Too much too young?

bikina

Well-Known Member
Joined
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298
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www.expeditionequus.com
Hi, I am looking to buy a horse, and the type I want (Arab) that are advertised at the moment all seem to be around 6 years old and only broken last year, selling at approx £3000. Is it me or does this seem like a lot? Also, although I have had a horse in the past, he was 10 when I got him and therefore not too green. Do you think a horse of this age (6ish) and experience would be too much for me to take on? And too young for what I want to do? I want a horse for non competitive long distance riding (20 - 25 miles/day 5 days a week)
 
I would look for an older horse that has a few miles on the clock - say around 7 or 8.

Arabs are headcases at the best of times - couldn't bear the thought of having one that was green as well.
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.......Arabs are headcases at the best of times - couldn't bear the thought of having one that was green as well.
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LMAO - i couldnt agree more!!
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I think it depends on the horse as to whether it would be suitable as a six year old, but as others have said arabs can be a bit loopy sometimes anyway so one thats a little bit older could be a better option
xxx
 
Our arab wasnt a headcase at all.

He was extremely loyal and would do anything for you.

However, Im not keen on 6 yos, its the time when they find their strength, get over being backed and think they should be the boss. Bit like the terrible 2's in kids!!
 
Ahhh, they aren't all bad! Mine was very green when I got him, only thing that made it difficult to bring him on was that he was too flippin clever! They aren't all headcases, honest!
Some are though, and in response to lemonade's question I would personally say that any horse only backed last summer is too young to go straight into that kind of level of work - 20-25miles a day is a lot for any horse really, you'd be better buying something already quite fit. My friend's mare was backed last autumn and she certainly wouldn't be up to that kind of thing yet,but then she is younger than that.
ets he was just 7 when i got him!
 
Why is it that people have to label arab's as head cases, they are wonderful!!. I have a yearling, because as your post said, they fetch a lot of money, I decided to play the long game and bring mine up to my standards.

I would have a ring round all the endurance clubs and get speaking to people, I think word of mouth is how they are mostly sold, you dont see that many advertised.
 
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Why is it that people have to label arab's as head cases, they are wonderful!!.

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I was being tongue in cheek!
 
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Well I have seen a stunning 6 year old, broken last year - but at an asking price of £3250, I think thats a bit much?! How much would you say it was worth?

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No idea - but probably too young to do what you want.
 
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Why is it that people have to label arab's as head cases, they are wonderful!!.

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Oh yes, my anglo-arab was wonderful
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................. but he was also a headcase!
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I would suspect that you want something that will hack out by itself and be 100% in traffic etc. I most certainly would go for a horse with the right temprament and quite honestly you would be far better off with a sensible cob type.

I have a lot of friends that do Endurance and some of them have kept their horses at my place. To be honest they where all nutty (Yes i know there are rare exceptions but they are very rare indeed -believe me).
 
Why don't you buy an arab X and have best of both worlds, I sold my arab x cob last year (too many and new baby forced reluctant sale) he was a lovely chap, 6 years old just broken and ridden away. He went to a fab home who wanted an alrounder to do it all. Here is a pic of him. Arabs are intelegent.
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