Anyones first horse a younger horse?

[MelissaH]

I was just curious. I always hear your first horse should be an older experienced one. My first prospect will be 5 in May 05. He is the most gentle,calmest horse & we hit it off right away. He's a Duh..Duh horse. Big olaf, and so loveable.

He is a 16 hh Tennessee Walker.

If you have, what was your experience?

[KarinUS]

I think there's a difference between a young horse and a green horse. :)
A previous poster (K&K) had bought a broodmare in her teens and even though she was 'older' she was very difficult to handle because she simply did not have the training.
A lot of horses in the US are started under saddle relatively early. It's entirely possible that your potential purchase horse has had over a year of under saddle training. If in addition to that he has the right personality he may very well make a nice first horse.

[aliw]

I am 13, and have four horses. One of them is 8 and is very green, and he is only for an experienced rider.

I also have a 5 year old, who is so sensible you can do anything with her - have lead reins on her, clip, load, bath etc. She is a little green, but she has just started jumping and has been very good about it, and quite brave, not like Magic, another one, who is nine, and I started jumping with him in the summer and he ran out all the time.

So if you have a sensible five year old, I can't really see the problem.

My first pony was seven, so I don't think it matters what age it is, as long you are confident and can handle it.

[MelissaH]

I believe he has been under the saddle since two. From what I have read, they start TWH at two under saddle, at least here in the states.

My breeder won't start a horse riding til 3.

He is just such an awesome horse with a greal gentle personality. At least unitl I get him home:D

I plan to board him with the breeder & takes lessons from her as well. When I feel confident enough, I will bring him home.

[KarinUS]

So he has been a riding horse for about 2 1/2 years?
My first horse was had just turned 7 when I got him but he was a racehorse until about 18 months before I bought him.
He had about 1 year experience as a riding horse and 6 months worth of weekly training as a driving horse and it's worked out beautifully for us. :)

[MelissaH]

I believe he was started at two. But, he was stalled for a year and not ridden. I think that's why the weak rear end and the need to work on his gait.

Maybe the explanation as to why he was possibly misdiagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome.

[KarinUS]

Wow. That must have been very hard on him. So no turn out and no riding for a whole year? Poor guy. Why was that? Do you know?

[MelissaH]

The woman who owned him got pregnant. And once she had the baby, it was just too much work for her to take care of both the new baby & the horse.

[chewitmonster]

I have just bought my first horse and he's 4 years old. It is really obvious he's a baby but I cannot wait to imprint my skills (or lack of!!) on him and make him my own. He came from Ireland and went to a yard in Kent that schooled and jumped him so although he is green, he isn't as green as some other 4 year olds I know!!

His temperament is fantastic though...unlike some older horses I know, could not wish for a better horse! xxx

[Miriam]

I learned to ride on older horses but my first part loan horse Copper (now owned by Jennj on here) was 4 when I took him on.

[OlavS]

My first horse was 4 when I bought her, but I'm cheating :D
I'm having her trained professionally abroad by her former owner until she's 6, then I'll take over. In the mean time I'm flying over every 3 months for private lessons and to get to know her.

[MelissaH]

OlavS, That's not cheating...that's a good plan!

[OlavS]

Thanks :) I think it's a good plan anyway, although it's sometimes hard to be so far away. But even though I don't see her often she remembers me and we have formed a real bond.

It's great to see how well she's come along from one visit to the next, and how she's transforming from a cuddly baby looking horse to an elegant mare - not that I'm biased or anything :D

[MelanieD]

My first pony that I loaned was 5 years old and was totally happy with having a passanger but didn't understand anything beyond following the horse in front. She picked it up really quickly and was fortunatly far too dim to figure out how to evade anything :)

First (and only) horse that I've owned was 5 when I got her, and bought from an auction without trying her. She was green and a total teenager, understood leg aids as 'go fast' far too well and not a lot else. She's also the expert at figuring out how to get out of doing as she's told, fortunatly she has figured out by now that I just make her work even harder so mostly cooperates. Even though she spent the first few months being a total baggage it's all been totally worth it in the end :)

I had ridden someone else's youngsters before though so was pretty sure I could deal with a juvenile delinquent!

