Why buy a 2 year old?

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lcharles

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I love to buy youngsters to bring on and make them my competition horses, by buying a youngster - 3 y/o's usually, I can teach them how I want them to be and i enjoy watching them change as they learn.

A couple of girls at the yard have bought 2 year olds, all they do and all they want to do is hack occasionally. Personally I don't understand why anyone would buy a 2 year old to hack, even if they did the occasion show - which they don't - why would you buy a 2 y/o? They love there horses to bits and I can see that but they are quite novicey types and have to pay for them to be backed and then get upset when the horse throws itself around, bolts off, messes about etc - everything to be expected of a 2 y/o!

I do feel that its a shame for the 'older' horses that either need a step down in their career, or one that cant compete due to an injury etc aren't getting the homes as happy hackers if people are buying such young horses.

So, have you bought a young horse - under 4 - to just hack out, and if so, why? x
 
Not all horses are destined for competition, there is a market for people who have no interest in competing or cannot afford the associated costs.. Good job too, otherwise there would be a much narrower type of horse being bred.
Not quite the same, but I took on a rescued H/W cob as a 3 yr old. There is no way this boy would ever be more than a good riding horse and bombproof hack and yet hardly a week goes by when someone doesn't declare an interest in buying him. Had an offer just this morning, but he's too good to sell.
However, if someone made a good offer for my BSJA mare, I'd consider. Possibily.
 
Yes... ish.

I bought a just turned 3yo completely unhandled. I was looking for something backed and probably spanish or clyde/cob. About 16hh+.

I walked into her field after having said I wasn't interested (too young, too green, too short) and knew I had to have her. Head said no and I declined. Friends and OH then pushed that I'd regret if I didn't and that she was going to be mine. Unforunately on the week I was set to start backing her properly someone attacked her in the field and as such have turned away to be a horse again (literally shaking when more than one person on the yard). She'll be worked on next year as this last month has properly relaxed around people and is back where she was last time round.
I also now have her 8yo fairly unhandled (nothing in last 3+ years and never backed) sister.

Littlun was out with the others running round and headed straight to us when the others hooned off. Her temperament is amazing and I love her quirks. The sister came as no-one wanted her. Appalling attitude, sweet-itch and nasty. Took 3 days to stop her swinging her arse at me (and anyone else), leading fine (apparently lead everywhere on two legs previously) and although still a bit of an idiot with the other horses (who aren't fussed by it and ignore her) very well mannered around people now.

I don't have any interest in showing/competing. This doesn't mean I don't want to jump, have fun, possibly trec etc. I don't see why a youngster can't be brought on to simply hack. I wouldn't rule out an older horse though and would always look this way first unless homebred.
 
The OP implies these people are getting two year olds to start riding straight away..? If so, I'm not bl**dy surprised they're having problems!

I buy youngsters because the sort of horses I like would be far too expensive for me to afford once they were of riding age.
 
I bought a foal... already doing piaffe and passage at 15 months old...... In the field!!

Ha ha got ya! :D
 
I've got a couple ive brought at 2 or younger but they were all turned out and just taught basics until 3 then wear tack etc and broken at either just before 4 or 4 years. I had no intentions of buying that age apart from my coloured but they would of either gone to meat man or gone to some idiot who would of backed them too early! Both I still have and will be with me for life and fitted in well with my life while I was at college as they were too young to do much then! I think now I wouldn't but something that young as its a long time I wait before you can ge them out properly! Saying that I have just brought a 3 year old section a challenge that I will break next year for my son ( I'm very light plus have a midget jockey as a friend) currently she has a few attitude issues so plenty of things to keep me busy with!
 
I do feel that its a shame for the 'older' horses that either need a step down in their career, or one that cant compete due to an injury etc aren't getting the homes as happy hackers if people are buying such young horses.
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You are assuming that the hacking is on easy terrain and undemanding for the horse physically. A horse needs to be fit and sound to do the routes that I regularly ride. ;)

I have two youngsters (four and two years old) that I bought when they were yearlings. I would much rather buy horses from the stud/breeder.

I may compete again when the four year old is back in work and going well, but at the moment I am content exploring the countryside and my mare loves it too. :)
 
Why not though would be my question, not all horse can compete to higher standards and some horses who were perhaps bred for comps never get there as not suited :)

I'd have a two year old, but I agree I'd rather buy what I wanted younger and mould it into what I want it to be as chanves are pricetag would be to great once backed and ridden away :)
 
2 year olds are often best bargain wise. If the rider isn't experienced breaking they could send it to a good breaking yard. Why not? If I wanted a horse to hack I would get myself a 2 year old cob, costs £20 and even if it costs a bit to break in it would still be a bargain.
 
I bought my 2 and a half year old New Forest X because I wanted to put the backing work in from the start myself. I didnt' buy her with a view to competing but it's not something I'd dismiss as I keep getting told that she's going to be really nice. I have horses to enjoy them, as I see fit, and if that's just hacking, then that's my decision and don't think anyone should dictate to me what age or type of horse I should get. I've taken on the retired racehorses and the heartache that goes with finding out there's something wrong with them - this time I wanted something totally different and I adore this pony who is now 3 and a half and proving to be everything I want her to be.
 
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