Horse Shopping Help

[katiepadie12]

Currently going through the crisis of choice while horse shopping. Initially, I was looking for an experienced 1m-1.10m jumper that could cross over into other rings (medals and derbys). I have been fortunate to try 3 very nice horses and need some guidance for finding the best fit. I like all of them, but am worried since this will be a long-term horse. Any advice is much appreciated.

Horse #1

• Baby (not even 5)
• no show experience
• best brain
• love the ride
• potential for both Hunter and jumper rings (would probably focus on the hunters with this one)

Horse #2

• Limited show experience in the US (ETA at 1m and 3’0 hunters)
• sensitive ride (I am coming off a dead head for context)
• good jumping style (could do multiple rings)
• swaps at jumps and generally goes like a more quiet jumper (this would probably limit immediate hunter potential)

Horse #3

• Older (15)
• Experienced
• Could almost definitely take me to 1.10 within a year or two
• Could cross over into other rings
• Least favorite ride

All horses are in budget, but the horse #1 is the least expensive.

[Night_Flight]

The answer will really depend on your experience level and confidence/ability to bring along a young horse.

While the baby might have the best brain, some young horses will go through a more difficult stage at around ages 5 to 6 as they become stronger in their bodies. Are you prepared for that, and to handle the unknown of horse shows?

For the horse that swaps, that can be a difficult habit to break and will count against you if you ever want to do a hunter derby, etc.

How long are you hoping to be able to keep the horse going for? The 15 year old is likely a good schoolmaster type if that’s what you’re looking for, as long as you’re okay with the likelihood of maintenance and needing to step down a few years from now.

[katiepadie12]

For my experience, I am coming off of a green and sometimes difficult 3’0” hunter. Mostly, I am looking for a long-term (10+ years) horse to enjoy throughout my 20s. I also would like the ability to be able to lease said horse out in a few years given some expected life changes (graduating college). I am worried that I wouldn’t be able to afford the next ‘step-up’ horse after the schoolmaster and that I wouldn’t be satisfied not being able to immediately step into the show ring with the baby.

[blondewithchrome]

I have been in your shoes and bought the 15 year old and could not have been more happy to buy an older experienced horse who got me in the meter classes right away.

Have you developed a young horse to the 110m before? If you’ve only done 3’ hunter and want to do 1.10m jumper, the jump from 3’ to 3’7” can be VERY big. Have you shown in the derbies and the 1.10 historically so it’s old hat, or is this a horse that will move you up to achieve a goal? If it’s the latter - buy the teacher. THEN do a young horse when it’s time to sell said teacher to his next job. If you’ve done it for years and 1.10m is not new to you, maybe developing a young one could be fun.

The young horses will need time, lots of it, to develop into what the 15 year old is today. And LOTS of miles in the show ring. If you want to do that as part of your journey, it can be very fun! But - just know that the young guys will take a lot of show ring time, with an experienced pro at best, to be made up to something that you can show in the 1.10 and derbies.

Any horse can get injured and be out of commission - so it’s hard to bet on “making money” to fund the next horse on this purchase. If it were me, that wouldn’t change my mind - I’d still buy the 15 year old and get in the show ring to work on my move up goals right away.

Good luck!!

[fivestrideline]

@blondewithchrome

Any horse can get injured and be out of commission - so it’s hard to bet on “making money” to fund the next horse on this purchase.

This. OP, the money you’ll spend developing the young horse is likely to break even at best on resale unless it’s a worldbeater freak of nature.

If you’ve developed a young horse and shown the 1.10 and derbies already, the youngster could be fun! But yes, they tend to go through a rough patch around age 5-7, and a pro might be needed to give the smoothest possible experience for you and the horse. That’s part of the fun, but if you’re looking for a quick move up for yourself, the youngster isn’t the way to go. And rarely cheaper in the end unless you get lucky!

A swap-off habit is REALLY hard to conquer once it’s installed. That’s a one ring horse, most likely. Totally fine if you want to stick to the jumper ring.

