Pros and cons of buying a horse in winter.

debsflo

debsflo

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Typically despite looking for months i have found nothing suitable so missed the summer. I have a couple of possible horses in the pipeline but am thinking this is the worst time to buy a new horse due to the weather ,increased cost over winter ,more difficult to ride and that they tend to be sharper in winter generally. Bit anxious about getting to know a new horse anyway after owning and riding the same horse for 15 years but also dont want to miss out on a good horse. Please give me the pros and cons of new horses in winter. I can keep at livery over the winter,i couldnt ride at all in the week if at home.
 
Pros- horses are cheaper, or if not advertised as cheaper, maybe a bargain can be struck. Also, there is no pressure to go compete straight away. Also, if you like hunting it is the perfect time!

Cons - It is just harder! Also, the horse may have sweet itch or be a headshaker. It is more expensive, the horse may be naughty, it is just not as NICE!
 
Pros:
- Horses can be cheaper
- They tend to be fitter with a summer of competing/proper work under their belt
- You have the winter to bond with them and get to know them so you're ready to rock for summer shows
- You can tell pretty quickly if theyre a poor doer or identify issues such as mud fever etc

Cons:
- They could be a headshaker or have sweet itch
- They could be a very good doer!
- Harder to ride in winter (if you don't have an indoor) so less schooling time etc
- Harder to find a decent horse as most yards or people are selling the ones they can't afford to keep and are hanging onto their favourites
- Horse can be fresher in winter putting you off to a bad start

Personally I'd only buy in late spring, summer or early autumn - having a headshaker I wouldn't take the risk again.
 
We were planning to look in the spring for a new pony, but have unexpectedly found one right now. As ours will be a bit of a step up,we are hoping that the winter will be a good time to get to know him,to ride in arenas and do lots of PC before the show season and the fields are dry enough to ride on. If he is a bit sharper due to the cold,hopefully my daughter will find him a doddle come the warmer weather.
Interestingly, I've been offered 4 really good ponies in the past 2 months. A lot of PC homes keep them for camp,then move them on before the winter sets in,so the child can get to know a new one over the winter.
 
nato said:
Pros:
- Horses can be cheaper
- They tend to be fitter with a summer of competing/proper work under their belt
- You have the winter to bond with them and get to know them so you're ready to rock for summer shows
- You can tell pretty quickly if theyre a poor doer or identify issues such as mud fever etc

Cons:
- They could be a headshaker or have sweet itch
- They could be a very good doer!
- Harder to ride in winter (if you don't have an indoor) so less schooling time etc
- Harder to find a decent horse as most yards or people are selling the ones they can't afford to keep and are hanging onto their favourites
- Horse can be fresher in winter putting you off to a bad start

Personally I'd only buy in late spring, summer or early autumn - having a headshaker I wouldn't take the risk again.
Click to expand...

Ditto the above, ask for lots of summer pics and videos from summer and ask in writing if the horse suffers from head shaking/sweet itch (I've never had a head shaker but own one with itch and 10ft barge pole springs to mind although his loaner manages it well)
On a plus side less riding over winter does give you more ground time to bond without the added stress of 'work' for the horse so that often reflects well when full ridden duties can commence in spring/summer BUT then again some horses go nuts out of work (this would never work for me as mine all have winter off due to lack of time/light and facilities although buying an unfit out if work horse that's relaxed may go crazy when it's in full work!) so actually it doesn't really matter what time of year you buy if a seller isn't honest they aren't honest end of. Good luck! 😃
 
Another thing to watch is if a mare it can be difficult to judge how mareish she is. A friend had a horrid experience - mare was lovely in winter, but a nightmare (unridable) in summer.
Oh, and how they react to flies. Years ago I rode a lovely mare who got genuinely distressed with flies - she was fine riding on an open windy hillside - but forest based ride the flies were so bad I had to give up!
I've bought in Autumn before - but buying from a known yard and had an indoor school to work and spend lots of time getting to know each other.
Good luck with your search.
 
Agree with above about sweet itch, mares and headshaking. On the plus side you can tell if it clips!! I think that you have to go with the flow......if there is one you really like then I would not let the time of year put you off.
 
Another pro I would mention is that the winter tends to force you into a strickter routine, which can help you and the new horse settle together.
 
There's a con to buying a horse?? 😉

On a serious note, winter is a fantastic time to buy. There is no pressure to ride too soon. You can concentrate on getting to know your horse by caring for him/her.

I got my first pony in January and I can't say I noticed that winter. I think it gave me purpose if anything.
 
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