Realistic or Not?

I don't think its impossible as you haven't mentioned type. If your after a big flashy horse with all of that criteria then it would be hard. But it shouldn't be impossible to pick up a laid back yet forward, maybe not the prettiest,(but very suitable first horse) teenage cob for under £1000! ( not discriminating against cobs, I like them! ) ( maybe the lower end of your height criteria though)
 
Horse prices are low at the moment, but good, sound genuine all-rounders that would pass a vet are still making good money and I think you would struggles to find anything for under £4k. That said if you don't mind health-issues or a project or an ex-racer then you may get lucky.
 
Based on your description of your abilities, I wouldnt be looking for a project horse if I were you. Green horses need confidence and so do Novice riders so its not a good combination. Unfortunately I think your budget is very low for what you are looking for. To include tack etc, I think 4k is a better budget if not 5k.

Good allrounders that have some mileage so you can get on and go enjoy yourself with are at least £3000 even for something in its teens.

I've seen a lot of novice riders/owners come to my yard this year with new horses who are cheap, young and green. They just get their confidence knocked and havent been able to go enjoy riding as even the young horse with a sensible brain has pushed its luck with a novice rider to see what it can get away with.
 
Yes..that horse with that budget is in the stable between the unicorn and the pegasus. :D

Sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I'd be very surprised if you could find what your looking for at that price that doesn't need quite a bit of work.
 
Op please save up and double your budget. I know it's hard but will be worth it in the long run. I'm worried you'll find one cheap enough that seems to fit the bill and then they'll rapidly get too much for you to handle.

From how you've described yourself, I'd be wary saying you want something forward. It sounds like you want "riding school forward" which is very different and generally is any horse that is not worked over hard!

Please save up and buy a horse sold as suitable for novices.
 
You could look at an ex racer or retired polo pony. If you are willing and able to train and school you could get something suitable. If you want w horse that jumps that height you may need to pay more.
 
I think your kit budget is pretty reasonable particularly if you have stuff and are willing to get second hand tack. I ve had 3 English leather saddles fitted to my young horse and none were over £400
The horse budget is trickier. There are horses out there but at that price and height I think you are in ex racer territory it depends if there is one that you feel you could manage/ school on. Other options at this budget are young less experienced natives and cobs but they are obviously smaller and would likely need bringing on. You mind also find a teenage happy hacker but the dressage and jumping capabilities may not be there. I got my own horse for this budget but he was 2 and I ve backed him myself. As others have said a true all rounder who is competition ready , suitable for a novice and a safe hack is likely to be much more expensive. If you were interested in an ex race horse one of the charities might have a suitable one.
 
I would not expect some one with such a short riding history to be able to school/bring on an ex racer or any other sort of project. A first horse needs to be able to do the teaching, the op is not confident hacking alone, so really needs a confident horse suitable for a novice and they are not cheap!
 
I think you may struggle too. I have recently bought something similar to what you are looking for and had a budget of £4000. I managed to buy something for £3000 in the end but that wasn't including and tack or rugs. Although as alainax has already said if you look for something at the upper end of your age range then you may find something only slightly over budget.
 
I think the only way you'll manage it is to look at places like Preloved and Facebook, lots of cheap horses advertised in these places but you'll need someone much more experienced at buying horses than you are to read between the lines and do the trying out with you. I think you'd also be looking at the top end of your age range, as the alternative is likely to be youngsters, and with the best will in the world 3yrs riding experience is unlikely to be enough for you to have the best experience bringing a youngster on.

I've been riding for nearly 30yrs, shared for quite a few of those and have owned for 14yrs or so. My gelding was £1k in the summer of 2013, bought as just backed and hacked away 4yr old. He's beautifully put together with lovely feet and had a nice easy start but he's not been easy. I've seriously questioned my sanity at times. There's no way on earth I could have managed him with just 3yrs riding experience, yet on paper he ought to have been pretty straightforward.

I think your tack budget is fine though.
 
Need to remember op that in experienced hands many horses will be completely fine and never a problem but if this is your first horse you cannot be truly experienced and things can quickly go down hill. You might find a great one on long term loan tho. Just get someone very experienced to help you look.
 
I paid 2k including tack for my 7 year old section d, good breeding, good brakes, 15h, beautiful.

She is spooky though although will hack alone comfortably now, has occasionally bronced but not a regular thing.

I got her in wales, as others have said some areas are cheaper.

