Owning vs. Taking Lessons - what would you do? (update: I bought him, added a pix!)

[Gatorade]

I am so torn. I was taking lessons and sort of fell into a free lease situation with an ex-upper level event horse who couldn’t do the big stuff due to injury. I adored him, he was great - all sorts of fun stuff on the flat, a bit strong jumping but he would jump anything. He did bolt and buck but he never got me off and again, I loved him. I had him for about a year and then he had some health issues, but I got into a big disagreement with the owner over treatment (I wanted to do additional treatments per vet recommendation and I would pay for them; no one at my barn understands why the owners refused so it’s a moot point now). Horse is now out in pasture happily. I have been looking for a horse to buy because I don’t want to deal with an owner again. I’m not super picky but I would like a decent horse - sound and be able to jump up to 3 ft (doesn’t need to be now, just eventually). I used to ride in my youth and evented a bunch of times at Novice and that is literally all my goal is now (I had taken 25 years off and somehow when I came back, I was not as brave, 3 ft is just fine for me). Given that this is just my hobby, I don’t want to spend tons of money on a horse. I rather spend the money on the care of the horse. So budget is 5K-8K and apparently it is hard to find a sound horse that can jump for that amount.

1st trial horse: I knew this guy might be a long shot because I tracked down a former trainer who said he had had an undiagnosed soundness issues. But, he had been sound in light work and I took the chance that he perhaps had healed up over 3 years of light work. He was good looking and super sweet. He just wasn’t sound and the vet found a whole bunch of stuff on the PPE. I passed.

2nd trial horse: green but such a great mind. He clearly learns quickly and wants to please. Fun to jump - I messed up to a fence due to a rust and he could care less. Really good foundation too - very soft in the mouth and stops from the seat. But, he literally hasn’t been sound during trial (on the day he came, my trainer couldn’t be there - I did not see any issues and I totally trusted the other trainer who brought him). He did have a stone bruise (per farrier and that’s how he was moving) and we put him in pads. Still off. Vet came out and was seeing hind end stuff, possibly arthritis. We were so focused on the stone bruise we missed the hind end. Going back to video, yes you can see it. He also never has been terribly off. He isn’t 3 legged lame or anything like that, it is subtle. Vet knows we like him and wants him worked more and will come out and check again.

I am NOT optimistic at all. I mean, do I really want to buy a horse that isn’t 100% sound from the get-go? I get I only had 2 horses on trial, but I’ve seen a bunch of others and rode others and didn’t like any of them (again, I don’t think I am picky - they need to be sound and need some spice/personality. One horse I tried we thought might have been drugged).

I am seriously considering just giving up on owning a horse. I have made a lesson for myself at a lesson barn this weekend just to see how I feel about taking lessons again. I mean, I was fine with lessons, I wasn’t looking to own a horse, the free lease was sort of hoisted upon me. That being said, I do love the horse care aspect of it. Like, with trial #2, the vet had adjusted him when she came, so yesterday, my instructions were just to lunge him. I lunged him and then took him for a slow and meandering hand walk. I just like spending time with him - I just enjoy being out at the stable or running to the feed store. But, I also like riding and I’ve spent a lot of money for the past 3 months to barely ride at all. I get that is part of horse ownership. They do get hurt.

But how do you know when you’re better off just taking that money and spending it on lessons/rides?

I mean, the other alternative at this point is looking for an OTTB that has been lightly restarted. Not sure how well that will work out training a horse to jump - very confident in my flat work and green horses (I did that a lot in my youth), just not as good over fences.

So, do I just give up finding a horse and go back to lessons?

[SharonA]

So, you are always better off just taking lessons. It makes more sense in terms of allowing you flexibility, less risk of broken budgets and broken hearts, etc.

However, in my experience, if you really want to own a horse and are an adult with the necessary resources, taking lessons on a lesson horse will not feel like enough. You will want your own horse to connect with, buy bling for, and be a true partner. Just keep looking. Maybe change what breed or age you’re looking for (and I personally think jumping 3’ on a regular basis is asking alot for your average 4-figure horse, but, that’s just me). Tell COTH where you are and what you’re looking for and I’m sure there are people who love sleuthing through the horse ads and might find you something more to look at. Three months is painful when we really want a horse, but not that long to wait for a good partner. Remember: marry in haste, repent at leisure.

