Will i ever find a horse? :(

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Raych

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Well I've been looking for a horse for ages, and there has always been something wrong with the horses I've veiwed.
I've been to a few lovely dealers, but I told them its a first horse so they put me on extremley quiet horses, which i feel would be too easy for me and i would get bored soon. Or other problems such as overpriced, overhorsing/underhorsing, height, too far too travel etc.
I'm 15 and I have been riding for almost 7 years and have ridden practically everything in the riding school.
I mean i would like something safe in open spaces, good out xc, hacking and jumping, but something a bit more fun and off the leg. but still not strong or spooky.
I'm looking for a 15.2 so all in all, a horse everyone is looking for :(

Will my eternal search ever end?

sorry for pointless post, but i'm feeling a bit down :(
 
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I have a horse that would suit you, he is a 15.2 stunning dark bay gelding, 10 years old. Done everything, brilliant jumper, good in traffic etc, nice and forward going but not strong. I have owned him since May 2009 and he is very sadly outgrown. £4000. I am in Kent but im going on holiday for 2 weeks tomorrow, please email on l.hamm09@yahoo.co.uk if you want more information
 
Don't give up :) the perfect horse is out there for you it took me 6 months of searching until I eventually got he perfect horse and I'm so glad I waited because koko is just amazing!! :)

Is this your first owned horse ever, or is it just your first horse since ponies? If its your first horse ever have you thought about maybe getting a really easy to do pony first? Just don't give up! :D
 
You have my sympathy I've been looking for my first horse since October, and have seen several duds, have had various owners decide not to sell, have had horses sell before I view them, wildly misleading adverts, and a failed vetting.......

Hope you find something soon. And think yourself lucky you aren't looking for a 16-17hh version, they are even harder to find!
 
Mmmm, if you've been to a few dealers and they've suggested perhaps something more "sensible" as perhaps being suitable for you, then my feeling is that maybe they are genuinely wanting to find something suitable for you, for where you are now and your riding ability as it currently stands. Please don't take that as meaning that you're not capable of riding something a bit more "off the leg" as you put it, but thankfully there are some good dealers out there who're very good at suiting horse & rider, and it just might be that they're seeking something you're not, and are doing their very best to find you something suitable. It might be that a schoolmaster might just be the thing you need for say a year or whatever, and then you could move to something a bit more ambitious when you've gained experience and confidence. For a first horse you don't want something that's gonna land you in the next county before you've even put your foot in the stirrup!

If you've found a dealers yard that you like, and trust, and like the general set-up, I'd be inclined to take their advice as to what might suit you, after all they don't want you coming back a month after you've bought the horse saying its too strong for you, or whatever. But I'd be inclined to ask around just to check out the yard's reputation and whether other people have been satisfied with the horses they've bought there, even so. Better still is to take a friend and/or your instructor with you and ask their advice as to what sort of horse might suit you. Its too easy to see something and let the heart rule the head!!

The other thing you could do at this time of year particularly, is to perhaps have something on winter loan. There are lots of riding schools/trekking centres who farm out their horses on winter loan as it saves keeping them for the winter, so now's a good time to look for that. You'd be responsible for it for the winter, which would give you a good chance to see if you like the whole thing of horse ownership/responsibility involved; you could then, if you like the horse, make them an offer for it come the spring. Just a thought - its good sometimes to have an "escape route" if you did decide horse ownership is too much expense and hassle for you, plus schoolwork etc.

The other option is to share. There's a riding school near me which offers a share option for people in your position, who'd like a horse but perhaps don't want all the responsibility and/or can't afford the time or money involved. You share a horse for part of the week; the riding school allocates you something that it thinks is suitable for you, and you and the other sharer both share riding/stable duties etc. I know people who've done it and its worked really well for them: they've got the feel of their "own horse" but there's always someone around to help if needed plus it keeps costs down, plus easier as regards time commitment etc.

Hope this helps.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Mmmm, if you've been to a few dealers and they've suggested perhaps something more "sensible" as perhaps being suitable for you, then my feeling is that maybe they are genuinely wanting to find something suitable for you, for where you are now and your riding ability as it currently stands. Please don't take that as meaning that you're not capable of riding something a bit more "off the leg" as you put it, but thankfully there are some good dealers out there who're very good at suiting horse & rider, and it just might be that they're seeking something you're not, and are doing their very best to find you something suitable. It might be that a schoolmaster might just be the thing you need for say a year or whatever, and then you could move to something a bit more ambitious when you've gained experience and confidence. For a first horse you don't want something that's gonna land you in the next county before you've even put your foot in the stirrup!

