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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

come and talk me out of this. or not.

76 replies

ThatVikRinA22 · 16/01/2014 19:53

hi all - not been posting in here much as i had a bit of a sabbatical from lessons and the yard while i was waiting for surgery.
ive had it now and am just recovering.
so now im thinking about getting back to it....the only thing was that if you recall i was very "stuck" and not making progress at all because my instructor would not let me off the lunge or hack out. She is a stickler for doing things properly and little things like my toes not being in or heels down were holding me back.

the break has done me good but ive still got the horsey bug. A friend has just bought a horse from a very reputable dealer close to us (something to do with the famous whittakers i think....very good reputation, they sell very good quality sports horses as well as happy hackers)

she sent me the link to the horse she bought and i had a browse at the other horses and ponies for sale.
one really caught my eye because she looked perfect for me. She is a perfect size, age, type, (14.2, 5yrs, cob, beautiful, with lovely paces, likes to jump, lots of potential)
she is a great price and one that i can afford. now. i would need to buy tack/rugs/grooming kit.
DH and i have talked and he agrees that being around horses makes me so happy he is fine with me getting my own, but im just not sure about the ongoing costs and if i can comfortably manage them right now. In 18 months time i will have an extra £230 per month....

ive text my instructor to ask if i can pin her down to giving me some figures for livery.....what it would include, etc. Every time ive asked its been something different so ive asked for a firm figure. She will only entertain part livery, though in theory this pony could live out....she has also talked to me about working livery - im torn on that issue - on the one hand it would make it cheaper and exercise my pony when im on weird shifts....but on the other i wouldnt have control of who was riding her. That said instructor is such a stickler i know she wouldnt allow any bad handling.

can someone give me an idea of what everything costs that i would need to fund on an ongoing basis? if my instructor can do part livery then hay and straw would be included.
so....that leaves
hard feed
shoes
farrier
teeth
vets/insurance
anything else?

and this is the biggie. im not a good rider. the best i can say is that i can stay on! i understand the principles, but to get better i need the practice and when just taking lessons i wasnt getting that practice. If i get my own i can just play about and learn by trial and error without feeling under so much pressure.
having livery at instructors yard would give me confidence that someone who knows their stuff would be on hand. She is very very good, an excellent rider, knows all there is to know about horses and their care.
but her lessons werent teaching me anything practically about riding because i never really got off the ground (so to speak)
i need the practice.
dh doesnt want me to do it for 18 months to ensure the extra money is there....this is why i want costings and advice, this horse looks perfect and if i could just manage for 18 months then id be home and dry.....

so. with all this in mind....

talk me out of it.
(or into it)

:)

OP posts:
NigellasDealer · 17/01/2014 12:09

ride and lead i might add!

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 17/01/2014 12:12

i think i have found one not toooooo far away. bhs qualified instruction.

just tried phoning but no answer....looks very professional with an indoor and outdoor arena.
adult beginners lessons available. (i think i may need to go back to the beginning!)
they do hack out.

going to keep trying them. now ive had a break from usual instructor i think it would be a good time to try elsewhere. (will have to wait a bit until surgery is all healed tho!)

OP posts:
Mitchy1nge · 17/01/2014 12:13

hmm, I certainly used to fall off quite a lot as a child and an adult returner

but not now unless pony is extremely determined

Mitchy1nge · 17/01/2014 12:15

yay vicar!

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 17/01/2014 12:20

Facilites

20m x 40m Indoor School with Viewing Area
30m x 60m Floodlit Outdoor Menage
Classroom
20 Indoor Stables
Secure Tack Room
Feed Room
Wash Box (Horse Preparation Area)
Toilets
Car Park
BHS Qualified Instructors

yay indeed! and they have 20 horses and ponies! (at current school i have a choice of.....1!)

ooo im a bit giddy now!

OP posts:
NigellasDealer · 17/01/2014 12:20

go for it vicar, and have a great time!
I would also like to make this 'the year of the horse' for me, I used to be a reasonable rider (stage 3 plus) but am now terrified of falling off, so am looking for a nice steady cob or something to go hacking with my daughter....
i just might find him/her this weekend....

NigellasDealer · 17/01/2014 12:21

it sounds good vicar - can we ask a vague area? just out of interest?

willyoulistentome · 17/01/2014 12:24

Vic. That sounds more like it.!!!!

NotGoodNotBad · 17/01/2014 12:30

Good luck!

It may be some time away but I think that when you do get your own horse you should look for somewhere to keep it other than your current instructor's yard, she sounds way too controlling! Remember this need not be at a riding school - my horse lives at grass livery at a livery yard, but the yard owner is available to give advice, as well as lots of horse-owners, and you can always get instructors and trainers to come to you.

From your previous threads I think you already know more about looking after a horse than many people who buy one, and probably much more than you think - I agree with others that expanding your riding experience should be your current priority.

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 17/01/2014 13:00

vague area....
east yorkshire.

not far from Howden. not far from Gilberdyke.

its about 10 miles from me and will take 20 mins to drive. not bad at all.

OP posts:
Ehhn · 17/01/2014 15:03

Fantastic. You need to ride different horses and in different environments - and off the lunge!

Have fun and let us know how it goes!

ExitPursuedByTheRoyalPrude · 17/01/2014 15:14

Sounds great. Do come back in a few weeks and tell us about the fab stuff you are doing on horseback!

5OBalesofHay · 17/01/2014 15:25

I think change of school sounds perfect, although I think with s nice schoolmaster rather than a youngster a horse of your own sounds a good idea. But maybe more enjoyment of lessons will lessen the sense of urgency.

Butkin · 17/01/2014 16:53

That sounds the right sort of place! Definitely go round and see what you think and plan some lessons!

