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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Carry on loaning or buy?

14 replies

skintnotskinny · 28/09/2018 10:44

Dd has a horse on full loan - she is desperate to buy him but I’m not sure. We have the money so that’s not an issue (and he wouldn’t be massively expensive anyway). He’s a lovely-natured horse and he and dd adore each other but he’s quite green in many ways. He came over from Ireland as a five year old, having hunted but since then his owner hasn’t done much with him as she got pregnant soon after buying him. He’s just turned 9 and is fit and healthy but dd is very keen to event and I just don’t think he’s going to be able to get her to where she wants to be. WWYD?

OP posts:
puppymouse · 28/09/2018 11:01

I'm no expert as I don't compete but surely a mutual trust and adoring each other is the best platform for any horse/human relationship? I'd have thought at 9, get a decent instructor and as long as he's physically capable they can learn together surely?

I personally would buy him but then I don't view horses in terms of whether they can get me where I need to go. If he was elderly or had soundness issues that would be a different story but green should be ok with the right support I'd have thought?

Original poster
skintnotskinny · 28/09/2018 12:26

My personal philosophy is that if we buy him, he’s with us for life but dd is a bit more pragmatic at times. We couldn’t afford livery for more than one so what I don’t want to happen is for her to turn round in a year or two and say it was the wrong decision...

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 28/09/2018 13:52

What sort of level does he want to be at? Horses that will event even to BE100 that are school masters and safe enough for teenagers could very conceivably 10k+

If she feels safe with him and they are a good team stick with it. Truely genuine horses are hard to find

Original poster
skintnotskinny · 28/09/2018 14:14

She says she wants to aim for BE100 .. we’ll see! It’s funny but before dd started riding him he had the reputation on the yard as being a complete nutter ... his last sharer wasn’t able to do anything with him other than canter round the school in ever-faster circles. But he and dd just clicked and he’s never been silly or tanked off with her. She shared him for a few months before taking him on full loan. She’s a very quiet rider (and quite introverted person) and I think he responds well to that.

I think she’s just feeling frustrated because she doesn’t have enough skill to bring him on as far as she’d like. I’ve asked a lovely instructor to come and give her some lessons on him and she’s joined the local pony club branch so fingers crossed that will help.

OP posts:
notquiteruralbliss · 28/09/2018 19:49

If they adore each other and you can afford to buy him then I would. Especially if you can get your DD some help from a good instructor. He is a known quantity so much lower risk than buying a horse you don’t know.

mumontherun14 · 28/09/2018 20:04

Reading with interest - I've just posted a similar post. I have a DD the same with her loan pony and am in a similar quandry. I think the pony club is a great idea xxx

puppymouse · 28/09/2018 20:23

This is partly why I am hoping my DD doesn't end up wanting a pony. They outgrow them and unless you have your own land it's unaffordable getting another.

I managed to piss somebody off earlier by commenting on their for sale post of a much loved older pony who'd taught the entire family to ride. But now it's "time for her to move on." No it isn't. That horse has dedicated years to keeping your family safe.

Gahhh I know I'm too sensitive to deal with being in the horse world sometimes.

I think the relationship they have is priceless and you'd pay a fortune to find a safe young girl's pony. Definitely spend the extra money you would have spent on another horse on a good instructor. Good luck!

CatWithARabbit · 28/09/2018 20:55

If your daughter really wants to event you can have lessons at a local xc venue - most instructors will do this. Ask around for jumping instructors, and for dressage. You could be lucky and find one who will cover all aspects. We are looking for a horse to buy as my daughters loan is being taken back. They have an incredible bond and he takes care of her every time they jump. I am praying that when we find the new one, they will bond quickly as it is so important. I hope you can buy him for her - we tried to buy our loan but they won't sell him. We are both devastated.

maxelly · 30/09/2018 17:55

I'd echo others - knowing the horse and having an existing bond is really priceless. To be honest unless you have mega bucks to buy a proper school master (the £10K + mentioned upthread is about right) then she's going to have to put some hard work in to get to BE100 with whatever horse she rides - but the good news is that it should be within the scope of most horses if properly prepared and ridden - building up to it over the course of a few seasons or however long it takes, and lots of lessons of course.

I know BE100 is regarded as terrifyingly advanced these days, and I'll admit I no longer have the bottle for anything above baby XC so who am I to talk, but back in the bad old days (old gimmer icon!) BE80, 90 and 100 didn't even exist, you had to start off at Novice, and the introduction of a lower height class was regarded as diluting the sport and pandering to novices unacceptably!

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that the important thing for most amateurs is not to be winning loads of rosettes right away, it's to learn, improve and have fun whilst doing it. If this boy will do that for her and you can afford him then I'd buy him like a shot (subject to usual vetting of course)!

Original poster
skintnotskinny · 30/09/2018 19:59

Thanks everyone - we know most of his history as he’s been on the same yard since he was 4 and he’s been very healthy all that time. The vet checked him over when we took him on loan and said he’s extremely fit and in great condition. Dd’s instructor thinks he’s lovely and that he and dd will have lots of fun together which is the most important thing! I think dd was just having a bit of a wobble as it’s such a big step. Anyway ... the upshot is that we’ve bought him and he’ll become dd’s very own horse on her birthday Smile

OP posts:
puppymouse · 30/09/2018 20:21

Yayyyyy how exciting!!! Good decision. I can imagine how excited I would have been as a child to get a horse for my birthday. Had to wait until 36 😅

Pleasedontdothat · 05/12/2018 20:28

OP here - I just thought I’d update this now we’ve ‘properly’ had dhorse for a couple of months. He’s been a superstar - he’s been xc schooling twice, been to a couple of PC rallies (the DC thinks he’s fabulous) and dd’s instructor has been coming to the yard for regular lessons. He’s taken everything in his stride and he and dd always look so happy together. We took him to a showjumping clinic last week and he was the only horse in the group who didn’t spook or refuse - even when dd took a really dodgy line to one jump he managed to get over it. They’re even going to do some prelim dressage over the Christmas holidays. We have a happy dd and happy horse Smile

mrslaughan · 05/12/2018 21:05

Great update - I hadn't seen your ordinal post , but I am so pleased you have taken the leap and it's gone well.

DrunkenUnicorn · 07/12/2018 18:58

Lovely update OP

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