To buy or not to buy...

[Hutchlou]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and have the (nice) problem of whether to buy my first horse or not! I am a novice who has been riding since Sept and I am really keen to have my own horse to keep on working livery at my local stables. I do not work so can go to the stables whenever I like during the week and this is when the school is very quiet. I explained to my riding instructor what I am looking for and what sort of budget I had. She has now found and bought a 14.2 8yo mare who is lovely (and I have first refusal on). I rode her yesterday and she was calm and gave me an gentle ride in the school at a kick-a-long trot, but it was quite hard work to get her to canter. I am not a very good rider so this could easily have been me!! I also saw her in an earlier lesson with a more experienced rider and she faired much better than I did, though she still needed a little persuasion - she did jump well though! I want a horse/pony that I will gain confidence on and that will improve my riding at a good pace. Is this the right horse for me?!!

 

[Tiffany]

How exciting getting your first horse

If she's lazy off your leg that can be improved with proper schooling by a more experienced rider. The problem you will have is if there are different people riding her and they are mostly novice riders. She sounds safe which is what you want although if it was me in your situation I would let an experienced person school her and give me lessons and not let anyone else ride her at the moment. Money and time permitting of course

 

[Cliqmo]

Absolutely, she sounds perfect. There is no point riding/owning a horse that will react when you are giving them the wrong aids, them doing that wont teach you anything!

Also IMO it is always better to have a slightly sluggish first horse than one that you can't stop, because much as it might be frustrating having to keep them moving all the time at least it isn't dangerous or scary

 

[Divasmum]

I know you are keen to buy but I would honestly wait for a while. As you become more experienced the type of horse you will want may change. With the best will in the world riding since September is not very long. If I were you I would have more lessons, volunteer as a helper to get experience in horse care and then think about ownership.

 

[Hutchlou]

Hi Tiffany, thanks for your reply. I'd love to have her schooled by an expert but I really couldn't afford to! However, I honestly don't think she will be used very much by the school anyway - possibly 3 or 4 hours at the weekends - and will be ridden by good novices. I would try and ride her several times a week. Do you think she could still be unsettled rather than lazy? We only fetched her Fri pm and she did 3 separate hour lessons (incl mine) on Sat. My instructor isn't pressurising me to buy her at all and is happy for me to come up every day and ride her. I also want my 8yo daughter to be able to ride her when she (my daughter!)improves.

 

[ladyearl]

I'd say wait a bit before buying and get a bit more riding experience. Also you could work on your horse care skills. once you are in the "owner" hotseat you have a huge responsibility to ensure you take proper care of your horse. It sounds like you have a great instructor just now, keep riding this horse and others to get experience and enjoy it!

 

[Cliqmo]

I assumed from reading your original post that you were a child/teenager yourself and so had a reservation lurking at the back of my mind that horses might be a fad and you would lose interest. I suspect some of the other HHOers thought the same however I assume

[ QUOTE ]
I also want my 8yo daughter to be able to ride her when she (my daughter!)improves.

[/ QUOTE ]

means you are slightly more mature than I had given you credit for(!) and as such understand the responsibilites of horse ownership etc. I reiterate my original "she sounds perfect" comment, however also think it is a shame that your instructor jumped in and found you are horse so quickly, as looking is half of the fun!

 

[Hutchlou]

Hi ali_m - yes I'm old!!

A late-starter in the joy of horse-riding at 37! But I am loving it and want the opportunity to learn everything I need to know about horsecare and learn to ride well and feel that having my own horse now will give me exactly that! I am happy with my potential purchase and really trust my instructor - for me, my safety is first and foremost and I definitely wouldn't want my daughter riding anything too forward! I will ride her in the school, take her out to see how she is in traffic etc and watch others ride her over the next week or so and see if I'm still as happy!!

 

[Cliqmo]

I'm sure you will have an absolute ball

Post some piccies of her asap

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Welcome to the mad and wonderful world of The Horse

No advice re. the ned, you're instructor will know better than I.

...I have visions of you getting this one, then as time goes by, this one will be taken over by daughter, then you'll be in the market for a second neddy

.

 

[fartoomanyhorses]

The best advice I received when looking for a horse is to find one that I can't wait to ride again. I tried some fabulously schooled horses and some which were pretty mundane, but when I rode the horse I bought, I got half way home and couldn't wait to ride her again! Take up your instructor's kind offer and ride the horse several times or for as long as your instructor is willing to be patient for a decision. Remember, this is the horse you will have to look after in sickness and in health - both yours and the horse! Try a few others, I appreciate you are a novice so you must feel safe at all costs, and the looking can be very disappointing but this will help you make up your mind. Essentially its as difficult as finding the right man, but at least you get to road test a horse first! Enjoy and Good Luck!

 

[Hutchlou]

Hi, Is there an easy way to post some pictures here?!! I have now ridden Orla twice and also watched my instructor ride her (which she did make look quite easy - so clearly it is my rubbish riding rather than a really lazy pony!!!) I am still keen to buy her and am taking her out on a hack today to see how she fairs.