[Arelle]

First, do NOT buy a horse that is already showing signs of lameness. Terrible, horrible, no good idea. Unless you just like paying vet bills, in which case, I have several horses you’re welcome to free lease. :lol:

Second, most lesson horses do not jump 3’. I’d say you could easily hit your goals up to 2’6’’-2’9’’, but 3’ starts getting trickier. If that truly is your goal, you will eventually need your own horse - whether it’s leased or purchased.

Have you been riding in lessons regularly? Does your coach know about your 3’ goal? What has their input been on whether you should purchase or not?

[Redlei44]

Most would say that the answer to one of your questions is no, you do not want to buy an unsound horse. Especially one that the unsoundness is not exactly identified as something discrete and non-serious. I personally would not consider one that is not sound at trial and would encourage you not to spend time and money trying to make one that you have on trial right. Chances are you’ll spend time and money coming to the conclusion that it won’t be a good horse to buy - time and money that could be put towards trial/purchase of a sound one.

I think your budget might be low for a made(ish) jumping horse that is going to stay sound at 3’. If you buy a greener one for less and you can’t or don’t want to put the jumping miles on yourself, you’ll spend all that saved money and more on training fees. No shade - I’m the same as far as not wanting to do the green jumping thing - but you’ll either pay for the training up front in the purchase of a made horse or you’ll pay for it over several years of working with a good trainer.

All of which is why I’ve only been a lessoner all the years! Less risk, less cost. @SharonA is right - it’s never “enough” but it’s also never too much.

[Bluey]

@Gatorade

I am so torn. I was taking lessons and sort of fell into a free lease situation with an ex-upper level event horse who couldn’t do the big stuff due to injury. I adored him, he was great - all sorts of fun stuff on the flat, a bit strong jumping but he would jump anything. He did bolt and buck but he never got me off and again, I loved him. I had him for about a year and then he had some health issues, but I got into a big disagreement with the owner over treatment (I wanted to do additional treatments per vet recommendation and I would pay for them; no one at my barn understands why the owners refused so it’s a moot point now). Horse is now out in pasture happily. I have been looking for a horse to buy because I don’t want to deal with an owner again. I’m not super picky but I would like a decent horse - sound and be able to jump up to 3 ft (doesn’t need to be now, just eventually). I used to ride in my youth and evented a bunch of times at Novice and that is literally all my goal is now (I had taken 25 years off and somehow when I came back, I was not as brave, 3 ft is just fine for me). Given that this is just my hobby, I don’t want to spend tons of money on a horse. I rather spend the money on the care of the horse. So budget is 5K-8K and apparently it is hard to find a sound horse that can jump for that amount.

1st trial horse: I knew this guy might be a long shot because I tracked down a former trainer who said he had had an undiagnosed soundness issues. But, he had been sound in light work and I took the chance that he perhaps had healed up over 3 years of light work. He was good looking and super sweet. He just wasn’t sound and the vet found a whole bunch of stuff on the PPE. I passed.

2nd trial horse: green but such a great mind. He clearly learns quickly and wants to please. Fun to jump - I messed up to a fence due to a rust and he could care less. Really good foundation too - very soft in the mouth and stops from the seat. But, he literally hasn’t been sound during trial (on the day he came, my trainer couldn’t be there - I did not see any issues and I totally trusted the other trainer who brought him). He did have a stone bruise (per farrier and that’s how he was moving) and we put him in pads. Still off. Vet came out and was seeing hind end stuff, possibly arthritis. We were so focused on the stone bruise we missed the hind end. Going back to video, yes you can see it. He also never has been terribly off. He isn’t 3 legged lame or anything like that, it is subtle. Vet knows we like him and wants him worked more and will come out and check again.