If you've found a dealers yard that you like, and trust, and like the general set-up, I'd be inclined to take their advice as to what might suit you, after all they don't want you coming back a month after you've bought the horse saying its too strong for you, or whatever. But I'd be inclined to ask around just to check out the yard's reputation and whether other people have been satisfied with the horses they've bought there, even so. Better still is to take a friend and/or your instructor with you and ask their advice as to what sort of horse might suit you. Its too easy to see something and let the heart rule the head!!

The other thing you could do at this time of year particularly, is to perhaps have something on winter loan. There are lots of riding schools/trekking centres who farm out their horses on winter loan as it saves keeping them for the winter, so now's a good time to look for that. You'd be responsible for it for the winter, which would give you a good chance to see if you like the whole thing of horse ownership/responsibility involved; you could then, if you like the horse, make them an offer for it come the spring. Just a thought - its good sometimes to have an "escape route" if you did decide horse ownership is too much expense and hassle for you, plus schoolwork etc.

The other option is to share. There's a riding school near me which offers a share option for people in your position, who'd like a horse but perhaps don't want all the responsibility and/or can't afford the time or money involved. You share a horse for part of the week; the riding school allocates you something that it thinks is suitable for you, and you and the other sharer both share riding/stable duties etc. I know people who've done it and its worked really well for them: they've got the feel of their "own horse" but there's always someone around to help if needed plus it keeps costs down, plus easier as regards time commitment etc.

Hope this helps.
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Thank you, I have looked for a loan for 4 years and found nothing suitable in my area. My riding school doesnt offer shares, unfortunatley as i love all the horses there!

Thank you for all the advice, it is really helpful :D
And yes the dealers are very nice, i feel like i have given them the wrong impression though, i want something safe (like what they give me) but also something a bit more fun if that makes sense.
 
Raych said:
i want something safe (like what they give me) but also something a bit more fun if that makes sense.
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Ah but that's like the holy grail! There are very few horses who are totally 100% safe yet forward going, so those that are usually cost ££ and are snapped up v v fast! Most people end up having to get 'safe but slightly ploddy' aka half asleep lol to start with, then upgrade once they are more experienced in having their own horse.

It depends as well what you categorize as 'safe'. To me, my horse is safe as she would never intentionally dump you, but she does like a good buck, will attempt to tank round an open field, and used to have a lovely 'spin and run' maneuver when she was younger! To a dealer or novice, safe = never bucks/rears/spooks, is 100% in traffic, open fields etc. That kind of implies a horse without 'spark'! Those with a spark though, will often take advantage of a new owner, and develop interesting 'habits' that you never saw when you tried them out!
 
sounds like you're looking for a very rare horse! you might have to lower your standards or take a chance on one thats not quite your type.
e.g being off the leg you might have to make do with a bit of strongness.
if you have ridden everything in the riding school does that include the horses? if it does then you shouldnt have to worry about the jump from pony to horse. if they felt you were capable for the more advanced horse they would put you on one if you asked them to.

with dealers dont be worried about asking them what they have and you choosing the ones you want to try. its your horse so if you feel comfortable trying the more advanced ones its worth a try.
 
also if you dont want a boring hack your price will go up. what you want will be more expensive because like you said, they are very in demand. you might have to have a look out of your price bracket and see what price your kind of horse starts appearing at
 
Safe plus interesting spark is pretty much the holy grail! To find such a horse you will have to be very very lucky, not to mention have a seriously substantial budget. I wouldn't be put off a safe sort, a horse can very easily be 'warmed up' with feed, better fitness, schooling etc, but you will have a bl**dy hard time cooling down a horse who is a bit too much sometimes. A safe first horse that you feel confident on and helps you to get out and about on and enjoy is utterly invaluable. One that is a little too much, but sometimes 'fun' can take a real long time to get to grips with and can really damage your confidence.
 
oo sally 2008, very nice horse! but only problem like i was saying is that he's got the potential and talent, but he's excitable. the good normally comes with a bit of bad. got to make sacrifices!
 