[shandy84]

My first owned pony was 1 1/2!

My Oh had only been riding a year, I think so long as you are willing to ask for help when you need it it can work out, everyone needs to learn to back/bring on a pony somewhere but you do need to be sensible, logical and forward thinking as wel as loving

Your new horse sounds nice, if he's been ridden for over a year he will hopefully be fairly balanced in all paces so that will be good for a starting place to build on good luck

[amattox3]

My first horse is 2 wont be 3 til next year! She rides very well and knows a lot

[alstonpickle]

my first horse was 4. she was lovely, quite calm and eager to please. but when i got a job working in a kitchen and the hours were terrible i didn't have as much time to ride her she started to get more difficult and i felt bad because it wasn't her fault, so i sold her to my friend who had much more time for her. it turned out well cause i still saw her and could see she was much happier.

so i'd say if you've got the time and dedication a young horse can be a good choice.

[eventerbabe]

Both my horses were only 3/4 years old when i got them. its not a good idea getting a youngster as your first horse, it can obliterate your confidence. but it does tend to depend on the breed as to how laid back they are, we were unllucky that our first pony was a typical welshie and she was a nightmare!! 13 years on and she's still the same! :)

[carrimclaren]

My mare's 6 but like someone has already said there is a difference between green and youngster.

She did a year of work and then was turned out for a year (supposedly because the daughter lost interest and went off with a bloke). I'm beggining to think though that it might have been due to an injury though and that i was fibbed to but not a lot i can do now.

She's a bit childish and green in some areas (like hacking on her own) but in others she knows her stuff (like jumping and lunging).

[madarab]

at the yard I ride for we have a 'babysitting' horse that goes out with all the new/young/flighty horses on hacks and is used to teach the YOs young sons to ride - hes 5 years old and is absolutely bombproof :)

he also jumps 2 foot 9 in SJ competitions and u can do anything with him - he will always look after you :)

i think horses are like people in that respect - you can have a immature 12 year old or a very mature 5 year old! :p

[Peace]

Is this the horse you're having vetted on the 17th? The one who was stalled for a year?

I bought Quanah, the little guy at left, when he was a three and a half year old. He'd been a trail horse since he was two, and was ridden as a stud colt until he was gelded at three. He was the sweetest, calmest baby you could ever hope to meet.

Then we hit adolescence.:eek:

To be fair to Quanah, my self-confidence was at a particularly loww ebb at that point, since I'd just finished school and was starting a new career. But I'm pretty sure his change was solely a function of his age, because he was already a boarder at my barn when I bought him. So he didn't experience any geographical or caretaker changes (he's on full board).

Luckily for me, my barn owner's daughter, who's known Quanah practically all his life, has grown up to be a gifted trainer. She's "putting a handle on him" for me, and I'll probably get back to riding him sometime late spring or early summer (he'll be six by then).

I'm also fortunate to have met the perfect confidence-giver, a 22 year old draft cross who labors under the delusion that I'm a good rider - probably because the poor guy's spent lots of his life being hauled around in circles by ham-fisted young'uns and I look good by comparison- NOT because of any skill on my part:o . Naturally I worship the ground he trots on as well.:)

I think Quanah is going to become the perfect horse for me, once he and I both learn a little more. So I'm glad I bought my young horse, but I'm also glad I've had plenty of help from other members of both our species.:)

[MelissaH]

Peace,

Yes, he is the horse that I'm having vetted, 2nd time. He was diagnosed with Wobblers syndrome, so we want 3 opinions.

He is a TWH, 4 years old. He'll be 5 in may. He was stalled for a year. He needs to build muscle badly.

One of my biggest issues with him was his age. Everyone is always saying to buy an older horse the first time. But from reading all these posts, many have not. And have come out fine. I would love a draft cross. That was my personal preference for myself. But I have decided to wait a few years and adopt a draft/cross. When I have more experience.

