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Original poster

Any horse owners who can advise me on owning & buying 1st horse/s, please?

28 replies

smellymelly · 18/02/2006 13:42

Am moving into new house this year,(in France) Dh is busy renovating it at the moment. We have the land and great 200 year old outbuildings for animals, and are considering breeding Alpacas. So as we will be looking after them, I am very keen on buying a horse, for me and my kids.

I was just considering one, then my friend said why not get 2, one for me and one for my kids?

So please help me with the following...

What size is a good size for a 3 and 6 year old to grow up with for a few years?

What size is the smallest I could get away with for me, (5'4" and 9.5 stone)? A bit scared of big ones, too far to fall!! But if dh wanted to ride he is about 12 stone! he would only ride occasionally though..so would need advise on sizes for both in case.

How do I convert hands to metres? (measure in metres in France?)

Should I buy in UK and import or buy in France? (my french is not great yet, but can get by!)

Is it much harder looking after 2? Obviously insurance and feed costs double, but I presume they are happier together. Would they need to be in separate stables? May sound silly, but the rooms in the outbuilding are vast.

The best thing is that we can keep them at the house, so let me know if I am mad in contemplating owning 2 when I have never owned before. Also haven't ridden for about 7 years, but just need to get my confidence back, I hope??

Thanks

OP posts:
picnikel · 18/02/2006 14:23

Hi,
I'm afraid I don't know how to convert hands into metres but i think one hand is 4 inches (could be wrong). I'd have thought for you you'd need around 14 hands at least. Probably nearer 14.2. For the kids probably 12.2 - ish. My first pony was 12.2 Dartmoor. Welsh mountain would be a good bet. My mum always reckoned shetlands were a waste of time for kids as they are so strong! I think horses do like company so worth getting 2 or if you get one consider a donkey for company.

How much grazing do you have as that'd determine whether you need 2 stables. I don't think 2 is much harder than one IME. Can't help about the buying bit as my horse is ancient now and my parents bought him. Private sales tend to be a better bet than going through a dealer, though.

HTH. I grew up riding with my mum, I have really happy memories of it (apart from the falling off bits ). We've always been really close becuase of it.

Bugsy2 · 18/02/2006 15:11

I grew up on a small farm and we had ponies. I ended up with a 13:2 Connemara and my mother was able to ride him too. He was a well built 13:2.
I would strongly recommend against Shetlands for first ponies, they look small & cute but they are really strong & very willfull.
If you bought something around the 12 / 12:2 as suggested by picnikel that would be find for your children.
If you have fields and suitable outbuildings for winter shelter then keeping horses is very cheap. You will only need to pay for shoeing and hay & feed in the winter.
Have no idea whether it is best to buy in France or the UK.

Pixel · 18/02/2006 17:42

One hand is 10cm.

It's not so much the height as the build of the horse that determines how much weight it can carry. A nice stocky native-type pony can carry a good weight whereas a lighter boned one will not carry as much. My sister bought a 14hh pony on weds and the seller assured us he has carried 15 stone easily but he is a pure-bred welsh cob. (my sister isn't 15 stone btw!).

You won't necessarily need separate stables if you have a lot of space. We used to keep our three all together in a big barn with no trouble. They loved it and as they were elderly gents by then it meant that they could move around more and not get stiff legs.

Agree with others about shetlands. We have the use of one for my kids to ride (belongs to my friend who used to drive her)and she is definately headstrong! A complete little madam actually although I can safely say she's got character! Hasn't done much for my dd's confidence though unfortunately.

I'm afraid I can't give much advice on buying. We only went out and looked for one. All the rest found us. All I can say is, don't be in a rush. You don't have to buy the first you see and if it doesn't feel right just keep looking. Also, be honest with yourself about yours and your kids' abilities and don't overhorse yourselves. I wouldn't have a clue about buying a horse in France but it is often 'safer' to buy locally through word of mouth as you can generally be more sure of what you're getting. Depends if you have any helpful friends or neighbours who can put you in touch with local horsey people.

