Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Horse for my 40th after 16 years of not riding...

26 replies

whodunit3 · 25/04/2020 23:28

We have ponies as my two DC ride so not a complete horse owner novices but recently I have started to think that it might be nice for me have something of my own so I could primarily hack out with my girls but also have a bit of me time.

Trouble is I’m not really sure where to start, I’m not interested in eventing/competing and I’m not particularly fit or sharp thinking so not wanting anything too fresh but I also don’t want a hairy cob. (as lovable as they are)

Ideally I would like something safe that I could hack out on, looks nice but mostly a big confidence giver...

Where would you start?

OP posts:
Somersetlady · 26/04/2020 08:03

Have a look at some Irish draught. I have had many and their temperament is excellent. They look great but are normally quiet and amenable.
Buy an older one say 9 years plus that has been there done it and then you have options to do more if you find you love the hacking!
If you looked for one that rides and leads would be very quiet.
The only downside is they are nearly always gray 🤷‍♀️

Good luck and I am sure your daughters will love riding with you.

stayathomer · 26/04/2020 08:09

OMG I'm so excited for you!! Don't worry about not competing etc, there's a world of horses out there that aren't for competition and easygoing/non easygoing things to do. I'm 40 in the next few months and am definitely thinking I'll be back to horses in the next year after 4 kids and a longer time away from horses!!

WellErrr · 26/04/2020 08:10

Trouble is an ID will be expensive, and certain lines (Cruising for example) can be very quirky so you need to know what you’re looking at.

I would try and find something through word of mouth, or go to a reputable dealer like Trina’s Cobs or someone. Join the Facebook Dodgy Horse Dealers group and do thorough research on all sellers.

Do not buy unseen, and definitely get a vetting.

For what you want, you should be able to find something for under £3k if you just want a safe hack.

And don’t write off an ex racer - they are often very steady and used to traffic and bustle. Just expensive to feed!

WellErrr · 26/04/2020 08:11

Ps I’m nothing to do with aforementioned dealers, they are just first name that came to mind but there are lots of reputable places

JontyDoggle37 · 26/04/2020 08:15

Contact your local hunt. Hunts are great sources of very well schooled, impeccably behaved and unflappable horses. They will know who the local producers of such horses are and can point you in the right direction. You’ll usually get something like an ID cross, that looks good and is sensible.

justlikejasper · 26/04/2020 08:18

As PP said join the dodgy dealers facebook page and type in the dealers name see if anything comes up. If the horse sounds too good to be true it probably is

Funnyfive · 26/04/2020 08:26

Why don’t you try one of the horse rescue charities?

Like World Horse Welfare, Horseworld or Redwings?

Original poster
whodunit3 · 26/04/2020 10:01

Wow thanks lots of food for thought...

I’m excited too! I always thought I was happy enough with my DC having “happy new pony” days and getting my fix from theirs but I think it’s time I did something for myself.

DC are member of a hunt PC so definitely can get some good advice if I want to go down that route. My eldest DD has pony that hunted a lot and while she is absolutely lovely, if she wants to go she will go, fine for my daughter absolutely not for me!!!! 😂

I’m on the dodgy dealers page already, many an hour (or 6) lost on there!!

Thanks again, I’m sure I’ll be back with lots more questions!!

OP posts:
DrunkenUnicorn · 26/04/2020 10:02

Sensible ID that have a bit of experience under their belt will be eye wateringly expensive and that’s if they come onto the market. (I have a 16 year old who’s 6’5 already and been keeping an eye on ads for the past year).

A sensible explanation racer that ticks the same boxes will be a lot cheaper to buy than an ID/ISH but on balance (obviously individuals are different) is a likely to cost a lot more to keep and feed.

Could you put the word out via pc or contacts that you have from your kids? I really wouldn’t be too hung up on breed at this stage but look at the individual in front of you. And if it ticks the other boxes a hairy can always be hogged and clipped out!

DrunkenUnicorn · 26/04/2020 10:03

Ex not explanation!

EasterBuns · 26/04/2020 10:19

Why not have a few lessons at a school to prepare you, I would hate to have to get a horse at a viewing if I hadn’t ridden I years?

HermanHermit · 26/04/2020 10:30

Yes to lessons, and you may discover from them that you want something entirely different! How big are you? I’m in a similar situation but had a couple of years of lessons. I’m after a new forest or Connemara pony - easy to do, seeet temperament, love a jump and pretty (but I am small).

DragonNight · 26/04/2020 16:54

I did it! Had a pony as a teen but then went to uni and didn't ride for 18 years. After a couple of years of lessons I bought a horse for my 40th. Best thing I ever did.

inthekitchensink · 26/04/2020 17:12

Following with interest, been a long time since i was involved with horses and it’s a dream for the future - what does ID mean in this setting? I clearly am out the loop!

WellErrr · 26/04/2020 17:46

Irish Draught

inthekitchensink · 26/04/2020 19:53

Thanks!