Meet clarebella: http://www.losangeleshorsebackriding.com/clarabella.html

She's beautiful. But too big for me. take a look at some of these.

http://www.hayduderanch.com/forsale.htm

The horse I am looking at, the TW is a very calm horse. I have a lot to learn. And he has to remember what he has already learned.

[shandy84]

Just bear in mind those of us with youngsters didn't buy ones with such big troubles and I personally would do so.

[eventerbabe]

Originally posted by MelissaH



Everyone is always saying to buy an older horse the first time. But from reading all these posts, many have not. And have come out fine.


A young horse is not an ideal first horse. i've spent years being unable to compete and it took two years to correct my horses napping. it is no fun and doesn't always turn out right. i'd be incredibly wary of taking on a wobbler. i don't know a huge amount about the condition, my only experience was when my pony club DC's horse had a foal that had wobblers syndrome and had to be put down. you want to be able to have fun and build your confidence with a first horse. i'd seriously consider an older, wiser schoolmaster if i were you.

[chewitmonster]

Even though I said that Silver is best I could ask for horse-wise, doesn't mean it's not hard. He is a bugger to turn out on a morning because he is so eager and has many baby characteristics that some people may find off-putting.

I don't know much about your experience? being around younger horses? If you haven't really had much experience I would seriously be leaning towards getting an older horse that you can learn from, rather than them looking to you to learn. I also was looking for an older, been-there-and-done-it kinda horse...came across Silver and fell in love...but I also knew I had a really helpful and giving yard that would help me every step of the way. Plus I'm not doing it alone - my mum is in on this too and my instructors (groundwork and ridden - I think young ones really benifit from the groundwork) are helping me tons. It depends on the situation but if I had never seen Silver (he was 6 hours drive away so it was tempting to not go see him) then I would have bought an older horse.

As I said I don't know your experience or where you will keep the horse etc. but thats my opinion. Keep us posted!!

xxx

[Showjumper]

Dolly is the first pony all of my own :D She was 2 when I got her :)

[Emarmite]

Hi,

My first loan horse was a 5 year old part bred arab, lovely horse and great temperement. She was pretty well schooled and did well in hand at the shows.

Second loan horse was 14 and third was 5 and had no schooling, good to hack out though and sane.

My latest baby is 12 years old hanovarian x, been there and done it, and looking forward to having lots of fun on her.

Beverley

[chewitmonster]

Don't get me wrong...it can all work out and be fantastic, but sometimes it doesn't. I don't know what I'm saying really...keep us posted and good luck with whatever happens! :) xxx

[WancheseBarrels]

My first horse was 7, he hadn't been ridden in almost a year and would buck every time I cantered. He came out of it and now he's one happy horse!

My friends first horse was 4. She got him from a horse auction for about $500. He's one of the best horses I've ever seen and he's an awsome barrel racer! He can load, tie, bath, he's traffic safe, and she runs him bareback everywhere! He's also a great jumper, but she's toned down on the jumping because he's young.


I think an older horse would have more experience, but it also just depends on the horse.

Good luck with him. A Tennessee Walker is my dream horse!:D

[carrimclaren]

Originally posted by MelissaH

http://www.hayduderanch.com/forsale.htm

The horse I am looking at, the TW is a very calm horse. I have a lot to learn. And he has to remember what he has already learned.

Blimey, how big are some of those neds:eek: I'd need a stepladder or two to get on most of those :D Especially grandpa, 18.1 horse mountain! Although i now have a soft spot for Alladin, flash gordon and La Juaquina.
Can i ask, were you saying the one you want is off one of those websites? The TWH i mean?

[MelissaH]

No, The haydude website is great but I don't think I want to start with a horse that huge.

My TW is 5 year in May and he is awesome. Very gentle. But he is not as big as I thought...Thank God!!!! He is between 15hh & 15.1 and may or may not grow more.

[Cheko]

My first horse was 6 yrs old but I'd beenriding 10 years before I got her.

