Total novice considering loan - am I mad?

A

alcraw

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 February 2010
Messages
139
Visit site
Hi, this is my first post on the forum, and I am after some views from more experienced horse people (sorry, it may be long!).

I started learning to ride as an adult around 18 months ago, having previously been frightened of horses. I've been having one lesson a week, and can currently walk and trot competently, canter variably, and jump cross poles badly! I absolutely love it, and have been well and truly bitten by the horse bug!

In the last month, I've had the opportunity to go out hacking on a horse being kept very close to my house. I've really enjoyed it - she's a sensible cob-type who has done everything, so I'm in pretty safe hands. Her owner is looking at selling, or would loan for 6 months with a view to buy, and I am very tempted, but concerned that I don't have enough general horse knowledge.

She is kept out all year with other horses, which is great for me as I work full time and would struggle time-wise with mucking out etc. I could afford the livery, insurance etc, and she would come with her tack and rugs - that side of things is all fine.

What is holding me back is that I don't feel I know the basics. I can tack up, change rugs, pick hooves and muck out if i have to, but I don't know about tack, what all the different sorts of bridle do (she has 3!), common illnesses, understanding horse body language... I just haven't spent a lot of time around horses until recently, so haven't picked up all of this.

I do have experienced people around who could help me (eg the owners of the other horse, and some family), and could take a stable management course or similar, and people tell me that leaning all of this is the easy bit... I just wondered what others thought.

That was long, so if you got that far thanks for reading!!
 
Welcome to the forum
laugh.gif


I'm sure some people will disagree with me but I think you should go for it.

The stable management course is a good idea and I think the fact that you have experienced people around is great.

Best bit of advise I can give is - Don't be afraid to ask for help!!

Good luck and have fun
laugh.gif
 
I think getting hands on experience is the best way, and if you have someone to help you then I dont see the problem.

It would be beneficial to do some kind of stable management course, or even help out at a riding school or similar for a few days to learn the basics. Things like tack etc I wouldnt worry about, if I ever get stuck I just ask another livery and they offer advice. Same with things like injuries/feeding etc.

Admittedly, I have learnt most things by trial and error, and lots of things I know could not be learnt from a book. If you feel safe on the horse then that is the most important thing.
 
As you have plenty of support I agree you should go for it! As long as you have some common sense and know when to ask for help you will be fine. The course sounds a good idea too.
 
Go for it! Will be a steep learning curve at first but one that you will enjoy. Make the most of the experienced people around and you will be fine.
 
I'd say go for it.....you've got the right attitude than what most people have! It's nice to see someone actually thinking it over rather than just going out and buying a totally unsuitable horse or ruining someone else's just because they think loving it's enough.

Plus...all the horse ownership things you're worried about....you'll never find out till you you own one will you! :P hehe

Go for it....plus you've got everyone on here too should you need any help!
laugh.gif
Sounds perfect, All the best x
 
I would say go for it - I was a bit like you when I got my first horse - there is only one way to learn and that is to do it!

Good luck
 
Hi
I would go for it!! The fact you are asking before hand shows you are responsable and only want the best for the horse!
A stable management course would be brilliant but everyone has to learn somewhere and you have experianced help if you need it.

Good luck hope everything goes well :-)
 
A lovely post from someone who really thinks things through - you will learn about horse management from the others on the yard, this forum and by reading good magazine articles! I definitely think you should go for it on the 6 month loan/trial and then you will know what you are really taking on.. Good Luck
 
Aw thank you everyone for the replies! I've been reading loads online, and have seen so many moans about people getting horses who don't have a clue that I was expecting some negative reactions, but you've all been lovely!

There's no pressure on me at all, so I'm going to spend some time working out the costs properly, and there's a few silly niggles which I still have... the main one is that one of the other horses in the field is a little.. um... unpredictable, and I'm a bit nervous around her (after she stalked me down the field with her ears back, and I had someone shouting at me to watch her hind legs, and get another horse between me and her!). I'd need to get over that so I'm comfortable with going and catching my horse on my own. But that's just about me getting more confident, and I'll only do that be getting more experience...

Quite scary, but very exciting!!
 
So good to see someone who is bothered!! The only thing I would say is watch how this lady handles the horse. See if she keeps firm boundaries. As it is so common for people to buy/loan and really quiet horse and not realize that each day they let him for eg 'step into their space. slow down at the gate or not go off the leg first time on the way out when he normally does. Lots of things like that can lead to bad behaviour

I would keep a diary and note the little things

Good luck tho you sound really sensible and caring.
 
I would get someone to show you how they deal with the other naughty horse, a lot of the time it is about positive body language and confidence and not taking rubbish! I have been known to chase naughty horses all the way round their fields
grin.gif
But getting someone to show you will make it easier and is also safer than trying it by yourself, so I would suggest that.

I think people moan about people who are clueless then go diddling on in their own sweet way, never asking for help or advice and making the horse suffer because of that attitude but it doesn't sound like you're going to be one of those people at all
smile.gif
 
Another one who says go for it!

I am a novice, took Ellie on loan December 2008 and haven't looked back. I used to lay in bed worrying if I had put the right rug on her, given her enough or too much food/hay etc etc etc. I still have no idea about bits and bridles, boots and stuff like that as my 3 are all easy to do, live out 24/7 and are very very easy to do.