The schoolmaster is what I’d suggest, assuming you’re prepared to maintain and potentially retire one down the road (which you should be, for any of these. Any horse can get permanently injured or relegated to flat only). If it’s nice and you maintain him well, there’s a huge demand for leasing schoolmasters as they step down.

Lastly, if you think graduation is going to throw a wrench into things, it might be best to lease until then. I would not be depending on leasing out a horse as income or to get it off your bill as a way to make post-grad life work out. If you just want to have that option, I still think the schoolmaster would be the easiest to lease out (especially in barn! These types are always in demand).

[kenyarider]

Take experience over “potential”. You need to get the experience at 1.10 before you can help a horse do that height. 1.10 is where horses do have to make some effort, you can’t miss at that height and expect your horse to bail you out more than once. Experience will get you where you need to be and since you are so young, you have no rush in getting a youngster to bring on. Time is your friend, and an experienced horse will give you the help you need to get experience.

[Tha_Ridge]

Without knowing your budget, I’m going to say none of these.

However, if your budget is limited or constrained by what you’re looking for, I’d say #3. Developing young horses is a lovely process, but I only do it when I have another steady-eddy in my string. As an amateur, it’s very easy to lose confidence and skill set when you spend all your time focusing on the horse.

[blondewithchrome]

I will also add, OP, in my neck of the woods demand for a BTDT teacher to do the 2’6”, heck even 2’, is HIGH. I have a number of people already in my Rolodex begging me for my guy when he’s ready to step down. Not to say it’s a guarantee, but a 2’ or 2’6 teacher that is SAFE is incredibly valuable. You might not make a ton of money on it, even any, but there’s a market for school horses, for sure.

[Lusoluv]

A young lady at my barn was horse shopping in a similar scenario as OP, with a limited budget.
She could have leased a steady-Eddie. She said “no”. He wasn’t exciting enough - but did his job well. So she bought a 4 yo. cute mare, solid undersaddle. Mare starting coming undone when rider would shift around too much at the canter. Bucking started when the trot rails caused more rider uncertainty at canter. Mare was sold after 5 months.

2nd attempt: Another unglamorous Steady-Eddie was passed by for handsome 7 yr old with limited show background and minimal PPE (due to buyer’s budget). All fine for a few months, then bucking started when anything above 2’ was jumped. Some minimal interventions (joint injections, etc.) were given, time off, then repeat bucking a few months later. Horse sold off to a young trainer at a major discount (no PPE done).

Young lady hasn’t ridden since and her confidence is gone after riding most of her childhood-20s. So, sometimes what catches our eye isn’t what we really need at that moment. She was told this by 2 trainers and she didn’t heed them in either situation. Probably because she only rode made horses since childhood, she thought she was a better rider that she really is. So unless you can afford a <10 yrs old, well-started BTDT show horse, getting the older schoolmaster is the best, yet “least sexy” option.

[CBoylen]

None of these sound like your initial goal. Did you run into budget issues? I’d give the market a little time to soften.

[IPEsq]

I also say keep looking. These horses sound like they have some good qualities, but that doesn’t mean they are right for you for your goals at this time. It will take a while to find what you are looking for without loads of cash.

[findeight]

Agree none of the above sounds like a good fit for you right now. If you must pick one right now, the 15 year old seems the wise choice. When/if you grow out of him ability wise, he should still be saleable/leaseable as a schoolmaster and he is pretty much turnkey to go show right now,

If you buy the coming 5 year old, are you prepared to wait out and finance it’s development (primarily by your trainer)? If you go for #2, that bad swap habit could be a sign of deteriorating hocks or back pain and will cost you $$$$ on top of hurting your scores in Eq or Derbies.

Also ask yourself how much you really need or will use a horse in all 3 rings. Picking no more then 2 will be easier to find and finance.

