Youngsters - how do you know when you're ready?

FestiveFuzz

FestiveFuzz

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Those that have been following my endless quest for a new horse will know that I've not really been having an easy ride of things. My YO sent me over a pic of a beautiful 15.3 mare the other day and said that whilst she's incredibly green she seemed like a nice sort and that I should view her. So off we trundled to go see her.

I'm under no illusions that she's very, very green, having only been broken last year and then turned away for Winter but she's now been back in work a month or so and seems to have taken it all in her stride. She seems very genuine...doesn't fret if she doesn't understand something, just keeps trying until she susses it and despite her young age I felt fairly comfortable on her. On top of this she is utterly adorable on the ground...she fell asleep in the crook of my arm after I'd ridden her and stood calmly whilst I untacked and groomed her.

I've ridden and owned for over 20 years now but as many will know I'm not always the bravest of riders. This has always been why I've shied away from having a proper youngster, however the horse I've just sold was incredibly green when I bought him and we muddled along fine for 3 years...although that wasn't without it's fair share of blood, sweat and tears.

I'm now on a dressage yard, and am in the fortunate position to be able to afford to put my new horse on schooling livery there if needs be (although this does mean reducing the money I put into savings each month). In the last few weeks of having lessons with our YO I feel my riding has improved in a way it hasn't in the 3 years I was with my previous trainer, although this is most likely down to riding her rather super schoolmaster :D But either way, her teaching style really resonates with me and fills me with confidence...to the point I was willing to view such a green horse in the first place.

I've put in an offer, which they've accepted and then promptly panicked as she's the top end of my budget and I'm worried that I'm going to ruin her. I've budgeted for weekly lessons with her, and the yard will be working with her 5 days a week to help bring her on. On top of this I'll be having regular lessons on the schoolmaster to ensure that I'm best placed to help bring her on...but still I'm worrying!

So those that have taken the plunge and bought a baby, please reassure me that I'm not making a terrible decision.

Token photo as I know these threads are pointless without one (please ignore my terrible position, my stirrups were too long and I was too lazy to fix them)
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She looks lovely.

It sounds like you have a fantastic support network around you, so I would say stop panicking!

I have been in the same boat really - I have bought a nice horse at the top end of my budget and I am worrying I am going to ruin this lovely mare!

I think the key is not to build it up in your head to being a massive thing having a 'youngster'. Keep on with lots of lessons and don't rush anything, you'll be fine :)
 
She looks very smart!

I honestly think that with the support network you have around you it is very unlikely that you will ruin this horse. Unless you go mad and start ignoring all advice or something like that :p. The worst that can happen is that you decide it is a bit too much for you (I don't think you will) and have to sell her on, but you won't ruin her. Your instructor won't let you!

Good luck :)
 
ooo how exciting! I cannot offer sensible advice as I bought myself an unhandled 2 year old and backed her myself, yes there have been ups and downs and I too live in the fear of messing her up. However I've enjoyed every moment so far and it's been so satisfying being the one to do all her firsts :D.

You have a great support network and have factored in the expenses of schooling and lessons so I think you are going to do great :).
 
Ooh exciting. Have a good old think about the risks/downsides and how you'd cater for them, although sounds like you've done a fair amount of thinking already. And I think you know already that you're going to go ahead regardless haha. Agree that a supportive and knowledgeable network will be a huge help.

I think you can go a long way with a horse with the right attitude and temperament, coupled with the kind of help you seem to have.
 
She looks gorgeous and sounds lovely. You sound like you have a great set up, with plenty of help on offer.
I have had quite a lot of youngsters over the years, but have similar feelings to you about my current one. I almost like her too much so am worried about ruining her. Just enjoy her and obviously keep us updated
 
She looks gorgeous in that pic. I think you are over analysing things. Get her, have the lessons and the schooling livery if you think you need that and crack on.

Much prefer the look of her to anything else you've posted about ;)
 
Thanks guys, I'm a chronic worrier and the most frugal person when it comes to actually spending money on myself (although when it comes to the horses/other people I don't give it a second thought!), so the thought of spending so much on something so young is terrifying.

