Buy or not to buy?

[noodle]

I have been riding a little on and off and and having lessons a year now.
I am 33 and have been considering the possibility of getting my own horse, {my DD has a pony on loan/share already}
All I want is a horse to go on simple quiet hacks and amble around on on my own, I certainly dont fancy jumping or galloping round.
I am far happier being left to get on with things so feel a little under preasure in the lessons and would rather take things slowly.
What to do?
Plus what sort of horse would be suitable? I feel far more comfortable and balanced on the wider cob/clyde-x types/.
Does anyone else have a horse that they just t'take it easy' on.

[Denbenj]

Happer Hacker ! Thats me ( when I'm riding) There are lots of horses out there who will just love exploring and hacking about at there own pace.

If you feel ready for your own horse... Go for it ! sounds like if you have already experienced a share situation its the ideal time to go for it!!

[mistysmum]

my friend has just thet, a nice quiet hack. She bought her favourite horse from the local EC. Quite a few |RC's have decent types they're willing to sell.
;)MM

[ginageorge]

I dont think you could go far wrong with a happy hacker perhaps a nice cob whos been there got the teeshirt type and with summer coming just think of the lovely hacks you could go on.

[sancho]

You just have to go for it! Choose carefully and get help finding one - it always helps to have another opinion or two!

Good luck

[Joyscarer]

I'm a solo happy hacker.

What I would say is that when you are budgeting to see if horse owning is your thing then don't forget to include money for more lessons ;)

[Gill]

I'm another hacker, just enjoy what you like to do. I had my first horse (Welsh cobxarab/tb) at about your age (when I was in my prime!) and we had great fun mostly doing long hacks alone or in company, and also fun rides.
My riding is a bit slower these days, twenty years later, with my latest horse (pure Welsh cob) but we have fun.

[NoviceNic]

Make sure you have researched yards and ensure you have some support and back up for when you arent sure of care, any problems that may arise etc. I dont see why you cant buy a hacker to have fun on. I think you will find there are a lot of mature people who like to have fun and amble around. :D

[noodle]

Thank you everyone for all the replies, I will definatly take more time to consider everything.
Now another couple of silly questions :rolleyes: I am 5ft7 12.5 to 13stonedepends what biscuits were on special offer!} so what size horse would be ideal and any ideas on breed OH YES age of horse, thanks xxxxx

[LindaAd]

my friend has just thet, a nice quiet hack. She bought her favourite horse from the local EC. Quite a few |RC's have decent types they're willing to sell.
;)MM

Thank you everyone for all the replies, I will definatly take more time to consider everything.
Now another couple of silly questions :rolleyes: I am 5ft7 12.5 to 13stonedepends what biscuits were on special offer!} so what size horse would be ideal and any ideas on breed OH YES age of horse, thanks xxxxx


I think I'd be a bit wary about buying a horse from a RS, unless you're planning to keep it there: they are used to a routine, with a lot of work and the constant company of other horses, so they could be unsettled and difficult to handled if moved to somewhere different.

As for size, well, noodle, you could ride a whole range of horses, from about 14.2hh up. What size of horse made you feel most comfortable in your lessons? And for breed, I wouldn't be dogmatic; start from a size range and look at all sorts of horses. There are lots and lots of lovely cross-breds or no-particular-breed types around. Same with age - go by the individual horse: some been-there and done-that types can get quite stroppy and argumentative if they think they know better than you, and some youngsters can be quite steady (I have experience of the first kind, not the second!). Just avoid anything that says "not a novice ride" or "needs bringing on"!

[spitchwick]

Sounds to me like your looking for a nice coloured cob, of which their are plenty around, but one who is known to be a happy hacker, experienced, a''done that, been there'' sort of pony.

[noodle]

Its not the height I felt comfy on its the width!!!!! :rolleyes::) I feel more balanced , dont worry I wont be buying a horse from my riding school!

[NoviceNic]

I wouldnt put people off buying from a RS to be honest. Not all RS horses are happy with the routine.

Captain is ex RS and it has been a pleasure to own him. :D

Are you happier with horses or ponies?? I like them small. I vowed never to buy a horse again. People think that my 14 2hh is huge but I think he is a pony...lol He is built like a tank and would be happy carrying your size and weight Noodles.

[noodle]

I have riden from 15.2 to 18HH !!!!! would love to try a lil 14.2 at some point!

[tina1958]

I've got two cobs I take it easy on. They are both very patient with me. The bigger one (15.1) gets over excited and b*****s of with me occassionally and I get in a right old tis was. The other is smaller (14.1) and I feel more in control of her so I don't mind bombing about on her sometimes.

[Gasbag]

I too am a Happy (although nervous) Hacker. I am not one bit competitive and when I bought my 21 year old 14.2hh skewbald two and a half weeks ago it was not with the intention to bolt around the country side jumping over rustic fences yee hah! My picture is more to amble around acres of open deer park (surrounding my home) on summer days with a back pack containing a delicious picnic and returning home with the sunset behind us............ :eek: OMG REALITY CHECK!!! I have been taking it slow as I am not very confident out side our boundaries and the difference inside the riding school to being out on the open road (where any eventuality can arise) is quiet scary. Tilly has not put a foot wrong yet but half an hours good experience is better than an hours endurance so each day I feel that I'm making progress.
I absolutely love looking after her.
If you feel ready noodle to buy your own, go for it! :D
My daugther had a 14 hh fell pony in the past (too forward going for me and very moody). Hubby wanted me to get something around 15hh 15.3hh but I felt this was too big for me - I love 14.2hh feels high but not scary.

[BlackBess]

If you think the time is right, go for it Noodle! I'm considering buying my first horse, she's the horse I ride at my RS, she's gorgeous and I am totally in love with her. But, I don't have any real experience of looking after horses (did my BHS Horse owners certificate several years ago), don't want to take her out of the RS and would need to find a sharer for her as all I want to be is a happy hacker as I hate jumping. My heart is telling me yes, but to be honest my head is telling me she needs a more experienced owner, I wouldn't be doing the right thing by her and that I'm just too inexperienced at the moment to have a horse of my own.

If sounds like you've got the experience and that you'd be a great owner. I do have a weakness for cobs - very comfy to ride and gentle, and Shire x's - the gentlest horses I've ever met. Have never ridden a Clydesdale but there was an article in a magazine showing an owner and his Clydesdale having a snooze in the field, oh and have also got a thing about Irish draughts. Good luck and all the very best.

[noodle]

HERE GOES!!!!!!!!
Going to see him tommorow!
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/AdvertRef/HM808J696/Page/3/Referrer/DisplayResultsHorses.asp/Web/DisplayHorseDetail.asp