[tbone]

My first horse, T-Bone, was 4 when my parents bought him for me. At the time I was only 11. I then started natural horsemanship lessons to train T-Bone and I. We both are happily still working together and he is now 6 and I'm 13. Owning him really helped my horsemanship and has taught me so much. I wouldn't recommened this as at first I only wanted to jump and event and my horse didn't seem capable of that and I didn't want to have to train him. All the natural horsemanship training has paid off.

Some young horses have the maturity of a grown horse while other's don't. I know plenty of young horses who are suttiable for anyone to ride. I wouldn't let the fact that the horse is young keep you from learning more about it.

[vjoy23]

I've only had my mare just over a month but in that time we've made so much progress you wouldn't believe.

She was four now five and at one point I thought oh my god!! What have I done?? She was moody, wouldn't come to the gate when I called her and down right stubourne. It was only by getting advice that we came to the conclusion that she was trying to be boss. I looked in books and spoke to several people and we seem to have over come most of it and are going to carry on showing that she isn't boss. I'm also getting her school by a professional as she is young she hasn't done alot in the way of schooling. If you're in the position of being able to train etc there is no reason not to get a young horse. If you're not confident to teach a horse the basics then don't as sooooooo many horses get ruined by getting taught the wrong way.

[carrimclaren]

Correct me if i'm wrong because i could well have read this wrong but have you only just started riding melissa? If i have read this right and you have then maybe getting a youngster isn't the best thing to do straight off if you've only just started riding / riding again in a long time.

Youngsters aren't bad as someone's already said, but you do need to have your wits about you and prepare yourself for some serious arguements and hard work as you're having to help them grow up as you learn at the same time. My mare's 7 and we're only just starting to get it together after 7 months and she's by no means green, just a bit childish and argy bargy sometimes. I'd been riding for just over a year when i got her and it still scared the living daylights out of me when i did :D

[MelissaH]

I rode when I was younger, so yes, it has been 20 years. Yep, I thought about getting an older horse but Dubie came along and that was it.

It will be work....He does quite good on trails...But temperment is everything. He has got a great personality. As I read these posts I see many have went with a younger horse. It will all be trial and error. I found a great instructor/trainer who is into natuarl horsemanship. I will keep everyone posted.

[Lenvale]

Message deleted

[MelissaH]

Well, I will keep everyone posted on our progress.

Dubie is doing great and I will soon post a current picture of him. He has gotten a lot of exercise and getting coming a long nicely. I have confidence in my abilities as well.

[Silmarien]

My horse is also a youngster, at the moment 3 years and 8 months old, but was about 3 and a half when I bought him. Barfely broken at that time, but decently broken now. And to confess, I am still green as well, altôugh I've been riding for nearly a year (taking quire serious trainings)... I know, many people locally have said that this combination "green horse/ green rider" is the worst possible, but hey, it turns out great for us, and there hasn't been a single moment I have regretted having a horse of such young age. It depends very much on the character of the horse - some youngsters can be more obedient, reliable, calm and well-behaved than other mature horses...

[Dummer&Drummer]

hi i got my first horse 5 weeks ago after 5 months of riding he is not too young, he is only 7, but he has not really done nothing since the age of 5, so he has a few areas to improve, he is a very willinging pupil though :) the worst thing about him is he that he can be a little bulshy on the ground - he was also gelded a little late in life so he has developed a bit of a stallion neck, apart from 'at times' being a 'little' bulshy he is a perfectly lovely horse to bring on my riding - me and him cleared 4ft wonderfully in yesterdays lesson - first time for both of us, straight over - im a very proud mum :)

[SierraNIlaena]

Well everyone told me to go for an old horse that had been there & done that. After searching around (& boy did i do searching) my eyes landed on a 4 1/2 year old Appaloosa mare. Fully trained & had done everything. Why? because someone had put time in her to make her that way :-) Shes turning out into a great little horse & will be 5 in may.