My initial plan is to keep her on schooling livery for 4-6 months and see where we are then. I'm a tad concerned about getting her hacking out alone as so far she's only hacked a handful of times and always in company but the yard will hack her as part of our livery which I guess will help.
 
Well done for taking the plunge, she looks and sounds just right. We will be expecting lots of updates with pictures....:D
 
Sounds like you have a great support network which is exactly what is needed with youngsters.

She sounds great, for me temperament is everything when i'm looking for horses, just so happens that the one i liked the most happened to be 4 - but i've had great fun bringing her on with loads of help from instructors and friends.

Hope you have lots of fun together!
 
She has had a good education and is backed and ready to start learning, you are pretty experienced, and have a great support system/lessons in place, etc. I think you'll do great. Very different from buying say, an unhandled 1yr old and keeping with no help! :)
 
Molly'sMama said:
She has had a good education and is backed and ready to start learning, you are pretty experienced, and have a great support system/lessons in place, etc. I think you'll do great. Very different from buying say, an unhandled 1yr old and keeping with no help! :)
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I think I just wobble slightly at the thought of having such a green horse as I know I'm not always the bravest and don't want my occassional confidence issues to impact her. You're right though, it's vastly different to buying an unhandled baby baby so perhaps I should have a bit more faith...especially as you always hear of those with no idea buying a youngster and managing to muddle through.
 
FestiveFuzz said:
I think I just wobble slightly at the thought of having such a green horse as I know I'm not always the bravest and don't want my occassional confidence issues to impact her. You're right though, it's vastly different to buying an unhandled baby baby so perhaps I should have a bit more faith...especially as you always hear of those with no idea buying a youngster and managing to muddle through.
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Like me ;) My first pony was a 5 year old silly pony that'd been backed the previous summer, and I was ...13? With unhorsey parents, but a great instructor/YM etc and we managed through; you are in an infinitely way better situation!!! :)
have some confidence, imagine it going well and it will.
 
Bought and brought on a three year old as my first horse. I'd loaned others but she was my first owned. Nice natured makes all the difference. As long as you have support and are never reluctant to ask for help when you need it you'll be fine.
 
I must be on another world...went down the horse sales n bought one we like the look off.no name.no history.no nothing.load up n take home.tack up n see what happens.....people bang on bout there true horse or my soul mate...a horse will often find u.....we may look at life differntly with a tad more risk...but soooo much fun...i get bucked off.broke a few bones...concusion more than i can recall.smashed my hat.....it life....i 50 next.still ridin...got my 17.3 id to.play with and eyeing up my my mrs ex racehorse to play...another no history buy...at the end o the day...follow your gut...if it aint right...u ad a play.sell on n move on.the person u bought it from did....and enjoy
 
FestiveFuzz said:
I think I just wobble slightly at the thought of having such a green horse as I know I'm not always the bravest and don't want my occassional confidence issues to impact her. You're right though, it's vastly different to buying an unhandled baby baby so perhaps I should have a bit more faith...especially as you always hear of those with no idea buying a youngster and managing to muddle through.
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Think you've just described me! I am an older lady who didn't start riding until I was in my forties. I bought myself a lovely 14 year old gelding who was a brilliant first horse. Sadly I lost him last year and then found myself the owner of a recently backed rising 5 year old mare. I am not the most confident rider and my mare is only ever destined to be a happy hacker but we are muddling our way through!
 
I would always buy a youngster as it is a blank canvas and with the right help is all your way of doing things. I have been looking for an older pony for novice owners and most of them have quirks are downright awful or are horrendously expensive for something not very special. I feel like telling them to get a youngster with a great temperament and get help to bring it on. Trouble is they are very novice and would hate for it not to work. My first horse was an Irish TB four year old newly backed and he was wonderful I was 15
congratulations on finding you friend
 
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FestiveFuzz said:
I think I just wobble slightly at the thought of having such a green horse as I know I'm not always the bravest and don't want my occassional confidence issues to impact her. You're right though, it's vastly different to buying an unhandled baby baby so perhaps I should have a bit more faith...especially as you always hear of those with no idea buying a youngster and managing to muddle through.
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Another to quote you saying erm yep that would be me :o. Seems to be going ok so far :D, though do think we need more pictures on this thread ;).
 
