When are you ready to own?

Q

q105

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Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie, but really after some advice from your wealth of experience.

I have shared a horse for the last three years, he was retired a few months ago. I also shared an ex-chaser and an arab gelding while I was at uni a few years ago. I have been around horses in one way or another for the best part of 20years.

I have been so used to the boy I shared over the last few years, and am missing him and the general equestrian environment terribly. I have had some lessons at a school, really only to be around the ponies.

In my last share arrangement, I was living much closer to the yard than the horse owner, and often I was the first point of contact because the HO has a small kiddie and was often a little unreliable. The yard was a bit stuffy, with high quality and competitive clients, and several of the other owners asked me to consider share arrangements with them when mine came to its end (I declined for a bit of an ill-perceived break tbh), so I guess someone thought I was either a bit of a work-horse, or aqt least somewhat a respectable option!!!??

Anyway, what I am getting at is when its time to go ahead and own for yourself!? I am financially stable with a healthy expendable income. I know some on HHO have expressed opinions about the steep curve from sharing to owning, and I hope this stimulates some discussion......

What advice do you have please?

x q x
 
When you think you have the time!

If you are financially stable and have got money to throw at a horse, you seriously have to consider time. If you take on your own horse he is your responsibility completely. I am on DIY livery so my horse needs me everyday, Christmas day, when I'm ill, hungover, tired, horrible weather etc. You need to get a horse sitter for holidays and gone are the days where I can up and go away for a weekend. Dont get me wrong, I love my horse to bits and like you I miss being around horses and love a good frozen winter morning!

The other thing you need to consider is what you want a horse for? I use mine for natural horsemanship and schooling. If your horse becomes ill or lame and needs box rest say for 3 months, can you deal with that both financially, emotionally and have the time? I know some people who if there horse becomes unrideable for some reason, he becomes worthless. If mine became unrideable there are a ton of other things I can do with her and she would be just as brilliant to me as she would be ridden. Is that something you could deal with?

That would be my advice to think about. If you think you can handle all the bad bits that come along with it, then I would say go for it and good luck! :oD
 
If you feel ready to own a horse, then GO FOR IT ! :D
My recommendations would be to buy a hardy native breed or type as your first horse. All of the large breeds are more than capable of carrying adults (although you might have to put up with people looking down their noses from their huge warmbloods when you have a "little" pony :rolleyes:). Dales, Fell, Highland, Connemara, New Forest and Welsh D's if you are tall. If you are shorter in height, then Welsh C's, smaller New Forests and even Exmoors are good weight carriers (12 stone for an Exmoor !).
They are cheaper to keep, live on fresh air, hardier, can live out all year round and more likely to stay sound then a horse. It then depends what you want to do. Riding Club level, BD, BS ? A good Connie, NF or Welsh D is more than capable of that. There are a lot of Connie and NF JA showjumpers, I personally know a NF who competes successfully in affiliated BD at Elementary (working at Medium at home). There's a 13hh NF Stallion competes in affiliated BD at the same level. The British Riding Clubs Open XC Championships open class was won in 2009 by a 14.1hh NF pony (Farriers Brown Bear), and there is also the option (and fun) of M&M Showing. (Oh and LOTS of NF FEI Dressage ponies). They are also good at Endurance. The Riding Club Quadrille Of The Year was won last year by a team of 4 New Forest Ponies (One of whom won the M&M Pony Of The Year at HOYS).
That's just my personal preference of course ;). Our British Native Breeds are very often overlooked in favour of a big moving warmblood, when they are more than capable of competing (and winning) against horses). But then if you want to compete to a higher level than Medium BD, Newcomers BS or do Eventing, then I'd go for a bigger horse more suited to the higher levels in those disciplines :). Happy horse hunting
 
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Thank you for your posts so far.....

I have been at the beck and call of my share horse owner for the last three years, and am accustomed to the loss of spare time to be honest. I have considered livery options that might take the pressure off a little, and where i live there are an abundance of good (expensive!!) yards.

I am 5'8" and weigh in at just over 11 stone, so I'd feel a bit big for a New Forest pony, but will definitely consider the bigger natives.....

x q x
 
Also, mostly I'd be hoping to happy hack, school, not really to compete, but to have a friend with whom I could develop.....isn't that what most first timers would say???? Haha

x q x
 
I would suggest the first thing to do is find a yard that suits yours requirements and has space for when you find your horse.
See if they will be supportive in your search,going to view and offering help as a new owner.
It is so important that you have someone to help and advise,two pairs of eyes etc.
You need to make a list of "must haves" and look through the ads,try and ask appropriate questions and only view those that fit the bill otherwise it can be such a time consuming venture.
If you find one you like go back,with your adviser,if they didnt go first time,make sure you try it out in similar situations that will have when you own it.
A vetting is obviously essential.
 
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