I am NOT optimistic at all. I mean, do I really want to buy a horse that isn’t 100% sound from the get-go? I get I only had 2 horses on trial, but I’ve seen a bunch of others and rode others and didn’t like any of them (again, I don’t think I am picky - they need to be sound and need some spice/personality. One horse I tried we thought might have been drugged).

I am seriously considering just giving up on owning a horse. I have made a lesson for myself at a lesson barn this weekend just to see how I feel about taking lessons again. I mean, I was fine with lessons, I wasn’t looking to own a horse, the free lease was sort of hoisted upon me. That being said, I do love the horse care aspect of it. Like, with trial #2, the vet had adjusted him when she came, so yesterday, my instructions were just to lunge him. I lunged him and then took him for a slow and meandering hand walk. I just like spending time with him - I just enjoy being out at the stable or running to the feed store. But, I also like riding and I’ve spent a lot of money for the past 3 months to barely ride at all. I get that is part of horse ownership. They do get hurt.

But how do you know when you’re better off just taking that money and spending it on lessons/rides?

I mean, the other alternative at this point is looking for an OTTB that has been lightly restarted. Not sure how well that will work out training a horse to jump - very confident in my flat work and green horses (I did that a lot in my youth), just not as good over fences.

So, do I just give up finding a horse and go back to lessons?

Sounds like for now, taking lessons may be best for you.

While you are happily taking lessons, maybe keep an eye out for a lease, maybe a lease to buy option?

To find that unicorn that fits us may just take several paths and, as you are doing, keeping your options open.

Once you find that one horse that fits your goals and personality best, good luck helps, as horses, well, are horses and life happens to everyone, especially around horses.

It may take some more months of lessons while keeping your ear to what is out there, or it may take a year or two, but I expect when the right horse comes along, you will know he is worth any you have to do, even if it is not what you now think you want.

I just sold a horse that the lady that brought him had been looking for long time, almost bought a horse here and there, but when she saw this horse, there was no question in her mind, that was the one for her.
He is also a wonderful horse, would have been a keeper for me if I had been riding more and younger and/or he was older and ready for semi-retirement.
She is lucky and so is he, she is a wonderful horse person.

If your goal was first to ride and show, then you would have to put that first.
Since you also want more, you may have to adjust those goals once you find the right horse, even if he doesn’t quite fit being able to do as much showing as you may want initially.

Maybe you can find your own unicorn by keeping those lessons up, since they also are satisfying to you right now, as is the idea of owning your own horse to dote over, which will eventually happen when you find your match.

I will always say, lessons are always a plus, even if you have your own horses, even on school horses.
What you learn in lessons will help you with any other horse you ever ride.

[Gatorade]

I know, I know re: don’t buy a horse that is already showing signs of lameness - well, my brain knows, my heart is confused :-).

Yes, I’m at a barn and in 2 lessons per week. With my lease horse, we were coursing 2’6", occasionally 2’9", and once 3’, but will admit that in my now old age, 3 ft looked very big, so it is a goal to become comfortable at that height again :-). In my youth, I was jumping up to 3-3’6" courses, so the ability is in there ;-). There are no lesson horses at my current barn, all private horses. So, to stay at the barn, I need to find a horse and my trainer is obviously supportive of me finding a horse! She thinks my goals are totally doable. If my current barn had lesson horses, I might be in less of a hurry to find a horse to buy. I’m going to a totally different barn this weekend to see how I feel about taking lessons. I love my current barn and would really miss it.

[Bluey]

@Gatorade

I know, I know re: don’t buy a horse that is already showing signs of lameness - well, my brain knows, my heart is confused :-).

Yes, I’m at a barn and in 2 lessons per week. With my lease horse, we were coursing 2’6", occasionally 2’9", and once 3’, but will admit that in my now old age, 3 ft looked very big, so it is a goal to become comfortable at that height again :-). In my youth, I was jumping up to 3-3’6" courses, so the ability is in there ;-). There are no lesson horses at my current barn, all private horses. So, to stay at the barn, I need to find a horse and my trainer is obviously supportive of me finding a horse! She thinks my goals are totally doable. If my current barn had lesson horses, I might be in less of a hurry to find a horse to buy. I’m going to a totally different barn this weekend to see how I feel about taking lessons. I love my current barn and would really miss it.

