How on earth does anyone buy their first horse!!??

[Howdidthathappen1]

Ok. So we've don't the sums (and got scared), found the livery yard, started buying the kit (buckets, barrow, forks, etc, etc). Read the dodgy dealer sites - and got more scared!
Had one try which went brilliantly but then 2nd try the horse threw dd twice and trainer advised to walk.
I've messaged about 8 other horses only had one reply and after a conversation we knew wasn't right - horse had back issues that need long term management.

We will be first time owners - had several shares over the last 6 years but it feels like joining the horse owners club is so hard. The more a research and looking i do the harder it seems!
Not a massive budget - 5k but that needs to include tack for something not world beating but can pop an unaffiliated jump with dd and take me on a chilled hack. But will pass a vetting.
Is it just the wrong time of year? People tell me there'll be loads in spring? But I don't want a 5/6 year old for our first horse - my daughter loves the idea of bringing something on but I'm reining her in!

Don't hate me for this but are they asking 5k for a fresian x that has been sitting in a field for a year? That's insane. Keep in mind that he may be a different horse when fit, or that he may have been turned away because he was injured or bonkers.

I have had all sorts of horses from all sorts of people there are some really reputable horse people. I work for the NPS and have loads of contacts so if you DM with where about your based I can let you know of people in your area

Not 5k from the field!! He's 2.5k which if he works out will be a bargain.
It's the 4 week trial has persuaded me to try him so we can be as sure as we can that it's going to work. Yes that fact that he is beautiful may have had some influence.
However his owner has disclosed that when stables he windsucks but not when lives out - which he will be with us - so a vetting during the trial will be vital

Why are you all replying to this?

Why wouldn't we, @MalarkeyMouse ??

Ok lesson learned with getting excited about a horse before proper research. Spoke to an owner we used to share from who has known said horse and it's owner. Long story it's a no go!! Again - it's cheap for a reason!!
I won't bore everyone who has given helpful advice with every damn animal we try!! But I'm so looking forward to posting a pic of our new friend when we find him.

Sorry to hear that. Wait till spring and something decent will come up. Good horses are well taken care of and beloved by their owners do less likely to come up for sale, unbidden for a year, from a field. I bet that now you know the horse’s history, 2.5 grand is still a crazy price for it no?

Don’t buy from the field. Buy something up and running already competing. Your budget is fine. Ideally around 10. Contact done if the showing yards. We often had school masters that had finished their showing careers and were ready to move on.

10 years old. Not 10k!!!

Any luck @Howdidthathappen1

She's sooo pretty. And so lovely natured and although we have not quite got saddle yet (saddler coming monday) we have had 2 weeks of getting to know her and loving it.
Very pleased you asked!!!

she looks fab.

Where did you find her in the end? I'm having this same issue with finding one that matches the same sort of criteria yours was. Sadly I dont even really have many contacts to ask around

We got her from Grove Farm in Middlesex. We contacted them after seeing an ad on horse quest for a different horse and they suggested we try her too - we would have been over horsed with the original one and wouldnt have tried Blondie (her name) unless suggested as she's only 5. It's worked out well so far - she's been fine plodding around with us bareback and we've had a short hack in a borrowed saddle. She's so calm and well mannered.
Slightly over budget as we paid 4.9k and she came with literally nothing which has been a bit stressful- but it feels like we've had her forever!!
Every time we saw something with potential I did as much research and googling as I could about the seller but still felt very nervous actually handing over that amount of money!

Great news, How glad to see you got there in the end. Purchasing horses is a process, not really like any other sort of purchase. It is a learning experience along the way. Now you will go through the process of bonding with your horse. I think 5 is a good age, will not have been damaged by over-work and you can train her the way you want. I would only ever buy a young horse now.

@Howdidthathappen1 Ah I did wonder if she was Blondie! I've been looking at Grove Farm - do you mind if I pm you to ask you a few q's?

No probs pm away

Wonderful update. Hope you have a lot of fun with her!

You may be planning on this already...weekly lessons with a good instructor will be invaluable in bringing a 5yo on. The ones I have known which were sweet natured and relaxed at 5yo just stayed like that for life.

Lessons top of list assuming saddler turns up tomorrow- had a tummy bug last week!
We had a longer hack today - 1st on her own. Daughter was riding and I tagged along on foot. I'm def not brave enough to attempt that!! She was very excited and thankfully dd is fearless and maintained control - just!! She has so much potential and we want to make sure she's brought on correctly so my overtime is booked in to pay for dds lessons now

My five cents is that you need to remember that she is a very young horse in everything you do with her, because there will be a lot of things she has not seen yet, she won’t be as secure in having confidence in her rider and if her first experience of something is a negative one it will stay with her for a long time.

I tend to take the following precautions with 4/5 year olds:

• don’t ride first thing after a night in the stable, let them run around the field first
• if in doubt, lunge first
• don’t hack alone, go with a very reliable horse and be aware of everything that is a first. So for example, first canter she should be lead file and ideally find a hill for her to run out of steam quickly. Try put her reaction to traffic on the yard not on the road.
• when she is ready to hack alone do not get her into the habit of having a human on foot, this can turn into an annoying nappy habit when the human is no longer there. Build her confidence with another horse, let her learn the rides, allow you DD to figure out the buttons and take her for her first solo hack in a warm day in the summer!

Oh she's lovely, congratulations, enjoy her