warmblood vs anything irish?

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Harriephebs

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hello,
i am helping my friend find a horse. she is a real novice rider you could say. She has got an ex racer that she lost her confidence on and is now looking for something she can get this back on. We have looked at everything from warmbloods to irish but i know anything with irish in it is known to be super safe, supposedly. We have found a nice dutch warmblood but people down at the yard are telling her to be wary. surly this depends on each individual horse and you cant generalise?
 
i would agree..... depends on each individual horse dont rule anything out because of breed
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good luck with the search
 
If she's a real novice, can I ask the obvious - why does she have an ex racer?! I know some of them can be super horses but perhaps not for a total novice...!

All horses are different so of course it is hard to say. Personally, Ive had a warmblood - I'd never buy another. IMO they can have attitude problems. Ive had a friends ISH for the past few months and I love him! He's brilliant fun, safe but far from boring. They're really nice and sturdy as well so personally Id probably look at those. But Im sure you get bad ISH's as often as you get bad WB's! If she's that novicey, then why not go for a native x TB or something along those lines?
 
I know lots of nice ID's, ISH and connemara types and know quite a few opinionated warmbloods. If she is a novice rider why not get an overgrown connie or a native X. If budget is no issue you can't beat a nice Irish Draught. If you can have irish why have anything else between your legs imo
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There are good and bad examples of every breed; I don't think you can generalise (apart from about cobs - they are all vile
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If your friend lacks confidence/has a bad history of buying unsuitable horses, perhaps you'd be better to go to a reputable dealer, or employ a knowledgeable person to go horse viewing with?
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ok saying she is a total novice is probably not the right way to go about it. Basically she had a pony growing and then when that died she didnt get another (i think she was 24ish at the time had the pony from a 4yo)
She works fulltime and is a carer for her father and her dad wanted to buy her a horse to give her a break. A so called friend said he knew a good ladies hack for her. They knew her budget and she ended up spending £3500 on this bag of bones. Unfortunately he didnt turn out to be the 'ladies ride' he was sold as. She stuck with it for 2 years and they couldnt match. She can ride but is just a bit nervie. We went to see a big dutch wb yesterday who was lovely. I ride them first, he goes in a outline, rides like an armchair. I cantered him around with no reins. She got on and cantered and was like a cheshire cat after. We took him into a huge open field next to a busy road and she did tense up but i made her go off for a trot and he was as laid back as anything. A real nice horse but then the negativity coming from the farm is not helping her make a decision. i would add a photo of her but not sure how to on here. We have tried looking for Irish but there doesnt seem to be a lot around.
 
Think it also depends on what your 'novice' friend plans on doing? How novice is novice? :/ If she's not planning on being the next worlds top dressage rider or something, and she really is a Novice, then surely it's just more sensible to go for something more reliable like a Native or Native X (New Forests and Connies make good X's - everyone seems to say that!
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) and with the right training they still make excellent competition horses even if they don't look as flashy as Warmbloods or Sports Horses...

As for considering horses as individuals - I always got told that TBs were good for only two things: Racing & eating. I couldn't believe it and now have a lovely TB gelding who is as honest and genuine as anything, and he's perfect for me!
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So definitely go along and have a look anyway!
 
ANY horse can prat about particularly when you change their environment and routine and especially when they pick up on nervous vibes from the rider. I would be very suprised if a new horse didn't try it on at some point.
I think you have to judge on the individual animal and a warm blood is just a draft breed x TB which is what all the irish horses are anyway! IME if you want to generalise, ID types are honest as the day is long but stubborn and you need to be in charge. The ones I have had I've had one seminal moment of arguement but I've stuck to my guns and then I've been in charge. Warmbloods I've known it more of an ongoing process and as Magic said have more of an attitude. Any horse will have it's 'moments' it is just finding something who's 'moments' you can cope with.
 
Forgot to say because she is a carer for her dad she needs something that wont mind having a day or 2 off. this horse does seem to fit the bill. We are showing the video of him taken yesterday to our instructor and taking him if needed to see for him self.
Our yard is quite competitive and people can be quite negative but she takes all this on and thinks everyone with judge her, especially if she gets it wrong!
She would eventually like to do some kind of dressage test but she is happier, hacking out, schooling and having a lesson a week.
She is also looking for something that she can keep forever.
 
If she's found a horse that fits the bill, and so long as your instructor approves, and it passes the vet, then go for it!!
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Screw what everyone else on the yard says!
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You can't generalise about horses!! The same way as you shouldn't be swayed by colour, but people are.
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In my experience, I buy a horse to do a job, and breed doesn't effect this decision.
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However, I have had WB's, and they are not the easiest of equines, even if they appear to be sweetness and light!!!
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Irish horses, generally do have a more laid back attitude, and seem to mature much quicker. The WB's tend to be slow to mature, and often have some small quirks. It depends on whether your friend can handle these.

