Why are people obsessed with owning a youngster

[Ali27]

Sounds just like me! I have the most amazing Irish 14.2 who is 20 and still going brilliantly but physio has advised to stop jumping x country and galloping around.
She is still fine to hack, do dressage and jump on a and surface and will hopefully go on for a few more years?
So I bought a 2 year old Irish draught x on Friday with the goal of her eventually taking over from pony.
It’s my first youngster and something that I’ve always wanted to do ?

 

[Dave's Mam]

Why shouldn't they?
I bought Dave as a 3 year old. It was a steep learning curve, but it's worth every second.

 

[Lois Lame]

If I had the skills and confidence to back and produce a youngster I absolutely would have done ! They're often cheaper than ready made horses and won't suffer from having been started badly.
If I had a 20 year old and the skills and money to have a youngster , then I absolutely would do that.

Yes, me too. I would love to have the ability, guts etc etc to start a young horse.

 

[Snow Falcon]

I prefer youngsters. Start with a clean slate. Love building the trust up before backing.

 

[Lois Lame]

What I dislike is people with no experience of youngsters buying one and sticking it on a yard with inadequate turnout and company. But that's a different issue.

Agreed. Youngsters need as much room to move as they can possibly get, and company to move with, and be a horse with.

 

[JJS]

My daughter bought a yearling 5 years ago, we'd had older horses and the heartbreak of later years and I think she just wanted to have something with no physical issues or other hang ups to enjoy many happy years with, and perhaps something a bit more quality than she could have afforded if buying the finished article. That's what she got, it's been absolutely delightful watching him grow into a lovely handsome horse. She enjoyed the groundwork, backed him herself and rode him away at 4, sent him to a pro when he was 5, never put a hoof wrong. We all thought they'd have many years together, alas, it's looking unlikely as now, age 6 he has been diagnosed with trigeminal mediated headshaking, it's not allergies, it's not environmental, it's not photosensitivity, it's nerve pain, in his face and it's present pretty much all the time. He went from a horse happy in his work to unrideable in a scarily short space of time. So far, the treatments have made no difference, but perhaps they will... so nothing is guaranteed I guess, but I get why people are drawn to youngsters.

I’m so sorry to hear this. I had this exact experience with my six year old, who I eventually lost aged 11. In the space of around six months, he went from being the most wonderful, well-behaved boy to dangerously unrideable. I did get another five years or so with him as a field ornament before I lost him to other issues, but it’s a horrible, heartbreaking condition that I wouldn’t wish on any other horse or owner.

 

[SmallPony]

Sounds just like me! I have the most amazing Irish 14.2 who is 20 and still going brilliantly but physio has advised to stop jumping x country and galloping around.
She is still fine to hack, do dressage and jump on a and surface and will hopefully go on for a few more years?
So I bought a 2 year old Irish draught x on Friday with the goal of her eventually taking over from pony.
It’s my first youngster and something that I’ve always wanted to do ?

How exciting! Sounds like a good plan. I am hoping to do the same - I don't think I've ever been so motivated to pick up extra shifts at work to save up!

I don't want to wait until pony has to stop work before getting another, and ideally would love to keep her ticking over with hacks for as long as possible with no pressure. The dream would be pony nannying and looking after youngster a bit (if I could cope with the cuteness!)

Best of luck with your new purchase, living the dream! Enjoy ?

 

[eahotson]

I’m so sorry to hear this. I had this exact experience with my six year old, who I eventually lost aged 11. In the space of around six months, he went from being the most wonderful, well-behaved boy to dangerously unrideable. I did get another five years or so with him as a field ornament before I lost him to other issues, but it’s a horrible, heartbreaking condition that I wouldn’t wish on any other horse or owner.

So sorry.

