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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Bought a horse

34 replies

BeardyButton · 24/04/2021 16:18

Just that really. So excited. He wasn’t at all what I was looking for. I wanted an older cob. Looking for a happy hacker with a great temperament. Went to see a few. Just didn’t feel right.

An ad popped up with an 8 yr old thoroughbred. He was used, among other things, to teach a young boy with Down syndrome. The vet that checked him said he had the best temperament of any thoroughbred he’d vetted. Vet did say he had minor conformation issue in hind quarters, but it would only be an issue if I wanted him for showjumping. Said it was prob the reason he never ran. Vet said perfect for what I wanted and wouldn’t lead to lameness.

I am so excited now for him to be delivered. He ll be on full livery at my school. I ll continue with lessons twice a week. He is beautifully schooled - I’m scared that I ll teach him bad habits.

I’ve so many questions- don’t know where to start. But can anyone recommend any learning materials? Books for first owners etc? You tubers?

OP posts:
Original poster
BeardyButton · 24/04/2021 16:19

Here he is

Bought a horse
OP posts:
crazylikechocolate · 24/04/2021 16:59

You can't go wrong with
Pony club manual of horsemanship

Cherrypies · 24/04/2021 17:32

Congratulations
A beauty

lastqueenofscotland · 24/04/2021 18:48

They are such wonderful horses
Get on the right side of them and they’d run through brick walls for you.
I’d never own anything but a TB
The “no TB” crowd don’t know what they are missing

EmmaC78 · 24/04/2021 18:51

He looks beautiful. I am a big TB fan too. I have an ex racer and he is the kindest boy. Look forward to more photos when he arrives.

Original poster
BeardyButton · 24/04/2021 18:59

Thanks. I was skipping over all the adverts for tb’s, thinking I didn’t want anything hot. But of all the horses I ve seen or ridden he was the most calm and unflappable. I had to bring husband and 5 yr old with me. He was so gentle with my son. When he held out his hand, You could see Charlie actively try to be gentle smelling it.

Also, while I was riding Charlie, my son gave a big shout about something. Not ideal situation I know (on an unknown horse), but he just picked up his ears, moved a bit faster and that was that.

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lilybetsy · 26/04/2021 12:37

congratulations! I hope you have many happy years together and I'm sure you will have a lot of fun :-)

Deliaskis · 26/04/2021 14:05

So jealous! I think I am on the very very brink of doing the same....taking the plunge after much thinking and considering... Congratulations!

I need something a bit heavier because I myself am a bit of a chunk, but looks like you have yourself a really beautiful boy there.

Original poster
BeardyButton · 26/04/2021 19:58

@Deliaskis I don’t know if I am mad.... my instructor and yard owner are super supportive and helpful. I wouldn’t have attempted it without their support. I think COVID has pushed me into the frame of mind if jst going for it. I have wanted my own since I was seven. If I don’t do it in my 40s, I’m guessing I never will.

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midnightstar66 · 26/04/2021 20:04

I can literally feel your excitement radiating through the screen, very happy for you. All I've had since I was 14 is TB's and totally resisting the urge to get an off the track TB as a mother daughter share for my 11 year old dd as I simply don't have the money (or the time but the money for full or let livery could solve that). Such fun when you get a good one

Original poster
BeardyButton · 26/04/2021 20:28

@midnightstar66

I can literally feel your excitement radiating through the screen, very happy for you. All I've had since I was 14 is TB's and totally resisting the urge to get an off the track TB as a mother daughter share for my 11 year old dd as I simply don't have the money (or the time but the money for full or let livery could solve that). Such fun when you get a good one
I have hardly slept in a week. I couldn’t even explain my excitement in words. Like loads of girls before me, I was the one in the riding school who took lessons for years, did the odd jobs, helped out; but never got my own pony. The envy every time one of my friends did.... the hope every Christmas and bday.... my poor mother. She tried her best to give me great horsey experiences, but we could never afford one of my own.

I jst really don’t want to let him down. The riding has come back to me quite well. But I’m not at all the rider I was at 15. Even just in terms of physical strength. But I am committed to learning and learning and learning.

Thx everyone!

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CountryCob · 01/05/2021 07:07

Oh this is nice, enjoy

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 01/05/2021 13:00

This is such a lovely exciting post, and he sounds like a great horse.

Don't worry about letting him down by not being the best rider in the world. As long as his needs are met, he won't care about being perfectly schooled etc.

It sounds like you have both been lucky to find each other!