I am very sure you can handle it. She looks and sounds like a really nice horse don't be put off by her age and don't underestimate your abilities. To be able to ride a schoolmaster correctly does take skill remember they will only do what they are told to do.

I bought a youngster and i was in an even more nervous state than you. I couldn't even get on a horse without having a panic attack. He was similar to your mare had only been backed the previous year and done very little since then. He was probably worse as he wasnt as schooled as your mare and disunited a lot. But he was right for me and made me feel safe. He still does take care of me when I am terrified. He is taking advantage of my nerves or was rather. I have stood up to him now and said no and he has stopped trying to scare me. You i doubt would teach a horse the kind of stupid things I have taught him but I have also managed to unteach him the bad habits.

If i can manage it you certainly can. Just enjoy it not every youngster is like the first one you had. Some of them are sweethearts.
 
She looks lovely! Sounds as though you have great support around you to get you both through the inevitable ups and downs. Not all youngsters are sharp, dangerous loons. The biggest call mine has made on my confidence has been about how clear my aids are, making small corrections quickly and timing release of pressure just right to make things clear. That's where the lessons help! I have never at any point felt unsafe on him. You sound a lot more experienced than me, and I am doing okay with my boy, having had stacks of help and support along the way. Enjoy her and best of luck!
 
I think you need to have more confidence in yourself. It sounds as if you have a lot of experience, a fantastic support system, and a really nice set-up to give this mare the best possible education. I think you will be super together! You look fab on her and I look forward to reading your future updates :)

Congrats!!
 
TATTOOSNHOOVES said:
I must be on another world...went down the horse sales n bought one we like the look off.no name.no history.no nothing.load up n take home.tack up n see what happens.....people bang on bout there true horse or my soul mate...a horse will often find u.....we may look at life differntly with a tad more risk...but soooo much fun...i get bucked off.broke a few bones...concusion more than i can recall.smashed my hat.....it life....i 50 next.still ridin...got my 17.3 id to.play with and eyeing up my my mrs ex racehorse to play...another no history buy...at the end o the day...follow your gut...if it aint right...u ad a play.sell on n move on.the person u bought it from did....and enjoy
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Ah to have your balls! Sadly I work a fairly high powered job. The upside is it allows me the luxury of buying a well bred youngster and the option of schooling livery. The downside is taking time off for illness is unheard of so I can't afford to take unnecessary risks, nor at this stage of my life do I want to.

I do admire your attitude though. Long gone are the days where I'd hop on anything offered to me. I'm always envious of those friends that still do.
 
you need to have more faith in yourself. You have a better support network than most people do, with a youngster that's already broken :)

You will be fine - treat her as any other horse and learn together :)
 
windand rain said:
I would always buy a youngster as it is a blank canvas and with the right help is all your way of doing things. I have been looking for an older pony for novice owners and most of them have quirks are downright awful or are horrendously expensive for something not very special. I feel like telling them to get a youngster with a great temperament and get help to bring it on. Trouble is they are very novice and would hate for it not to work. My first horse was an Irish TB four year old newly backed and he was wonderful I was 15
congratulations on finding you friend
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Thanks! I know what you mean about the older ones. I started out this search with a budget of £5k and an aim of finding a schoolmaster type so I could just hop on and go out and have fun. All of these were advertised as "anyone's ride" yet of all the "schoolmasters" I viewed I feel only one of them truly ticked that box (and sadly for me I felt she was a little too laid back for what I wanted). The rest either had medical issues (often undisclosed until viewing/vetting) or quirks (bucking, rearing, broncking, spinning) that would quickly get out of hand in the wrong hands. Fortunately I wasn't looking for a first horse type but if I had been I'd have assumed from the adverts that these horses would be suitable for a novice rider.
 
thing is you can buy an 10 year old that is mentally like a 2 year old and you can buy a 4 year old with the brain of a 16 year old. If you like the way the horse rides and have good backup you are unlikely to ruin it. yes you will make mistakes (everyone does) and so will the horse but the horse will not stand in the stable when you get off thinking up revenge! just remember if something does not go perfectly the first time that its not a major problem and stay relaxed so the horse will not worry about it and you can correct whatever it was next time
 
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