glosgirl said:
Safe plus interesting spark is pretty much the holy grail! To find such a horse you will have to be very very lucky, not to mention have a seriously substantial budget. I wouldn't be put off a safe sort, a horse can very easily be 'warmed up' with feed, better fitness, schooling etc, but you will have a bl**dy hard time cooling down a horse who is a bit too much sometimes. A safe first horse that you feel confident on and helps you to get out and about on and enjoy is utterly invaluable. One that is a little too much, but sometimes 'fun' can take a real long time to get to grips with and can really damage your confidence.
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Yeah i understand, i have seen some horses that are very chilled out and could be a good first horse (with some feed and schooling etc to buzz them up a bit), but i havent felt the "click" yet and i feel like if i dont feel an immediate connection then the horse wont be for me.
 
glosgirl- true!

maybe go for the more safe one to build your confidence and then you can move onto the more advanced but quirky horse, when your ability, confidence and budget can handle it!
 
What you are describing is honestly like gold dust. And when you find it you will have to pay through the nose for it, so you might consider the type of horse you are seeking overpriced, however if there are people out there willing to pay the higher prices then people are going to ask the pricetag.

I also think you need to be realistic when horse buying. No horse is perfect, and if you expect them to be then you will be bitterly disappointed.

I actually have a horse for sale that would pretty much fit your description. He doesn't buck/rear/nap. He is an absolute pleasure to handle. He is forward without being strong/fizzy. He jumps like a stag and is out winning locally at unaff SJ/Dressage.
But he can be a little bit looky/spooky at times, and in his repatoire out hacking alone is a spooky spin (we are talking about 5 times in the last 5 months ...). It is amazing the amount of people that call up and want to jump 2'9" but gasp in horror at the prospect of an occassional spook/spin! For this pony, I could have sold him 10 times over if I hadn't declared this!!! As it is I care enough about him to find the right home (which hopefully I have now, fingers crossed!)

In my time I have seen many people go out and over horse themselves due to over estimating their own abilities, rapidly loosing confidence and finding themselves in a situation they never anticipated. And without wanting to generalise too much, it is quite often riders who only really have RS experience.

I would suggest if you have been to dealers, and they have been showing you horses that you think are under-horsing you, that they may well be showing you these for a reason.

I'd be interested to know what your budget is if you don't mind me asking. If under 3K then how about looking at slightly older horses 15-18 yo that have been there and done it, I think you could find something completely safe yet fun and capable in that age bracket for 2.5-3K, if you want 7-10yo then you will realistically be looking at 5K, even in this market.
 
Don't expect an immediate connection - my mare was right on paper, but I didn't really feel anything for her - which is odd as I am such a soppy cow that I'll pet any horse I come across! Now she is settled and we have done alot of work together she has really come out of her shell (a different horse to the one I tried when she was being sold!) and she is my horse in a million! If the horse fits on paper, then it might be a bit much to expect to get a feel of their true personality aswell. Esp if they are on a dealers yard, they may have had a few moves recently so might have gone into a bit of a shell. If you find a horse you like on paper, then it's worth going back a couple of times - school/hack/tack up and groom - so you get some more time with the horse and have a better idea of what they are like. In the end it is always going to be a bit of a leap of faith, it can take up to a year to get to know the horse and have them feel settled around you.
Good luck with your search, it takes a while but is so worth it in the end!!
 
glosgirl said:
Safe plus interesting spark is pretty much the holy grail! To find such a horse you will have to be very very lucky, not to mention have a seriously substantial budget. .
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Not necessarily, YO sold a 5 yo safe fun horse 15.2 tb x warmblood, started competing dressage and in the top 3, started SJ ready to start eventing, safe to hack, regularly hacked out by a 70 year old, sane to canter in open fields! Off the leg! Seriously what everyone says they're after!! Worth £5000 easily, but sold only for £3500!!! He was advertised on horsemart etc, so it wasn't even for lack of advertising! They just didn't get the calls!

Unfortunately you just have to do alot of sifting to get to the right horse and be prepared to travel, if you are travelling try and get a few in the same area to see in one day and possibly stay overnight somewhere and make a weekend of it.
 
He's described as not a novice ride not because he does anything nasty but because he is a thoroughbred and, like most TBs, he wouldn't be happy at being pulled about by an unbalanced novice.

