Novice buying a youngster - always a mistake?

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anniedoherty

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I am trying to find a Highland pony because I've rather fallen in love with the breed but I may have to face up to the fact that older, "made" ponies are too hard to find and settle for a youngster instead. Several people who have bought younger ponies have told me that it is do-able but as a novice who has never done this sort of thing before do you think I would be silly to attempt it? I am no longer young and I am not very brave. After my last disastrous horse buying experience I am keen not to make another big mistake!
 
I think you would be wiser to drop the love of the breed and find a 'been there; done that' pony of any breed. However, if you are on a helpful knowledgable yard or you have a experienced friend - I think it's achievable!
x
 
No I don't think it's a mistake. I've just bought a four year old for my 9 year old daughter and she's doing really well with him.

As long as you accept the horse needs schooling and the investment for the lessons to help you both along the way, I don't see a problem.

More importantly, you need a horse with a good trainable temperament. That's the same whether you're looking at a youngster or a school master. Schooling can come, but if they don't have the right attitude to work from the get-go you'll always find riding them a battle.

Good luck in your search. What happened with the other one, was he returned?
 
I think you can't go wrong with a highland - if you're going to take on a youngster thats the breed to do it with.
Aslong as you're aware that with a younger horse you MUST lay down clear groundlines, and do a lot of groundwork to instil manners and make sure they know that you are in charge, you can't go far wrong, but be aware you will need to take the time to school it properly and do the neccessary ground work and manner teaching. Once again Highlands are a VERY good breed for this as in my experience they respond very well to groundwork
 
I bought the grey tb mare in my sig as a 3yr old when I was 11, she was my 1st horse and I'd only had riding school lessons till then. Everyone I knew thought we were nuts but it worked for us and we've had a wonderful and successful partnership over the last 12 years. It could have been disasterous, I admit but it wasn't. Think a lot depends on the horse and it's temprement and I always had help and advice on hand from my YO.
 
Thanks everyone. Patches, I still have the horse which I was sold by the dodgy dealer. My YO is going to try and re-school him but he is still extremely nervous and tries to buck you off as soon as you mount. I am hoping that she will be able to gain his trust and get him going properly but, even if she can, I have decided that I would like to get myself a native pony again. I had a DalesX before and I just want to get back to riding being fun!

I would definitely prefer an older horse. My WB was just turned 6 when I got him and I think that is a good age. Not too young but not too old. I am on a very knowledgeable yard where youngsters are broken and trained so I would not be going it alone if I do end up getting a much younger pony. I believe that not all Highlands are suitable but that if I choose one with the right breeding I may be ok.
 
I don't want to preach but I would say give it a month for autumn to be round the corner and you will see older ponies (and other breeds) coming to the market as people reduce stock for winter. I'm not even looking properly yet for my next bomb proof, quality saint but I watch the web sites (Horsequest, nativeponymart, highlandponysociety etc plus the others that I like) to see new ones coming on. I know when you are looking it seems like there is nothing to suit you but I'm sure you will find one with patience (have you contacted Patsy at Stubley Hollow with your wish list yet?) Good luck.
 
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I am trying to find a Highland pony because I've rather fallen in love with the breed but I may have to face up to the fact that older, "made" ponies are too hard to find and settle for a youngster instead.

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How long have you been looking? A quick search on horsemart brought up a few older ones, so they are out there if you are willing to take your time and wait for the right one. Of course, nothing is going to be completely 'made' but from what you say I think you need a confidence giver that isn't necessarily a schoolmaster but has had some experience and doesn't need to learn from scratch.
 
Hornby, I've not contacted Patsy yet but thank you for reminding me. It was on my "to do" list!

Smash, I've only just started looking because I thought it would take some time to find the right one and I really need to sell one of my others so that I can afford another. I have had several leads but most have been youngsters. One or two people have said that they have got older ones but they have either not got back to me or the ponies have been show quality which isn't what I am looking for. Like you say I would prefer a confidence giver but I am very happy to put in the work to improve flatwork, manners etc because I've done this before and enjoyed it.
 
the_watcher, no-one contacted me so I am assuming that the pony has been sold? If you find out that it hasn't please would you let me know? Thanks.

