Advice urgently needed

[Katrin]

I have been offered a 4 year old Arab X for loan. He's "backed but not broken" (?) and a little over 14.2hh

I have ridden for 6 years, but that is 10 years ago. I started again in February this year, and taken on a share in April. I would class myself as an intermediate beginner.
I have never brought on a youngster before, but am very willing to learn. And, most importantly, I know what I don't know, meaning that I don't think I'm a know-it-all.

What do you all think? Should I give it a go?
Thanks for your help
Katrin

[Sarah]

hello!

Hmm, that's a tricky one! you have a good amount of experience in hand, but it is from a few years ago.

Bringing on a youngster is very hard work, it requires a lot of time, patience and knowledge as i am sure you realise. It is not usually recommended that your first horse is a youngster. If this horse has been backed but not broken i assume that measn he has had a saddle on and possibly a rider. He needs to be schooled and educated right from the beginning up.

I would recommend that it may be worth waiting to see what else you could get on loan, as a 4yo is very hard work. I know that as I bought Tango as a 4yo as a first horse and (although no way do I regret getting her) looking back on it, I certainly did not have the experience to bring her on. I was very lucky with her, but I wouldn't recommend a youngster as a first horse.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

bye!

[Mossy]

Hi
As well as your experience, and self knowledge and confidence, what facilites and help do you have. I am bringing on a youngster at the moment and teaching lunging in a field is much harder than in a school. Do you have access to a trainer who you trust to help you if you get stuck, and to cast a critical eye along the way. Is there anybody who can escort you on when you first venture out of the yard. What is he like in hand in traffic. Is he socialised and mannerly about the stable and field Sorry if I am stating the obvious but the ansewrs may affect your decision. How do you feel about the idea? You know the horse.
I know how Sarah feels but there are a lot of people out there who say they bought youngsters and, with hindsight would not have done, but they have stable well adjusted animals at the end of it.
The only thing about a youngster on loan, is you run the risk of the owner saying thanks for your hard work we will take him back now, and sell him for higher price than they would have done otherwise. You are left with valuable experience but not much else. See if you can get first refusal to purchase written into the contract. Do not forget a thorough vetting before you agree to the idea.
Good luck

[Laya]

Well, I'd say that you could succeed at this since you can help with the ground manners and the basics, but you should have a trainer working with you. Are you going to be able to teach this horse what it needs to know from in the saddle?

[*Anna*]

At the end of the day this is your decision, but if I was you I'd think long and hard about this one.

With a youngster you have to teach him - its no good if you are unbalanced and you have a wonky position etc because that won't be helping him at all - you need to be competant in the saddle and confident in all your aids and that you are using all of them correctly... also another thing to bear in mind is that if you go wrong with this horse he could end up being very unhappy and with problems that take a long time to undo that you didn't realise you were creating - it could end up messy.
What sort of horses were you used to riding? Have you ever ridden a youngster or inexperienced horse? How confident are you as a rider? It also could be quite costly - if this horse is still growing and changing shape it may need a new saddle - can you afford this? Can you afford the instruction or training fees? They mount up I promise you!!

If I was you I'd give this one a miss - get a good instructor and loan an experienced horse that you can improve yourself on, that you can show, go on hacks on etc etc and go back to the idea of a youngster when you are back into it and totally confident in yourself and your ability.

Good luck!

[Edited by *Anna* on 7th Jul 2000 at 01:17 PM]

[Wally]

I too, would think long and hard. The last thing you want is to loose confidnce. Two brains learning together isn't an ideal situation.

My friend did exactly what you are proposing, (training a youngster after 10 years away from the saddle) and I have to say he's turned out to be the best horse on the yard. It can work. But she has only got out what she put in, blood sweat and tears of frustration. The odd tumble included.
If you think you are strong minded enough and persistent go for it but it won't be easy.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Jay Kay]

I think everyone else has mirrored my thoughts excactly.
You have to think why is this pony being offered for loan ?
Is it because the owner does not have the time to bring it on theirselves or do they not have the ability ?
Whatever the reason you will putting most of your time and hard work into a pony that does not belong to you. What will you get from it in the long term ? Could it be as has already been mentioned that the owner will then want it back.
I take as long as is needed with my youngsters there is no given amount of time it takes to make them into sensible and useful riding ponies, each one is different. This pony could take a year before you are able to have any real fun from it. If you have the confidence and ability to cope him.
It is a very tempting offer but if you decided to wait something else will probably come along.

ps. I bet it great to be back in the saddle again !

[Somethingroyal]

Why are they leasing him out???
what level rider does he require??
If he has been backed, but not broken, that usually means that the horse has had the weight of a rider on his back, but has not yet been broken to saddle. At least this is the termonology we use.
If you dont know how to break a horse I can tell you, but I highly suggest that if you do lease him, hire a professional trainer to help you break him, even then he would be extremely green and I would not suggest riding him unless you are very experienced. However, this may not be the case at all.

[Katrin]

Well, she is loaning him out because she suffers poor health and wants to reduce her herd. She really wants to loan with a view to buy but I can't promise that at the moment. So I'm pretty sure she doesn't want him back. Also, apparently he is very green, but also (heresay, I haven't seen him yet) is very willing and has a lovely character. Of course I'm going to see him before I do anything. Oh dear, I just don't know what to do.

Oh and he'll hopefully be standing at a friend's yard, and she is a BHS instructor. She has also been riding for 35 years and competes 3 day eventing very successfully. So help would be at hand.

[Wally]

It could work if you have experienced help on site, but you'd be taking on one heck of a lot of responsability. As I said, it worked for my friend, but it wasn't easy, be patient and prepared for a lot of frustration if you do take on this challenge.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[judyl]

If you go to see the horse and you seem to click together and you really feel that you love the horse - then give it a go. I've read your latest post saying about the help you would get and if you have the determination, hopefully it will work out. I'm another one who also bought a four year old in complete ignorance of what would be needed. It has worked out for us but only now are we really getting it together and this is after 12 years! Mind you, at the end of my dressage test sheets, every judge comments on what a happy partnership we are. I love my horse to bits and I think if you feel something for this horse, it could work. Lots of luck!

Judy

[evevavra]

Go with you gut instinct, if you feel you can do it than you can. This may be a good time to refresh your skills, baby steps for both of you. if you have the time, facility and desire, anything is possible. Take him on a trial basis and see how you feel.
Good luck,
Eve