I thoroughly enjoyed riding him (and I don't get on anything where there is the slighest possibility it could put me on the deck - I just can't afford to get hurt). He's forward going without being stupid and is a sweet, kind, upstanding chap that could give someone alot of fun.
 
you WILL find the one for you!

I spent ages looking for a new horse after i lost my last mare & I never thought i was going to find what i was looking for, like you, i was after something sensible and safe but forward going enough that i wouldnt get bored after my level of skill developed....well guess what? i found the holy grail, my 16hh belgian warmblood mare is super fun& loves to jump, works in a lovely outline and her paces are to die for! yet she will hack out alone and does not spook at anything!

keep looking and dont settle for less than you expect, obviously if you have a tight budget you may have to compromise on something as you will have less choice. But if you need to make the compromise make it on colour or breed, not on temperamant. You will know instantly when you find the right one, people always told me that and i wasnt sure i believed them until i saw it for myself!

ps. and get a 5 stage vetting ( people always tell you not to but do not scrimp on this , its peace of mind! ;-) )

Best wishes x
 
OK - 7 riding years but RS... want summin safe but can take you alot further... budget is limited... Want a really really good bond with your horse...

Oh this is sooo familiar. I was here last september (with only 12 months riding). Actually it was what I was after too but wasn't really looking. Oh and I'm not only a novice but a bit of a scaredy one. Being older I don't bounce so well...

It is quite a jump from RS robots (ok a few aren't) to a real, outside world horsey but here's the trick which worked for me - make sure the horse has the right personality for you (hang around with him/her for a while) and have backup. Whether it be instructors, very experienced friends etc and take a chance. Your riding skills and the horses style can be brought together.

This is what I did and I now have a 5 YO who's pretty bombproof, affectionate, ridiculously easy to catch, shoe, box, responsive to the leg (no whips or spurs), and has so much potential ahead of him. He's an ex-racer (the good bond bit) and yes I'm still pretty much a novice. The trick is to go to the smaller yards and ask lots of questions. If you were in Staffordshire I know exactly where I'd send you...

If the horse is cheaper but not quite right for your riding but good in every other way, the saving in price will end up being spent on having lessons etc - it's an investment and you will (hopefully) end up with exactly what you want.

PM me if you need more info or just a chat about the ex-racer option (got loads of info), one first time owner to another :)
 
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Thank you all, some very interesting advice here x
I wont give up, I'm going to keep looking, but equally not jump at the first thing that comes along.
 
That would be the lucky bit then! Takes such alot of travelling - plenty of frogs to kiss before you find your prince!
 
elsazzo said:
you WILL find the one for you!

I spent ages looking for a new horse after i lost my last mare & I never thought i was going to find what i was looking for, like you, i was after something sensible and safe but forward going enough that i wouldnt get bored after my level of skill developed....well guess what? i found the holy grail, my 16hh belgian warmblood mare is super fun& loves to jump, works in a lovely outline and her paces are to die for! yet she will hack out alone and does not spook at anything!

keep looking and dont settle for less than you expect, obviously if you have a tight budget you may have to compromise on something as you will have less choice. But if you need to make the compromise make it on colour or breed, not on temperamant. You will know instantly when you find the right one, people always told me that and i wasnt sure i believed them until i saw it for myself!

ps. and get a 5 stage vetting ( people always tell you not to but do not scrimp on this , its peace of mind! ;-) )

Best wishes x
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oh......and if your feeling down just remember how lucky you are to be getting your own horse- many people would love to be in your shoes! ;-)
 
I would also like to say dont write off a horse for being too quiet. If you are at a dealers yard bear in mind the horse will be fairly relaxed in his surroundings, probably not fed a huge amount (nothing wrong with this) and being schooled regularly. Get that horse home, in unfamiliar suroundings, probably a bit too much grass and feed (as most of us do!), out on the stubble fields or XC course and it could be a total y different experience.

We purchased my big daughter a young TB about 4 yeras ago. She had a week long trial at the dealers yard and found the horse spirited but straightforward, but once she got home it was totaly different. She spent 3 years struggling and not realy having fun. We ended up selling her last summner and were not intending to replace her - thats how badly it had got to her.

Anyhow we gave up looking, then by chance looked at an add on the edge of HHO for a 5yo cob>>> part of me thought nooo, not another youngster, however 1 year on and she has had the most fabulous year with her new horse and couldnt be happier.

Dont worry, the right horse will be out there somewhere
 
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