Opportunity to buy 4 yo, but have no experience with youngsters

[QueenT]

We always bought "ready" horses with some mileage past the teenage years - now I've opportunity to buy a 4 yo, seems easy-tempered, well-schooled for his age. But I have no experience with youngsters, and am hesitant as to what I am getting in to. It looks like a long journey from here, where I will basically have to teach him everything from here on - those of you who have experience with this, what's your advice? Most 4 year-olds that I know are super nice, only to try and kill you at five where they test everything in the book! :-D

 

[sportsmansB]

The thing with a baby horse is that every single thing you do shapes them for the rest of their lives.

You need to be confident enough that you would make the right decision in every situation, deal with the testing times, be confident enough to do all the 'firsts'- arena hire, competitions, xc schools, etc, and really have all their experiences be positive. You need the facilities and help to tick the boxes for their education.
It can be done and obvs people without prior experience do it, but just be aware of the importance of getting all those things right. Or you'll have the horse equivalent of an unsuitable lockdown puppy as a 5yo....

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

I say go for it most people who buy there first youngster aren’t experienced. Anyone I have known didn’t have experienced and it worked out fine.

 

[milliepops]

I think it depends on whether you're up for that kind of horsey life really. It's not care-free, because as SB says you are always conscious of the *firsts* and wanting to get those right. and you need to be resilient enough if it's difficult or challenging, to keep coming back from any set backs. I find it quite satisfying to teach horses new things like that but it's definitely one of those *sigh of relief* moments to get each of the firsts out of the way.

I like to have an established horse to enjoy and a green one coming up behind, it gives you a chance to relax on one and also stops me doing too much with the learner

 

[Alibear]

I did it for the 1st time last year. So far, so good, but that has been because I've had really good support from the breeder and backer and go back often to straighten out any issues. My local instructor knows them very well and keeps us on the same track. She is also happy to take on the firsts that I am not confident with. There are so many firsts too, far more than you think of and most of them don't even involve riding! It's fun but it is constantly challenging, there are times where I wished I had an older more experienced horse that I could just enjoy rather than constantly having to teach and support. But this is the only way I could afford the sort of horse I wanted and it is quite an enjoyable journey when we're on the up moments I'm aware I may change my mind next year.

 

[L&M]

I bought a just backed 4 yr old irish cob, never regretted it and has become my horse of a lifetime, and will turn 14yrs in January.

Never having a youngster before I have nothing too compare him with, but would say he was reasonably challenging. On the ground he was quite bargy but a dually halter helped enormously with teaching him manners. At 4 he was a doddle, but got quite sharp between 5-7yrs so had to keep him in consistent work and would only give him 1 day off a week - any more and he would start getting too big for his boots!

I enlisted the help of an instructor to help get his flatwork established, and she helped enormously as specialised in getting youngsters going. I was very lucky with his jumping as something that has always come very naturally to him, and jumped fillers etc from day one. I also hunted him which taught him how to behave in company, and certainly helped improve his hacking and tackling natural obstacles.

I am not a brave rider but for some reason he never scared me - he is the only horse that has reared vertical with me whilst having a tantrum as a 5 yrs old, but fortunately I think he scared himself more than me and has never pulled that one again! Out hacking as a baby he would plant if he was worried about something, but I learnt to make him go backwards and could always get him to reverse past most things. I also picked my battles - the first time we met pigs he had a melt down so rather than force him past, I took him home, popped up to where the pigs were kept and left a bucket of feed near their gate, and then long reined him up the lane to meet them. Within about 5 mins he went from a snorting dragon to happily munching a feed next to them and have never had a problem with pigs since.

The upside of having one from such a young age is that you can mould them to be exactly what you want - my lad is perfect for what I need and I know him inside and out, can read his moods a mile away and trust him implicitly. I have never had the same relationship with a 'made'/older horse.

But one thing I would say with a youngster is that you need plenty of time to help them learn - I was a stay at home mum when my lad was a baby so had plenty of spare time to indulge on him. You also could do with a good support network, maybe friends with older, steadier horses that can nanny you out, and people who can help if things go wrong. Facilities also play a part as I had a school and quiet country lanes to bring him on - I wouldn't have a youngster where I live now as the roads are way too busy and no menage to keep safe in.

