What should my budget be?

[Pippity]

I still haven't decided whether I'll be riding again once I've recovered from my fractured spine, but a lot depends on what a horse suitable for my needs would cost, and if one even exists. Can anybody weigh in with a suitable budget?

15-16hh, capable of comfortably carrying a 75kg rider.
Been there, done that, got so many t-shirts they're piled up in the shed.
Hacks alone and in company, good in traffic.
Can pootle round a prelim dressage test and, if I'm feeling incredibly brave, pop a 30cm cross pole once a year.
Safe and sound. I can't emphasise the 'safe' too much.

 

[Palindrome]

I would be looking into an ex-polo pony, I think they would fit your description.
Not sure how much retired ones go for.

 

[Pippity]

I would be looking into an ex-polo pony, I think they would fit your description.
Not sure how much retired ones go for.

I suspect the weight would be an issue for a polo-type.

 

[Palindrome]

I suspect the weight would be an issue for a polo-type.

I would think most polo riders are about 75 kg if not more.

If you get a criollo cross, they are small but sturdy.
Criollos have to carry 90 kg over 750 km in 15 days as part of their breed competition (it's called "La marcha").

 

[Pippity]

I would think most polo riders are about 75 kg if not more.

If you get a criollo cross, they are small but sturdy.
Criollos have to carry 90 kg over 750 km in 15 days as part of their breed competition (it's called "La marcha").

I'm not looking for something that needs to be trained to a new career. I'm looking for something that's already doing everything I want to do, but is maybe doing it at a higher level and is ready to step down and look after somebody with shattered confidence.

 

[Wishfilly]

Honestly, if you don't want to jump, I do think you could find what you wanted in the mid-4 figures range- probably an older horse, maybe one looking to semi-retire. The issue with that is of course you can end up with more expensive medical maintenance, difficult to insure, and obviously new pain issues can cause a horse to change its behaviour. You almost want to find a horse where their reaction to discomfort is known and not dramatic.

Something like this, for example, could be a good option: https://www.righthorserighthome.co.uk/horse/riding-school-seeks-new-home-for-confidence-giving-ish/

Or possibly this one: https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/122435668/approx-152hh-confidence-giver.html?link=/classifieds/horses-livestock/horses-ponies/all/uk/weight+carrier

Just to give you some examples of what is out there! Edit: Not suggesting those specific horses would be exactly right for you, but just an idea of what safe low level all rounders are going for at the moment.

 

[coblets]

Something like this, for example, could be a good option: https://www.righthorserighthome.co.uk/horse/riding-school-seeks-new-home-for-confidence-giving-ish/

I know this horse through a friend, and she has a history of tendon injuries including one very recent one so I would advise OP strongly against her.

 

[Wishfilly]

I know this horse through a friend, and she has a history of tendon injuries so I would advise OP strongly against her.

Like I say, I'm not advising OP to buy those specific horses, and I don't think OP is ready to start looking yet anyway.

My point is just to give some examples of what is on the market at the moment.

Obviously it's useful information for anyone else who is looking at the horse though!

 

[Pippity]

I know this horse through a friend, and she has a history of tendon injuries including one very recent one so I would advise OP strongly against her.

And that's another problem with horse-hunting!

 

[SEL]

I'm not looking for something that needs to be trained to a new career. I'm looking for something that's already doing everything I want to do, but is maybe doing it at a higher level and is ready to step down and look after somebody with shattered confidence.

I've seen a few cob types recently with reliable dealers for under £5k - described as suitable for riding school & video of them in traffic..

 

[marmalade76]

I would think most polo riders are about 75 kg if not more.

If you get a criollo cross, they are small but sturdy.
Criollos have to carry 90 kg over 750 km in 15 days as part of their breed competition (it's called "La marcha").

My ex polo pony is an Argi import and I assume a Criollo cross (she's definitely not a TB). She's 15h, aged 21 and was still playing in the summer carrying a 6'+ chap I was told weighs 100kg. I paid £1500 for her in August.

I have a couple of pics of her with her previous owner and he looked bigger on her than I did on my children's 12h Welshie.

 

[Barton Bounty]

@Pippity you will have plenty of options at 75kg. It is not heavy
Id say maybe around £5-£6k unless you wanted a project

 

[marmalade76]

I know this horse through a friend, and she has a history of tendon injuries including one very recent one so I would advise OP strongly against her.

