Why can I not buy the right horse for me?

We've had three 5 year olds and what they were at five was very different to what they became. They all had great temperaments and were competitive types but they needed to get out and experience life as well as learning their job as well as manners. I hasten to say that I didn't ride them in the early days, I'm far too inexperienced and wimpy and tbh they all had their moments eg rears, napping, etc but with consistent work and clear boundaries they soon got over it and actually became safe but quite talented horses/ponies and a joy to own. If you don't have the time and level of committment to do the work that your horse needs, then you should sell. Every horse deserves the best possible start but that start is expensive in terms of time and money so I also doubt that £5K will get you the horse you want unless you are prepared to take on a much older horse. Good luck I hope you find something to suit.
 
I feel you’re pain. I have a very sharp spooky warmblood and at 17.1 is a big boy. I have hacked him solo but it was not enjoyable. I then got another so friends could hack him out while I rode my warmblood. However, I have totally fallen for my other boy. And I ride him more than my warmblood. Hacks solo like a dream. Forward going and buzzy but gives me so much confidence. And is a jumping machine. He’s a Heinz 57 with trotter. They are out there.
 
Alternatively you could look for 1 or 2 sharers if you think that the problem is the not being ridden everyday. Or perhaps someone to school him a bit for you for a few weeks and see if it helps him settle.
 
sz90168 said:
Yes I do have a very experienced friend and she agrees that although current horse is nice he wont be the right one for me for a few years. I will definitely have a little bit of a break once he sells and then re-assess what I want. I think I want more an RC type horse than can be left for a few days, hacks and can possibly jump to 1m. I do not have enough time anymore for a young horse that needs riding 5-6 days a week and competing very regularly as I now also have other commitments. 5 years ago he would of been the perfect horse but not anymore unfortunately.
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You're possibly best off looking at Irish types... maybe a hunter or ID.
 
Most, but not all, warmbloods are pretty sharp and need to engage their brain to keep them sensible. I have one that is ' lively' to hack out when not in regular work however when fit he can be ridden on the buckle.
 
In my limited experience warmbloods are just a bit thick they are not the sharpest knife in the drawer so take quite a while to get things like Hacking and due to the specialist breeding are not always the quietest while they are learning. Once its in however they are beautiful and are some of the best performers there are. Until they break
 
I was very, very sensible and bought myself a fat, hairy pony type a rising 5yr old. She is my driving pony so slightly different but the same principle. She went away to be broken and was competing within 4 weeks. Since shes been working shes no longer fat, I clipped all the hair off and shes a smart looking little horse now. Shes also perked up and is a really responsive and forward pony now. I could have sold her 10 times over for 5 times what I paid for her already and its only been 6 months.

I really didnt want something like her when I went shopping but I had almost no budget and having to start again I really didnt want to get it wrong and waste another couple of years, so I bought something with a super, easy going temperament and its all fallen into place.

Shes 5 now and a horrible brat some days, but because shes fundamentally a laid back easy going pony, its nothing more than mildly irritating. I can leave her weeks then take her straight out onto the road with a carriage full of passengers and she gets on with the job. Shes going to be the best horse I have ever owned and I thank god on a daily basis that for once in my life I did the sensible thing!
 
I spoke to a local dealer yesterday who sells a great many horses. I asked them what price you would pay for a 6 or 7 year olds, safe to hack horse for local riding club and lower end show jumping (up to 1.10m) Their answer? From 10K upwards.
 
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