Well, a barn without school horses nixes that for you, but you already have other barn options.

The though question then is, which barn is best for you?

[Gatorade]

So, here’s the other thing - showing is actually the least of my priorities. I don’t have the time to show that often and I’m super competitive so if I am only entering if we are killing it at home. If I go to a lesson barn, it clearly is less stressful and I could maybe do a half-lease situation. But, I don’t want to leave my current barn and I love the idea of having my own horse. I like when my horse nickers to me.

Part of me does want to just go do something crazy like buy this beautiful 4 yr old filly OTTB that has barely been raced due to lack of speed…I have always enjoyed working with green horses. If I had to choose, I think I rather own a green horse than course around on a lesson horse. But sort of worried that if I do that, I would be kicking myself that I lost the opportunity to work on me and get better at jumping. It’s why my jumping isn’t as strong as my flat to begin with - I was pretty good in my youth and then from circumstance, wasn’t at jumping barns or had the young crazy horse that no one else wanted to ride.

[Gatorade]

Bluey - I honestly don’t know. I mean, I think it is good I am trying this other barn this weekend just to see what it’s like. And there is another barn I used to take lessons at - really great instruction, not sure how much I loved the personality - whereas, the only thing i can complain about at my current barn is that I wish there more turnout. I love my trainer, I love all of the boarders, it’s a beautiful facility. It’s just my happy place.

[Redlei44]

Can you take regular lessons at the other barn while you continue shopping with your current trainer? The fact that you haven’t found one in three months isn’t surprising, especially on a budget and given the current sellers market. Plenty of stories on this board about the search taking a year or two.

Your dilemma is a common one - can’t quite afford the horse you really want, so what’s the next best option? There’s no magic answer. I have friends who bought young and green and who ended up with the exact partner they wanted after several years, and several friends who it really don’t work out for. Several other friends who decided that they would sacrifice the 3’ dream for a horse that could safely take them around 2’6” to 2’9” indefinitely.

[Kirikou]

@Arelle

Second, most lesson horses do not jump 3’. I’d say you could easily hit your goals up to 2’6’’-2’9’’, but 3’ starts getting trickier. If that truly is your goal, you will eventually need your own horse - whether it’s leased or purchased.

^^ This. Not sure what the lesson situations are in your area, but in most parts of the country, finding a solid lesson horse jumping 3’ regularly is going to be tricky. You may luck out with someone allowing you to lesson on a schoolmaster stepping down a level but even 3’ is a bit much for a semi-retired guy.
How big of a string does the lesson barn you’re visiting this weekend have?

I understand not wanting to deal with private owners to avoid disagreement about horse-care - perhaps look into half-leasing a lesson horse that belongs to the barn you’re looking at? (though again the height “goal” might be an issue in some areas).
Good luck!

[Kirikou]

@Arelle

First, do NOT buy a horse that is already showing signs of lameness. Terrible, horrible, no good idea. Unless you just like paying vet bills, in which case, I have several horses you’re welcome to free lease. :lol:

Second, most lesson horses do not jump 3’. I’d say you could easily hit your goals up to 2’6’’-2’9’’, but 3’ starts getting trickier. If that truly is your goal, you will eventually need your own horse - whether it’s leased or purchased.

Have you been riding in lessons regularly? Does your coach know about your 3’ goal? What has their input been on whether you should purchase or not?

[Janet]

Your first line says you were taking lessons-so you do have a place to take lessons.

[joiedevie99]

Take lessons for now and focus on yourself. Put away the extra money you would be spending every month on board, vet, farrier, tack, etc to increase your purchase budget. Some parts of the country are more expensive than others, but a safe, kind 3’ prospect isn’t that cheap anywhere. Keep shopping, but expect that the search will take a long time - and every lesson you take will make you a better rider for that ultimate new horse you find. It may also teach you things about how green you are willing to go - lots of us were capable of many things in our youth that we are not now - for lots of different reasons.