£6k?!?

 

[Ratface]

I would think most polo riders are about 75 kg if not more.

If you get a criollo cross, they are small but sturdy.
Criollos have to carry 90 kg over 750 km in 15 days as part of their breed competition (it's called "La marcha").

Many years ago, I used to ride a Criollo. Lovely steady creature. He went over high bridges spanning motorways, ignored crashing gears and thumping monster lorries going so close to him that I thought we were going to get knocked over and didn't blink when express trains roared past on the other side of thick hedges.
I didn't get the chance to try jumping him, so can't comment on that.
He was a lovely chap. Perhaps see if you can find one to try?

 

[coblets]

£6k?!?

I don't think the owners will be telling prospective buyers about the tendon injuries if they can help it. It's a dodgy place these days.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would forget about jumping tbh and look for a r&d cob, or SB that has plenty of life experience. If it has worked in a RS and won't over-react to rider nerves, even better. I have had a few ex-RS horses and never had a problem with them missing the level of work.

 

[maya2008]

I would pick a slightly smaller cob for ease of getting on/off, lifting saddle etc on (unless you are particularly tall). You want the ‘can’t be bothered’ variety of temperament, which would give the safety, then you can spice up as needed! Both of our novice safe ones have had cob in there somewhere. Would also bring the price down.

 

[gallopingby]

I’d suggest looking for a retired show horse, could be cob, hunter or M&M in which case would be smaller. Do you really need a 16hh? This type should be reasonably / very nicely schooled and have been around a bit and able to cope with a variety of different experiences. Sometimes you can get lucky with a wanted advert. Pricing a schoolmaster is difficult, l do think you get what you pay for but there are definitely some people who will loan to the right home. Maybe have a look as something like right horse, right home?

 

[ihatework]

I’m not sure I’d be buying tbh.
If you can offer a lovely low level home and can sell yourself well I think you would find on loan something older that would do your job great. Might need a bit of vet tlc but would be worth it.
Might be ex-polo, might be ex-show, might need-comp - doesn’t really matter. 75kg is a perfectly acceptable weight for a chunkier 15hh to a less chunky 16hh.

 

[Cherryblossom]

I used to have long term loan of an ex royal cavalry horse- if you could get one of those they would fit your description nicely.

 

[millitiger]

I think you'd be inundated, assuming you'd take a horse in it's mid/ late teens.

 

[Pippity]

I think you'd be inundated, assuming you'd take a horse in it's mid/ late teens.

That would be preferable!

 

[IrishMilo]

Have you considered an ex racer? They are most often bombproof out hacking, have seen everything and just quite happy to have a chilled life!

 

[dorsetladette]

something older stepping down/back a little I think probably fits the bill. If you get your name out there in the right circles you would probably find something rather lovely from an owner wanting a nice semi retirement (sort of)home for their horse.

 

[sportsmansB]

If you are willing to look at serviceably sound (i.e. maybe not a tight circle on the hard or tight flexion tests) mid teenagers then you should get something for mid 4 figures no problem, or maybe even a loan. Can't emphasise enough that you should get a really really quiet one as you can always spice them up a wee bit when your confidence comes back but its much harder to quieten them down significantly. Riding school horses can cope with nerves well but not always cope with not being with lots of others, if you could get something who is no longer needed as the owner has got their confidence back and is trading up, that would be ideal. Local riding clubs, pony club and livery yards would be my first ports of call.

 

[Parrotperson]

Horse for Sale | Bob the super cob

16hh | 14 year old | Gelding | Hereford

www.whickr.com

Example. Bob is 14 and £7.5k. You want safe and do a bit. There’s a price. But they are worth there weight in gold if you get a good ‘un.

 

[Wishfilly]

Horse for Sale | Bob the super cob

16hh | 14 year old | Gelding | Hereford

www.whickr.com

Example. Bob is 14 and £7.5k. You want safe and do a bit. There’s a price. But they are worth there weight in gold if you get a good ‘un.

Bob looks like he could carry a decent amount of weight though- he is probably in "boyfriend horse" territory which does come at a premium. OP doesn't need a true weight carrier of that size, and I do think that will bring the price down a little.

I agree in many ways this sort of horse is worth their weight though!