5OBalesofHay · 17/01/2014 19:38

Btw vicar, you're not tiny by any chance? I know of a really nice outgrown pony not too far from you who will be up for loan before long.

thetravelbook · 17/01/2014 20:37

Vicar I have followed your posts from the start, and whilst I think it is great that you are so enthusiastic, I would not recommend that anyone buys a horse until they can walk, trot, canter in the school (not on lunge) and out hacking and knows basic stable management as a very minimum .

Even then I would advise an older, more experienced horse (8 years old plus) and I would buy something reliable via word of mouth rather than from a dealer, who has probably only had the horse a short amount of time and perhaps does not really know what it is like.

I speak from experience. Like you I am a novice rider. I rode a bit in my teens then gave up for 15 years before getting back in the saddle in my 30s . I had a few lessons and now have a share of a very old, steady cob (who has been with the same family for 15 years, the kids in the family are now teenagers and have moved on to more advanced competition horses but the family have kept my pony as she is so lovely and also too old to sell on really). Whilst I have really enjoyed having my share pony, it has been a massive learning curve and I am so, so glad that I shared before I took the plunge and bought my own.

My advice to you would be:

  1. more lessons, until you can walk, trot, canter confidently and carry on learning stable management
  1. Try and do a riding holiday - Freerein have been highly recommended to me in the past.
  1. Look out for a suitable share.
  1. When you feel ready and have the experience, start looking for something to buy, and look for a suitable livery yard, with experienced staff and instructor etc.

Good luck! I am sure you will get there, you sound very determined Grin

serenamoon · 17/01/2014 20:58

A 5 year old is just too young for a total novice, no matter how safe and schooled they are. It's best to pay a considerable amount more for an older schoolmaster horse who can teach you as opposed to a horse you need to teach when you need to focus on learning yourself. Although you've got a good set up I think you should start by learning properly. What kind of instructor doesn't let you off of the lunge?! You'll never progress with 'perfection' if you're a leisure rider. Please find another instructor and progress more, then perhaps consider a loan or a share first to learn more about horse ownership, the differences between riding a school horse and your own, and all the other things horse ownership throws which isn't really about the cost.

Hacking is also completely different to riding a school horse in a school as well especially if you're considering doing it alone, it could really take your progress or the horses' progress back a lot if you don't help school the horse in it's education at that age...

Then in 18 months or so, you should be in a good place for horse ownership!

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 17/01/2014 21:20

i really appreciate your wisdom guys and thank you.

50bales - i wish i was tiny....ive just had surgery on my stomach and not even that is stopping me eating! Grin

im 5ft 4 but am 10st 7 at min....i may lose some weight as my stomach is now a third smaller than it was this time 2 weeks ago! (the surgery was a nissen fundoplication!)

i need to heal fully before i get on a horse so i reckon it might be a couple of months before i can ride again anyway but im going to phone the new school and see it, speak to instructors about what my goals are.

i am completely determined to have my own - it would make me so happy - last year i had a horrible bout of depression for the first time ever and being around horses helped me so much and gave me a reason to get out of bed.

its been a dream since i was about 11....im now 41!

OP posts:
Mirage · 17/01/2014 21:20

Good luck with your lesson at the new school.I think you'll find it a revelation.Grin
Agree with the others about the 5 year old.Every pony I've known has had a fit of the 'teenagers' at that age.DD2's last loan pony was the same,although he was 6,he'd been broken late and he had a lot of fun when he realised that if he tanked off and cornered sharply,DD2 would fall off.She had lessons on the lunge with no stirrups or reins to improve her seat and he soon found his trick didn't work with her.He still tried it on with other kids though and no one else at PC would dare ride him.Grin He decked one poor lad who came to try him twice within 5 minutes.

Even schoolmasters will try it on in a new home though.

Pixel · 17/01/2014 22:05

It was funny really, dhorse was sooo like a teenager. He'd actually toss his head and stamp his foot if he didn't get his own way. If he could have slammed a door on the way to his room shelter he would have! Grin

mrslaughan · 18/01/2014 08:23

5 is too young for you....no matter how saintly it is, how reputable the dealer,.....it will need educating, and you don't have the skill set yet.....sorry.

But I am all for you buying one, or sharing one......shares are fantastic, esp if you can find a schoolmaster.

My current share is 19, and he can be a cheeky sod, but he has been there done it and got the t-shirt.....he is teaching me. You hit the "buttons" he does it. Yes I have to be careful with him, but I am not into galloping off into the sunset.

Be honest about where you are with your riding, and start from there, then look at what you want to achieve with your riding, and start from there with what you are looking for from a share or a loan.

Pixel · 19/01/2014 00:52

Damn you, you've got me looking at the ads now! I think this is the sort of thing you should be looking for temperament-wise. She looks like a sweetheart.

horsemadmom · 19/01/2014 09:41

Why are all the ones who fit my bill on the other end of the country!!!!!!!

mistlethrush · 19/01/2014 16:56

I looked on sharing options and found one that would be ideal for me just up the road at £15 a week Blush. Perhaps in 5 years time?

Stinkyminkymoo · 20/01/2014 13:45

Vicar, I've just continued to read through the thread, is there anyway you could find a share horse?

I returned to riding when I was 29 and had a share horse that turned into a loan. I didn't know how to do anything bar ride and even that wasn't very good as I hadn't had a lesson since I was 14.

Still I learnt loads and 8 years in I have 2, 1 Anglo Arab and an Andalusian who turned 3 yesterday (though am sadly selling the older one Hmm).

It can be done so don't be disheartened. If you are willing to learn, it will come to you Grin

I also can't help your 'instructor' is taking the piss somewhat. What area are you in? Maybe someone knows a little RS that doesn't have a website near to you? Good luck!

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