When did you know you were ready?

[noocle7]

Hi, I'm going back into riding this week (used to ride when I was little in weekly lessons, started up again few years ago when I was 18, stopped for uni for a year but starting it up again at 20). My question is, when did you know you were ready to buy and how long after starting to riding did you start loaning/buy your horse?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

It does depend a bit on what type of livery you intend to keep the horse at or if you will keep it at home. What support will you have available?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I haven't bought before but am starting to think about it. I just came back to riding in my late 20s, having previously only ridden at riding schools, and started my first share earlier in the summer. It's been really helpful for refreshing my horse care skills and showing me what's involved in the step from riding school to ownership. It's also started to build a community of horse people around me so that if I do go ahead and buy at a later date I've got lots of support around me/people who can point me in the right direction! Of course there are people who just jump straight in to owning (for better or worse!) but I'm more cautious by nature and want the opportunity to build up my skills more and have a clearer picture of ownership realities before I go for it.

 

[JulesRules]

I had a share/ loan for several years that started out 2 days and then escalated... 3 days, 4 days and so on.
Eventually bought as the old boy needed to retire.

I'd definitely share for at least 6 months before buying.

 

[Wishfilly]

Hi, I'm going back into riding this week (used to ride when I was little in weekly lessons, started up again few years ago when I was 18, stopped for uni for a year but starting it up again at 20). My question is, when did you know you were ready to buy and how long after starting to riding did you start loaning/buy your horse?

As an adult, when I was financially stable enough to know I could buy in help if I needed it, as well as being able to afford things like emergency vet call outs etc on top of the usual running costs.

In terms of skills/knowledge, I think it depends a lot on the type of yard you can afford, or what options you have available to you. For example, if you can initially keep your horse/pony on working livery at a riding school and get support that way, then that can be a really good option.

In my opinion, riding is less important than stable management, especially if you're going to keep your horse on DIY.

ETA: Sharing is a great step to take before buying/full loaning.

 

[EllenJay]

Totally depends on your commitment. Horses are not cheap in either time or money. Buying a horse is the cheap (and easy) bit. If you have a full time job, you need to add an extra 2 hours to your day if you are doing DIY. "Having horses" is a way of life. Even on full livery you have to give them time.

I would say before you even think about buying/sharing have lessons for the next 6 months- during the winter when everything is hard work and then see how you feel

 

[soapy]

I bought after about 2 years of lessons and paying for hacks. It just made economic sense and was simply cheaper to own. Also lessons only get you so far at some schools and can become repetitive. BUT most of all I loved a particular horse and wanted him all for myself!!

 

[Baywonder]

I bought my first pony a few months after leaving school at 16 and getting my first job.

The main thing I remember about my childhood was being pony mad, and it was my dream to have my own pony one day. My parents could not afford one, and they always told me I would have to buy and keep one myself - so that is exactly what I did!

 

[Upthecreek]

It’s a bit like having kids...... I don’t think you’re ever truly ready, but you figure it out as you go. Important to make sure you have the finances worked out and to choose a good yard to keep your horse at where you will have support from a knowledgeable yard owner and access to lessons from a good instructor.

 

[SheriffTruman]

I didn't. I fell in love, and bought a two-year old. I have a lot to learn, but I ask for help when needed. If I'm not good enough to back him myself in two years time, I'll hire someone to help me with that, too. When he was offered to me, I asked myself could I afford it (not really, but I can make it work), and can I make the commitment (yes). So I took the plunge. Took me all of five minutes to decide, best decision of my life.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I had a share/ loan for several years that started out 2 days and then escalated... 3 days, 4 days and so on.
Eventually bought as the old boy needed to retire.

I'd definitely share for at least 6 months before buying.

Yes I agree, a loan/share first will give you a better understanding of horsemanship, improve your independent riding without an instructor and also the £££££ cost!!! Even without the initial outlay of buying, the expected and unexpected costs of owning can really add up. That said it is the best thing in the world especially if you find the right horse! X

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I bought after about 2 years of lessons and paying for hacks. It just made economic sense and was simply cheaper to own. Also lessons only get you so far at some schools and can become repetitive. BUT most of all I loved a particular horse and wanted him all for myself!!

