Standardbred x thoroughbred

[Mrsjenks]

We have decided against the full thoroughbred for various reasons and have come across a sb x tb gelding, 18years old 16hh. Have viewed him a couple of times in last few days, I rode him yesterday and he was a joy, he seems more like a 12 yr old than 18 in his appearance and movement, and very good temperament. The owner showed us a video of him jumping just last year, and said she has only had vets out for injections, she has owned him 6 years and he was her first horse. She also admitted that she was a nervous rider and that if he had showed even the slightest signs of being hot headed she would not have bought him. He is a true gent, giving kisses for apples, following from the stable without a lead rope (and one thing I like, not moving an inch when being boosted onto him). He is good with children, which is important as we have two little ones. He loves to be worked in the school and out hacking, road or land. Speaking to others on the yard he has never been known to buck or bronk (exept from when he's been let out in field) the owner is sadly having to let him go due to health reasons and has asked if she would be able to come visit him some time, she would have loved to keep and retire him but feels it would be unfair as he is still in such good health. What are your thoughts on this being a good first horse ? Like I have said before, I have been riding 8 months but am quite confident and have ridden an array of different breeds from a 4yr old stallion to a 32 yr old tb and a 13 yo cob who threw me off on a jump ! I am obviously taking an experienced tb owner with me to check him over aswell, and, if that goes well, will get him vetted . Tia for any thoughts !

 

[Meowy Catkin]

He sounds quite promising. I also like horses to stand like a rock as I mount. If he passes the Vet and you buy him, do you have any support? EG have some lessons on him and do you have someone to help you if you need to ask something? When I first got back into horses, having a sensible, experienced fellow livery and a good instructor was so helpful.

 

[Mrsjenks]

Hi, yes we'll be going to Upsall grange livery where there is plenty of support, I also plan to continue with lessons : )

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Fab.

I hope he passes the Vet.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

TBH, I wouldn't advise someone with only 8 months riding experience to buy their own horse, no matter where it was going to be kept. There are plenty of suitable first horses out there for someone with a couple of years' worth of lessons and a riding holiday or two under their belt but horses are unpredictable, will test the boundaries and can so easily damage the owners/riders confidence, as can be read about so many times on this forum. My advice would be to continue with your lessons, get as broad an experience as possible, with riding holidays and any training courses that you can access and if a year or two ask your RI to recommend you a horse to buy.

 

[hnmisty]

I echo Pearlsasinger.

And on the standing still to get on, Barry did that when I tried him out. I got him home, and it would be a 15 minute struggle to get on... Seller also said he's never seen the vet- that's just because as I have now found out, they had their own supply of bute so just gave him that as and when needed- no vet record though!

 

[Orangehorse]

Only 8 months lessons? I think I would leave buying a horse for a while and agree with the suggestions about more lessons, riding holidays, etc. Put aside how much any horse would cost for a month - livery, farrier, feed, insurance, innoculations, tack and bits and pieces, and use this to maybe have an instructional holiday where you learn to look after the horse day after day. Lots of people would be looking to off-load a horse at this time of year, going into winter. If you get something in the spring then you have the whole of the spring and summer time to work it and get to know it.

 

[NaeNae87]

I bought my first horse with only 8 months of lessons, that was 2 1/2 years ago. I still have him and I have no plans to get rid of him, in fact I bought another 12 months later. My horses condition has improved as has their schooling. They eat better than I do and have a better wardrobe than I do.

My confidence and ego have both been dealt a few blows due to falls, evasions and behavioral issues, we have had problems but I have had wonderful friends and coaches to help me out when needed. Those problems have been overcome and I am a better person and a better rider because of it.

If you have done research and thought long and hard about it not only time wise but financially, then it can work. Just make sure you have a good support network and the determination to not be put off when things don't go as planned.

 

[Mrsjenks]

Thanks for the advice, he is getting vetted on Monday and if all goes well we will be buying him, I have a riding instructor sorted, livery is sorted ,insurance sorted, my oh works offshore so financially we are in a very good place, I don't work so have all the time in the world to give him, my lessons will be continuing using Archie hopefully, me and hubby have not gone into this lightly and are more than aware of our abilities but we will work hard to become good horse riders and carers.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I certainly wasn't doubting your commitment and wouldn't be rude enough to question your finances and I do hope that the horse passes the vetting for you.
However, I have seen so many people experience crises of confidence (one with a Standie) in RL and read about plenty more on here, that I would always urge caution upon inexperienced riders. IMO the best way to become a confident capable rider is to ride as many different horses as possible in a variety of situations over a period of time. If you only ride one horse, you can only learn to ride one horse.