Talk to your trainer about what a realistic budget would be for what you want in your market.

[Gatorade]

Yes, I could take lessons at another barn while looking with my current trainer, which would at least allow me to keep riding. I do still have to pay board to keep my spot but saving money on farrier and feed. I feel like I have reached out to so many people and seen so many videos of horses…perhaps my budget and what I want aren’t really aligned. The horse doesn’t need to be able to jump 3 ft now, just had hoped to find one that had been started over fences - sort of like trial #2 horse. You know, except for the whole being sound thing, he is otherwise perfect, exactly what I was looking for…green but willing. And he has jumped over 3 ft, so he has the athleticism to do it. I mean, if he doesn’t totally break down. sigh.

I am hearing, though, that 3 ft isn’t easy to find in a lesson horse either. That is good to know. It’s not like 3 ft is a ride or die goal for me - I was just trying to come up with a realistic goal and since I had been doing 2’6" courses on my lease guy, figured that a good goal - attainable over time - would be 3 ft and novice.

[Janet]

The difference between 2’6" and 3’ is mostly in the rider’s head. if you perfect riding 2’6" courses in lessons then 3’ will be no-big-deal when you get the rght horse.

[Scribbler]

@Gatorade

I am so torn. I was taking lessons and sort of fell into a free lease situation with an ex-upper level event horse who couldn’t do the big stuff due to injury. I adored him, he was great - all sorts of fun stuff on the flat, a bit strong jumping but he would jump anything. He did bolt and buck but he never got me off and again, I loved him. I had him for about a year and then he had some health issues, but I got into a big disagreement with the owner over treatment (I wanted to do additional treatments per vet recommendation and I would pay for them; no one at my barn understands why the owners refused so it’s a moot point now). Horse is now out in pasture happily. I have been looking for a horse to buy because I don’t want to deal with an owner again. I’m not super picky but I would like a decent horse - sound and be able to jump up to 3 ft (doesn’t need to be now, just eventually). I used to ride in my youth and evented a bunch of times at Novice and that is literally all my goal is now (I had taken 25 years off and somehow when I came back, I was not as brave, 3 ft is just fine for me). Given that this is just my hobby, I don’t want to spend tons of money on a horse. I rather spend the money on the care of the horse. So budget is 5K-8K and apparently it is hard to find a sound horse that can jump for that amount.

1st trial horse: I knew this guy might be a long shot because I tracked down a former trainer who said he had had an undiagnosed soundness issues. But, he had been sound in light work and I took the chance that he perhaps had healed up over 3 years of light work. He was good looking and super sweet. He just wasn’t sound and the vet found a whole bunch of stuff on the PPE. I passed.

2nd trial horse: green but such a great mind. He clearly learns quickly and wants to please. Fun to jump - I messed up to a fence due to a rust and he could care less. Really good foundation too - very soft in the mouth and stops from the seat. But, he literally hasn’t been sound during trial (on the day he came, my trainer couldn’t be there - I did not see any issues and I totally trusted the other trainer who brought him). He did have a stone bruise (per farrier and that’s how he was moving) and we put him in pads. Still off. Vet came out and was seeing hind end stuff, possibly arthritis. We were so focused on the stone bruise we missed the hind end. Going back to video, yes you can see it. He also never has been terribly off. He isn’t 3 legged lame or anything like that, it is subtle. Vet knows we like him and wants him worked more and will come out and check again.

I am NOT optimistic at all. I mean, do I really want to buy a horse that isn’t 100% sound from the get-go? I get I only had 2 horses on trial, but I’ve seen a bunch of others and rode others and didn’t like any of them (again, I don’t think I am picky - they need to be sound and need some spice/personality. One horse I tried we thought might have been drugged).

