Why are people obsessed with owning a youngster

[AandK]

Perhaps a more appropriate question would be "why are people so obsessed with what other people do?"... Especially if it is not causing anyone (horse or human) any harm.

 

[Barton Bounty]

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.

Have u tried gabapentin? A friend was told to use that and it helped!

 

[Ali27]

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.

Yay! Hope you have lots of fun!
I’m nearly 50 so see this as my midlife crisis? I’ve not told my husband yet?
I’ve just bought Richard Maxwell’s from birth to backing book to hopefully get lots of advice!

 

[Barton Bounty]

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 ?

Lets see lets see ?

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

Unfortunately nobody wants a old horse nowadays people want young horses it more fashionable and cheaper. What makes me angry is that can attract the wrong people buying these horses that don’t have the right setup constantly stabled or don’t have enough knowledge or help from more experienced people . People also seem to think just because a horse is younger live and be ridden for longer which isn’t true a lot of young horses have to be retired or die young. I don’t think op is jealous I think maybe she has a older horse and feels judged by people in her yard.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I haven’t read all replies but feel like details or no details the lady/person is going to recognise this post surely if they read it as a member, there’s enough info for that.

 

[babymare]

Easy, because you bring home a scared little Eeyore and in just 12 months he’s the most handsome loveable horse ever.
View attachment 96692

wow what a sweetie when young but so handsome now

 

[skint1]

Have u tried gabapentin? A friend was told to use that and it helped!

Thanks Barton Bounty, that is on the plan of things to try

Unfortunately nobody wants a old horse nowadays people want young horses it more fashionable and cheaper. What makes me angry is that can attract the wrong people buying these horses that don’t have the right setup constantly stabled or don’t have enough knowledge or help from more experienced people . People also seem to think just because a horse is younger live and be ridden for longer which isn’t true a lot of young horses have to be retired or die young. I don’t think op is jealous I think maybe she has a older horse and feels judged by people in her yard.

I prefer older horses myself, for my own personal horses, I bought a 16yo, then a 15yo and now an 11yo. I got no business teaching a horse anything- I like a horse that knows its job and they generally are more appreciative. that said, the 11yo was straight over from Ireland and I have taught her 3 things- how to take anything in a syringe, how to wear a fly mask and how to long rein.

 

[eahotson]

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

If course.Straight away ?

 

[eahotson]

wow what a sweetie when young but so handsome now

Wow

 

[eahotson]

Thanks Barton Bounty, that is on the plan of things to try



I prefer older horses myself, for my own personal horses, I bought a 16yo, then a 15yo and now an 11yo. I got no business teaching a horse anything- I like a horse that knows its job and they generally are more appreciative. that said, the 11yo was straight over from Ireland and I have taught her 3 things- how to take anything in a syringe, how to wear a fly mask and how to long rein.

I did really want an older,been there done that but a genuine one that is also sound is very hard to find.People often don't sell them.

 

[Alibear]

I would dearly love to have purchased a been there, seen it, done it, got the tee-shirt horse. But no one sells those, especially not western trained in the UK.
So it's a long road for me with lots of support from suitable professionals. There's a lot of enjoyment to be had along the way, and I'm now succession planning too.

 

[windand rain]

Having only had disastrous times with made horses I only buy weanlings or ferals up to 2 never older

 

[skint1]

@eahotson, this is true, my older horses were affordable because they did have things that required management, arthritis, cushings etc. They were essentially happy hackers who could do a bit of low level schooling which is perfect for someone like me but probably not most people.