To buy a horse

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Barney_Roy

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I am not expert on buying a horse, and therefore I am looking to buy a horse for me to ride to.

I would like to buy a horse who:

- Can ride for at least a novice level to advanced
- Can jump
- Well schooled (not lazy horse)
- Not injury prone

1) How much should I expected me to buy a horse (from the above 3)? I am not looking to buy a cheap horse neither expensive one. (Please do not include Livery fees, shoes, teeth etc - it is a separate matter)
2) Is ex-racehorse a good idea or should I go for different breed?
3) Where can I find them? Advertised from stables? Website?
4) HOW will you know that this is the right horse for you? You try them on? Will they allow it for you?

Are there anything else I should know before buying?
 
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Sossigpoker

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Barney_Roy said:
I am not expert on buying a horse, and therefore I am looking to buy a horse for me to ride to.

I would like to buy a horse who:

- Can ride for at least a novice level to advanced
- Can jump
- Well schooled (not lazy horse)
- Not injury prone

1) How much should I expected me to buy a horse (from the above 3)? I am not looking to buy a cheap horse neither expensive one. (Please do not include Livery fees, shoes, teeth etc - it is a separate matter)
2) Is ex-racehorse a good idea or should I go for different breed?
3) Where can I find them? Advertised from stables? Website?
4) HOW will you know that this is the right horse for you? You try them on? Will they allow it for you?

Are there anything else I should know before buying?
Click to expand...
Please go to a riding school first.
Owning a horse needs a lot of stable management skills and horse handling skills, unless you are going to pay for full livery.
But regardless, please don't think that after one ride you are ready to buy a horse.

A horse that you describe that is safe enough for a total beginner like yourself in the current market at least £15K.
Also be aware that talented horses are often not suited to novice riders/owners as they tend to be a bit more spicey (which makes them talented performance horses )
 
blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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Buying a horse is not like buying a car. A horse that a beginner can ride but can also do advanced stuff does exist but you are talking literally hundreds of thousands of pounds and to be honest if I had such a paragon I wouldn’t sell it to a novice.

you need to learn a lot more about them before you know what you really want to buy. Also some idea of what their welfare needs are would be useful to learn
 
Meowy Catkin

Meowy Catkin

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When you have lessons and you ride different horses, you will learn what type of horse suits you. This will be helpful when you are eventually ready to buy your own. You should also make horsey contacts (eg your instructor) which will be helpful when you are looking as it is important IME for a first time buyer to take an experienced horsey person with them to viewings. Horse buying can be a minefield even for those who've done it before and that extra pair of eyes can be really helpful.




- Can ride for at least a novice level to advanced
Do you mean riding school levels? Most sound and decently schooled horses can do that. If by advanced you mean Olympic level then a horse that can do that and accommodate a novice too are super, hens teeth rare.

- Can jump
Most sound and well schooled horses can jump perfectly well over low jumps.

- Well schooled (not lazy horse)
You have to keep up with schooling. A horse becoming 'lazy' with a novice owner could be down to the rider's lack of ability. If the rider is learning the basics and can't school themselves, it is often wise to have lessons and also have a more experienced rider school the horse. Do be aware that 'lazy' can be a sign of a physical issue especially if the horse was previously forward going.

- Not injury prone
We all wish for that. LOL! Horses are strong and yet fragile. Maybe don't go for a thin-skinned, fine type to try to put the odds at least a bit in your favour?

1) How much should I expected me to buy a horse (from the above 3)? I am not looking to buy a cheap horse neither expensive one. (Please do not include Livery fees, shoes, teeth etc - it is a separate matter)
Start saving now! Prices might start to come down but they might not return to pre pandemic levels and a good 1st horse will always be in demand and therefore command a decent price.

2) Is ex-racehorse a good idea or should I go for different breed?
Thin-skinned and a fine type, maybe not if you want one that is on the less injury prone side? They can also react pretty quickly which can be un-nerving for some learners.

3) Where can I find them? Advertised from stables? Website?
As you are on the H&H forum maybe have a look here?
https://classifieds.horseandhound.co.uk/horses-for-sale/

4) HOW will you know that this is the right horse for you? You try them on? Will they allow it for you?
You ring/contact the seller and arrange a viewing. Take an experienced horsey friend when you view and also get a vetting. You can learn about this in more detail closer to the time.
 
mini_b

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I would like to buy a horse who:

- Can ride for at least a novice level to advanced - not usually a thing. Mine isn’t a novice ride but an advanced rider wouldn’t be happy with the lack of “pizazz” he was just a bull in a China shop.
- Well schooled (not lazy horse) - 2 different things, a good rider can get a tune out of a lazier horse. You need something patient and kind. And possibly lazy so it thinks twice about doing something daft
- Not injury prone - literally not a thing.

1) How much should I expected me to buy a horse (from the above 3)? I am not looking to buy a cheap horse neither expensive one. (Please do not include Livery fees, shoes, teeth etc - it is a separate matter)
You pay what the owner thinks it’s worth. If you like it and it’s a good fit for you, pay.

2) Is ex-racehorse a good idea or should I go for different breed?
Not a good idea.

3) Where can I find them? Advertised from stables? Website?
Yousomeone to find one for you. Seriously. Pay them.

4) HOW will you know that this is the right horse for you? You try them on? Will they allow it for you?
You get your trainer to find one THEY think is suitable, you ride it. If you survive, you buy. It will be a donkey faced mismatched cob that’s eaten 3 children in a previous life but trust me, perfect for a novice rider and you’ll have the time of your life if you let go of any egotistical thoughts you have about fancy looking horses.

Are there anything else I should know before buying?
Get tons of riding lessons first. Years.
and stable management. Volunteer.
see if you actually like it. Horse ownership is all consuming in time and emotional energy.

For fast riders, we have fast horses
For slow riders, we have slow horses
For those who have never ridden, we have horses who have never been ridden

A bit tongue in cheek, you need a good sense of humour to be friends with a horse.
 
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Ratface

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I suggest that you find a reputable, licensed equestrian centre in your area.
Have at least two riding lessons a week. One individual, one a group lesson.
Request regular lessons in stable management. One theory. One practical. At least a year's worth.
Take riding holidays, preferably in challenging environments, like the Sierra Madre and Iceland.
Join the British Horse Society. Take every qualification, syllabus and examination available. When you've passed all these, think about the horses' needs. How can these be best met?
When you've done this, start thinking about what type of horse, doing what aspect of equitation you have enjoyed most.
Let us know how you get on.
I have been around horses an ponies for 70+ years. Currently, I own/ ride an Arabian horse who is distinctly "dramatic" on an almost daily basis. I learn something new every time I see him.
I'm conscious of the great gaping gaps in my equestrian experience, knowledge and wisdom. Constantly, I work at trying to reduce their size.
Humility and determination are vital in all aspects of being amongst horses.
Horses are not like clothes. They shouldn't be bought on a whim.
 
mini_b

mini_b

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Ratface said:
Re: a horse not prone to injury: I believe Harrods (Department store in London, UK) sell these. The Rocking breed.
Amazon also sell Tomi breed horses. Much more elegant.
Click to expand...

i am going to go against the grain and my horse has only once done himself a mischief in the field requiring stitches.

this DOES NOT include the “work” injuries and wear and tear of which there was a fair bit.

I just mean I was quite confident I wasn’t going to find him in the field with a leg or head hanging off. Fairly sensible chap.
 
ycbm

ycbm

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I've had good ones and terrors but never known which was which until I got them home. It would be worth a mint to be able to identify the ones that are field safe from those which aren't before you buy one :)
 
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