[topcat]

HI, just read your post, I have a five year old who is a sane and sensible if not more so than others on the yard...but what I wanted to to say was a cautionary tale on wobblers syndrome.
A previous horse of mine had it un beknowings to me, as a five stage vetting missed it. He ended up nearly killing me one evening as he had a total flip out( spent a very lengthy time in hospital), really common with wobblers apparently. Was advised by my very very experienced vet to have him put to sleep immediately before he collapsed or had another flip out and killed someone. It is really common in TBs etc as they are backed really early and it puts too much pressure on their spinal chords. Just be really really careful as if it is already showing up it could set you up for lots of heartache. Wouldnt wish it on anyone xxx

[FudgieFoo]

I got my first pony, who was only just 5 years old at the time, when I was 10! They always say that a child and a youngster is a bad combination but she's has always looked after me and nearly 11 years later we still have as much fun (and arguments)! She wasn't perfect and she didn't just conform in pony Club etc but boy have i learnt so much!

[LovemyTB's]

I have two horses and have gone about it completely wrong - but we're doing well together anyway.

I had been out of horses for almost 30 years. When I decided to jump back in I got two off-track TB's. I bought the first one (5 yo) off the track a week after he had raced for the last time and couldn't test ride him due to insurance reasons at the track where he was housed. The second (3yo) was a rescue through an adoption agency. He came off for a chipped knee. He couldn't be ridden at all at the time, so I went in completely blind. Not smart, but God was watching over me I guess.

I let them do their own thing for 3 months. Just fed them, did some grooming and let them figure out how to be horses. Then we started - with the help of a trainer, of course. It has been a learning experience, but my guys have turned into wonderful horses. Would I recommend an OTTB to another novice? No. I have had to work very hard at being the rider my horses want me to be and they have had to learn how to be the horses I want them to be. Do we miscommunicate? Yes. But when we connect - it's magic. I don't think it's so much the age of the horse, but his attitude and how he is approached and handled. I do know that I was lucky though. People still think I'm crazy to have two OTTB's, but I can live with that.

[4_white_socks]

I've only been around horses and riding for just over a year. My first horse I got was a yearling, and I got him in May, just 5 months after I first started riding and helping out at my local stables. I've got help with him, he's not just mine, but he is the sweetest thing you'd ever meet. He can be a bit "I don't want to do this" at times, or even "Get away from me!" often he's playing, especially if he's been in a stable for a long time (he went on box rest in january) he can be a bit energetic and playful. He doesn't usually hurt. Every once in a while he can turn a bit nasty and snap at you, but then returns to his usual loving self.

We've had him cut, but not before we put him with a mare (unseccessful :( ) he's a purebred arab, and even as a stallion was the most easy-going guy I know. His half brother (owned by the other sharer of Harley) is still a stallion.

I now have another horse, arab X welsh called Fly, he's 7 and really sweet. He's a bit bossy and flighty but a real sweetie.

I've ridden lots of horses aged 6 and under. Some are a bit flighty, some are really lazy and some are just like older horses. The ones I have known are all a bit jumpy and almost immature, but they know when to stop.

I think everything depends on the individual horse. Some are perfectly fine for a novice owner, some are too much to handle. As a general rule, I think it's safer and easier to look at the more experienced horses if you're a first time buyer, especially if you're a bit of a novice.

[Bacharel]

I bought my horse 14 and green :p :)

[Silmarien]

IMHO, bying an older, experienced horse is also as risky as bying a greenie - the older one has had plenty of time in his/her life to learn a lot of tricks, good and bad as well and might have some hidden vices, which come out only in certain situations or after some time.
When I'm getting my second horse, it will definitely be a totally "unused", unbroken youngster. It's an incredible feeling when you know your horse is totally taught by you alone, and he is basically fitted for your and according to your riding style.

[chev]

My first horse was six months old - but I had been riding for a long time and worked on studs and at a riding school/livery yard for a number of years too.

It's more about the horse and owner's level of experience than actual age, and how much help and support you have.

The yard I worked on regularly took horses in for breaking, reschooling, and working livery. We had a huge number of problem horses come in too - and the fact is that the vast majority of both the horses that came for reschooling and those that had problems were green horses bought by relative novices.

I'm not one for saying that a young or green horse is a definite no-no as a first horse... I've seen it work very well several times - but it does tend to make things much harder for both horse and rider, and is more likely to go wrong than buying a more educated horse as a first horse.