Btw I'm at you having your own land and buildings. I hope it all goes well for you and you have a lot of fun with your kids.

Original poster
smellymelly · 18/02/2006 17:53

Thanks Picnikel, and Pixel (sorry if I have made you jealous!!) Great info, and a lot of help...

I hadn't considered a shetland to be honest, for exactly the reasons you have stated. I have looked at horsemart, and 12 hands seems to be a good starting size for my kids, and I think it would be great if I could find a 14 or so hands for me, I actually like the more stocky types, so that would not be a problem. Are they cobs?

I will have to start asking around locally maybe, and check out the riding schools. We have a while to look.

OP posts:
hercules · 18/02/2006 17:54

well, I'm getting an Irish wolfhound......

catj · 18/02/2006 17:56

I would echo what the others have said about native ponies. New Forest ponies are usually good tempered and they also have no lower height limit so it is possible to get one about 12hh. The bigger ones are up to adult riders too. They reckon they can carry 1 stone per hand! Here is a conversion for hands to inches . Also this is a good site for info about New Forest ponies. Good luck with your search

Original poster
smellymelly · 18/02/2006 17:58

Get off Hercules!!!!!

OP posts:
itsdday · 19/02/2006 16:17

I have 2 horses and it is not really harder looking after 2 rather than one..I.e takes about 15 mins to do one in the morning and about 25 mins to do two. I have a very strict routine.

Horses are very sociable animals and it would be good for you to have two so they have company(mine are inseperable).

We had the same idea as you when I was 11 and we bought a horse for the family to share..unfortunately as I was an ambitious rider if never really worked as the horse we ended up with was too much for my sister and Mother.

I would suggest a Cob for you(good and sturdy for your husband) and a native breed for children.

Do you have a friend who is knowledgeable..beware of Horse magazines there are so many dealers disguised as caring owners ready to sell you anything.

If poss have them in trial forst in this country before you go..If the owners won't let you be wary..

Also something to be aware of if you buy a very small pony and the kids grow up quickly they won't be able to ride it but probably won't want you to sell it either so you will end up with a collection(like me!) so maybe go for 13.2 rather than 12.2 plus they are less bouncy!!!!{smile}

itsdday · 19/02/2006 16:18

P.s don't forget to get them vetted when buying cost about £200 but well worth it

itsdday · 19/02/2006 20:11

p.s ...I have just re-read post that you have never owned before...it is actually very hard work (although as I said once you have one not much more for two)..people have a very rose-tinted view of having a horse and the reality is very different but if you are organised and dedicated it can be fantastic....

dinny · 19/02/2006 20:16

Hi, Smellymelly, I'd second a Welsh Mountain for the children - around 13-14 hh.

For you and dh....how about a Cleveland Bay. Around 15h?

Though just remembered you're in France. Aren't Carmagues supposed to be lovely children's ponies?

Original poster
smellymelly · 20/02/2006 09:33

Thanks so much for the info, please keep coming with the advise...

My 3 year old is the more interested, so I think I may go smaller than 13 hands. And I will maybe try about 14 hands for me. I don't want it to be much taller than me!!!

I will look into Carmagues

OP posts:
Itsthawooluff · 20/02/2006 09:43

Please don't forget the shoeing, vets bills, having to muck out everyday if you keep them in overnight in winter, bedding, additional food (grazing doesn't cover all year round), between an acre and an acre and a half per horse to give decent amount of grazing, having to pick the muck off the grazing, or chain harrow it to keep the pasture OK, rugs, tack, dentist bills,insurance, holiday cover if you go away etc etc.

I love my two old boys to bits, and the girls' little mare, but they are hard work - and expensive. There was a saying in Yorkshire re horses "pounds in - pennies out".

Pixel · 20/02/2006 16:47

And clothes for yourselves. Proper hats, boots, back protectors etc are all expensive but essential.

I'm not trying to put you off btw! I'm too much of an addict myself for that. It's just that you need to know what you are getting yourself into!