 

[eahotson]

My daughter bought a yearling 5 years ago, we'd had older horses and the heartbreak of later years and I think she just wanted to have something with no physical issues or other hang ups to enjoy many happy years with, and perhaps something a bit more quality than she could have afforded if buying the finished article. That's what she got, it's been absolutely delightful watching him grow into a lovely handsome horse. She enjoyed the groundwork, backed him herself and rode him away at 4, sent him to a pro when he was 5, never put a hoof wrong. We all thought they'd have many years together, alas, it's looking unlikely as now, age 6 he has been diagnosed with trigeminal mediated headshaking, it's not allergies, it's not environmental, it's not photosensitivity, it's nerve pain, in his face and it's present pretty much all the time. He went from a horse happy in his work to unrideable in a scarily short space of time. So far, the treatments have made no difference, but perhaps they will... so nothing is guaranteed I guess, but I get why people are drawn to youngsters.

Very sorry to hear that.

 

[Peglo]

I like the idea of her retiring her horse fit and healthy. She maybe thinks the horse has done a great job and the years doing dressage was hard work and now it’s time for some downtime. She maybe thinks she will get a few more years with the horse if she retires early and sound rather than riding until obvious problems start showing.

I bought a 5 year old so not a youngster as such but young and that’s so I have as many years as possible with her. (Subject to her getting to old age ??) as simple as that.

I just want to give a wee shout out to the folk that owned my horses before me. So many people have had to ‘fix’ their horses in this thread but my girl’s previous owners did a fab job and I’ve had lovey horses ready for me. I feel very fortunate.

 

[cauda equina]

This thread has such an odd premise; one person wants to buy a youngster, and from that 'people are obsessed'

 

[SEL]

I bought a cob who was 3 weeks off his 4th birthday. Been bred and beautifully produced by the lady I bought him off. Certainly wasn't obsessed with buying a youngster - quite the opposite - but he ticked all the boxes and was a local purchase so I knew if I hit problems I could ask for help.

@cauda equine is right. Just because one person wants to buy a youngster doesn't make us all obsessed!! I am enjoying having one to bring on though - it's very rewarding

 

[Red-1]

This thread has such an odd premise; one person wants to buy a youngster, and from that 'people are obsessed'

I agree, especially where the desire to buy a 3yo in this unnamed person is supposedly because someone else bred a foal and they were jealous? Two totally different situations.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I took on my first-ever youngster 5 years ago now, nearly to the day.

Wasn't (still am not!) a confident rider and I was 57 at the time. Sheer madness I know!

The pony was everything I'd said I didn't want: mare, piebald, traddie cob, pony, hairy beastie, AND a youngster! Everything on the list! But I knew a close friend had backed her and her support for the first few months plus continued supervision if needed since, has been invaluable, and I wouldn't recommend anyone "novice" take on a youngster without this kind of support.

Ponio is 9 now. It's been a good few years. We're bonded at the hip now. Best thing I ever did was bringing that little mite home!

 

[smolmaus]

I think some people do attach a certain... prestige?? to buying a youngster. It's certainly a brave thing to do, especially if it's your first. Whether or not its a sensible thing for a person to do is a completely individual situation though. I'm currently watching two similar situations play out, one person perfectly suited to a baby to make into the horse she wants and another who maybe enjoys the idea of having a young horse more than the actual experience.

No judgement allowed from me though, Sadie was 8 but unbacked and with a not-great history and I've never owned a horse before so on paper I am a moron.

 

[maya2008]

I should probably add - my children are growing up on young ponies. We all ride and that is what we can afford. They may not be out competing at a high level, but they will have the knowledge to make their own by the time they become adults.

My son is adamant that he wants to become a horse trainer - he’s been fascinated by the process of taming the feral ones, and by the process of teaching a youngster. He’s helped out friends over the years (and done a couple for us) so this year now he’s a little more experienced, I bought him the feisty Welsh he wanted. He’s very happy!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I don't know that people are obsessed but I'm a bit obsessed. I love starting young horses and showing them new things or new experiences for the first time. You can shape your future. My current horse is 10 and he's the oldest horse I've ever had (usually bought young and sold by 8), and I'm itching for a young one again. I bought him as a young horse and the time has flown by. I just don't have the resources for 2, mostly time, and don't quite want to let this one go. When/if I begin looking again it will be for a young horse. Anything from foal to 4, I think.