I've not considered a New Forest. I am looking for something with a calm temperament which I can hack out on in relative safety. Ideally I would like to school a pony on with a view do doing some low level dressage but this isn't essential.

kayleigh_and_rocky, 7 to 12 years old would be fine. I would need a 14.1 - 14.2 ideally. The only thing which puts me off getting one from a non Highland specific site is that a Highland breeder told me that the problem ones can often end up on these sites. I am very wary about buying into another problem after my last experience. Basically, I bought a horse with a lovely temperament on the ground but nervous as a kitten when ridden.
 
Tried to pm you but your pm's are full so this is what i was gonna send you:

A few ads i've seen that might suit you - highlands are a lovely breed, im yet to meet a bad one!

14.3hh highland allrounder gelding, 11yrs old

14hh gelding 9yrs - cheaper than above one

Also on horse quest, on the highland ponies section, 6th advert down looks lovely, v suitable.

Also try the highland ponies enthusiasts forum http://www.highlandponyenthusiasts.co.uk/ and ask around, they are very helpful.
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I've not considered a New Forest. I am looking for something with a calm temperament which I can hack out on in relative safety. Ideally I would like to school a pony on with a view do doing some low level dressage but this isn't essential.


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oh, you must go and look at and try a few.

wonderful temperaments and very amiable.
 
I had my mind on a couple that Kayleigh posted too - horsemart is a good one to search by breed.

What is your budget?
 
Thanks Watcher.

Smash - I haven't really got a set budget. I've seen a few potential ponies which seem reasonably priced. The show quality ones seem a lot dearer but I'm not looking for one of those necessarily.
 
I would say if you're looking a confidence giver not to get a youngster. We have a 6yr old, lazy, quiet, not psooky but has put in a bronc when startled, which I think is reasonably typical of the younger horses until they learn what is happening. So I wouldn't buy a baby unless you are willing to deal with any problems etc.?
Good luck
 
Thanks watcher and tripleSandH. I am still hoping for an older pony but I have had 5 "leads" so far which have come to nothing. I think the good ones must be snapped up straight away before I get a chance to even look at them.
 
My first pony was a just backed exmoor x and I had only been riding a year. My parents didn't know enough to know it could have been a costly mistake!

Exmoors are notoriously not great 1st ponies but it worked out fine for us. We had great fun doing PC etc and then she went on 3 successful loans to kids who had equal amounts of fun and success. She's famous in the area as a do anything pony, so it can't have gone that wrong for us!

As long as you have a bit of help and support you should be fine, coupled with the fact you are looking at native breeds that are (or should be) a 'bit easier', I think you'll have no problems at all.

Good luck in what ever you chose to do!
 
If you're a brave novice I think you're in with more of chance as young horses can spook and buck.
It also depends on the horse I had to give up on my first youngster as he was a total loon, latest 6 year old is a saint and we get along fine.

You have the same with youngsters as you do with older horses, some are handfuls and some are easy to do.

I think a novice and youngster is general best avoided unless you have lots of knowledgeable on site help (they must have knowledge of bringing on youngsters) and a nice easy youngster to.

So an older sane horse is always a better bet in my opinion.
 
Thanks all. Alibabe, I am definitely not brave. I got thrown off my new horse a few weeks back and it has made me a bit wary of riding anything which puts in more than small bucks. I definitely want an older Highland but I don't seem to be able to find one. I would have plenty of help if I got a youngster as I am on a very knowledgeable yard but I would still prefer an older pony.
 
It depends what you mean by novice. I had ridden for 20yrs, but as a happy hacker and never really did schooling. I bought a 3yr old Welsh Cob, who had been broken to be sat on and turned away.

I made sure I had lessons every week and did things very slowly and made sure my instructor was with me everytime we tried something new or if i came across any problems.

My horse has just turned 6yrs and can, when he puts his mind to it, work beautifully. He managed to score 58% and 60% in his first dressage competion and I could not wish for a better horse. He is easily worth 3 times what I paid for him if not more.

As long as you aware that it will take alot of time and effort and you will come accross numerous highs and lows you should be fine.

Problems occur when people get 4yr olds broken and schooled and then expect them to be perfect from that day forward and in reality it doesn't happen like that.

Good luck with whatever you do, but I reacon if you just want a horse for fun and not serious competion you might as well go for it.
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I've ridden for 20 years too but I am still rubbish, unfortunately - lol! I'm not looking for perfection but I need a calm horse like the one I'm selling but smaller. I like the process of bringing on youngish horses. My previous two were just turned 6 when I got them. Not sure if I could cope with a 3 or 4 year old though.
 
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