A first horse?

Question

if you are buying your first horse, you have a good amount of experience.. .can handle spooks, and sometimes prancing... andyou want a good experienced horse between whata ges should the horse be cuz im thinking about getting a 5 year old but that horse probably doesn't have that much experience... and i am only 13 going 14 in the beginning of aug.

Answer 1

if you have a riding instructor, ask them to come with you when you go and test ride the horse. Your instructor will be able to give you feedback to whether or not you will be able to handle the horse. Good luck

Answer 2

i would say 7 or 8 no younger or older when your looking for a second horse if ever then maybe buy a younger horse you should get your instructor to come with you so she can ask neccesary questions and also get him or her vetted.

Answer 3

The age of the horse is not so much the factor as how broke/how much experiece the horse has.  I bought a horse last year that was 8 and she is almost as broke as she can be.  

Along with this make sure you test ride the horse before you buy it because what people say is opinion.

Answer 4

Well it sounds like you plan on buying this horse without your trianers help.  If thats the case youre not on the right path for starters.  You really need to have youre trainer help you with such a task.  No matter how much you think you know, your trainer will know more and will guide you down the right path or point you in the right direction.  At the very least, have someone you know who has at least 2 times the experiance with horses to help you.  A question like this is not something that you should be asking strangers since they do not know how well you ride, what experiance you have, and what you actually know.  

When you are looking the golden rule is you get what you pay for.  Yes there are the diamond in the roughs that you may or may not stumble across but chances of an amature finding that is rare.

You need to find a horse that has been there, done that, knows their job well, no bad habits, wonderful manners, and most important safe.  You will need something that will teach you what you need to know about owning a horse without hurting you along the way.  Generally for a first horse for someone of your experiance I will look for an 8-9 year old, usually a gelding over a mare-since they can sometimes be moody, who has show experiance, and has never had any bad behavior in the past.  I usually find a horse that can teach my student things they need to learn but that I can also re-sell for as close to the same amount they paid for to get their next horse.  Most importantly I look for a healthy horse with no problems.

After I search for prospects via online, magizines, posted ads, word of mouth I will call on every horse and get any information I need that was missing from the ad.  Then I will actually go out and see the horse.  First I will have the owner ride the horse.  This way I can see how the horse moves and what he does at his best with a rider who knows him and how to show him off to me.  Also I will video tape this first ride.  Next, if I like him, I will hop on.  First riding correctly, then I will start to test the horse.  Maybe take a deep spot, wabble around on him, let the reins flap, typical things a first horse owner tends to do since they dont have the 20+ years experiance of a professional.  If he tolerates all this I will have my client try the horse.  (This is where youre trainer comes into play: They know what you can handle and will be able to tell you if the horse may or may not be suitable for you.)  If the client likes the horse and they get along then its time to take the horse on trial.

I typically trial the horse for 4 days with a vet check on the 5th day.  For those 4 days I will have the horse at my property to see what the horse does in a new enviornment.  On the 5 day I have my vet come out and do a through exam with a full set of x-rays.  I want to know what problems the horse may or may not have or what could be a potential problem in the future.  Also, if something is found that can possibly cause an issue that I dont mind working with (for example hocks with some arthritus that just need injections I can deal with) it gives me something to bargain on a price.  

From what you described you have found what we typically call a project horse.  Although you may think it might be fun to have a project its not a good idea for your first horse.  Just remember that your first horse may not be the best looking horse but you cant judge a book by its cover.

Answer 5

age doesn't really matter, its just that the older horses have a lot more experience than younger horses.

Answer 6

well the age is not a big deal, its all depending on how wel trained the horse is.

Answer 7

my friend got a five year old horse when she turned 13 and that horse wasnt the best begginer horse but she turned out to be okay. we spent hours teaching her to behave and now that horse wont hurt a fly. Its just how u train the young horse. i think u would be fine with a younger horse.