The freeads are worth a look, friend on yard just picked up,a beauty (again Wales) from freeads, he is incredible and in budget, won dressage locally first time out.
 
It is possible, just depends what type of horse you are willing to get? I got a 12 year old TB gelding for free who fits your description, he did race but has fantastic brakes even hunting in a snaffle :)
 
My last horse I got free to a good home because he was difficult to handle - not nasty, but couldn't leave him tied up unattended, had to lead him in a chain, and leave him on the box when not riding him at comps - but he was a total schoolmaster, took me happily round 80cn events, we did dressage to novice although he was previously competed to medium, hacked alone, no vices under saddle at all and never refused a fence, very forward going but totally stoppable. I was just in the right place at the right time! Got him for that because his owner was off to uni, and was panicking as he hadn't sold come late August, and she couldn't take him with her, and parents refused to look after him for her, plus he was 14.

That's the key I think. You won't just get one at that price - they are rare, and you'll take much longer to find a good one at that price. What is do is start looking, but be very, very strict with yourself, and keep saving at the same time. You'll get something that's right eventually, just don't settle for the wrong one!

To give you an idea, after my schoolmaster I paid 1.5k for my next horse - an exracer who hadn't been sat on since he's been turned away from racing. Also NOT a novice ride at the time (although 90% lovely now, enough for my novice friends to ride him supervised!). Personally, I'd budget 5-6k for a responsive but trustworthy schoolmaster type under 14 and in the most popular height range, but they are discoverable - just be prepared for a long wait.
 
I think you could find a nice horse if you look carefully and really test horse and seller . You don't want to end up with trouble that a dodgy person is trying to sell.

Why don't you try a charity, horses for homes etc.

Also an ex race horse would defiantly fit your bill.
They often have a bad reputation which is wrong.
That are excellent horses and very often bargain prices.

Good luck in your search.
 
smellsofhorse said:
I think you could find a nice horse if you look carefully and really test horse and seller . You don't want to end up with trouble that a dodgy person is trying to sell.

Why don't you try a charity, horses for homes etc.

Also an ex race horse would defiantly fit your bill.
They often have a bad reputation which is wrong.
That are excellent horses and very often bargain prices.

Good luck in your search.
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An ex racer may be suitable if it's been retrained and probably had a few years of being a "normal" horse.

It is not advisable for anyone with three years riding experience to take one on.
 
Why would any one sell a forward going sound horse suitable for someone nervous of having no brakes ,that hacks and jumps a little for £1000 unless it's at the the top of OPs age range .
 
Sorry, I don't think you have a chance :p Don't want to be mean but you have described the type of horse most people would want!! If I had a horse exactly as you describe I would be asking £4,500 plus. It does also depend where you live in the country. I'm in quite an expensive area!

You could get something if you are willing to make a sacrifice on some aspect. It might be an aspect that doesn't bother you at all. The horse would probably have to be old/have some kind of health issue (old injury, sarcoids, sweet itch, spavins)/crazy/very very green. I know two that sold recently for that price, one was 12hh and the other incredibly strong and not really schooled or jumping more than about 2'. If I had to pick one I would say look at something the wrong side of 15.

You might be able to get an ex racehorse. Probably not one that's done much. Would you consider a loan?
 
Kungfoo-hamster said:
I am an adult novice, having been riding for around 3 years (the first of which was in a riding school, the remainder on share ponies). I have confidence issues relating to the fact that I know I don't bounce and I have a mortgage to pay..... but I can W,T,C and pop a small jump, and I have competed my share quite successfully in some intro and prelim unaffiliated dressage this year locally. I am less confident riding in open spaces and have only hacked out alone a few times, preferring to be out in company.

Never been cross country schooling although its something I would like to try, once I have the partnership and trust I need with my own horse. I doubt I would ever get to the stage of cross-country competing at any level, but I might be persuaded to have a go at a show jumping clear round or two. Oh, and I have also done some small local shows too.
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Ooh so you're small enough to ride a pony? That might be your answer there :D
 
Pigeon said:
Ooh so you're small enough to ride a pony? That might be your answer there :D
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Was thinking the same as OP says her loans were ponies. You get more for your money with ponies and New Forests in particular seem to be sadly out of fashion at the moment.
 
Have you thought about buying a horse from Ireland? I know some wouldn't agree but you could pick up something from a site like donedeal for about 2,000£. It might be a bit green, or young, not having done much, but a lot of them look like they have the potential to be really nice alrounders given some time and patience!
Good luck OP!
 
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