buying a horse

[horsemadgirl]

Hey guys im new!! :D

But yeah back on topic i've been riding for about 7-8 months and im turning 14 in December this year. And i am in the process of buying my own horse!!! i have everything planned out, somewhere to get tack, a good knowledgable stables to agist it at. but i ws wondering what do you need to look for when you go and see a horse if its suitable... my dads friend scared me when he said people drug their horses so its quiet then you get it home and it goes crazy! :eek: any advice would be greatly appriciated! Also do you think i started riding too late to do any good in competitions?

[Becky_B]

hi, not many people do drug their horses this will probobly to just wind you up or something! :) and it's never too late to start riding and you can do any shows if you are up to the required standard!
Hope this helps

[tbtess]

When buying a horse always get it vetted by a reputable vet and if you are unsure at first visit ask the owner if they'd mind you going back with someone who knows more chances are they'll say its ok, or take someone who's very knowledgable with you. Make sure you ride the horse as you need to know if you feel comfortable with it, if in doubt go away and think about it, chances are you'll know when you;ve found the right one cos it'll feel soooooo right. When you go to see a horse ask questions, its the only way to find out exactly what you want/need to know. You are not too old to be in competitions at all, you are stilll young a probably still have lots to learn (i'm still learning 17 years on!).
Hope you find the right horse soon and good luck for any future competitions.

[Est]

Hi, welcome to NR :) I firmly believe it's *never* too late to become a really good rider (and do well in competitions if you want to compete) so long as you are prepared to put in the time and commitment!

I would definitely ask someone really experienced to go and see horses with you,as there are so many things to look out for and things that can go wrong. Some sellers (not all) will lie about a horse's age, soundness, temperament, previous experience and ability. An experienced friend/instructor/yard owner will help to spot some of those and take some of the worry out of the horse-buying process. Having the horse vetted is a sensible precaution too.

Good luck and when you find a horse we will want lots of photos ;)

[Lindsayanne]

my dads friend scared me when he said people drug their horses so its quiet then you get it home and it goes crazy!

When you make an appointment to go check a potential horse out, let the owner know you'd like to catch the horse in the field and tack them up yourself. Be sure to show up 30 minutes to an hour early so if they are doing anything questionable to quiet him down for the test ride you can catch them or not give them a chance to.

[dancing-horse]

I think it;s very rare to find someone drugging their horse, but I have heard of it before. I myself do not have my own horse, but I've looked into everything the same as u and know what I need to do when I get the chance to buy my own horse.
U need to go look at the horse yourself. If there is an ad for a horse that cost 3000 and it says it's a quiet horse great for the trail and for the family, it most likely is not the horse u would look into buying. Don't respond to ads just because of a price, because u may buy the horse to realize that it could not to anything you plan to do (either it is too old or not the right breed) and that u just decided to buy him because of the price he was. U need to answer ads selling horses that match your requirements. :)
also, make sure the horse is a good height for you when u go to purchase one. There have been many people who went to buy a pretty little pony, only to find that in a year they had outgrown it.
also consider age. You don;t want to buy a 25 year old TB that is a good height 4 u and have to retire it only a short time after you have bought it. Also, a horse that old may not be able to jump or do dressage or anything, lets forget competing.

when u find the horse, u need to pay more than one visit. Go out to visit and have the owner ride him. Ask the right questions about the horse (age, abilities, exact height, reason for selling... u can probably find a list of these in a horse oriented book about purchasing a mount)
You need to write down the answers to these questions.

then on a second visit, bring a vet and ure riding instrcutor to have them check out the horse. U might also have the owner ride him again so ure instructor and vet can see how it moves. Then u should try riding the horse.

good luck

[Bay Mare]

Speak to your instructor and see if they will come along with you.

You haven't been riding very long to be getting your own horse, though. Why don't you wait awhile and get some more experience? Are you taking stable management classes as well? It's not as easy as it all looks and privately owned horses are very different to riding school horses. My advice would be to get a couple more years practise and experience of both riding and working with horses before you get your own. Why not think about a loan or a share first? That will give you the experience that you need without the financial outlay.