Pleasedontdothat · 26/04/2020 20:20

We have a half ID, half TB so a traditional ISH and he is the loveliest, sweetest-natured horse I’ve ever known. His ID grandsire is Star Kingdom and he looks just like a slightly smaller ID. He’s very sensible and well-behaved but fizzy and forward with DD so he’s perfect to hack, but can do a lovely, competitive SJ round or hunter trial. His only downside is he’s grey (and loves a good roll in whatever mud he can find 🤨)

Horse for my 40th after 16 years of not riding...
Labracadabra · 27/04/2020 10:57

You need an ex-polo pony, without a doubt. Responsive and fun but safe. Generally unflappable to handle on the ground too. A lot get offered for loan or sale on the retired/ex-polo pony FB pages or there's a lady called Sarah Tallents who rehomes them (Polo Pastures)

maxelly · 27/04/2020 11:47

Very exciting! You've had great advice already. Would just echo the comment to start off with some lessons at a good riding school (you may have to shop around a bit to find a school/teacher that caters well for adults, so many are more geared up for kids), as well as getting your confidence/skill/balance back in a safe environment, a large school should have lots of different types of horses you can try so you can find what suits you best - you may be surprised at the type that you find most fun/safe. Some people prefer to be closer to the ground, others find a more substantial type more comfortable, personally I have a slightly odd thing that I prefer a more forward going/'hot' type and actually lack confidence/feel more nervy with a backwards nappy one as I find them more unpredictable, whereas others feel completely differently!

When you do come to buy, I wouldn't get hung up on breed - as others have said some breeds e.g. ID, ISH, warmbloods will automatically be much pricier than others e.g. TBs or mixed breeds, for an otherwise very similar horse. It's fine to have a preferred type but primarily I'd just look for a healthy, sound animal which is currently doing the job you want it for, e.g. mainly hacking and doing light RC activities in an amateur/novice home. I wouldn't write off a slightly older (e.g. mid teens) horse which has been doing more (competing or hunting or whatever) and is ready to step down a bit so long as s/he is definitely quiet and sound, and stays that way even when not in hard/regular work. But I almost certainly wouldn't buy a youngster or very green horse, even one than seems saintly, as they can go through horrible teenage phases particularly with someone a bit nervy, and you want to be able to relax and have fun, not be constantly on guard and teaching boundaries!

Do be prepared to pay a bit of a premium for something totally genuine and bombproof, be very very cynical and do your homework particularly if using a dealer (but private sellers can be unscrupulous too), be suspicious of anything cheap particularly if pretty or a fashionable breed, usually they are cheap for a reason Grin, and always get a 2nd opinion preferably from someone independent and experienced e.g. your instructor/coach. Be prepared to keep taking occasional lessons even after you have bought your horse, I find it absolutely invaluable to have someone I trust help me through any sticky or nervy moments, which are inevitable where horses are concerned!

TheOtherSideOfTheMountain · 27/04/2020 13:01

Was also just going to say Trina's Cobs. So so genuine and don't only have hairy cobs....just lovely reliable family horses and ponies. I recently got my own again too after a 15 year break, it's literally the best gift to yourself ever, having that me time back.

Polkadotties · 27/04/2020 16:12

I’ve got an ID, bought him as a 5 year old, it’s only now as a nearly 9 year old that he has matured physically and mentally. He is a lovely gentle soul but anxious and spooky. Plus he wasn’t cheap.
Cobs don’t have to stay hairy

Booboostwo · 27/04/2020 16:29

To be honest I'd start with lessons. If you really mean that you haven't ridden at all in the last 16 years you absolutely need lessons to firstly make sure you are safe on a horse and secondly check that you still enjoy it. You need to build up your confidence, your stamina, your strength and your horse riding skills.

Then do a list of the things you want to do with a horse: is safe hacking the only thing that interests you or are you likely to want to do a bit more?
Once you have the list, add to it your height and weight requirements (for the horse I mean!).

Then start looking at adverts and expect to see many lemons before you find the one. I would not bother with breed unless you want something specific with respect to height/weight, e.g. if you need a weight carrier, don't look at TBs, if you are short don't look at most full IDs.

AngelicCurls · 27/04/2020 17:41

I got mine after placing a wanted ad on the local horse pages on FB. I listed all the things that were non-negotiable and then a list of ideals. Pretty much got my perfect horse from someone who wasn’t actively advertising but was thinking of selling. Prior to that I’d viewed around 10 horses in the flesh and was getting very disheartened, as a PP said-lots of lemons out there.

Also GO FOR IT! I hack out with my daughter loads-it’s lovely to share a hobby, but it’s also perfect ‘me time’ when I go out for a couple of hours in my own. Hands down the best thing I’ve done after the kids!

leckford · 03/05/2020 14:41

I would imagine after all the virus crisis there will sadly be many horses for sale.

Have as many lessons as possible at a good riding school, trying horses is a nightmare. Make sure you see them ride the horse first and only get on in a fully fenced school.

Get it vetted by an equine vet

Grumpbum123 · 03/05/2020 14:46

Please take someone experienced to try the horse with you.
Get a 5* vetting including bloods
Try and get a trial period
Don’t buy unseen
Join Dodgy dealers on fb and research research research them

I was recently screwed over and lost 3.5k and my dream has gone now until I can save again