if said horse dares to put foot out of line?!!!
 
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You need a bit more cash tbh OP.

To get a horse to the level where a nervous novice would be able to ride out on hacks, compete in local shows and feel comfortable and safe on/with, takes someone a massive amount of time, skill and investment to that level. It never ceases to amaze me that some buyers don't see or understand that fact? So should this paragon of virture be given away for a pitance purely based on the fact that they'll give it a good home?? No chance.

Also, as others have already said, they still want the warmblood?

A well mannered and safe horse is a success story, worth it's weight in gold, not a failed eventer worth little more than meat money.

Up your budget OP and keep your ears to the ground. Good luck.
 
The suitable horses are still out there but if you want one then you'll have to up your budget to afford one. These type of horses are what everyone wants & when something is sought after the price does rise. I read many posts with people saying that due to the current climate horses are being sold off cheaply. I think that some horses are but quality horses of the nature you arer after still command a good price.

Additionally I think many people put 'not a novice ride' in an advert possibly as a get out clause. People are all too ready to sue people for anything & so this may prevent it from happening & hopefully deter the complete novice coming to view.

A few years ago a person I know tried a lovely grey mare, she was great & did everything the girl wanted. I brought it home for her & she took it to a show, did a dressage test & it won. She took it out on a hack a few times however on one occasion she spooked at something. The girl then plagued the previous owner to take this 'dangerous' horse back. It was ridiculous, there was nothing wrong with the horse, there is no such thing as a bombproof horse......but the horse ended up going back. :(
 
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I think if a competition horse's advert has things in like not novice ride, its usually a get out clause for nutter, or at least ungenuine and tricky. If the horse is a native or all round type, "not novice ride" is more like to be saying that the horse needs someone with some feel and horse sense, not a straight-forward "kick to go, pull to stop, put up with everything else" type IYSWIM?

Not always, but generally speaking.

I think if you are selling something that might appeal to novices, like a mid-teens cob, that isn't really dependable enough to look after someone with no horse sense, its best to put something like "not suitable for beginner" or "not a first horse".
 
A lot of sense in this thread. Novice is such a vague term. 'Not novice ride' as a description was more useful when printed classified ads were charged by the word (I hate to admit I remember those days). If I was selling via an online ad, I would include a specific description of any foibles.

I'm not in a dissimilar situation to AA, much older than I was when I last owned horses and, although I evented/SJ'd/hunted in my younger days would not necessarily want to taken on a horse that is described as not suitable for a novice. I'm experienced, but rusty. So, in these circumstances, the onus is on me as a potential buyer to ask the seller the right questions before viewing the horse.
 
Just to amend my post a little I do agree with others when they say the type - safe/rc/worth their weight in gold type horse getting a good price still - if that is what you are after then an increased budget is the way forward.

If not and you don't mind putting some work ie in the school, then like before an email or call never hurts!
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
Additionally I think many people put 'not a novice ride' in an advert possibly as a get out clause. People are all too ready to sue people for anything & so this may prevent it from happening & hopefully deter the complete novice coming to view.
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This - How many of us on this thread would truly be happy about selling a horse to someone that has only 6 months of RS under their belt? Don't get me wrong, there are some exceptional people that are naturals after 6 months, but these people are as rare as the perfect horse :D
 
It is hard to define a 'novice'. I think some sellers will put this on an advert to stop complete idiots that can't ride turning up.
I am planning on selling my boy in a few years and will probably put this on the advert as although he is completely safe to ride (even though at the mo he's only been backed 6 months), he does like to 'test' people by stopping in the arena and refusing to move- safe but a complete novice might fall for it! He is also not easy on the ground- he needs firm but patient handling or he becomes a bit too much- I am fine with him but a novice 'rider' may lack the confidence on the ground. I would hardly consider myself experienced, but would put 'not novice ride' to deter people with limited experience of quirky horses (first time buyers etc).
 
badgermyers said:
I have a feeling that because people are so quick to send horses back today for every little thing that people are covering their own backs by not saying 'suitable for a novice' ect.
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Look at all the posts on here that say send horse back... its not right. Even though I keep pointing out, that if private seller, you have NO legal right to do this.
 
Having just been through this process I know exactly what the OP means. As everyone else has said, the definition of 'novice' is so varied and I can totally understand sellers not saying "suitable for a novice" in their ads to stop people with no experience AND no intention of getting lessons wrecking an otherwise nice horse.

For me, I wanted an uncomplicated ride...I didn't mind napping and spooking that isn't dangerous, but don't want something that will buck or rear as a matter of course. I've been riding almost 30 years but have had 5 years out so consider myself a novice (embarrassingly rusty). The difference is my seat is still moderately well balanced (can't get over how much having a child has changed that) and my hands are light. I suppose that's the difference between someone like me and a true beginner.

FWIW I find just making contact with sellers and asking to be the best bet. Avoid the ads that say "not a novice ride!" but don't discount those that make no mention of novices at all :)
 
wench said:
This I am afraid. I went to a show few months ago, and unfortunatly there were people there that should have still have been in the riding school. People yanking on horses mouths, and then screeching at them to stop when the horse ran off, and no steering when the horse ran towards the exit gate.

Above this. I am currently doing my BHS Stage 1 once a week (&wanting to do Stage 2 after) & have just started helping out at my local RS once a week & ride there twice a week & class myself as a novice as I have tons to learn so no way would I feel I am ready to buy a pony yet.The above riders I have seen at shows are unable to do half of what myself & my group peers do in our riding lessons. The riders in my group lesson either own their own horse or are wanting to purchase their own horse and we ALL do the BHS course together, we all have our eyes wide open & class ourselves as beginners.
Good luck I'm sure in time you'll find the right partner - maybe through word of mouth in a RS?
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jessikaGinger said:
Why is it every advert i look at these days says 'needs experienced rider' or not suitable for a novice

Tbh im not entirely sure what novice means anymore either?

i can walk/trot/canter have owned 2horses (have a VERY unpredictable horse atm) but i still class myself as a novice

Where have all the good get on and go horses gone?

In reality i am looking for what everyone wants 15.2 10yro done a bit of everything bombroof for around £2k

Does everyone have this problem or just me?:o
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How about this, they might take an offer http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/105858218/beautiful-mare-2500.html

this sounds lovely too http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/105942826/152-irish-sports-horse-perfect.html

Right am stopping now before I buy something myself!

or this http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/105504823/stunning-apaloosa.html I wouldn't be put off about him being about to be cut at 10, had experience of this and horse was laid back before and laid back after, made no difference!
 
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badgermyers said:
I have a feeling that because people are so quick to send horses back today for every little thing that people are covering their own backs by not saying 'suitable for a novice' ect.
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Yep, just what I was thinking.

OP, I also agree that if you want a safe allrounder you will have to up your budget unless you're willing to compromise on something, eg, an older horse.
 
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