I am seriously considering just giving up on owning a horse. I have made a lesson for myself at a lesson barn this weekend just to see how I feel about taking lessons again. I mean, I was fine with lessons, I wasn’t looking to own a horse, the free lease was sort of hoisted upon me. That being said, I do love the horse care aspect of it. Like, with trial #2, the vet had adjusted him when she came, so yesterday, my instructions were just to lunge him. I lunged him and then took him for a slow and meandering hand walk. I just like spending time with him - I just enjoy being out at the stable or running to the feed store. But, I also like riding and I’ve spent a lot of money for the past 3 months to barely ride at all. I get that is part of horse ownership. They do get hurt.

But how do you know when you’re better off just taking that money and spending it on lessons/rides?

I mean, the other alternative at this point is looking for an OTTB that has been lightly restarted. Not sure how well that will work out training a horse to jump - very confident in my flat work and green horses (I did that a lot in my youth), just not as good over fences.

So, do I just give up finding a horse and go back to lessons?

Where I live, 3 feet is the cutoff point to whole other level of price and quality. I mean a horse that can do a 3 foot course with room to be safe, not one that can be razzed over a single 3 foot jump. Most shows even recognized here, most classes top out at 2 foot 9.

If you can’t find what you want in your price range you need to increase your price range.

Where I live $5000 now will get you a quality ranch broke QH, or a restarted but green quality OTTB.

If you want something that is reliable and competitive to do a 2 foot 9 course, probably $10,000. If you want to be competent at 3 feet and a little up, at least $20,000.

Obviously there are deals out there. But as you are finding, the well trained horses that are going for lower prices have other issues. They are being sold because they aren’t sound. Don’t buy these at all.

As far as starting a green OTTB, that’s going to depend how good a trainer you are, how sticky a seat, and how much training support you have and can afford.

Training is what adds to the price. You could easily double the sunk cost of your $4000 OTTB project with a year of training rides. Conversely you could be left with a horse that never does end up doing what you want.

[Larbear]

Lol if it was me, I’d be looking to buy a horse. Yeh, it’d be a heck of a lot easier and cheaper to take lessons but for me personally I’d rather have my own and that way I don’t have to worry about differing opinions on care etc.

I freely admit that I’d be a lot better off financially with taking lessons instead of own but…

[AllTheCarrots]

My vote is, you take lessons to get your groove back and buy when your mindset is less “buy A horse” and more “buy THIS horse” (and whatever scenario goes with it — buying and starting a greenie will be a different path than buying a ready eventer.)

As a fellow old-lady re-rider, I totally get the draw of having a horse of your own to fiddle with, dote on, and ride where/when you want. But one of the advantages of riding lesson horses (at any age, really), is that you are challenged to really focus on and improve your technique so that you can ride any collection of issues, traits and talents. I can look halfway decent on one horse I ride regularly. But put me up on another (as happened last week) and it becomes clear that my lower leg has a lot more re-learning to do, that my hands need to talk to each other a bit more, etc. It’s an uncomfortable, humbling feeling. But it will serve me well in the long run.

Which is all to say, time spend on lesson ponies is never wasted time. It’s a great way to improve the skills and perspective you’ll eventually bring to your partnership with your own horse.

[KBC]

@Gatorade

Yes, I could take lessons at another barn while looking with my current trainer, which would at least allow me to keep riding. I do still have to pay board to keep my spot but saving money on farrier and feed. I feel like I have reached out to so many people and seen so many videos of horses…perhaps my budget and what I want aren’t really aligned. The horse doesn’t need to be able to jump 3 ft now, just had hoped to find one that had been started over fences - sort of like trial #2 horse. You know, except for the whole being sound thing, he is otherwise perfect, exactly what I was looking for…green but willing. And he has jumped over 3 ft, so he has the athleticism to do it. I mean, if he doesn’t totally break down. sigh.

I am hearing, though, that 3 ft isn’t easy to find in a lesson horse either. That is good to know. It’s not like 3 ft is a ride or die goal for me - I was just trying to come up with a realistic goal and since I had been doing 2’6" courses on my lease guy, figured that a good goal - attainable over time - would be 3 ft and novice.

You don’t own a horse, but you’re paying board to hold a space? While I kind of get that, it’s also money that could go to lessons, or building your horse buying fund.