Scared of making the wrong decision

[southerncomfort]

I think buying a youngster from a well regarded breeder mitigates a lot of the risk.

I did just that 4 years ago and that pony is my absolute world now!

If you're confident about bringing on a youngster then I'm not sure why you're hesitating, unless he really left you cold..?

 

[Flame_]

I’m trying to buy a horse. I seemingly have no idea what I’m looking for and can’t make up my mind.

I think the reason I’m being so indecisive and have no idea what I want is that I am scared of making the wrong decision. So i guess if I don’t make any decision at all then I can’t make a wrong one. That’s the realisation I had yesterday

I viewed a very nice horse yesterday. He ticks all the boxes that I’ve actually managed to decide should be boxes plus a few bonus boxes too.

But here I am not able to make a decision

Someone smack me in the face please

Is this a case of "head says buy the horse, it should do the job", heart says "meh", or did the horse make you briefly grin with excitement at the prospect of having found the equine partner you've been searching for, before you just started bottling it?

If it's a "meh" horse that's right on paper but just doesn't do it for you, honestly I'd pass unless you need something super specific like must be a total confidence giver, must know how to rear on cue, or must match fit into a team of four black section Ds, etc...

If it's right on paper, and it felt right to you at the trial, just have a word with yourself and get on with it, there's always a bit of a risk. If you really liked the horse but are wussing out, I'll give you a slap in the face.

 

[CastlelackSportHorses]

I would be the same but selling wise, I am always too apprehensive about selling so when I do get a client for a horse I make sure they take it on trial for at least 2 weeks, you cant know if its the right horse after one/two rides.
Its taken me 3 years to form a bond with the one Im selling currently.
I dont envy you horse shopping!

 

[Trouper]

Well he sounds like a lovely project - but it also sounds to me as if you are not ready to buy yet and you have not really reconciled yourself to losing the use of your own boy. I am sorry he is not fixable.

I always liken it to leaving somewhere looking back instead of leaving looking forward to what's ahead - I think until you are really ready to do that then no horse is going to match up. Perhaps give it some more time?

 

[ihatework]

I think I’m lucky in that I know fairly quickly if I like the horse. I have to want to see it in my stable and I have to be excited at the thought of working with it.

I generally think to myself, if this horse doesn’t end up doing the job for me do I think I can make it into a good horse for someone else or worst case scenario, can I afford to loose the money. Interestingly the one horse I purchased who at the time really stretched the bank, I insured for LOU and ended up needing it!

 

[anglo]

I’m trying to buy a horse. I seemingly have no idea what I’m looking for and can’t make up my mind.

I think the reason I’m being so indecisive and have no idea what I want is that I am scared of making the wrong decision. So i guess if I don’t make any decision at all then I can’t make a wrong one. That’s the realisation I had yesterday

I viewed a very nice horse yesterday. He ticks all the boxes that I’ve actually managed to decide should be boxes plus a few bonus boxes too.

But here I am not able to make a decision

Someone smack me in the face please

I viewed a few that on paper ticked all the boxes , but the moment I saw my lad I knew he was the one I had to have , before I even got on him. Not much help but I think its a case of when you know its the right one , it probably is .

 

[Barton Bounty]

I can only speak from my experience. I lost my boy, then a couple of weeks later a youngster landed in my messages. Not what I wanted and not what I was prepared for but by god I am glad I did. He has been an absolute dream and we about to celebrate a whole year together and he is 4.5 now. I can’t imagine life without him now.
Youngsters are easy if you do it right, and take it slowly
Buy the horse
ETA I bought from a picture never ever met him till he arrived haha

 

[zoon]

Is this a case of "head says buy the horse, it should do the job", heart says "meh", or did the horse make you briefly grin with excitement at the prospect of having found the equine partner you've been searching for, before you just started bottling it?

If it's a "meh" horse that's right on paper but just doesn't do it for you, honestly I'd pass unless you need something super specific like must be a total confidence giver, must know how to rear on cue, or must match fit into a team of four black section Ds, etc...

If it's right on paper, and it felt right to you at the trial, just have a word with yourself and get on with it, there's always a bit of a risk. If you really liked the horse but are wussing out, I'll give you a slap in the face.

Yes, I need the slap in the face. I really liked him at the viewing and then 24hrs later had created all these doubts. But they’re not specifically about him, just general doubts that will apply to any new horse

Maybe I am not ready yet as still incredibly sad about my boy, but at the same time I need something occupy my mind - I feel a bit stuck in this weird hiatus

I’m incredibly excited about my next baby horse to work with, but I can’t quite take the final step for whatever reason

Anyway, I’m going to see him again tomorrow

 

[AppyLover1996]

I was the exact same as you when I was looking at my youngster.