I agree that riding schools can only take you so far. For some from a financial perspective a share arrangement can be a fantastic stepping stone and ensure you have the confidence to handle your horse/pony without staff or others to support you. Some riding schools are very much ‘turn up and get on’- to learn as a youngster I worked for free in exchange for lessons and learnt so much x

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Hi, I'm going back into riding this week (used to ride when I was little in weekly lessons, started up again few years ago when I was 18, stopped for uni for a year but starting it up again at 20). My question is, when did you know you were ready to buy and how long after starting to riding did you start loaning/buy your horse?

You don’t ‘know’ in a sort of 6th sense way, you have to KNOW you can afford it and that you are experienced enough at caring for an equine that you are ready for this responsibility. Ask the person currently training you if you are ready and if they say no ask what you can do e.g work for free on weekends at a yard to gain experience. Riding a horse is actually a small part of owning one in a way.
Firstly add up and write down the true annual cost of owning a horse- use sites like the British Horse Society to get figures, you need that amount ON TOP of everything else you need to pay for!! Even if you are absolutely sure you can afford that level of upkeep potentially for another 20 years or more plus the initial cost of the horse, and transporting it to its new home, I would STILL recommend a 6 month or year loan first if you can find a suitable one! What if you lose your job or want to go to university? What if you run out of money and can’t sell your horse? Do you have people that can support you if this happened?

Loaning will give you a real idea of the money and commitment involved and how unexpected costs can often pop up when you least expect it!
Money aside, if you haven’t owned a horse before you would probably want to be on at least part livery so you have knowledgeable people on hand. Ideally, full livery which can be pricey. And I’m guessing you will want to continue with a trainer to keep improving your riding, even if you just want to enjoy hacking and light schooling. Be totally realistic when you start looking for a loan or a horse to buy and take someone more knowledgeable and experienced than you when you go to look; don’t be blinded by a flashy horse that may look amazing but could knock your confidence if you are used to riding school horses.
Listen to the advice of your current instructor or yard owner. Consider practical things eg can you drive? If not you will need a yard very close to you potentially.

Owning a horse is an amazing privilege and brings people so much joy, but be brutally realistic with yourself. It sounds as if you are in your early 20’s- you have the rest of your life to buy a horse. If I was you get a share or loan, and see how it goes. You may even find a loan horse where the owner is looking for a long term loan and eventually may look to sell to you. I’m sure you are a very responsible person and would never want to be the reason a horse had to be sold to any old home because you have run out of money and are forced to sell.
Owning a horse is a fantastic dream to have and I would get saving your money for a few years, and in the meantime look for a lovely share or part loan, to gain loads of experience and knowledge. Do that for a few years and then you won’t need to ask anyone as by that point you will hopefully have the money saved to get you started and a great idea of what it takes to be a fantastic horse owner.
Good luck and remember it’s not a magical feeling of ‘I’m ready!!’ It’s the financial security and knowledge of horsemanship that will make it clear to your trainer, YO and horsey friends that you are ready to buy your own xx

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I haven't bought before but am starting to think about it. I just came back to riding in my late 20s, having previously only ridden at riding schools, and started my first share earlier in the summer. It's been really helpful for refreshing my horse care skills and showing me what's involved in the step from riding school to ownership. It's also started to build a community of horse people around me so that if I do go ahead and buy at a later date I've got lots of support around me/people who can point me in the right direction! Of course there are people who just jump straight in to owning (for better or worse!) but I'm more cautious by nature and want the opportunity to build up my skills more and have a clearer picture of ownership realities before I go for it.

Sounds very sensible. Be cautious as it’s a huge commitment. Stepping stones like a share or loan are very useful- I loaned before I ever bought my own horse x

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

I didn't. I fell in love, and bought a two-year old. I have a lot to learn, but I ask for help when needed. If I'm not good enough to back him myself in two years time, I'll hire someone to help me with that, too. When he was offered to me, I asked myself could I afford it (not really, but I can make it work), and can I make the commitment (yes). So I took the plunge. Took me all of five minutes to decide, best decision of my life.

Amazing story but I think the OP is quite young (21 or 22- sorry I’m just guessing!) so my worry is that she may be less able to 100% know she can afford on a permanent basis, that said she may be fine for money but at that age things in life can change a lot- I shared a horse at the age and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if I’d owned him outright as I was young and would have been overwhelmed with the responsibility!! That said we are all different !!

