First Horse

[Sam Stressed]

Hello! So I currently have the opportunity to buy my first ever horse, both exciting and terrifying!!

I’ve only had about 6 months of riding experience but over 4 years of over all horse experience and ground work. I’m quite nervous since I’m both working full time and going to be going to college full time, this means finances will be tight along with time.

I don’t know if it would be in my best interest to take on this new chapter or not.

 

[Jessey]

How much horse care experience do you have? if you haven’t then it’s probably a lot to take on learning all that too.

A full time job plus a full time college course already takes up a lot of time, plus homework, how would you fit in twice daily visits to look after a horse? Realistically I would allow up to an hour in the morning to feed, turnout, muck out. Then in the evening another 2 hours to bring in, ride, feed and tuck in for the night, is that feasible on top of a college workload? Unless you can afford part or full livery?

Also be wary cost wise as it’s not just diy livery costs to keep a horse, there’s so many extras like feed, hay, tack, vaccinations, teeth care, worming, foot care, etc. plus the dreaded big vets bill that can happen at any time, or you get insurance to cover that but that’s an extra monthly cost and you still have to pay part of the bill (the excess).

A share is probably the better way for you to go if you want more riding time and more responsibility at the moment. This is where you pay a fixed contribution towards keep of someone else’s horse, and you have a set number of days each week where you are responsible for the care and exercise of the horse. You do the relevant chores like mucking out or poo picking the field, get the horse in/out of the field or stable, groom and check the horse over (and treat any minor injuries or anything you find), tack up and ride, change rugs, all without assistance as you will be the only person tending to the horse on your days. But the owner remains responsible for all the bills and organising routine appointments etc. so you know exactly what you are spending each month plus if there is serious injury or illness you have the owner to call on to see how it’s best dealt with.

 

[carthorse]

If you think finances and time are going to be tight then my advice would be don't do it yet. unfortunately horses have a habit of taking far more of both than you expect. How would you deal with a big vet bill, and the extra time and money it takes to nurse and ill or injured horse? What if your course is tougher than you expect and takes more time? What if you have an unexpected non-horse bill? With only 6 months riding experience you'd most likely need to budget for lessons too.

I would suggest using your time and money for more lessons, or maybe @Jessey 's suggestion of a share suitable to your experience.

 

[Skib]

I dont know anyone who has had a full time job when in full time education. Your user name suggests that you may be worried about owning a horse. My advice is dont buy one. Instructors and yard managers will often kindly suggest that one buys a horse of ones own. But it isnt essential. I have ridden regularly for the last 22 years on riding school and shared horses.

There is aother reason not to buy after only 6 months riding experience. You havent yet had the chane to specialise. Do you want a high quality dressage horse? Or a jumper, or to ride cross country. You cant decide until you have ridden a variety of different horses and discover the type of riding you enjoy.

I like to do dressage and I like to hack but I have rarely done both on the same horse.

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

I just wouldn't you will be too stretched to cope. Find a share instead or get more experience riding with lessons. I got my first horse age 40, I had ridden since i was a child and shared horses for many years but having one at home, my full responsibility for its health, welfare, keep was daunting. The others i turned up, groomed and left, wasn't there holding a hoof in the middle of the night. We trialed 2 donkeys first, Big Ears and Mouse, and had a very understanding equine practice nearby. As my vet said rather you ring for advice than wait till it is too late. I was working full time in London, leaving on the 737 and getting home at 6- 730. I did the equines before I left and my husband did them in winter at night. It was hard work and i could only ride at weekends in winter, and in summer the odd evening if i got home in time and wasn't totally knackered. Which I think you will be......

 

[carthorse]

I dont know anyone who has had a full time job when in full time education. Your user name suggests that you may be worried about owning a horse. My advice is dont buy one. Instructors and yard managers will often kindly suggest that one buys a horse of ones own. But it isnt essential. I have ridden regularly for the last 22 years on riding school and shared horses.

There is aother reason not to buy after only 6 months riding experience. You havent yet had the chane to specialise. Do you want a high quality dressage horse? Or a jumper, or to ride cross country. You cant decide until you have ridden a variety of different horses and discover the type of riding you enjoy.

I like to do dressage and I like to hack but I have rarely done both on the same horse.

Many people never do specialise, if they want to compete they buy an all rounder who'll have a go at everything and also go for a hack safely too. If you want to specialise later, and if you have the budget and ability, you can always sell and buy something else but for most riders this isn't the case. You certainly don't want a proper competition horse as a first horse, that's like getting in a racing car the day you've passed your driving test - you'd be extremely lucky if it didn't end badly for both parties!

Personally I'd say 6 months riding experience, unless you've been riding most days, simply isn't enough to buy a horse. Having your own is different to going for lessons or sharing, there's no one else nipping cheeky behaviour in the bud and if a problem arises you have to sort it and quickly before it escalates. RS horses are usually chosen for a tolerant and calm outlook which can give you a misleading idea of your abilities. I stand by what I said earlier, use the time to get more lessons and then maybe look for a share of a safe horse - with 6 months riding I can't think of many people on my yard who would even consider you as a sharer.

 

[Sam Stressed]

Thank you all so much for these replies!! It really means a lot to get proper advice and different perspectives.

I haven’t been riding for as long as I would have liked to unfortunately due to the horses I rode either going through health problems or behavioural issues. I haven’t actually ridden a proper lesson pony before since I’ve mostly ridden my friends project horses or the horses they would feel comfortable letting a beginner on that would still test the rider and what not.

As for the proper care experience with horses that’s what I’ve actually been doing for most of my horse time! I’ve been paid to watch and care for horses for a few months at a time to feed, groom, muck etc.
I know that it’s not much in the grand scheme of things and I completely agree that I’m not ready.

Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of instructors or people willing to let beginners ride or learn on their horses on me wee island so I haven’t had much luck finding things in that regard.

Also the horse I’m currently being offered is a 20 year old mustang mare who is easy going and used to whippersnappers like myself. I don’t have a set discipline I’m looking for, nor am I looking to going into competition for a while.


Thank you so much for your insight and suggestions!! It’s greatly appreciated and all taken to heart

 

[Mary Poppins]

From my experience, I tend to estimate how much I think that a horse will cost to keep… and then triple it. Horses eat money like there is no tomorrow and inevitably problems will arise. Problems always cost money!

 

[lauren123]

Horses Take everything! Given what you have on at present i would gain more Experience ridden wise.
I Part Loaned for 5 years and it still came as a huge curve Ball when i got my own