What should I be looking for? Horse shopping!

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BayLove

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I'm looking for my first horse and I need serious help cus I'm starting to lose the will to live!

I'm 5'7 with long legs and 7 1/2 stone in weight.

I'm not a confident rider at all so need a confidence giver. A plod would be lovely. I'm not aiming to compete or anything like that, just want a pleasure horse to hack out on and love to pieces.

What breeds, sizes etc should I be looking at? I currently ride about 14.1 -14.3 and feel ok on them as long as they are chunky.

I currently share a horse but It's not the same as having your own.

I don't have a huge budget but willing to pay for the right one and it would need to be down in the South of the country due to transport issues. New Forest area would be ideal.

Anybody fancy a horse shop?

Thanks in advance guys :)
 
Syrah said:
Where abouts do you live and how far are you willing to travel? :)
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I live near Bournemouth, Dorset and I can travel anywhere within the sort of semi circle of Weymouth, Shaftesbury and Southampton but closer to New Forest the better cus I can get there very easily.

What do you think of this one?
I went on their website but I've never heard of them before and don't know what to think.

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/family_horse_9_yrs_14_3_hh_piebald_dorset/advert/180290
 
Do you not have an RI that perhaps could keep an ear out for you?

I think finding the right horse really is a long winded process - I really didn't like shopping for my two at all. Just wanted to find MR/MRS Right! Still, patience does pay off so you need to ride a lot of horses for sale and ideally have someone better placed to have a look at them too.

I think you might find that sensible plods are very high in demand to be honest, and so you'll have to be patient really.

Good luck - s/he's out there somewhere!
 
I'm impressed! You can tell that a horse is unsuitable from a 2 line add and a single photo!

I know nothign about the dealer but if all you want to do is hack out do you need your horse to be schooled to a high level. as long as it understands stop and go and is good in traffic...

And for 1800 quid you can't expect too much. I'd say it was worth exploring at least with a phone call.

BnBx
 
blitznbobs said:
I'm impressed! You can tell that a horse is unsuitable from a 2 line add and a single photo!

I know nothign about the dealer but if all you want to do is hack out do you need your horse to be schooled to a high level. as long as it understands stop and go and is good in traffic...

And for 1800 quid you can't expect too much. I'd say it was worth exploring at least with a phone call.

BnBx
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agree ... with the first lines you wrote about top of the list needing a sensible easy goig plod... it does not matter if he is well schooled... this can come later if you wish. Same for jumping.
Stick to a list of essentials, things the horse must be and then a list of desirables that you can comprimise on. Your horse you by needs to tick everything on that essential list then go from there :-)
 
BayLove said:
I live near Bournemouth, Dorset and I can travel anywhere within the sort of semi circle of Weymouth, Shaftesbury and Southampton but closer to New Forest the better cus I can get there very easily.

What do you think of this one?
I went on their website but I've never heard of them before and don't know what to think.

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/family_horse_9_yrs_14_3_hh_piebald_dorset/advert/180290
Click to expand...

Actually I am in a similar situation to you but different area but I would go and look! This horse sounds like a good hacking type but the only way to find out is to see him. My old boy was not well schooled but for what I wanted was FAB on ground/traffic 400% etc but he would never have won any prizes and I am a big baby! I am on horse 18+ and losing the will..as I found my first one after 5 views. But take someone very experienced.
I had a similar cheek piece bit as in the pic I had problems turning my boy as he had been driven(but thats me being picky and I am no expert).... Age sounds good not too young? Good luck though you will need it! sorry !
 
Good advice lynseylou thank you. I've got a horsey friend to call on for her opinion and i'll drag her along to any horses i'm interested in seeing a second time. I do only need the basics. I'm in no way the worlds greatest rider i just really need something safe with good breaks. I might give them a call and see what happens.
 
indie999 said:
Actually I am in a similar situation to you but different area but I would go and look! This horse sounds like a good hacking type but the only way to find out is to see him. My old boy was not well schooled but for what I wanted was FAB on ground/traffic 400% etc but he would never have won any prizes and I am a big baby! I am on horse 18+ and losing the will..as I found my first one after 5 views. But take someone very experienced.
I had a similar cheek piece bit as in the pic I had problems turning my boy as he had been driven(but thats me being picky and I am no expert).... Age sounds good not too young? Good luck though you will need it! sorry !
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I think shes a good age not too young, not too old. Shes the opposite of what i was thinking i'd get but i think i'll go see if i can look at her. I had in my head it would take at least a year to find the one and im not gonna rush it just for the sake of having one of my own. I need the right one even if it takes 5 years!
 
BayLove said:
I think shes a good age not too young, not too old. Shes the opposite of what i was thinking i'd get but i think i'll go see if i can look at her. I had in my head it would take at least a year to find the one and im not gonna rush it just for the sake of having one of my own. I need the right one even if it takes 5 years!
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If its safety etc I keep telling people I dont care if it has two heads as long as it does what I want. I bought my first horse from a very simple small advert. I am not in a rush either as I want to avoid any mistakes and pretty much Know it does exist, just may be take a bit more time.

Well good luck
 
BayLove said:
I live near Bournemouth, Dorset and I can travel anywhere within the sort of semi circle of Weymouth, Shaftesbury and Southampton but closer to New Forest the better cus I can get there very easily.

What do you think of this one?
I went on their website but I've never heard of them before and don't know what to think.

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/family_horse_9_yrs_14_3_hh_piebald_dorset/advert/180290
Click to expand...

Looks nice, definitely worth a look. I wouldn't worry too much about schooling, that can come in time.

Take someone experienced with you :)
 
indie999 said:
If its safety etc I keep telling people I dont care if it has two heads as long as it does what I want. I bought my first horse from a very simple small advert. I am not in a rush either as I want to avoid any mistakes and pretty much Know it does exist, just may be take a bit more time.

Well good luck
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Safety is my priority. I don't care about colour, breed or anything else as long as it has breaks and is not a lunatic.
 
Syrah said:
Looks nice, definitely worth a look. I wouldn't worry too much about schooling, that can come in time.

Take someone experienced with you :)
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That's what i think, no harm in going to look right? I'll drag someone along with me for sure! :)
 
I can honestly say if you like the look and the sound of the horse you really have to make your own mind up....just go with an open mind. I have been really disappointed by the perfect advert and when I get to view its nothing like its been described/even when I ring before). But its good experience there was a thread on here recently about what adverts mean.............or what we think they really mean...Good luck though
 
indie999 said:
I can honestly say if you like the look and the sound of the horse you really have to make your own mind up....just go with an open mind. I have been really disappointed by the perfect advert and when I get to view its nothing like its been described/even when I ring before). But its good experience there was a thread on here recently about what adverts mean.............or what we think they really mean...Good luck though
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I've just fired off a load of questions to the owner but i'm very aware i may not get honest answers. We shall see what comes back! Like you say if nothing else it's experience gained for the next one. Thanks for all your help, i've made note of all your advice :)
 
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