Good luck!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

The thing with a baby horse is that every single thing you do shapes them for the rest of their lives.

You need to be confident enough that you would make the right decision in every situation, deal with the testing times, be confident enough to do all the 'firsts'- arena hire, competitions, xc schools, etc, and really have all their experiences be positive. You need the facilities and help to tick the boxes for their education.
It can be done and obvs people without prior experience do it, but just be aware of the importance of getting all those things right. Or you'll have the horse equivalent of an unsuitable lockdown puppy as a 5yo....

^^^ This. Couldn't have said it better myself.

I DID take on my first 4yo (just ridden) when I was an oldie rider at 57!! Never had a youngster before! But this little-one (profile pic) did come very well recommended from my trainer/mentor who'd backed her at her yard and I kept her at that yard for about 3 months and rode her out plenty with mentorship and supervision before she came home, and afterwards.

VERY very important to give them the right start. Mine is a pony: the super-intelligent type that only have to do something (or rather get away with something) just the once and there you are the habit is there for the next time!! What has been valuable in the intervening 4yrs is having an honest friend as a riding companion, who will be able to sit back and notice what is going on and will give honest and constructive feedback. I have really appreciated this! Because you sometimes get a bit sloppy and let them get away with something, and then before you know it you've got a bad habit, whereas someone riding alongside you with an eagle eye can see what's going on and you can then nip it in the bud!

Unless you have someone you really trust to mentor you and be there in case you need, I'd say however nice the youngster might be, then pass them by.

My big anxiety about taking on a youngster was that I would spoil what was a lovely little pony and by my own ineptitude, produce something that was unmanageable and unsellable! That was my biggest fear. Thankfully it hasn't come to pass, and I give all credit to my "support bubble" for that.

 

[AdorableAlice]

If the breeder educated him from foal to 4 correctly you should be fine. Assuming he is coming from his breeder to you. Geldings seem to have a 'Kevin' stage at 5, all of mine have apart from Ted The Twit but 'Kevin' moments can normally be sorted with a blue pipe poke for geldings. Not for mares unless you want a poke back !

 

[J&S]

If you know what you want to achieve with a young horse and have the confidence to do so then go ahead. Any wavering or confidence wobbles, get help in immediately. There has always got to be a first time for everything!

 

[QueenT]

^^^ This. Couldn't have said it better myself.

I DID take on my first 4yo (just ridden) when I was an oldie rider at 57!! Never had a youngster before! But this little-one (profile pic) did come very well recommended from my trainer/mentor who'd backed her at her yard and I kept her at that yard for about 3 months and rode her out plenty with mentorship and supervision before she came home, and afterwards.

VERY very important to give them the right start. Mine is a pony: the super-intelligent type that only have to do something (or rather get away with something) just the once and there you are the habit is there for the next time!! What has been valuable in the intervening 4yrs is having an honest friend as a riding companion, who will be able to sit back and notice what is going on and will give honest and constructive feedback. I have really appreciated this! Because you sometimes get a bit sloppy and let them get away with something, and then before you know it you've got a bad habit, whereas someone riding alongside you with an eagle eye can see what's going on and you can then nip it in the bud!

Unless you have someone you really trust to mentor you and be there in case you need, I'd say however nice the youngster might be, then pass them by.

My big anxiety about taking on a youngster was that I would spoil what was a lovely little pony and by my own ineptitude, produce something that was unmanageable and unsellable! That was my biggest fear. Thankfully it hasn't come to pass, and I give all credit to my "support bubble" for that.

I actually think my hesitation has a lot to do with your last point - what if I end up making a huge mess of a horse with great potential! ?

 

[Littlebear]

I actually think my hesitation has a lot to do with your last point - what if I end up making a huge mess of a horse with great potential! ?

