Would it be silly to buy this horse?

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Marshmallow29

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I am a novice rider and I have been told about a horse for sale locally who is working medium (is this the right expresssion, sorry, I reallly am a novice
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) at home. The lady who told me about him thinks he would be good for me because he is very nice natured and not too big. I don't know whether to go and look at him or if I am being totally stupid and will end up with a horse who knows far more than I do
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Hard to say without knowing more about the horse. Is he a novice ride? I wouldnt write him off just because he's working at medium. He could be a nice schoolmaster but you hvent given us much to comment on. I prefer seeing novices on experienced horses.
 
Does she mean medium level dressage? That will be expensive! Tbh I don't think it would suit you, if it has been schooled to that level it will be very sensitive and responsive to all of your aids including your weight and I doubt it would be very forgiving of any mistakes you might make. I would think an older horse that has seen it all would probably suit you better.
Happy hunting!
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If you are a novice you should want a horse that knows far more than you so you can learn to ride on it!! Medium dressage is a high level (goes prelim, novice, elementary and then medium etc...) but if the horse can do it then at least you can learn from it. It really depends on its temprement, how fowargoing it is and whether it would respond badly if you gave it the wrong signals or if it would put up with it whilst you are learning. You could always ring up and ask the owner honestly about whether they think it would be suitable for you given your experience. With lessons you never know you may just suit each other
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Sorry, I wasn't sure what info to give. He is a Highland and I think he is classed as a pony? He is 14.2 hh and I understand that he has a very nice temperament. He is for sale because the lady who owns him wants to progress further than his ability, if that sounds right?
 
We have highland on our yard and she is the most forgiving little mare.I would go and have a look and see if your matched.
 
He could be great! But working at medium level, makes me think he will be very sensitive and not too happy for you to make mistakes as he will be used to medium dressage! Good look anyway, even if he isnt the right one Im sure you will find one!
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Thank you
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I can ask more questions when I get the lady's phone number so the more infomation I get from the forum the better please! He is expensive (or at least, I think he is, not really sure how much to pay for a horse like this?) and certainly more than I paid for my daughter's coloured cob who is a lovely horse and I have been learning on her but we really need a horse each now as I have developed a real interest.
 
I had been riding only two years when I bought my mare and she was 4 and very green as was I. We have been together for over 19 years now and although the learning process has been longer I wouldn't swop her for anything. It is about you and the horse and its temperament and no-one else can make this decision for you as we and our horses are all so different. If it feels right then go for it and as long as you have good help on the ground you will be ok.
 
A Highland that is working at medium - oh lovely, absolutely lovely.
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If, as others have said, he has a forgiving temprement, he could be just the ticket. Find out more, get piccies and let us know all the info.
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I'm in the Midlands and he is 5,500 I think. I have only spoken to a friend of the lady who's selling him so far. I have my daughter's riding instructor to help me. I've been having lessons too, although I am only just starting. There are also lots of lovely helpful people at the stables where we keep my daughter's horse and I am sure they will continue to be very supportive. I have learnt a lot from them already
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nope lol it then goes after medium: advanced medium, advanced, PGC and grand prix (what you see on tv :P!) (i think correct me if i am wrong anyone!!).

As for saying a medium dressage horse is not forgiving that is not always the case i started in a sort of similar position to you (not a novice but incredibly nervous after breaking my back and had lots of bad habits from riding a cob before buying my new one), i bought a horse working at medium level dressage and jumping newcomers (1m 10) and he has been the most forgiving and kind gentleman i could have wished for (the one in my profile picture). He has boosted my confidence so much in the 7 weeks i have had him, so much so i am now jumping again already and have gone out and done a dressage test on him (just prelim - the first level). So this horse could be the best thing you have ever bought if it is forgiving and a schoolmaster!!

Just make sure you ask about tempremant and how sensitive it is to a riders seat and aids. If very sensitive and not forgiving it probably isnt right for a novice rider
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I don't know anything about Highlands but I have looked on the net and they look really nice. He is a dun colour with a stripe on his back I have been told. I think I would like to go and look at him at the very least.
 
Thanks again snowysadude
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Your horse is very handsome. I love grey horses! I will ask the questions about temperament and sensitivity if I decide to go and see him after I've spoken to the lady selling him.
 
Highlands are great horses, I like them! Very hardy so usually pretty cheap to keep which is good. As i said earlier though if he is working at that level I would ensure that he is happy for you to make mistakes etc and not overreact. Imo £5500 for a horse working at medium level is really cheap!
 
