What horse would be right for me?

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annahill89

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I am eighteen years old, around 5.ft 3, weighing ten stone or so. I would say i am a fairly novice rider, with a fair amount of experience but still very nervous, due to bad experiences. I am currently having lessons and going on regular hacks to build my confidence as im looking to purchase my own horse. I wondered if anybody has any ideas as to what type/size would be right for me? I would prefer a laidback horse that is good with nervous riders, and is fairly small, or as small as is allowed for somebody of my heught/weight? Please help! Many thanks
 
It's hard to give you a specific breed - I had an anglo arab at 11 and was your height - he was a complete school master and so well behaved but no body would have told me to go for that breed!

Perhaps you need to look at ads that advertise horses that are good on the roads and see it all done it all types - depends on your budget though and what you want to do.

Maybe a nice cob x could be a good idea......give us a bit more info on what you want to do - do you prefer hacking etc?

Have you thought of sharing for the summer until you get your confidence up a bit?

Or of course you could do what I did and go out and buy a TB....not advisable! haa haa x
 
I would advise you to hold out until you are over your confidence issues or more experienced. Its such a huge commitment owning a horse and to go into it with a lack of confidence could be unfair on the horse you end up buying who could end up back on the market within a short time should things go wrong..
Keep up with the lessons etc and maybe find somewhere you can help/share until you are more confident..
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A nice 14.2 ish native cobby type would probably suit. Go for something older rather than younger that will give you a lot of confidence and you can enjoy. I personally prefer mares - they take a while to bond with you, but after that they will look after you. Your instructor should be able to help you to find something suitable. If you go for something with a lot of native blood, it will happily live out all year round if need be. No offence to Ty
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, but a TB ex-racer would not be suitable! Obviously take someone experienced with you when you start looking - there are a lot of dodgey people out there
 
thanks for all comments!!!!! i have a budget of up to around 5000 pounds but would like to pay slightly less than that if possible, although getting the right horse is more important to me than the price. i prefer hacking yes, dont really want to do showing, although would like a horse that could jump confidnetly with me?
 
I would agree with anybody who suggests sharing to get your confidence up and ease you gently into horse ownership..the BHS do a Horse Owners Certificate which would help you with the basics of management.

As for which horse, don't discount a native pony, you are the right size and they can be a lot of fun, and often a little cheaper and easier to keep..anything around the 14hh size would do well
 
Im the same hieght & my leg is taken up well by my 15.2. Id recommend a native (Id suggest connemara but this is personal preference.) Or maybe an irish cobby type?
 
I'd see if you could find a horse to share, your confidence should improve once you've built a bond with a horse. Also ask around maybe pony clubs or riding clubs. The more ambitious riders may well have the confidence giving horses that they have outgrown in ability.
 
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No offence to Ty
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, but a TB ex-racer would not be suitable!

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Definately not - that's what I was saying!

Difference is, although we had a bad time I didn't loose enough confidence to sell him (although I was pretty near!) so hopefully worked out for us.

That said, all the problems I've had with him have been my doing and on the roads he is bombproof and doens't side spook or bolt.....obviously not a novice ride though!
 
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Im the same hieght & my leg is taken up well by my 15.2. Id recommend a native (Id suggest connemara but this is personal preference.) Or maybe an irish cobby type?

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See this is what makes me convinced that you can't go for a specific type - MB's connie X is gorge but definately not a novice ride and he's nearly 20 -you'd think he was 4
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I would be open minded as to the type and size of horse.Look for ads selling older horses that have been there done it and got the tshirt types as they are most likely to be more suited to a nervous novice.I would go for something of at least 12 years of age for a first horse as at that age they are still in their prime but have enough life experience to not over react to things you do wrong and are generally sensible and more accepting of you.Steer clear of anything under about 8 years of age as they just don't have the same life experience and while they may be good and bombproof in their current home it doesn't mean they will be the same in a new environment and remember cob types are slower to mature and a sane sensible 5 or 6 year old cob may well turn out to be a 7 year old nutcase.
 
I dont think its down to just what type or breed. Its the whole package. I certainly didnt give that much for her and could not have got anything better if i had spent £10,000 because we are a perfect match. Of course everyone has ther own opinions so you may get conflicting advise. And by the way mines a TB.
 
I love my cob but there is no way she is a novice ride. i bought her from someone who had been told by a dealer she was suitable for a nervous novice and then she discovered she wasn't and was too frightened to ride or handle her. I would say don't get too hung up on size but get your instructor to keep an eye out for something suitable or ask any friends.
 
From what you say I'd stay as you are until you can handle your own nerves. A great horse can be ruined by a nervous rider very easily. Get your confidence first and then you'll be ready...however I think an older cob may be more your thing, hell what do I know
 
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