To be fair plenty of people mess up well established horses too

Go in with the idea of having very regular help, if you are confident you will pass on confidence, if you are not sure and too doubtful leave well alone x

 

[Birker2020]

We always bought "ready" horses with some mileage past the teenage years - now I've opportunity to buy a 4 yo, seems easy-tempered, well-schooled for his age. But I have no experience with youngsters, and am hesitant as to what I am getting in to. It looks like a long journey from here, where I will basically have to teach him everything from here on - those of you who have experience with this, what's your advice? Most 4 year-olds that I know are super nice, only to try and kill you at five where they test everything in the book! :-D

Funny if it was the same one but I was sent a video of a smashing 4 year old yesterday afternoon from a dealer who has excellent reviews. Same one that was mentioned a few days ago that loans horses for a week to see if you want to buy them. Anyway I was sooo tempted, he didn't look too green, he'd popped a couple of fillers and was great out hacking, they did various things with plastic bags and hacking on the road, but he looked ID and I image he will be too big for my circumstances. Shame as he was a stunner.

I wasn't sure if I'd have the nerve to have a youngster as I'm the wrong side of 50 and I don't bounce anymore but if you think you will cope with the inevitable falls that come along and more importantly you have the experience or just the patience, then a youngster would be for you.

I've come to the conclusion that I need a ready made horse myself, I have the experience, but not the patience.

 

[Vodkagirly]

What are your circumstances eg hacking / arena / trainers. If you can hack out with others. School when required and lots of support go for it.
TBH regardless of age of hors I think most people need this in place when getting a new horse.

 

[Goldenstar]

I think if you have the right set up you should consider it if you really like the horse .
You need the time all young horses are different but many will go through a stage of needing consistent regular work , ask yourself honestly if this fits in with your life.
Of course access to a good freelancer will solve problems .
I think you should budget for some schooling livery in case you do need some help .
The time from now is intense as you need to introducing things all the time travelling to work travelling hack behaving at clinic the first shows but it’s all fun and it’s very rewarding as they grow you see them achieving things .
Everyone has a first four year old at some point .

 

[Catbird]

Hi, I just done this and it's a mixed bag to be honest! I've been ridiculously lucky with my horse's temperament as he's so chilled and sweet and takes everything in his stride.
The thing I completely didn't expect was my reaction to suddenly having a young horse (now 5) and all the responsibility of not messing him up etc! I had a huge crisis of confidence and almost sent him back. He hadn't done anything wrong, but I panicked as I'd waited so long to have a horse and didn't want it to go wrong!
I've spent the last 5 months working with friends and the most brilliant instructor who saw me at my worst and has managed to balance pushing me to do more, and holding back when I have a wobble day. She seems to love him which helps, and is happy to do things first with him so I can see that he's fine with it. Got a long way to go but it's mostly in the right direction
My advice would be to make sure you have support, funds and the facilities to make the best of it, and find helpers who you can be completely honest with. Good luck!!!

 

[Xmasha]

It can be a hugely rewarding experience, if the horse has been started and ridden away correctly. Just make sure you have a pro/freelancer who is used to young horses on hand.
Ive done it a few times now. I got my ID mare when she was just 2 weeks off the lunge. But she had a great start in life before i got her, and i used pros to do all the firsts. Its been a great journey.

 

[Sasababe]

I ended up buying a 4yr old in may when I'd set out to buy a "been there done it" type - covid prices caused this!

She is super sweet and honest but it's been really hard.

The "firsts" are endless. Tiring and stressful at times. When we go out to training etc. I can't go alone as she's not settled enough to leave on trailer or ties up. I hadn't accounted for the fact my partner and my 7yr old son would need to come everywhere with me!

Someone mentions where you keep them - I'm at home with mine with no arena. Nightmare. No company nowhere to school. In fact I've now sent her away for 4 weeks schooling as I was going backwards.

I think it can be amazing and when it goes right I feel brilliant and so proud.

But it's hard work. I wish I was a on a yard with friends.

Good luck!x

 

[Breeze05]

We always bought "ready" horses with some mileage past the teenage years - now I've opportunity to buy a 4 yo, seems easy-tempered, well-schooled for his age. But I have no experience with youngsters, and am hesitant as to what I am getting in to. It looks like a long journey from here, where I will basically have to teach him everything from here on - those of you who have experience with this, what's your advice? Most 4 year-olds that I know are super nice, only to try and kill you at five where they test everything in the book! :-D

I’d say go for it but make sure you have people on the yard that have worked with youngsters that you can turn too for advice if needed