[Midnight Lady]

A friend of mine bought a horse which turned out to have been drugged... always get a blood test done by the vet to check this before you agree to buy
You need to have good basic knowledge of stable management aswell as riding. You need to know basic emergancy first aid for both horse and rider.
Don't feel that you need to rush anything, experience is extremely valuable and so I would make sure that you had plenty of it :)
and of course you didn't start riding too old! Put in the hard work like everyone else and you'll amazed at your capablities :D
Take a very knowledgeable person with you (perhaps your instructor? thats what i did) and always have a vetting carried out on your potential horse before the money has exchanged hands
:) good luck

[shirley]

Would agree with all the previous posts.
We bought my horse off a dealer and my vet advised me to have a blood test done on the day he was being vetted. This the owner then agreed to as well.
They take the blood and keep it for two weeks, then if the quiet placid horse you buy turns out to be bonkers / mean / horrible,have the blood analysed for any drugs. This way you have legal evidence to back up for a refund etc.
It does cost extra, but well worth the peice of mind.
Another way is to have the horse on loan for a couple of weeks if possible, get to ride it etc and handle it at different types, groom it, tack up, get to move around it in the stable, bring in from the field and turnout etc.
Think seriously about the type of horse you want, what you want to do both now are capable of and perhaps in the future.
Most of all go for the temprement of the horse. Friend of ours got a horse for her 13 year old daughter - not very much to look at know, but the kindest temprement, placid, calm, gentle type. You can always add muscle, coat condition etc, but temprement basics are either there or not.
Aim to be able to look after your horse all by yourself, know how to care for it, look after it, not just when ok, but if sick / ill etc. This will be learnt bit by bit - but never stop learning.
Good luck with your search

[horsemadgirl]

thanks for your advice anyone, just another question ive found a few horses but i ws wondering is 16.2 hh a good hight for me in 170cm and still growing cause im only rurning 14 in december and i ride better on bigger horses. the 16.2 h horse is very quiet and responsive what do you think? i hitnk i'd be alright but just wondering about your oppinions

[tbtess]

170cm is about 5'5", i'm 5'5 and own a 15.1 1/2, if the horse is what the ad says it is and you are comfortable riding AND handling a 16.2 then I can't see a problem but you must make sure you can handle a horse of that size. What size horse are you learning on at the moment? 16.2 is big for a novice (to own) and IMPO I would have to agree with Bay Mare and would think twice about buying just yet after only 8 months of riding lessons, but its your choice and u will do it if you feel comfortable with it, consider loaning, just until you are more experienced with the ownership stuff.
Keep us posted

[horsemadgirl]

i found 2 horses im going to look at! one is a 7yo 15.2hh QH/Arabian. and the other is a 4 yo 15hh-- and im not sure what because i forgot to ask lol! I'm leaning towards the 4yo because he's had training in both english and western and he's showing huge promise as a dressage horse even though he's only 4! what im wondering is if 15hh is so small for me, i dont think it is but you never know! i'm probably going out to try both on Saturday. the lady that owns the 4yo said she'd take me on a trail ride around her property to prove he's not spooky, so that looks like a good sign. Just me and dad are going to look at both horses, then if i decide i like one we're going to bring my instructor out!

[tbtess]

No i don't think 15hh is too small, b4 i bought my horse i was taking lessons on a 14.2 but i wouldn't have gone any smaller. Its good that she's willing to take you on a trail with her, even if its only round her place, but at least this way you can get a proper idea as to whether you like how the horse goes for you. It is possible for you to find that there's something not quite right, its not necessarily the horse thats wrong tho. You'll know when you've found the one you're going to buy tho because everything just feels right (from experience!). Good luck at trying them out and let us know how you get on.
Oh and don't 4get the vetting, you need to know the horse is sound

[ponylover88]

...

[tbtess]

as a 1st horse, which i experienced, a 16.2hh is way too much to hold together.

a 4yo is extremely young and still very green for a first horse, never mind an inexperienced rider thats been riding for 7 or 8 months. even a 7yo is still young for a 1st ride. i went for a 9yo and he proved to be more trouble than it was worth.

ladys taking you around her property just so you can see how used to her property he is and how many times a week she hacks him round there. 4yos can be extremely unpredictable.