I don't think you will know til you actually meet him. Some highlands are very sweet and others I have met are quite bolshy. Like any other horse I suppose, but they can be quite difficult.
You really need to ride him and see how you get on. Also have someone experienced go with you. Ask for proof of what the pony has done also. I am sure you know that some people selling horses can be a bit unscrupulous. Ask about sweet Itch and laminitis. Spend time with him in his stable to find out what he is like to work around.
Sorry, not trying to rain on your parade at all, just covering the bases.
 
Go have a look! If he has the right temperament, he could be great.

One thing to look out for when you ride him is whether he does what you ask for or whether he anticipates his own thing. You may need a bit of help from the owner to get the right buttons (I always ask, so am I all in favour of asking owners for tips on the day!), but when you do he should respond with what you want to do.

I rode a PSG horse when I had only just about ridden up to elementary and he was perfect because he waited and listened. You could come across the diagonal and stay in counter canter, or you could ask for a flying change or you could to a walk transition. I thought that was the perfect definition of a good schoolmaster, not only did he put up with me but he also listened to me!
 
Is it cheap? I am showing my ignorance again aren't I? I really don't have a clue when it comes to horse prices. Daughter's horse was only 3,500 but I suppose that might be because she hasn't done as much dressage? She was doing some and I think, now snowysadude has told me about the levels, that it was elementary perhaps? Not sure really so I will shut up for now
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Thank you everyone else who has given me tips. I am going to print everything off and take with me so that I ask the right questions. I think the horse will be able to come to the stables where we keep Chloe for me to have a trial. The instructor can assess me and the horse together then as well as getting one or two experienced people at the yard to have a look and a ride on him as well to give me their thoughts.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am a novice rider and I have been told about a horse for sale locally who is working medium (is this the right expresssion, sorry, I reallly am a novice
blush.gif
) at home. The lady who told me about him thinks he would be good for me because he is very nice natured and not too big. I don't know whether to go and look at him or if I am being totally stupid and will end up with a horse who knows far more than I do
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[/ QUOTE ]

Does the lady selling him know your riding ability? Is she your instructor? What interest does she have in the Highland ? You would be best to take someone who knows your ability and watch the horse being ridden to make an honest opinion. Be careful and do not get on the horse till you have seen it being ridden by them in all three paces. Sorry but I think £51/2K is expensive for a novice rider
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But good luck it's at least worth a look
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The price is expensive for a first horse, but not expensive if he is a competition horse suitable for a first horse (if you see what I mean!).

Check on his competition record. Ideally the owner should be able to print this out for you from the BD website, but if she can't ask for his competition name (you need to be a BD member to search horse results on the site, but if you are not feel free to PM me his competition name and I can check for you). To justify that price he should have some points at Elementary and, ideally, some good placings up to that level.

Good luck if you decide to go for a viewing!
 
FWIW
Prelim, Novice, Elementary,Medium, Advanced Medium, advanced, Prix St Georges (PSG) Intermediare I, Internediare II, Grand Prix

If he's working medium, he can collect, extend, do a flying change, direct and indirect transitions, rein back, shoulder in, travers, half pass...... lots to learn but what fun learning!

Hard to price a Highland working at that level because it's very unusual - Highlands don't usually do dressage
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.... not sure you need a horse with that level of education (and therefore you probably don't need to spend so much) but if you like him, and want to buy him (and everyone else thinks he's suitable too!) then have fun
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Dressage levels are:
Prelim, Novice, Elementary, Medium, Advanced Medium, Advanced, Prix St George (PSG), Inter I, Inter II, Grand Prix.

If he is a patient highland type who is schooling medium he could be just the ticket but it depends how novice you are.

A lot of horses are said to be schooling medium level when they are being trained to work at medium level, in reality they would be competing at elementary level. Ask about his competition record if you do go see him as that will give you an indication of how he behaves at competitions.
 
I don't think you should buy him I think you should give me the money to buy him
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Seriously though, most Highlands are lovely and very hardy, if he is safe, forgiving and not overly sensitive to the aids then he may be an ideal first horse/schoolmaster type.
Give the owner a ring it's the only way you'll know if the horse is suitable for you.
 
Highlands are brilliant. I am a huge fan. Some are suitable for novices and some will take the pee out of a person if they can.

Go and have a look, see him ridden, ride him yourself etc and take things from there, but take a knowledgeable person with you.
 
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