On paper he was absolutely everything and more I was after, went to view him, saw him in the stable, grinned like a fool and then broke down in happy tears (of which I have on video and I grin like a Cheshire Cat each time I watch it).

48 hours later, I was like you and had major worries and doubts. Over the week or so since I viewed him, I realised that I would be absolutely gutted if he sold, cue the money going to the breeder and he now resides in my stables and makes me smile with all his goofy antics and ways.

I've had moments where I've thought "Why did I buy a yearling when I haven't done any training for over 4 years with one!" but as Barton Bounty says - baby horses are incredibly rewarding when things are done slowly and time is taken. My yearling is the best decision I've ever made and I would happily make the same decision again and again.

You have the benefit of the youngster not being spoiled by anyone so a true blank canvas - I'd go for a second viewing, really spend some time and go from there

 

[webble]

Last time I was looking I tried 4 different ones before I found kiki, I rode him got off and burst into tears because it just felt right. I think you will know when its right

That said I am half looking now and its scary out there the number of dodgy dealers and not quite right looking horses

 

[Perfectpony07]

It’s an unstarted 3 year old I’m looking at, directly from the breeder.

There is nothing that I can see wrong with this lovely horse. I really liked him at the viewing - he was friendly and inquisitive, moves really well and is well put together. As a bonus is a cross of two breeds I love and is a fabulous colour. He’s also been raised as I would raise a young horse

My trainer came with me who knows the breeder well and she liked the horse too

My absolute soulmate of a horse had an injury last year that hasn’t responded to treatment so he’s likely to need retiring or light hack at best and it’s broken my heart so that certainly has something to do with it

Maybe I’m worried about getting another lame horse. I really don’t know why I’m being so weird about it

I know for definite I’m worried about spending so much money - I last bought 14 years ago so prices are significantly higher now!

Sending love. Maybe it’s just not the right time for you to buy again? But it’s one of those things isn’t it, is there ever really a right time.
No one can really tell you what to do, but maybe have a break from looking and try again in a month or so.
Listen to whatever your gut says. My mum always says if in doubt do nout & most of the time she’s right and you move on, but sometimes I wonder if anxiety is just the issue. Either way best of luck whatever you decide x

 

[nagblagger]

Anyway, I’m going to see him again tomorrow

Any update?

 

[zoon]

Need to ring my vet today and get a vetting booked

 

[Birker2020]

Need to ring my vet today and get a vetting booked

Gosh I'd have been on the phone the second they opened! I hope it goes well. Good luck. Try and be present if you for the vetting.

 

[CobsaGooden]

How exciting! Keep us posted. I am vicariously horse shopping through others currently

 

[zoon]

booked for next weds morning because I have a day off work. Breeder said she will get him trotting inhand nicely ready for vetting

 

[Barton Bounty]

Need to ring my vet today and get a vetting booked

Exciting

 

[southerncomfort]

Very excited for you!!

 

[zoon]

So, what would be the correct thing to do if he passes the vet - take the trailer with me on the day and take him straight away or arrange another day to come back with the breeder?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Ask the breeder which they would prefer.

 

[blitznbobs]

Remember not making a decision is also making a decision …

 

[PurpleSpots]

Personally I'd want to collect him on another day.

A vetting is going to be quite strange for him, and rather than further oveload him that day I'd plan to uproot him from his home on another day, after discussing with his current owner what time of day and day of the week would work best with regards his current routine, and any planned changes to his herd (if he has one) or life in general that are coming up so that he has as little to deal with all at once as possible.

It may also be beneficial for him to have a foot trim (if he needs one soon), be wormed, etc etc a few days before he moves so he doesn't have any more mental, systemic or physical stress immediately after he moves than can be helped.

You could also visit him a few times so he can get to know you better (and vice versa) before he's thrown into a new environment with nobody he knows.

(Not meaning to use harsh words to make anyone feel guilty at buying and moving a horse, just focusing on things from his point of view.)

 

[maya2008]

Ask the breeder. I have had requests before from a breeder to wait until a few days later for two to leave on the same day.

 

[SantaVera]

I don’t think the issue is the horse, the issue is me and being scared to say yes - because what if I’m wrong and I choose the wrong one?

Just love it anyway.its not a car you are buying.it might be perfect for a week and then some issue arise that you didn't expect eg it might not like wheelie bins. Never mind just love and care for it and make it your partner, time and patience and you'll have a best friend.