If your friend really likes this horse, it does the job she wants it to do (and very well), and provided that she has had a very fair trial, and assessment of the horse, and she still likes it, then go for it!!
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I would, however, have a full 5 stage vetting, explore the horses' history, ask lots of questions, and ask the vet to take bloods, and process them, before she hands over any money!!
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Good luck, and I hope she finds the right one
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I've only owned one horse in my adult life (had ponies as a child, but then poor very unhorsey Dad did most of the looking after work,I did the riding). Anyhoo said horse is a dutch warmblood and is a dream - really friendly and quite loving and despite being warned that people would be envious of him at my yard, he is actually very popular of his temprement and because of his solid no fuss outlook on life is often the yard nanny for younger and/or older more nervous horses. My lad is better for having regular work, he can get a bit grumpy and obnoxious (he's on 6 weeks box rest at the moment so this is the current mood) so in your friends case, a couple of days off won't do any harm so long I guess as it doesn't turn into a couple of months off! Like others have said, it's hard to generalise and the "cheshire cat" grin is probably more telling that other people's opinions, sounds to me like it could be a good match.
 
How old is the warmblood? I have heard of many Dutch ones, and experienced two out of two myself, who are sweetness and light at four, difficult at five and monstrous at six. If it's Dutch and not at least seven I would not risk it for a novice. Last year I was offered one free for rehabbing and another half price.
 
What exactly is being said about this wb? As others have said they can have their moments - I know I have got one and after a year are still working through his repetoire of tricks! - but it really does depend on what it does and what your friend feels she can cope with. Find out how much this wb gets worked - mine is definately better when worked pretty much everyday whereas my cob is pretty much the same all the time - just a bit perkier - if she has been off for a day/week/month. There have been horses sold off our yard which were not as described and if asked by potential buyers people here have been honest in their replies - largely because they didn't want to see anyone hurt.

The most important thing is she has to like the next horse - if you like them you can forgive them so much more.
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I had a warmblood and he was very laid back, he was a bit slow and dim for me, but a very nice horse. I've also known some psycho Dutch Warmbloods but you can't generalise. I've had two Thoroughbreds who were truly novice rides and one that was a bit of a nutter!
Your friend will just have to go with what feels right for her, surely she's going to be extra careful this time round if she made a mistake before?
As for the people at the yard, of course your friend has to be wary, you have to be when you buy any horse, but I wouldn't listen to them about being negative about a horse they haven't even seen!
 
personally id go for irish everytime. Warmbloods are primarily bred for their athletiscism and stamina. They are switched on and quick thinking so although this horse may seem suitable now, whats it gonna be like in 6 months time with little schooling and not as much work? having said that you can get this with any horse but i definately would not buy a warmblood for a novice!
 
Look at the horse for what it is, irrespective of breed. It doesn't matter what your friend buys, with horses you cannot guarantee nothing will go wrong. If its for life you can guarantee something WILL go wrong at some stage
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If she is having doubts I wonder whether she has really clicked with this Dutch boy. I always knew which horse was 'the one' when looking. I never had to think twice. There are lots of horses on the market just now and with autumn coming up there will be even more soon so there is no huge rush, though it would be a shame to pass on this boy just due to doubts on his breeding.

I would consider his size, age and history with novice/nervous riders. Personally big horses (16.2 +) and novices are rarely such a good combination unless trhe temprement is 100% right. Again, I would want a slightly older horse that has been there and done it all. Def 7 +. Lastly, what has he been used for? If he is used to confident riders he may play up with a slightly nervous rider - not stright away but in time. I would look for something that is used to nervous riders and who is kind and genuine with them - pretty much a riding school type to be honest.

I do like warmbloods and they shouldn't be written off as difficult. As a fat middle aged lady rider
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my safety is a prime consideration - yet I had no trouble hacking my newly backed 3 year old out alone last year. She was exceptionally well bred and I recently sold her to a professional dressage rider as a prospect for the young horse classes next year so she was no slouch - the pros don't waste time on rubbish. So yes warmbloods can be very highly bred but still reliable and safe! I also love Irish horses and when I am next looking for a horse, as a fat , old (never mind middle aged by then
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) lady rider I will not rule them out either
 
This horse is 9 and advertised as a schoolmaster/allrounder

she is going to speak to our instructor tonight so we shall see. I think we will see him another time and see if he has changed much.
 
I have one of each!

A 10 yr old Oldenburg, he is the MOST laid back horse I have ever had, he does a bit of everthing, he is a bit too laid back if anything.
then I have a 9yr old ISH who is a very anxious, spooky, quirky horse, who has loads of potential.

It depends on the horse, not the breed.
 
9 is a good age. There's no rush. Go back and see him, view other horses in the meantime. The right horse will come along
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Hmm - I don't think all Irish horses are warmbloods.
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If I had a pure bred irish draught or connemara I'd be inclined to think of it as its own specific breed and not as a warmblood
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Fascinating though it is to debate whether draught x arab/tb are 'warmbloods' or whether traditional continental breeds such as hann, trak etc are warmbloods, I think that would be taking over the post! I agree that Ireland breeds many fantastic horses, many with continental bloodlines and breeding such as Holsteiners, many with traditional irish bloodlines such as the ISH. Unless your into breeding (which I am) then I don't think breed matters too much as long as the horse performs and does what you want it to
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which is really what this post is about
 
My warmblood is the safest most bombproof horse I have ever had.He has however been well schooled by first owner for dressage. Push button ride, and v lazy. However now retired and I have just bought a "VILE" cob
 
It just depends on the individual horse, as others have said! Everyone i know warned me off a chestnut Warmblood mare but i sill got her and she is my angel. yes she has the odd moment but no more than my last horse, who was Irish Draught, or my New Forest pony.
 
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