Opinions you brutal bunch !!

[oph]

I'm such a lurker here, but, considering a new horse - so would like some views please.

I have a reasonable budget that I am looking to invest so do not want an older horse. So that would leave a youngster right? No, I don't want a youngster-yongster, but something with is backed, safe and calm - as I am not overly experienced, I'd say with the right horse I can produce great results but I must gell with them 100%.

I am looking between 5-7, gelding or mare, betwen 15.1-15.3hh, slightly forgiving, to produce an PC/RC fun all rounder and maybe go further but I'm more looking to get it established on the PC/RC circuit.

I have tried a few in this age bracket (some under full condition) and find that they are generally unspoilt, no mallice but personality - my worry is we get home and they change or as they develop get stronger and full of it....

In your opinions do you think your average rider with average confidence could cope with a horse between 5 and 7?
Do it justice, or let it down?
Are you of the view age is irrelevant or a youngster would be a no-no for someone of my position?

Go on I can take it.

 

[brightmount]

[ QUOTE ]
- my worry is we get home and they change or as they develop get stronger and full of it....

[/ QUOTE ]

This sums up our experience of our 5yo 15.3 ISH mare exactly!

Perhaps steer clear of Irish mares!

 

[burtondog]

Will it be your first horse ?

 

[_April_]

I am avoiding looking at anything under 7 for this reason... they may be angels at 4/5 but then they have the can't to WON'T transition still to come

I've been there and done that and I just want something fun and sensible this time - my favourite so far is 10.

 

[Tiffany]

Obviously you could cope with a youngster depending on the horses temperament. Presumably you will have expert advice when choosing your dream horse and help for lessons etc once you get him/her home?
Just out of interest are you looking at a particular breed?

 

[oph]

First horse a loan horse for 12months - not a novice ride but never stupid, had a great bond with her and we achieved a lot, then bought an out of work Warmblood as a project in December, she was 13 though - but I would not want a warmbllood again. I brought her back up to near full fitness over 5 months, reschooling etc. So I'm not a novice but no bandminton rider either...

 

[oph]

[ QUOTE ]
Obviously you could cope with a youngster depending on the horses temperament. Presumably you will have expert advice when choosing your dream horse and help for lessons etc once you get him/her home?
Just out of interest are you looking at a particular breed?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have an instructor who will see any horse before I buy it, the horse will have 2 lessons and week and 3 days hacking and one day of maybe small XC or fast hack. I plan to have support which is why I am keen to get my RI on side on any horse, I wont buy anything they say no to.

No specific breed but no pure TB, would consider ISH, connie etc something that is a tad hardy, not a warmblood though - too needy for me!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
- my worry is we get home and they change or as they develop get stronger and full of it....

[/ QUOTE ]

This sums up our experience of our 5yo 15.3 ISH mare exactly!

Perhaps steer clear of Irish mares!

[/ QUOTE ]

Haha they don't mature with age either......my ISH mare is 17 this year and still acts like a baby! lol!

 

[Starbucks]

I'm not that great but always get 4/5/6 yr old and seem to manage! If you get a horse with the right temperament then I don't think you should have any problems.

Are you quite confident? I think that is the key with younger horses - especially if you are wanting to SJ/Event. You can have all the tuition/advise you want but if they don't feel the confidence from you when they are unsure then you might have problems.

I'd go for it!! If you are worried then maybe go for something that has done the basics and then you can bring it along from there.

 

[claireross]

I've had my horse since 3yrs and to be honest if he was the way he is now I think he would have scared me. Not because he is nasty but just because he has a typical welsh attitude.

The thing is if you can bond with them early on and get to understand them, then when they hit the stroppy teen stage you've already built the trust and it's not such an issue.

I have have no regrets what so ever and have just bought a 5yr old welsh cob for my daughter. Who fingers crossed will be just as great as mine.

 

[Booboos]

I think there are a number of 'stages' in a horse's education that don't always correspond to age directly as some are late starters and others progress really quickly, but roughly speaking:

- one to two years to start a horse properly, which would include handling, proper groundwork preparation (long reining, lunging), sitting on the horse, doing a very small amount and turning away. May also include introduction to travelling and small shows in hand.
- one to two years brining on a horse a bit. Basics of flatwork and jumping, hacking in safe situations (e.g. in company), may include visits to small shows and introduction to working in at shows, etc.
- two years to produce a more competition geared horse with more advanced training in flatwork and jumping, hacking alone and giving other horses a lead, going to shows, fun rides, etc. and hopefully a bit of a competition record.

I think what you need is something that has sensibly completed the second stage and is on the way to the third. It will have enough experience to know how to behave in general but you can still do a lot of fun things with it. I would imagine that as a rough rule anuthing under 6/7 would be too young to have done all this properly.

Good luck in the horse hunt!

 

[Flame_]

Ditto Starbucks. If you are confident on different types of horses and can sit in balance etc... you would be absolutely fine.