Don't know what it is like where you live but at the moment my most essential piece of kit is a pair of wellies!

Original poster
smellymelly · 22/02/2006 13:53

'Its....' - could you do me a favour, and give me a run down of your morning chores which have to be done, please?

Pixel - yeah wellies are essential here, too. But hoing for warm weather soon, spring starts here in May I am told?!?

OP posts:
Original poster
smellymelly · 22/02/2006 13:53

ooops!! No 'hoing' happening here! Just 'hoping'!!

OP posts:
HandbagAddiction · 22/02/2006 14:09

Just also bear in mind that even at only 14 hands - a cob type will be fairly strong, so you need to ensure you'll be comfortable with the control aspect, i.e. have the right tack / bits, etc.

itsdday · 22/02/2006 17:19

OK...

Get to yard
give hard feed and check over
Change rug horse number one
turnout
same for horse 2
get hay from barn
empty and wash out feed and water buckets refil feeds for later
muck out both and put in clean water and hay for the evening
empty muck..do daily maintenance on muck heap (2 mins)
sweep yard

P.M
Get horses in change rugs and give nightime feeds

I might add my horses are pets and although not that old are retired due to baby so no riding involved.

Horses in work need about half hour to an hour riding every-every other day depending on the level of fitness needed.

If this riding was to happen in the morning the feed would need to be at least an hour before hand so the whole process (tacking up un tacking etc) would take about 3 hours.

I have had horses for 20 years so I am very quick at rugs and mucking out etc and would imagine a beginner would take about an hour am and half an hour pm just to do basics without riding hope this helps

itsdday · 22/02/2006 17:23

Also to be honest with the breeds it is all about going and seeing lots of ponies/horses because the are like humans and have very different and some very strong characters even though they are the same breed. I would definately not have a breed in mind and just look around.

Mine are similar in looks,clour breed etc but sooooo different in personality.

Pixel · 22/02/2006 17:46

I was just wondering Smellymelly, You've mentioned that you have experience of riding, but have you any in stable management at all? Just wondered if you used to help out at stables or anything? If not, you should really find out a bit about the basics of feeding etc before you get a horse, maybe get a good book or find out if the local riding school does short courses. You should find out how to avoid giving your new horse colic, how to make sure there are no poisonous plants in your pasture, how to feed your childrens' pony so that it keeps well without getting too lively for them etc. (you'd be surprised how many experienced riders are unaware that ponies die every year from being allowed to eat the clippings from mown grass). If you haven't any friends to advise you, your feed merchant will be very happy to help a newbie I'm sure!

You can learn most stuff like grooming, mucking out etc as you go along without coming to much harm but horses do have delicate digestive systems and a little knowledge can help you avoid a big vets bill.

Pixel · 22/02/2006 17:55

Love the name btw. Since my name's Melanie I used to get called that a lot (I wasn't really smelly honest!). As my sister is Nichola we used to get called 'Smelly and Knickers'. Nice!

CountessDracula · 22/02/2006 18:00

this was my dd's first pony

Eve · 22/02/2006 18:02

if you were in the Uk I would recommend that you start with a share of a horse or a part loan on someone elses horse.

There are a lot of websites around that people advertise on for hlep, but as you are in France, not sure if it the same thing. Do fully agree with Pixel's comment, a lot of horses are killed through ignorance.

BHS do good courses on stable management... is there an equivalent in France?

Also add passporting, worming, clipping, dentist to the costs.... they are not cheap!

willow2 · 22/02/2006 18:11

I used to have a horse a long time ago. Now, after years of not riding, I've got the bug again and am loving every minute. Can see why you want one (or two) but can't echo enough the recent posts re getting some stable management experience under your belt. There's a lot more to horses than just grooming and riding, so it's best to be prepared and have an idea of what you will be taking on.

catj · 22/02/2006 18:19

Smellymelly-if you (or anybody else) happen to be in the East Dorset area I am looking for someone to help with 2 of my ponies

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