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Totally depends on your commitment. Horses are not cheap in either time or money. Buying a horse is the cheap (and easy) bit. If you have a full time job, you need to add an extra 2 hours to your day if you are doing DIY. "Having horses" is a way of life. Even on full livery you have to give them time.

I would say before you even think about buying/sharing have lessons for the next 6 months- during the winter when everything is hard work and then see how you feel

I 100% agree. Especially when you are young enjoy having few responsibilities!! A share or loan is a great way to start to learn how to live up to the responsibilities of owning a horse, but especially with a share as opposed to a full loan you really are not in the same position as the owner.....x

 

[Bob notacob]

Surround yourself with good knowledgeable friends .I have been around horses for over half a centuary and if Bob gets a problem ,I almost fall apart. What makes it worse is that I teach stable management to BHS level 4 and the 5,s tend to regard my input seriously. Yet with my own horse I am useless , all rational thought seems to freeze. SO SURROUND YOUR SELF WITH GOOD KNOWLEDGEABLE FRIENDS

 

[SheriffTruman]

Amazing story but I think the OP is quite young (21 or 22- sorry I’m just guessing!) so my worry is that she may be less able to 100% know she can afford on a permanent basis, that said she may be fine for money but at that age things in life can change a lot- I shared a horse at the age and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if I’d owned him outright as I was young and would have been overwhelmed with the responsibility!! That said we are all different !!

O, I don't disagree with you. As you say in a later post, a share or a loan is a great way to find out if you are ready. That said, I actually didn't think I was ready, and then it turned out I was.

 

[Trouper]

When you feel that the care of the horse is just as important, or more so, than the riding and you want to be the one doing it. All of the practical issues others have pointed out are really important - but you have to want to devote a huge part of your life to a horse as an owner.

 

[Winters100]

To me the main questions are can you afford it, and do you have time? If you don't have time can you afford for the horse to be looked after by others. To me you don't need to be the most knowledgeable about horse care when you buy, but if you don't have the knowledge you need to be able to keep the horse somewhere that you can learn, or to have friends who can help, and most importantly be willing to learn! If you are young, and hence perhaps on more of a budget, loaning might be a better option. I would say however that it is possible for relatively inexperienced owners to do very well if they get the right set up. My good friend who has only been riding for a year has recently bought a horse. She is a middle aged lady and has a lovely schoolmaster who she keeps at the same yard as mine. It is part livery, so full care except for riding (they will put them to carousel but no other exercise by the yard). I am there every day so can advise and answer questions, and she has a trainer who comes 5 days a week to help her with the riding. For her it is proving a wonderful experience, but obviously it is probably costing her a lot to have the trainer so often. My big tips would be that if you do decide to go ahead get the right horse, something easy and 'been there, done that', and also make sure that you are really committed, because horse ownership is not all lovely sunny days riding your perfectly sound and well behaved horse!

 

[equestrian7474]

Hi, I'm going back into riding this week (used to ride when I was little in weekly lessons, started up again few years ago when I was 18, stopped for uni for a year but starting it up again at 20). My question is, when did you know you were ready to buy and how long after starting to riding did you start loaning/buy your horse?

A lot of riding schools provide leasing. It’s basically a loan but there’s no commitments or anything crazy, it’s literally just as if you were paying for a lesson. At my yard it’s €20 per day to borrow a school horse and ride twice. It’s a brilliant way to find out if you are ready for a more serious loan.

 

[Lunavix]

I have just bought my first horse and Im 55. I was desperate for my own as a child, but non horsy parents and lack of funds meant that couldn't happen. I rode friends ponies, had lessons and got by - then I went to Uni and had no money, when I did have money I also had young children and the time commitment was just not feasible. Now my children have grown up enough and I started riding again , had a share for a while and just knew I wanted my own. so I did it, She is in part livery in a great yard so I have people to ask, and I need to ask quite a lot, but basically Im absolutely happy. I think time and stable financial situation are very important, but lets face it none of us can be sure what's round the corner, but definitely a share is a good idea first.

 

[emilylou]

I didn’t know I was ready but I was desperate so I did as much reading as I could and then bought the first horse I saw.
I was 13 at the time and my method is not recommended ?

But you’re never truly ready, as long as you are keen to learn, not scared of your horse and have the money to pay for help/supportive yard/instructor, then go for it.