very novice nervous rider looking for a horse

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Tufty

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anyone got anything for my friend - cheshire/lancashire have tried a few dealers - doug aldred, alderoot, mark allman any other suggestions . have also tried private but most have been unsuccessful or failed the vet
 
its not easy looking for a horse for an experienced rider at the best of times let alone a nervous novice. can i ask without sounding cheeky, but why if she's so nervous is she looking for a horse right now? maybe she should keep on with lessons, get more confidence and experience, then think about buying a horse. also if she rides at a riding school, has she asked there about a suitable horse?
 
she doesnt ride at a riding school but have asked around at riding school and they havent got anything. she has just sold her horse because it was too much for her, but would like another. I am probably being extreme about how novice or nervous she is because every time we go to look at a horse for her that they say is suitable for a novice they are definitely not. she has been riding for about 6 years and just needs a kind quiet horse. sorry if this is confusing
 
tis a tad confusing cause i'm picturing something different
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just take ure time with this 1, she needs something perfect or her confidence will end up at zero, and its very hard when u loose ure nerve to come back from it. don't feel rushed into finding her anything. the right horse will come along. just be patient and don't rush into buying something unsuitable.
 
I am guessing you have looked on Horsemart? Try putting "nervous" in the keyword search, there are loads that come up. I do know how hard it is as I was looking 6 months ago - got my mare from a really good riding centre, so don't discount ex-riding school horses - they are not all nappy and most are pretty good with nervous riders.
 
I think my first port of call would be the farrier, he usually knows everyone's business and all about the horses. Good word of mouth is the best way. I personally have always bought via people I know or contacts.

You could start by the tack shops and feed merchants, phone the pony club secretary who will know lots of people and horses.

I have read so many posts of people travelling miles for what sounds a perfect horse and done it myself to be disappointed. If you can do a really good search of your own area it would be less costly and I am sure you will come up with a nice suitable horse for your friend.

I have even driven round all the local stables asking people and leaving phone numbers before now. If you are not in a rush, something will come up.
 
Number 1, they are out there..I have the most wonderful highland pony that I can put anybody on, although even she will move up a pace out hacking and is a total firecracker out hunting.

Number 2, don't know what you have been looking for in terms of size, but if your friend can get away with it then consider a weight carrying pony, even a teenager, if confidence is the priority for your friend

Number3, failing the vet. is that a problem, does she plan to go eventing or showjumping every weekend? Plenty of steady, slightly older horses and ponies would fail a vet but will still hack out, do some local shows, pop over jumps up to 3' (higher in some cases) and even do a reasonable dressage test
 
There are a couple of nice Highlands on Horsemart at the moment which would probably be suitable (I'm half looking out for a Highland youngster) just put Highland in the search. I know it's a pony but they are great weight carriers.

Good luck!
 
agree totally with you but she wants them to pass a vet, is probably thinking that if she makes a mistake or gives up riding altogether will have to sell it again.

I know it is difficult and yes this is one of the classic nightmare situations but she is really nice girl and I do feel sorry for her and I am sure she would be ok if she could just find Mr or Mrs dobbin.

I hope you all understand and have a friend like this.
 
I agree here - I had a terrible fall and lost my nerve for a while, the horse I bought had several things wrong on the vetting but I bought him anyway. I had no problem selling him on and he actually passed the vetting with a different Vet when I sold him!
 
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agree totally with you but she wants them to pass a vet, is probably thinking that if she makes a mistake or gives up riding altogether will have to sell it again.

I know it is difficult and yes this is one of the classic nightmare situations but she is really nice girl and I do feel sorry for her and I am sure she would be ok if she could just find Mr or Mrs dobbin.

I hope you all understand and have a friend like this.

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I have a friend in exactly the same situation and it really is tough. She bought a youngster on the slightly strange advice of some very experienced friends, and he was as quiet as anything to start with but is now really sharp and she's losing her confidence
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I hope your friend finds something, and I hope there are plenty of nice quiet ones out there as I have a feeling I will be helping her look soon
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I can recommomend www.stubleyhollowfarm.com They have lovely horses and won't sell something unsuitable for a person if the buyer is honest with them about their nerve and ability. I bought my mare from them 3 years ago and I know several other happy customers
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would recommend you keep on at the dealers i personally think mark allman is great and he finds you what you want in the end helped find my mums new horse after a few bad falls and no her confidence is growing no end
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shawny
 
I put an ad in the local paper and got loads of replys, because i put exactly what i was looking for, i only had a few hopeless replys, one woman tried to offer me a mare, when i specifically said i wanted a gelding
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it is definatly worth a try, as at least they will be local, and you never know what you will find, i found the horse that im having vetted tomorrow through my ad
 
If she is nervous then could you perhaps look for a horse on loan, that way she may find an older horse that she can get her confidence on, then in a couple of years when her experience and confidence has grown she can look for her own horse.

I only say this as some perfectly good horses are bought, sometimes spoiled, and sold on by nervous or novice people with the best intentions, for example the horse could be missold as being quieter than he is, do something wrong that is only small but to a nervous rider it can seem like a big deal, some horses feed off that and thats where your problems can escalate.

At least if she loans a horse, she could do loan with view to buy, she doesnt have the pressure of feeling 'stuck' with a horse and if it doesnt work out she doesnt have to worry about selling the horse on.

Im sure you would have no problem finding a nice teenage quiet steady horse to loan.
 
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she went to stubley and they tried to sell her a five year old that was green so it put her off

[/ QUOTE ] Was it unsuitable though, you do get the odd 5 year old who has an old head on young shoulders. I didn't used to think that, but then a friend bought a horse (not from Stubley) who was advertised as a 6 year old, then when she got there the bloke said it was 5. She had it vetted and the Vet said it was 4, she bought it and then the dentist said it was a 3 year old!! He is now rising 7 and has always been a star of the 'old head on young shoulders' variety!
 
I bought my boy from Alderroot - I can reccommend them in so much as they sold me a very good horse, who after a 4 year break from riding due to no confidence - gave me all the confidence in the world!!

Did they have nothing suitable at the time?
xx
 
Depends what she wants to spend but have heard quite good things about www.bomb-proof.co.uk or maybe look for a type that usually has a very steady temprament like a traditional coloured cob? Plenty of them on the web with searches such as coloured cob, gypsy cob etc.
 
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