Would you say the breed matters for a first time owner?

[KikiDee]

Unfortunately no : ( ive been going off of books and research alone

Take your time, be honest with sellers about what you’re looking for and don’t feel pressured or rushed into a sale.

If there’s no videos on an advert ask for them to be sent to you, I’d like to see a horse in videos out hacking, jumping and in open spaces. Get videos of your own riding as well and send them to the seller, they should be able to tell you if they think the horse will be suitable. Pay close attention to things like what bit they have it in (is horse advertised as safe and pictured serenely walking in an open field but has graduated from a snaffle to a running Waterford gag? Why?) and any suspicious video editing like a video being cut off as soon as the horse lands after a jump.

I expect them to be in or tied up when I arrive for a viewing as that’s practical, but look out for signs like the horse looking unusually tired or sweated up that might point to it being worked before you get there. Also check the stable, does it have water? It’s a very dodgy practice but restricting water is an old way to keep a horse quiet. Ask to see the seller ride it first, and if they have the facilities ask if you can see it ridden and cantered out in the field not just the arena.

Don’t feel pressured when you try the horse yourself, take as long as you need to feel comfortable. Have a good walk to get a feel, trot and canter round on both reins. If anything doesn’t feel right don’t be embarrassed to hop off and say “sorry not for me”, viewings shouldn’t be a test of your nerve and it’s not worth risking your safety if you feel things going pear shaped.

An honest seller won’t be phased by any of the above and should want to place the horse with the right person and welcome your questions and time spent.

 

[Skib]

Also, a lot of Connies are quite hot in my experience, I’m sure there are quieter models but a lot of oversized Connies are bred for the teenage eventer market, which they are very good at so be careful

My RS Connie was over size and was indeed zippy. She was exactly what an old person needs. One day when we paused to chat to a returning ride the escort girls remarked that Maisie would do anything I asked. Just try her. Show us halt to canter. She did one step walk and then cantered.

I do have a theory though about safe riding. Horses read your mind. If you like to canter and allow the canter, horses will canter for you. And will enjoy it. Connies are clever (mine was a mare) and they know the difference between a beginner and a speed merchant.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Definitely individual horse dependant. Although they can get a bad rep. I’ve had a few warmbloods in my adult life from show-jumping lines (I’m not a show-jumper) and they’ve been much better behaved and polite on the ground and ridden than many cobs I know. They also don’t get sallenders and mallenders, cpl or sunburnt (Coloureds) need clipping every 5 minutes or generally act like bull-dozers.

My most recent horse is quarter Welsh D and quarter Arab plus ID and hanoverian he’s the most difficult horse I’ve owned and I bought him as my future “old lady horse”. Let’s hope we both make it .

 

[ladyrainicorn]

Take your time, be honest with sellers about what you’re looking for and don’t feel pressured or rushed into a sale.

If there’s no videos on an advert ask for them to be sent to you, I’d like to see a horse in videos out hacking, jumping and in open spaces. Get videos of your own riding as well and send them to the seller, they should be able to tell you if they think the horse will be suitable. Pay close attention to things like what bit they have it in (is horse advertised as safe and pictured serenely walking in an open field but has graduated from a snaffle to a running Waterford gag? Why?) and any suspicious video editing like a video being cut off as soon as the horse lands after a jump.

I expect them to be in or tied up when I arrive for a viewing as that’s practical, but look out for signs like the horse looking unusually tired or sweated up that might point to it being worked before you get there. Also check the stable, does it have water? It’s a very dodgy practice but restricting water is an old way to keep a horse quiet. Ask to see the seller ride it first, and if they have the facilities ask if you can see it ridden and cantered out in the field not just the arena.

Don’t feel pressured when you try the horse yourself, take as long as you need to feel comfortable. Have a good walk to get a feel, trot and canter round on both reins. If anything doesn’t feel right don’t be embarrassed to hop off and say “sorry not for me”, viewings shouldn’t be a test of your nerve and it’s not worth risking your safety if you feel things going pear shaped.

An honest seller won’t be phased by any of the above and should want to place the horse with the right person and welcome your questions and time spent.

This is such good advice im literally taking notes on this! Ty!!