What are your thoughts on this horse

[offlikearocket]

I took up riding last year having always wanted to ride since as long as I can remember and have ridden on and off over the years but only odd lessons etc. I am now in a position to own my own horse and will be doing nothing fancy just hacking and enjoying looking after a horse. We are lucky enough to be moving to a house with land so that I can keep a horse and eventually a pony for DD. The riding school are selling the horse which I ride, she's coming up 17 this month and is tired of being in the school, she is also used for RDA, she's a 15.1h welsh Sec D x clysedale and very easy to do in all ways, it's been a bit difficult to learn on her as she is just unwilling in the school and I'm not young so getting her into trot means I'm often knackered by the time we get there. However, totally different story out on a hack, she seems to love being out and is forward going I hardly have to ask for trot or canter but we do hack out with other horses so not sure if this is an influence. I really like this horse as she's safe and easy and all I want to do is hack and probably start DD off on lead rein with her, it's just I'm concerned about her age, realistically how many years do you think I may get from her under saddle? Would it be worth it? Also how much do you think she would be worth, I know this is a bit of a guess but just some idea would be good. I think that if I buy her I know I will have to give her a home for life and that's not necessarily an issue but as I'm 44 I think I will want to ride for a lot longer than she will and that's the dilemma really...I will have 3 acres of land and if I bought another horse in a few years time would this area of land support 3 horses?
Please let me know your thoughts and any considerations I have overlooked. Sorry for the long post!

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

These were guest appearances. A good friend is a total show jumping groupie. She goes to everything and knows them all. She used to get one or two of them to come do lessons at the riding school where she worked. He didn't live nearby.

[TackedOff]

Well I OWN a stubborn, totally bombproof pony who hates hacking alone and, although he is lovely as a lead rein pony he is really a struggle to hack out with and even I (very rusty, very much a happy hacker) find him tiring and unrewarding to ride.

Unwillingness is really depressing after a while. My daughter's new pony approaches everythign with a cheerful manner and is nicely forward going and he is really lovely to ride (he's just as safe as the first pony but not as tiring!)

[Ehhn]

it's been a bit difficult to learn on her as she is just unwilling in the school and I'm not young so getting her into trot means I'm often knackered by the time we get there

This is the bit that concerns me. Even if you only want to hack, you may wish to work on technique, or if you/she gets injured you may need to do some rehab work in the school. It also shows a certain amount of bloody mindedness to this horse which means it may be canny enough to exploit inexperience/weakness eg in handling. If you are going to own a horse, they should do all the basics for the level that you require. A good horse costs as much as a bad one to keep, so why not get a horse that ticks all the boxes? On the other hand, I admire your sense in selecting an appropriate horse for your level/experience. Over-horsing is an all too common occurence.

[chocolatecakeystuff]

Ehhn I'll completly agree with that.

My mare is ex riding school... and about as far from dead to the leg and firm in the mouth as yoy can get.

She's fizzy but willing. That said... she knows all the tricks going. If you put a nivice on her she will not work without correct aids. However I find her a complete push button ride. Presonally I think she's wonderful :-) but I can see how someone witjout the correct experience would be totally over horsed by her (which is how she ended up in the riding school in the first place)

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Im not into overhorsing, but there is nothing wrong with taking on a bit of a challenge. You have to work hard, and will be better for it in the long run. With support and instruction, it is no bad thing.

[Ehhn]

I agree on challenge, but according to experience and confidence. Op sounds like she wants an obedient, kind horse she can trust to nanny kids on ponies and do ride/lead. Maybe a nice Irish draught or Id x? I break and bring on young event horses and not everyone wants to deal with (or is able to cope with!) the challenges of tb or mostly tb and wb/id youngsters.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

I wouldn't touch a TB with a barge pole! Can't beat a nice native!

[Juniperberry79]

I'm not going to comment on the former riding school horse point - I have come across some great riding school horses and also some that I wouldn't want to own......other than to say that I think people's comments that the horse might behave very differently outside the riding school environment are very valid.

However, if you are a novice I would definitely think twice about keeping the horse at home. I am a novice who like you has ridden on and off over the years and I have recently got my first horse on part share. It has been such a learning curve, and whilst I am really enjoying it, it is teaching me just how much I still have to learn about horses (ie loads!).

I know the basics (I can catch, tack up, groom, basic riding) but what my share has made be realise is that I don't know how to deal with things when they go wrong. The other day I came to collect my horse in from the field and she had blood coming from her nose - I didn't have a clue what to do, but thankfully she is kept at a large livery yard with full time experienced staff on hand so there is always someone with experience around. Also her owners are always at the end of the phone should I need to call them for a second opinion about anything.

I would definitely recommend keeping your first horse at a larger yard with experienced people around and I wouldn't advise keeping horses at home until you are experienced enough to deal with things like basic health problems, injuries, basic behaviour issues etc.

I also think a trial period would be a great idea.

Good luck!