What kind of horse should i be looking for?

ChasingTheDream

ChasingTheDream

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Hi, I'm new to this forum :)

I currently do not have a horse, but i am looking. :)

I am fifteen years old, and about 5'9", I weigh about seven/eight stone.
I've ridden since I was three.

I have completed my BHS stage 1 exam, and I'm training towards my stage two.

I am looking for a 16 - 17hh, around 8 - 10 years old. I'm looking mainly to do a bit of dressage, and hacking, with the odd jump, and cross country show, but in all honesty I'm nervous jumping so the jumps would only be small.


From what I've said about myself, do you think I'd be okay to look for a 16 - 17 hh horse, or am i over horsing myself? - Please be honest, I'd much rather know now, rather than three months down the line when I've lost all my confidence.

Thanks :)
 
I am 5'9" also and have a 16.3H. I dont think its the height which should be your main concern as you are tall and are not going to look like a pea on a drum on anything below 18h. You need to be looking temprament and nature of the horse. Overhorsing yourself is usually about getting something which is too quirky or sharp which will cause you to loose your confidence
 
Wel come and how exciting!!!

You are quite tall so you would need a horse that could take your leg, 16-17hh doesn't sound unreasonable although it depends on the horse. At the same time you are quite light-weight so I think you might find the more LW horses easier.

More important than size though is temperament! 8-10 years old is a reasonable age but don't discount an older horse, especially one that's been there, done it and is ready to show it all to you at a slower pace. Is there someone who can help you with the purchase? If you have an instructor it's really worth asking him/her to come along to viewings and give you another opinion on whether the horse is suitable. Word of mouth is also a good way of finding a reliable horse, perhaps a horse that's been outgrown by its current owner but is ready to show someone else the ropes.

Good luck!
 
Simsar - thanks, have replied :)

Booboos said:
Wel come and how exciting!!!

You are quite tall so you would need a horse that could take your leg, 16-17hh doesn't sound unreasonable although it depends on the horse. At the same time you are quite light-weight so I think you might find the more LW horses easier.

More important than size though is temperament! 8-10 years old is a reasonable age but don't discount an older horse, especially one that's been there, done it and is ready to show it all to you at a slower pace. Is there someone who can help you with the purchase? If you have an instructor it's really worth asking him/her to come along to viewings and give you another opinion on whether the horse is suitable. Word of mouth is also a good way of finding a reliable horse, perhaps a horse that's been outgrown by its current owner but is ready to show someone else the ropes.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I have an instructor who would come to viewings, but he charges £50 for each viewing, so tbh, i'd either try and find someone else, or try the horse myself first, and then if i liked him or her, ask him to come along (does that make sense?)
It a good idea about word of mouth, havent really thought about it before, bt the feed store hasa big board full of horses for loan or sale, so i might pop down tomorrow :)

Thanks :) x
 
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