Well said, i never thought of it that way, but now you mention it its right.
Take the advise, my first horse was 14, my second, 9, my new one which i got as a confidence giver and to get me back into it after a 6yr break is a 'been there and done that' 12 and only 2 months later am still building confidence but she's getting me there and i've not looked back once.

[PunkRockPony]

.a 4yo is extremely young and still very green for a first horse, .

I agree If you are set on getting your own horse i'd advise getting an older confidence giving horse! not only could a young horse knock your confidence and you could teach it bad ways but younger horses are often alot harder to ride! I rode a 5 year old in a couple of my lessons when I had been riding as long as you have currently and although Shadow was lovely she had a few problems like she kept falling in and attemping to duck out of jumps/ jumping them at odd angles. Young horses need constant schooling to help them improve can you give this to a young horse! I dont meen to put you down or anything but i'd go for a more experianced horse whos been there and done that. Even after 3 years of riding I know that if I went for a horse not only would it have to be perfect for me I would have to be perfect for it. And I would aim for older more experianced horses! Good luck in finding a horse just listen to what were all saying we do have a point :)

Em xXx

[Floob]

I personally wouldnt even go to see such a young horse just because i might like it and want to buy it. I have been riding for over 2 years twice a week, and i am looking at a first horse now. Ive also helped and worked at the local RS ever since i learnt to canter to get more knowledge about horse care.

I am looking to buy a horse now, but have the full support of my mum (works as a ride leader at centre) my instructor who is helping us look for a horse and all the other staff at the RS.

I have ridden 4 year olds, bu ti wouldnt consider buying one as a first horse
Ive helped to break in a few youngsters. During the summer i rode a 4 year old when he couldnt even canter with a rider yet at work, but he was really laid back, i wouldnt have gone into the school to ride a backed (not broken) youngster in the school by myself if i had not known him well (i was there when he was backed and did the leading while someone else sat on him).

I have also ridden all the horses and ponies at the yard, from little bucking ponies to huge 17.2hh horses.

Sorry for the long story. I am nearly as tall as you are 1m68 and ride anything from 13.2hh ponies to 17.2hh horses. You can get some sort of cob and despite being tall feel fine on him because of their large girths.

[horsemadgirl]

ok change of plan guys :) I changed my mind on the 4yo but today im going to look at a 9 yo 16.2 hh thoroughbred. now i know people will be going OMG!!!!! :eek: but ive ridden TB's and 16.1 hh horses before. I also checked out everything with the girl 1.hes never raced (thank god) 2.she doesnt use her size to push you around 3. she's never bucked or reared 4. she loves attention 5. shes not spooky and can be ridden on roads. 6. she has hard hooves 7.she doesnt need a experienced rider. and lots more stuff the girl basically said shes like a giant dog... but i guess i will see when i go out this arvo. wish me luck :D

[cosmic_angel_12]

my first horse was a drugged up acient (said to of been 12) irish tb, my second was a 5yr old welsh x, very pretty but was ruined before i got her, couldnt realy do alot, re-backed her and sold her on, warts and all sort of thing! my 3rd horse pep is brilliant, 14hh, 12/13 years old, i'd been looking at 15hh's but pep's perfect!! :)

[cosmic_angel_12]

:) 9 yo 16.2 hh thoroughbred. now i know people will be going OMG!!!!! :eek: but ive ridden TB's
Full tb's sometimes can be brilliant first riddens, most have brilliant temperaments, you have to watch out for the cobbier, bolshier breeds, welsh d's normally a prefect example!! dont let people put you off, if you feel in control and happy then go for it!!

