To Buy or Not to buy?

alainax

alainax

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Hi, Im completely stuck on this question, and could really do with some imput.


I had my own horses all my life, worked as a kid/teen at a riding school, competed unafil sj etc... and all was great.

As an adult my 2 that I had had been long in retirement and sadly passed away.

A few years back I started riding for some friends ( placed an advert as a rider seeking horses to help bring on etc) and it was really awesome.

I got married and things didnt go so well, I stopped riding for about a year or so, my husband and I are no longer together and I find my self with such an urge to get a horse.


On the one hand I think ive got the perfect home to offer a horse, My dad has land if anything went wrong at livery , ive had lots of experience(although always learning :) ) and would truely love to spend my days back in the saddle.

On the other I wonder if its just a gut reaction. I only stopped riding really as I had put on weight and things were tough at home.

I thought of going riding for friends again, but I keep thinking id really just love to have my own horse again.

I can commit finacially and give it the time it needs, and hopfully give it a great home.


Ive been looking at livery yards near by, and trawling through horse adverts, I just dont know what to do.


Any suggestions?

Thanks :)
 
Go for it! If you have the experience, and able to commit your time and your money then why not?! You sound like you've thought it through and I'm with you alll the way!

Seen any you've got your eye on yet? :)
 
Gracie21 said:
Go for it! If you have the experience, and able to commit your time and your money then why not?! You sound like you've thought it through and I'm with you alll the way!

Seen any you've got your eye on yet? :)
Click to expand...

Thanks :) thats a really positive post and really made me :D

Ive seen lots :o

Ranging from projects -
http://www.projecthorses.co.uk/viewad.asp?id=50274453783103976
Youngsters ready to be brought on -
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/part_bred_horse_5_yrs_2_mths_15_3_hh_black_south_y/advert/246671

and everything inbetween :o

I guess im up for a challenge, ive brought on babies before and worked with projects and always found it so rewarding. I wouldnt be looking to do any serious competitions, just local shows etc.
 
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Maybe try a loan with view to buy then if it doesn't work it's not the end of the world but if it does you can buy the horse and it's all sorted.

Personally I can't imagine not having my mare and my thoughts would be go for it, but if you're not totally sure then the above may be an option.
 
The second one is beautiful!
But I guess it totally depends on what you want to do, how much time you can put in etc. Maybe a general allrounder would get you going :D

And thanks, I don't think I've made anyone smile in ages ;) :D
 
mynutmeg said:
Maybe try a loan with view to buy then if it doesn't work it's not the end of the world but if it does you can buy the horse and it's all sorted.

Personally I can't imagine not having my mare and my thoughts would be go for it, but if you're not totally sure then the above may be an option.
Click to expand...

I had thought about looking for a loan, but there just seemed to be lots of daft stuff putting me off :o

Like what if anything happened, and it got all nasty
or if I wanted to ride on random days and that didnt suit...
or if i didnt like the way the owner was treating/training...

I dunno, I guess im being silly, but Loan with view to Buy might be an idea... Thanks
 
Gracie21 said:
The second one is beautiful!
But I guess it totally depends on what you want to do, how much time you can put in etc. Maybe a general allrounder would get you going :D

And thanks, I don't think I've made anyone smile in ages ;) :D
Click to expand...

Isnt he just! such a handsome boy. :cool:

He's a few hours away from me though, it seems im finding it hard to find a good site that has horses in scotland. :confused:

( I even looked into how much it costs to transport professionally :) )
 
Another go for it!

I had had a long break before I bought my mare, and I had a dither tooShall I shan't I.. Very similar to you - dad had land which I could fall back on if the livery didn't work out! Fast forward seven years, the mare is still here and always will be, we have another one for my husband who I met just after I got the mare. We did have two ponies for my stepson, but thankfully he is big enough to share the big ones. We built a lovely yard on my dad's land, and bought the house a little old man used to live in nextdoor. We managed to acquire two labs, two cats and 15 hens too (all rescues). We are very happy but very knackered!

You get round problems that come up. You've the experience, plan and money. What are you waiting for!!
 
Good god the 5yr old is flippin stunning!!!
Good luck with your hunt.... I felt exactly the same about horses when I split up with my ex husband. I just didnt have the time to own straight away, work commitments.
I was SO lucky to find the most amazing share though, with an owner with whom I was totally on the same page with.
I had a perfect three years with them....and am now looking forward to the big jump into owning!
I like the idea of LWVTB because I dont have a 'type' (like with men!) so it is all about the bond... Im keeping my fingers crossed with an option at the mo....but have to wait til Christmas for the final decision.
Just go for it!!! It helps heal in the very best way pissible... I guarantee ;)
Q x
 
I'd say go for it. It does sound like you've had a good think about this allready.

I had a couple of years break from riding and as soon as I had enough money to buy and keep my own horse, I jumped in with both feet :)

The friesian is BEAUTIFUL!! :D
 
KVH said:
Ditto the 'Go for it' comment! ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks :)
Honey08 said:
Another go for it!

I had had a long break before I bought my mare, and I had a dither tooShall I shan't I.. Very similar to you - dad had land which I could fall back on if the livery didn't work out! Fast forward seven years, the mare is still here and always will be, we have another one for my husband who I met just after I got the mare. We did have two ponies for my stepson, but thankfully he is big enough to share the big ones. We built a lovely yard on my dad's land, and bought the house a little old man used to live in nextdoor. We managed to acquire two labs, two cats and 15 hens too (all rescues). We are very happy but very knackered!

You get round problems that come up. You've the experience, plan and money. What are you waiting for!!
Click to expand...
Its really good to hear of a similar story :) glad it all turned out so well for you! :D

q105 said:
Good god the 5yr old is flippin stunning!!!
Good luck with your hunt.... I felt exactly the same about horses when I split up with my ex husband. I just didnt have the time to own straight away, work commitments.
I was SO lucky to find the most amazing share though, with an owner with whom I was totally on the same page with.
I had a perfect three years with them....and am now looking forward to the big jump into owning!
I like the idea of LWVTB because I dont have a 'type' (like with men!) so it is all about the bond... Im keeping my fingers crossed with an option at the mo....but have to wait til Christmas for the final decision.
Just go for it!!! It helps heal in the very best way pissible... I guarantee ;)
Q x
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it. And I like the guaruntee :D
 
Mlini said:
I'd say go for it. It does sound like you've had a good think about this allready.

I had a couple of years break from riding and as soon as I had enough money to buy and keep my own horse, I jumped in with both feet :)

The friesian is BEAUTIFUL!! :D
Click to expand...

:)

He really caught my eye, infact ive been reading the freisan thread here lots and learning more about that breed - all very interesting :)
 
Once you see the one you want, you'll buy it and never look back. IME of course ;) It seems you have all the bases covered,
 
I recently bought two ponies after a 17 year break. I dont ride as I am very overweight so the ponies are to show in hand

I am really loving it, we have a smallholding anyway so the land and stables were there waiting to be used and the ponies have made the whole place come alive :)

So I say go for it!
 
Go for it, none of us get any younger and before we realise we will be too old and regret missed opportunities.

I never actually gave up horses, in fact I have more now than I have ever had, but I had not ridden for more than the odd hack, for 3 years because my ridable horse was very decent and I had him ridden/competed by someone who rode exceptionally well. The horse was always just a tad too much for me but I liked him and unless they have nasty temperaments, I keep my horses for life. Watching him was fine and gave me great pleasure and I was not bothered by my lack of riding.

That horse injured himself in 2011 and this summer I had to accept he is finished. Even though I didn't ride him much, in my mind I had a horse I could ride if I wanted to and when the vets told me he would need much more time off and possibly won't ever come sound I suddenly realised I had nothing to ride and I suddenly had a huge want to ride again.

It was very odd really, because I have been in horses for 40 years and done a lot with them. Half of me said, just give up, the other half said, get something you can ride and start again. (my others are babies).

My family said I would be even more un-bearable if I gave up and my vet, who is also my best friend agreed I should keep going. I was very very fortunate to find an ideal young maxi cob very quickly and even more fortunate when my family funded it !. I had decided not to go for another mega talented sportshorse again, I am too old and windy for that game any more.

The cob is green and a little rude, but I am really enjoying riding again. She is good in traffic and her schooling is making her nicer to ride. Quiet enough not to need riding every day, which is great because I can't be bothered, nice enough to be proud of owning and lots to look forward to.

So OP, buy carefully and enjoy !! good luck.
 
ditto go for it!

However please do think carefully about the type of horse you buy. If you've been out of riding for many years, and a lot less fit, flexible and slim, you WILL be more nervous and very rusty. A project horses may just break your confidence! :eek: I think you'd have far more fun with something sensible and ready to go, even if it's schooling needs some polishing.

P.S I don't like the black, sorry. Lovely colour, pretty head but it's neck and head is poorly set and it's bum high (and don't look to be age related).
 
I say buy but neithe rof those!
The roan is lovely but if they admit it can do stonking bucks and it rears why go there!
The black isn't my cup of tea anyway but why don't they have a single pic of it ridden, lots of pretty prancy in the field but you can't tell me they can't get a side on stationary shot of someone on board.
 
I say go for it too.....there are not enough people like you owning horses these days..!!! You have the experience and financial capabilities to do it so I dont see why not..?? So many people are buying horses without a second thought to all of the things you have clearly given consideration to :D

** Chants: Do it, do it, do, it** ;):p
 
I think life is too short for regrets so I would and have gone for it. However if you have a budget of 2500 or more I would get something you can enjoy riding now and not a project.
 
Some really great advice, and really got me thinking about maybe not getting a baby or project :)

Thanks everyone for the ideas and suggestions! really appreciate it :)
 
I would go for it too... You have the time and money and off course a back up plan if all go wrong ( your dads )
Life is to short and if you don't go for it now, you maybe saying.. If only...in a few years time if you don't do it..
You will get so much out of a horse.. :D ...it's very rewarding...:D
 
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