 

[milliepops]

I also don't think people are obsessed with it. i've ended up going this route for ££ reasons but honestly i am more comfortable straightening out older gone-wrong'uns as that's how i cut my horsey teeth. It's fun doing things with a baby horse and I'm more attached than is reasonable to my homebred, but the responsibility for getting it all right first time is immense I'm more accustomed to someone else having got it all wrong already.. there's no pressure then

 

[Muddywellies]

I've just bought a youngster to overlap with my dressage horse who is going strong but won't keep on training at her current level for many more years. I've never bought a youngster so wouldn't call this purchase an obsession (??). I just wanted a blank canvas. Oh, and it's absolutely no-one else's business how I spend my hard earned money.

 

[planete]

It does rather sound as if it is the OP 's nose that is out of joint...

 

[smolmaus]

the responsibility for getting it all right first time is immense

If I think about it too much I feel ill ?

 

[Landcruiser]

Sounds just like me! I have the most amazing Irish 14.2 who is 20 and still going brilliantly but physio has advised to stop jumping x country and galloping around.
She is still fine to hack, do dressage and jump on a and surface and will hopefully go on for a few more years?
So I bought a 2 year old Irish draught x on Friday with the goal of her eventually taking over from pony.
It’s my first youngster and something that I’ve always wanted to do ?

Exactly the same for me. My 20 year old has had to retire from (TREC) competition due to arthritis. I'm early 60s now, and it felt a bit now or never to get a youngster to bring on as my next/last riding horse. I was planning on a just backed 4 yr old but ended up with a 2 yr old. I still have my old guy to pootle around on and he's a great nanny for my baby.

 

[Sossigpoker]

It does rather sound as if it is the OP 's nose that is out of joint...

Sounds like a nosey , bitchy livery who's just jealous.
As long as people look after their horses , it's no one else's business what they buy and do.

 

[Sealine]

From my observation the reverse applies i.e. everyone wants to buy an 7 or 8 year old that does a bit of everything that someone else has done all the hard work with.

I have a 20 year old horse and very much feel like I am nursing him through to his retirement. I worry about his soundness as he has arthritis and don't feel it's fair on him to do a lot of the fun things we used to particularly in the summer when he struggles with the harder ground. It would be lovely to have a youngster and be having lots of fun and going to clinics etc but funds and time won't allow it for me. I completely understand why someone with a 20 year old horse might want a youngster to bring on and why shouldn't they if they have the funds and time.

 

[throwaway2022]

I’ve just bought a yearling, sorry - shall I return him? ?

 

[Leandy]

Its not an obsession. Simply prudent succession planning! Bringing on a young horse is a satisfying process and you don't have to deal with them carrying around other people's baggage.

 

[Horseysheepy]

My daughter bought a yearling 5 years ago, we'd had older horses and the heartbreak of later years and I think she just wanted to have something with no physical issues or other hang ups to enjoy many happy years with, and perhaps something a bit more quality than she could have afforded if buying the finished article. That's what she got, it's been absolutely delightful watching him grow into a lovely handsome horse. She enjoyed the groundwork, backed him herself and rode him away at 4, sent him to a pro when he was 5, never put a hoof wrong. We all thought they'd have many years together, alas, it's looking unlikely as now, age 6 he has been diagnosed with trigeminal mediated headshaking, it's not allergies, it's not environmental, it's not photosensitivity, it's nerve pain, in his face and it's present pretty much all the time. He went from a horse happy in his work to unrideable in a scarily short space of time. So far, the treatments have made no difference, but perhaps they will... so nothing is guaranteed I guess, but I get why people are drawn to youngsters.

How very disappointing. I was really enjoying reading your post until the end as it reminded me of myself when I was younger.
I've had similar set backs with youngsters, but hope your daughter can find a solution for the headshaking. I ended up changing my mare into an English hackamore and it worked wonders, but not so good if you want to show or do dressage!

 

[twobearsarthur]

Easy, because you bring home a scared little Eeyore and in just 12 months he’s the most handsome loveable horse ever.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

This feels like a distinct case of the green eyed monster visiting....

 

[honetpot]

The only time I get a bit cross, is when people buy foals like buying a puppy because its cute, when they have not got proper turnout for it, and then its suddenly a problem yearling they want to get rid of.
I certainly have bought young horse and ponies because I couldn't afford the £'s, but am prepared to put in the hours, which is the expensive bit of owning any animal.