Good luck, don't worry about asking for help if you need it and in no time at all you will wonder what you were worrying about!
 
hi another go for it!
in my opinion ur not mad! in my mind the best way of learning is hands on defo go on stable mangement course and see how the owner works with the horse also read books on how to do things aswell
NEVER be affraid to ask questions even if u think they will think ur stupid u wont learn without asking
good luck
 
I'm another who says "go for it" but one word of warning. DO get a Written Agreement (a template is available on BHS website) signed by both parties and a witness, with EVERYTHING in writing such as the terms of the loan, the price of the horse if you decide to buy, what happens if you decide NOT to but after the 6 months, is the tack and rugs included in the price etc. These are just some of the things I can think of at the moment but I'm sure others may have different suggestions of what to include.
Good luck and have fun.
 
Hi, definitely another go for it!
There are lots of good books and people who will be able to help you. My other half started riding two and a half years ago, I bought him the Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship. I have had horses all my life and we bought a horse to share and he learnt a lot from her, last year he bought his own horse and is now an expert according to him! Men!
 
I would go for it, but first break down the costs.
Livery, insurance, dentist (every 6 months- 1 year, can be done by your vet as horse may need to be doped), farrier, saddle fitter (once a year ish), back person (once a year, tho some people don't bother with them until theres a problem), hay, bedding (tho if horse is out isn't as much of a problem), hard feed, vet bills (vaccinations if nothing else).

If you are still happy after that- go for it.

Make sure you have experienced people around who can help you, read all the books, (pony club manual is quite good imo), and ask people or HHO if you need help with anything- usually people are happy to help!
smile.gif


I was a total novice when I got my first horse, and I couldn;t have done it without experienced people around me, and I picked up A LOT on HHO too
smile.gif


Good luck- it will be a steep learning curve, but totally worth it!
 

Go for it, but just make sure you have a good support network around you, horsey friends and a good instructor who can help you through. Years ago I did the BHS horse owners certificates 1-4. Starts off pretty basic and progressively gets more difficult but that might be a good thing to consider doing too, assuming they still run those courses!
 
[ QUOTE ]

Go for it, but just make sure you have a good support network around you, horsey friends and a good instructor who can help you through. Years ago I did the BHS horse owners certificates 1-4. Starts off pretty basic and progressively gets more difficult but that might be a good thing to consider doing too, assuming they still run those courses!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, they still run those courses. Good idea, too!
 
Go for it! I likened getting my first horse to having my first baby! Didn't have much of a clue but as long as you have more experienced people around you to call on in times of panic - thanks mum - then you'll be fine.
laugh.gif
 
Another go for it too.

Make sure you do the maths right, be prepared to get it wrong and never ever be afraid to check or ask for advise. As long as your support network is there at the start, you will never look back.
 
To be honest I learnt all about the basics when I got my first pony, as long as you have other people with horses in the same field that will help you with advise when needed you will learn as you go along, and she sounds Ideal as a first horse.
 
Every one has been so supportive I feel terrible for adding only notes of caution...

You *might* be better with a shared horse or one on a busy yard rather than a full loan in a field. That way when something happens (and as a first-time sharer after years of lessons/helping at RDA/lectures etc I can promise you that things do happen, however well-prepared you feel) you have someone you can call on immediately.

Have a chat with the YM (assuming there is one for the field) and the horse's owner. You might find both are willing to be involved enough. But if they don't have the time to talk to you now, I'd be wary about how much time they'll have later.

My 'owner' is fab - I hope this one will be for you too!
 
We all have to start somewhere and it sounds like you have thought things through. You learn lots as you go along, just as in lessons, you never stop learning.! Go for it, life is too short and the horse sounds perfect for you. If you have help and support from others around you then you shouldnt go far wrong. I used to have "Your Horse" magazine every month and learned a lot from that too, only cancelled it as have lots of copies in the house and complaints from OH about how many there are.

Good luck and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I haven't read all replies but I would also say go for it.

Get a book on horse care, and make sure you're at a livery yard with a pro active yard owner and lots of people around who can give you advice.

The basics of horse ownership aren't that different, so long as you can cope with her general care, and the rest you will pick up as you go, just don't be afraid to ask questions and read a lot! Magazines like Your Horse, Horse and Rider and Horse are good for picking up general knowledge too, as they often have articles about feeding, healthcare and tack.
 
Definitely go for it. I've kept horses all my life and I still have no clue what lots of tack and gadgets too! There is so much stuff out there and there's no reason for you to know all about it unless you have a need to. I just ask horsey friends for advice as and when I need it
smile.gif


It sounds like a sensible horse for you and like you said, there are plenty of experienced horse owners and friends for you to ask.
 
Go for it!!

I started riding about 18 months ago after a 5 year break and had to start back from learning to canter.

I have now completed and passed my BHS stage 1 riding and care and have done the riding and care training for stage 2. See if you can do these somewhere close by. My knowledge and general horsey know-how has increased so much because of doing these and Im now looking forward to getting a horse in the near future.

Read some books eg the BHS stage 1 training manual to get the basics but the best way to learn is to get out there and do it.

Good luck
grin.gif
 
Another 'go for it' if you think you have found the right horse for you. We always say that our 1st horse taught us 'horse-keeping', when we got him after 5+ yrs of lessons & reading up on the subject. We were lucky, he was very sensible and had been taught excellent manners by his previous owners. We kept him on a local farm with their pony and no 'experts' around -it's a long time ago and privately owned non-hunting horses were comparatively rare. We all, including George, survived the experience and sister and I have gone on to own many more. We've all got to start somewhere and you sound as though you have your feet on the ground (so to speak!).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top