Answer 8

It all depends on how you ride. If you have an instructor ask them to come with you becuause they know what you will be able to handle and all that stuff... Good luck :)

Answer 9

If you're only thirteen going to fourteen then I would definitly get a nine year old being the youngest you should go.

Answer 10

5 years old is definitely too young for a first horse. I'd look for a horse in the 10 + area that has done all that you want to do. A 5 year old isn't even completely trained yet! Spooks on a younger horse are different than spooks on an older horse; they can spook at anything, whether it be a butterfly passing by their face, or an ambulance siren (I speak from experience with those 2 with my 6 year old, lol). Besides, if you get a younger horse, the majority of your time will be spent training, and not actually riding. If you have an instructor, that's great! They can work with you on perfecting your skills. You're 13, - soon to be 14 - just a year younger than I am. You have lots of time to own more horses. The only reason why I have a 6 year old (in case you were wondering, I'm not being a hypocrite lol) is because I grew up around horses and have been riding for 8 years now.

Good luck, you never forget your first horse! :)

Answer 11

Honestly, it depends on the horse's temperment and training. I'm a strong advocate of older horses like 9 and up. They behave better at shows and most have been there, done that and are much more tolerant and forgiving. I just bought the most awesome 10 year old TB mare. I ask and she's there for me. Please don't settle. Find a horse that you are totally comfortable and happy with. Be sure to test ride more than once. It's easy to fall for a pretty, flashy horse. I've done it before and it's not gonna happen again. Lots of Luck!

Answer 12

By 6 or 7 they are pretty well trained.

Answer 13

depends on the horse. but i would generally go much older for your first horse. more info is needed.

Answer 14

age doesnt matter.  its how they were raised.  my horse was 21 days old when i got him and now hes 4 and anyone can ride him.  he doesnt buck, spook, nothing.

Answer 15

It really depends on the horse, but generally, a 5 year old horse who has been ridden extensively or trained well should be fine for you.  Usually by the time a horse is 5, his/her personality is set...pretty much.  What I mean is that if they are going to fiery, it will be between the ages of 2 and 5.  If they are fiery at 5, they will probably remain mostly fiery.

I would suggest getting a horse between 5 and 8, who has been ridden a lot, especially one who has been ridden the way you will be riding (trails, jumps, whatever).  

A horse begins to hit their prime (in my opinion) around age 8 and they continue to be steady for several years after that.  One of mine is 13 and he is definitely in his prime...his gait is gold!

Just take your time, be a little picky and don't judge a horse by his flashy color!

Answer 16

The horses temperment and experience is more important than a number.  

Ask these questions:

How old was horse when he was started?  

How much has he been ridden since?  

Where has he been ridden?

Who has been riding him?

Some 5 year olds have been trailed and shown for 2 or three years already.  My horse had only been ridden one year when he was 5 and was still considered green.

Answer 17

I dont think a 5 year old is too young. If you are planning on keeping him for a long time then get one young that  way you and your trainer can teach him young and by the time he is a little older he will know everything. I just bought a four year old TB  off the track  and started him on ground work first and then Ill train him on barrels when he is a little older... but by that time since I started him early he will be hard to beat later! You don't want a older horse, the years seem as if they go by way too fast...  before you know it he will be getting older!

Good luck

Answer 18

Well it all depens if the 5yr old horse you are buyin, its temperment. Iknow my 5yr old is a little S*** and if i was selling him would not sell him as a first horse. I got my first horse at 6 and yes iknow its young so obviously i wasnt capable of riding a 5yr old but my first horse was 8 wich isnt that old. My mum and i have horses and over this year have sold many as first horses and they have been between 7-12 so id recomend something along the lines of that. Good look hun x

Answer 19

For your first horse a 5 year old is probably too young, he still isn't experienced. I'd look for a horse about 10 or older.

But sometimes the age doesn't really matter. We got my mom's 16h horse when he was about 5-6 and he would be fine with little kids on him. I guess it really depends on the horse.