[danielle:>]

Best of luck when you go to see the TB, she sounds perfect :) .I agree with the others about the 4yo, he did seem a bit young, I wouldn't be happy buying him, and I've ridden for about a year and a half.
However, I disagree with what people are saying about waiting to get more experience. i think if you feel you are ready, you probably are. And you also seem to have thought everything through. But remember that if you have any doubts at all, just walk away. It probably means she isn't the perfect horse for you, and that perfect horse will be out there somewhere. :) :) Some people on here say they have been looking for abour 6mnths, so dont rush into buying the first thing you see. It takes time. Good luck again, and keep us updated :)

[eventerbabe]

i must say i agree with Bay Mare and PonyLover88, you haven't been riding very long and it may be more benificial to have a few more lessons, do some stable management and horse care courses etc before taking the plunge into horse ownership. Horse and Hound reported a marked increase in the number of horses being handed in to places like the ILPH because their owners had no idea how to look after them. a horse is a HUGE responsibility and is not a commitment to be entered into lightly. sorry to sound like i'm lecturing but its always the horse that ends up suffering in such cases. people don't seem to realise just how hard it is to look after your own horse.

[tb_rider]

I always have my horses Vetted first, because i tryed a horse that had been drugged. i have the owners ride the horse first, walk, trot, and canter. and maybe jumping.Then i ride him. i alway find out the horses history too. i alway make sure the horse isn't stepping short or limping, while i watch them ride. and i video tape the horse so i can get opinions from my trainer and friends.

[JOJOBA]

On the age issue - I agree with everyone that 4 is too young for a first horse for an inexperienced rider - I personally would be looking at about 8 + as this is the age horses start to settle down and have more experience.

On the height issue - I got my horse when I was 13, and Im now 18 and 5'10" (you are only 5'5" I remember). He is 15hh and still carries me fine, I would imagine you should look around 15.3hh in a lightweight horse, and maybe 15hh in a stockier horse.

On the breed issue - my first horse was a TB gelding and is quite laid back. BUT he hates change and for a year was quite unpredictable and dangerous. He was 7 yrs old and quite green, so be careful. I would reccomend a stockier, more placid horse as a first horse.

On the trying out issue - I would arrive early, watch the horse being brought in, groomed, tacked up, trotted up. I would spend time alone with it and then ask to see it ridden. If I still liked it I would then ride it myself, jump it, take it on a hack and *important* take it on a DIFFERENT hack (the horse may just be used to going one way and it's true colours may show going somewhere else). I would then watch it be untacked, fed, and turned out. I would go home, think about it, then take an instructor back with me to do all the same stuff again (perhaps minus the hacking). I would then decide if I was interested and arrange a vetting. I would visit the horse once more during that time if possible, and then the vet would arrive and do a full 5 stage vetting including blood tests. If it passed I would arrange to collect it.

On the experience issue - I have to agree with Baymare, in the horsey world 7-8months is nothing. I began riding as a 4yr old, so by the time I was 12 I had been riding for 8 years. However I was nowhere near experienced enough to buy my own horse. I helped out at a riding school and loaned two horses before buying my own. I bought a very laid back cob and I know if I had bought anything harder to handle it would have ruined both of our confidences. I have seen many people buy horses too soon and the horses end up ruined (I am not suggesting you will ruin the horse of course, but inexperience can lead to such things with some people).

An example - My horse was bought from a lady who had bought him with no experience. He was very ill and neglected, and she simply didnt know enough about horses to care for him. It's good that you have a nice yard to keep the horse at (which will be able to give you lots of tips), but why not see if you can do some stable management and stuff there first?

Another example - One of my friends has been riding for 16yrs, has worked with horses on a yard, excercised and hacked peoples horses for them, done several years of Pony Club, and worked on a yard with young driving horses and is currently considering buying her first horse. She is buying something very sensible and reliable, and is very worried she doesnt have enough experience. After thinking it through she has decided she needs to loan a horse first to gain more experience of care etc.
That is, as far as Im concerned, very thoughtful and responsible horse ownership - horses are living creatures and deserve to be given the very best attention we can give them.

Good luck

Jo

xxx

[Purdey33]

Agree with JOJOBA about the trying out part - my sister went to see a horse 2 days ago, it was already tacked up and in the school when we got there and had obviously been ridden a fair bit before we arrived. Sis rode round the school, then hacked up the road and I commented to the owner how good the mare was... untill she tried to ride the opposite way! Apparently first way was towards 'home' and when she was tried the other way the mare ran backwards into the fences and gates several times :eek:

Owner said "oh she's never done that before." Hmmm... :rolleyes: