Too much horse or a good future plan?

Paint Me Proud

Paint Me Proud

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 October 2010
Messages
4,166
Visit site
I know someone who is getting a new horse this weekend. Not the horse i would expect so wondered what you al think.

Person
15 years old
5'4"
Has alot of riding experience but still quite novicy at times (ie never gets the right trot diagonal)
Has had full loan horse before so know how to look after a horse

Horse
4 years old
16.1hh
Thoroughbred
Mare
Chestnut

The girl wants to eventually compete at eventing and SJ but has only done jumping in riding lessons.

I am thrilled for her that she has found a horse she wants but am worried about any possible problems.

What do you think - over horsed or just planning for the future?

And any tips i can pass to her?

(ps. i am not suggesting i dont approve of her choice - just want to see what theres think)
 
I got my first horse at 15, after having one on loan.
15.2hh (She eventually grew to that) 4 year old thoroughbred mare, ex racer!
With time and patience they can be the most amazing horses.
My tips for her would be:
Patience!!
Lessons!! ( a must!)
And.. Flatwork flatwork flatwork! :)
 
Personally I would say bad combination but I am prepared to be proved wrong. It's just the young (possibly raced?) TB mare in need of consistent experienced rider. Is she going to get that with this 15 yr old? Possibly. I echo damnation's thoughts if it's a done deal
 
Very difficult to judge without seeing the rider nor the horse but would expect it to be a poor match.

Can I assume that this girl has chosen her own horse and has non-horsey parents? If so, very very poor match....

I hope we are proved wrong.
 
Very difficult to judge without knowing more about the horse and rider. On paper, I can see some reservations, however I have known a couple of matches like this which have turned out to be perfect. Do you know where she is getting the horse from? ie private trader with full know history, dealer, etc?
 
My first horse at 14 was a 5yr old exracer. They require alot of patience and you must be confident but if the riders has experienced help and they don't mind putting work in it can work. We ended up competing Novice BE about to go Intermediate when i sadly lost him.
 
Well i've just bought my first horse (other than horses my mum bought) he's a 5yo tb, ex-racehorse.

I was a fairly experienced 15 year old, easily popping round 3' xc courses on our family horse at the time, and was experienced enough to get the right trot diagonals etc. I was very confident and was the one that always got on people's 'naughty' horses. And i can 100% say if i had the tb i have now then it would of been a disaster, and he's been relatively easy as far as young TB's go!

So from my own experience i would say it's a wrong match, but would be happy to be proven wrong!
 
It depends on the TB termparament as well. One girl that was experienced but nervous was getting on well with her 5yr old TB. It wasn't a brilliant match but they coped.
Another girl 15yrs old has a TB and she is a very novice rider but the mare (6-7yrs old) looks after her and they make a terrific team together.

It can work as long as she continues to get lessons :)
 
thanks for the advice. I am going to gently suggest they have regular lessons then, to keep on top of the tbs training.

Glad some of you have had good experiences and I am really hoping they get on well as it could be a lovely relationship if they do.
:D
 
I think it could work if she is willing to take in advice and can admit when she needs help. If she is having regular lessons and is keeping it on a helpful yard (possibly not a competative one so shes not pushed to far to fast) and most importantly the horse must have the right temprement.
 
i think it depends on how confident she is - some teenagers have lots of get up and go even if they are not the most stylish riders get a lot out of horse, more than perhaps a less confident but more perhaps more technically experienced rider.
 
The bit that I would say is not right is the 16.1hh full TB 4 year old. It is a lot of horse to manage if it goes wrong.

But it may work out. TBs are often kind horses and can be great fun. Just think a smaller version would possibly be better. But who knows? With the right support it could be great.:)

As for the chestnut mare bit...that is just rubbish!:D Nothing to prove chestnut mares are more difficult than any other horse.:)
 
Sounds like she is confident - which is 100% more important than knowing if you are on the right diagonal or not......if she were 55 than a young TB might be a problem, but at 15 - she should have lots of fun and they will both learn a lot as they aim for the eventing career - TB's are far more forgiving than warmbloods and some of the natives - I wish her well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top