Selling a horse to a novice?

oofadoofa

oofadoofa

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www.mearecourtequestrian.co.uk
I had a lady come to see the TB I have for sale yesterday. Link to ad hopefully!

http://www.trade-it.co.uk/category/horse...ng-5767923.html

When I spoke briefly to her on the phone she said she was looking for a hunter. Anyway, she came yesterday and it turns out she had't ridden for 30 odd years and has just started having lessons again and wants to buy a horse. She says she definitely wants a TB and has tried several this week I think. So I showed him off to her and after chatting whilst she was watching, I was a little dubious about her getting on TBH because of her inexperience. Well she got on and I was pleasantly surprised, she's still a little unbalanced cantering and was finding it quite hard to really sit to his canter but she had really good hands and he seemed to go really sweetly for her. Then we went for a hack and she had a good fast canter, pulled up fine and was grinning from ear to ear! We hacked down a busy road and she went on in front and the horse didn't put a foot wrong.

She is planning on keeping the horse in livery (and I would obviously check the yard out) so hopefully care wouldn't be a problem.

So I was just wondering if anyone else had sold an "unlikely" horse, if you see what I mean, to a novice and how it turned out?

Sorry it's so long!!!
 
My first horse was tb and although I had ridden from age of 6 didnt buy him until I was 41,Im now 47 .We were good team.We both learnt alot from each other and if nothing else he had good caring home unfortunatley I had to retire him with injuries.I have another tb and shes more lively .If hes going to experienced yard I wouldnt worry I had lots of help in the advice department and was quick learner 4 years down the line people ask me for advice lol.I also started lessons again.Finding good caring home is as important as good rider so have look at yard and trust your instincts.
 
I haven't but I find it really hard to sit to the blonde ones canter as she is so different!
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so could have easily looked like a numpty *wonders if just looks like a numpty anyway whatever she is riding*

I think I wouldn't be too worried if I knew it was going somewhere she had support ie full livery and was going to carry on having lessons.

do you think he would be the sort to start taking the mic with a more novice rider? (prob not as he isn't a pony!) If not then I should think it would be ok.
 
Thanks everyone. Yes, Cellie, everyone has to start somewhere don't they, and I think some TBs have nicer temperaments than some cobs that I can think of! And I'd far rather he went to someone less knowledgeable but was willing to ask things than to someone who thought they knew it all!

Ester I think she really was that novicey, she said she'd hadn't ridden for 30 years until a few weeks ago! But the horse is such a star, I really don't think he would take the pee where a lot of other horses would. And the fact that she was able to pull him up from a fairly fast canter in a big open field in just a snaffle makes me think he's pretty safe!

EJ, thanks. Are you sure you don't want just 1 more?
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he's a sensible age, so why don't you give her a chance?

she seems to have sorted out a support network which you can check out when you go and have a visit.
 
Lol, a girl I work with is considering a TB for her first horse and I've been trying to put her off
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However, the one she looking at was 4yo and a mare..

He looks a lovely horse - hope you find a lovely home for him, novice or experienced.
 
lol, not crackers yet!
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have known several tbs much more sensible and definitely more forgiving than a certain welsh I know. and she can stop so...............
 
I would trust your horse if he liked her then that would be enough for me. My lad can go really well for some riders and awful for others and it is nothing to do with experience.
 
I bought a 9yr old TB last year after a break from horses of 9 years, don't consider myself a novice but definitely not overly brave and not interested in loopy horses. Che is a little sweetheart, such a lovely nature and generally very even tempered and easy to do, certainly better manners than a lot of cobby, pony types I have known. I am a happy hacker and one of the questions I asked the lady selling Che, was, "do you think he will be bored, not doing much work" Her answer, was an emphatic "no, he's quite a laid back, even lazy chap". She was so right. So if you think they are suited, I would echo the others, if this lady is happy to ask for and accept advice from knowledgeable friends and is able to look after a TB properly then it could be a perfect partnership. Good luck with selling him.
 
I had some people come back to riding after long breaks, and it is a cliche, but it really is like riding a bike. The muscles take a while to re-develop, which makes it hard work, but you never really forget the feel, or things like having good hands, or seeing a stride - my guess is if she is happy in the school, out hacking, having a bit of a blast etc, she will be fine. I have never viewed TBs as devils in disguise, and have known a number of true novices get on very well with TBs.
 
im not sure i would be buying a horse after 30 years of not riding. Its not just riding the horse but also the time and commitment etc. I would get her back for a few more visits and go up the yard with her.
 
If they are happy together and the prospective owner is not a bloody know-all type, then I don't see why not.

I sold one to a first time owner, OK, I wish they would pull his mane, but actually I can't fault the way they keep him. They have sorted out a good support network and actually have the humility to ask when they can't work it out themselves due to lack of experience.

It's more about the attitude the person has than the amount of knowledge IMO...
 
i sold the grey in my siggy to a novice mother and daughter. he had evented to PN and was a little sh!t at times- could nap and try to take the pee. however, when they came to try him he was as good as gold (altho i couldn't watch as riding was quite bad
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) and hacked up the lane with them no problem. said he felt "very safe". he's kept on a riding school as a full livery so know he's looked after and think he'll be spoilt rotten. don't actually know how he's getting on- figure they would have let me know if there was a problem tho!
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i reckon some 'trickier' horses can be better with novices- they don't ask questions which cause the horses to react negatively...
 
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