Juststopit · 01/05/2021 13:03

We have an ex racer and he is the kindest most gentle horse I have owned in 30 years. I would never looked at a thoroughbred previously but he is a dream to ride and handle.

AlmostSummer21 · 01/05/2021 13:10

Yep your excitement is really radiating from your posts!! I'm excited for you you!

It's a good thing you've taken the plunge! All you can do now is your best, it sounds like you have a goid team around you and you're certainly willing to learn.

It'll all be good!

When do you get him??

Deliaskis · 01/05/2021 13:57

Well since reading your post, I think I feel off the brink that I was teetering on. Off to try a horse this afternoon! He's at the yard that we loan at, and there is no rush so I can get to know him.... but he seems like a good prospect.

I won't steal your thread and post about him if I take the plunge, but just wanted to share as I'm a bit excited!

Original poster
BeardyButton · 02/05/2021 09:05

@AlmostSummer21 I’m getting him on Wednesday. I had the vet go to him and worm and get his shots up to date on Friday. Didn’t want him coming to a bigger yard and getting sick. Then I wanted to give him a couple of days to get over that.

I plan on giving him a home for life. The livery yard he ll come to is perfect in some ways - lovely knowledgeable people etc. But not 100 per cent happy with turn out. Only 4 hrs a day and individual. They have room for herd turn out and they turn out the school horses together (only livery horses are individual). They said if he’s not happy they can alter it and maybe get him out twice a day. The reason they do it like this is that other liveries objected to the horses bullying each other.

@Deliaskis steal away!!!! I’m totally delighted that you are going looking. I’m no one to advise (haven’t a clue what I’m doing), but if anything feels off don’t buy. I got the feeling that buying a horse can be.... interesting! I tried a couple of horses where the way they were being kept or the person selling seemed off! Part of the reason I choose Charlie is I trusted the seller and he seemed so well cared for.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeardyButton · 02/05/2021 09:07

@Deliaskis ps, very excited for you too! It’s time to live life! That’s what COVID has taught me. I ve my fingers crossed for you!

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AlmostSummer21 · 03/05/2021 14:08

Not too much longer then!

AlmostSummer21 · 03/05/2021 14:10

@Deliaskis. How did your trial go on Saturday?

Deliaskis · 03/05/2021 14:19

@AlmostSummer21 ...it was interesting! The horse is amazing, beautiful, big sports horse, the kind you feel privileged to ride... he's a lot better 'quality' as a horse than I am as a rider for sure! Which brings me to my hesitation... I'm not sure if he's just too much for me at the moment. He's very forward and bouncy, and although I do have the experience to cope with him, I'm not sure if I'll enjoy that so to speak. I don't want to get myself into a position where I'm worried about riding. So I'm going to ride him a bit more and take my time (which owner is happy for me to do), and maybe keep my eye out for others just in case. There's a risk of jumping for this one because he's right there on my yard and is available and lovely, but actually I need to be much more confident that he'll be OK for everything I want to do so won't rush into it.

Still though....it is sort of helping me clarify what I do want. I realise I've had so much fun in the last 12 months on loaned and borrowed horses doing a real mix of online dressage comps, hacking, days out/ fun rides etc... and actually all of those are important to me.

Original poster
BeardyButton · 03/05/2021 14:49

@Deliaskis that sounds like a very reasonable approach. This is exactly my fear with Charlie. That he ll be too much for me - so I ll end up nervous or ruining him. What swung it for me was his temperament.

If it helps, I ll let you know how it goes with him in the first few wks.

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Deliaskis · 03/05/2021 14:52

Would love to hear your updates @BeardyButton. Some of my worries could potentially go away with time, or it might be that I need something a bit quieter....we'll see!

Zimniy · 03/05/2021 15:07

TBs are the best. I was privileged enough to have a TB mare for 17 years. She was phenomenal; sharp, brave, gentle, kind hearted and so very very smart. I finally said goodbye to her 2 years ago, 12 months into her retirement when a brain tumour took her. I will never forget her or have another horse like her. In my expert, if you click with TBs they are the most rewarding horses.

Enjoy your partnership.

AlmostSummer21 · 03/05/2021 23:21

@Deliaskis. He sounds gorgeous & im glad it went well, but you're definitely doing the right thing, not to rush into it. It's a big decision, not so much the money, but not wanting to miss out on them and the emotional cost of getting it wrong. It can really ruin your experience if riding & your confidence. Plus if it's really wrong the emotional turmoil of having to sell them on or be stuck with a horse that's not right for you.