What type of new horse?

For a few years now, I have not been able to ride my horse properly as my horse had back problems and he was always a horse that would rather be out than in the arena . He is now retired due to arthritis and he turns 23 this year, so he has earned his rest.

During this time though , I have missed him so much and just silly things like getting excited to buy him new things. So I started riding someone else horse but it's not the same. It has come to the point where I'm miserable as horses are what truly makes me happy . So I'm thinking about getting another horse , but am a little stuck on what path I should take.

I'm at uni full time for the next 2 years, but so far my timetable has been awesome . I also have 2 jobs on the side, so I can afford the upkeep of my current horse and potential new horse .

So I'm tossing up between buying a young horse around 2-3 years or buying just a normal horse.

Young horse debate

If I was to buy a young horse, it would be the horse I really want. The horse would be able to grow and mature while I was at uni and on my days off I would be able to work with it . I like this idea as I would be able to make sure it got the nutrition it needed and I would be able to make sure it was broken in, when it's bones were ready . I would the send it off to Watkins, I'd say .


Older horse debate
I would be able to buy something that was ready to ride and had some education .

Only downside would be, it may have soundness issues later on, due to incorrect breaking age or any other factor I could have controlled with the young horse.


I really have no idea . Anyone's thoughts would be great

I'm going through the same kind of decision as you at this time ';' unfortunately, I definitely don't have the experience or knowledge to help you out, more so just to give you moral support!

When I've been keeping my eye out on classifieds, I find myself looking at youngish horses (4 - 5 years), rather than older horses (which perhaps might be a better choice for me!). I feel like, if you're stuck on what side of the fence, perhaps get a recently broken horse? That way you still have the blank canvas, and the need to let him/her still have independent time to grow.

The time factor with juggling uni full time and work is always hard. This is why I kind of thought about getting a younger unbroken horse. Time to bond, but not pressure to keep in work. But, my inexperience turns me off that one. Not sure getting a baby is the best idea

In your situation, it seems like you really like bonding with your horses, and that you yourself need a bit of time to relax and reblossom your love for horses and riding after a little bit of heart break. Perhaps a young horse would help with this? New bond emerges, and you get to travel the whole journey with him/her :wub:

Get yourself a going horse around 7 -10 yrs old that you can just get on and ride for fun. A standy perhaps! Cheap, tough and great temperaments! Full time uni is a big time commitment and takes priority often. *

Finish uni and then consider the youngster of your dreams when you know where you will be living, what your work commitments are and when you are more financial mate. **))

Ive done what Caroline has suggested. Im at uni full time for another 3 years and though I cant afford two horses, Im going down the quiet jump-on-whenever standardbred. Yes, you might find you want to sell in 2 years, but in 2 years you might also have a better idea of where you want to go in life/horses/work and then buy the youngster you want.

I actually think a younger horse might be nice, especially while you are still at Uni and working 2 jobs. If you have access to someone else's horse to ride then you won't get too impatient waiting for your horse to grow up. Also with a younger unbroken horse you won't have the guilt/frustration if your schedule doesn't allow you to ride as often as you'd like or feel the horse needs. Handling/training sessions with a youngster are obviously going to be less time consuming, and the only tack you need to spend money on is an in-hand bridle if you want to do some breed shows. As you said, it could be your next 'forever' horse so you can have full involvement from the start and know exactly what sort of training, handling and nutrition it gets. Plus there is a special bond you can form with it that comes from all that ground work and handling and no riding expectations. Just hanging out and becoming best friends, while you daydream and plan about your future ridden partnership.

I got a young horse for a blank canvas and because I have had an injuries that required 2 yrs time off from riding plus I love watching her grow from a yearling to a 3 yr old it all the hard work you put in you will see the reward and the difference but that's JMO

Suggestion

I would like to recommend you to buy a younger one so that you can enjoy your riding instantly .It would be cheaper also to buy compared to buying a small horse.

Uni is a big commitment, but it is the only time in your life that you will have long periods of spare time to muck about and take the time it takes for a young one. However, money is always tight so paying for a young horse to be started, plus the regular back-up support you'll need for a greenie has to be considered too.

Spare time and spare money are never seen together at the same time...

Choose what you like!!!!!