IME, you don’t always love the ride on any horse right away when test driving. Takes time to really get with a horse…like years,

[Demerara_Stables]

@Lusoluv

Probably because she only rode made horses since childhood, she thought she was a better rider that she really is.

This is SO many people.

OP, young horses can be fun and rewarding, or confidence shattering and demoralizing, depending on your goals, the individual horse, and the trainer you have helping you. It sounds like you have some show goals, and sometimes you can’t have any goals at all with a young horse - learning the process has to be the goal. I wouldn’t recommend the youngsters.

[findeight]

@katiepadie12

I am worried that I wouldn’t be able to afford the next ‘step-up’ horse after the schoolmaster

Worry about that when you are ready to step up, not at least a year in the future. Right now leasing might be the best choice so you can gradually go up the steps on something suitable for each step, not a 3 ring, multilevel unicorn priced accordingly.

[GraceLikeRain]

@katiepadie12

also would like the ability to be able to lease said horse out in a few years given some expected life changes

I think you’re most likely going to have the easiest time leasing out a late teens steady eddy compared to an under 10 who could be flashy but may be a trickier ride or not have developed as expected.

[NaturallyHappy]

@Demerara_Stables

@Lusoluv

Probably because she only rode made horses since childhood, she thought she was a better rider that she really is.

This is SO many people.

And, very sadly, so many trainers, at least in my area.

[dmveventer]

@fivestrideline

Lastly, if you think graduation is going to throw a wrench into things, it might be best to lease until then. I would not be depending on leasing out a horse as income or to get it off your bill as a way to make post-grad life work out. If you just want to have that option, I still think the schoolmaster would be the easiest to lease out (especially in barn! These types are always in demand).

This is a huge consideration, especially depending on how imminent graduation is. OP, consider that you may not have the time or money to put into a young horse after graduation. Even if you have family support on the financial side, the first few years of your career are often pretty busy and don’t always offer the flexibility you get as you move up the ranks, but can be vital to setting the foundation for your future career. The schoolmaster could more easily be leased out (which still might not cover all his expenses) or at least be okay with a less consistent riding schedule. Leasing could also be a really smart choice to give you more flexibility after you graduate

[Bluey]

One more consideration if you can, lease a schoolmaster to learn more until your life has more stability, you have a job and a clear path to own and compete a horse.

Remember, owning a horse some times cost way more than leasing.
Horses get injured, need time off, many vet bills can be involved and you won’t have something to ride and compete with after all.
That is a known risk of owning, one that may be better avoided until you are more settled in your life.

[katiepadie12]

Thank ya’ll for your responses so far. I wanted to add some context and where my thinking is at. I have just sold my 3’0” hunter whom I’ve had since he was 5 and just coming into full work. I enjoyed developing him (under trainer guidance), but ultimately, he lacked work ethic (needed a physically ‘strong’ rider at shows and probably a few pro-only shows, while I was the only one to show him). Therefore, I feel pretty comfortable going more green. My horse-buying budget is limited (50k Max), but horse-keeping is not. I guess I feel like if I’ve done it before I can do it again in exchange for a more long term show career. As for Horse #3, per its current owner, I would be unable to resale or lease (outside of the barn). However, I know that this discourse has ultimately implied that I most likely should keep looking. Any other input on this is welcome.

[Night_Flight]

@katiepadie12

but ultimately, he lacked work ethic (needed a physically ‘strong’ rider at shows and probably a few pro-only shows, while I was the only one to show him)

What would be your plan to ride through the green moments and first horse shows with horse #1, if you had difficulty with that on your first horse and weren’t able to have a trainer do a few horse show rounds for you?

Not meaning to be negative, it’s just a serious question to ask yourself so you don’t create a similar situation to the one you just left.

For horse #3, do I understand correctly, then, that the seller is asking you to promise to be the horse’s last home? While it could be an owner who just doesn’t want their horse passed around to wring everything out of them, it could also be that the seller knows the horse’s physical health is deteriorating and that retirement is nearer than you might hope.