I am buying a yearling horse...and scared!!?

Question

I am getting my first horse after years of riding in a few days, and he is a 14.hh 1-year-old gelding. People have advised me not to buy a yearling as a first horse, that its dangerous to have a horse that young not trained, to be that big. I am VERY nervous and I want to have some other peoples opinions.

Answer 1

you do need to be careful about your first horse but only you wil know if you can handle this yearling. I have been riding for 3 years on and off and last june i bought myself a gorgeous 6 month old and i love him to pieces he is soooo cheeky and lovable but only for me as only i handle him and i have soo much fun with him. its true you need confidence with youngsters but thts to match their confidence ive also just bought a badly treated 4 year old hu hates tack being put on her but we r slowly getting there so for my first horses ive bought two hard horses but i love a challenge and although i have not rode now for 3 months i wouldnt change them for the world coz i love them and they love me back so go with your instincts

Answer 2

HELLO EVERYONE!  I am gonna give the opinion of someone you all will consider a true beginner.  First of all I think you should probably listen to the advise of the others.  I just started taking riding lessons last July-December 2009,  I started taking them again about the first of  June this yr(2010).  I also just turned 40.  My husband had a little bit of experience with horses from when he was a kid. I do have a point just bare with me please.   I have loved horses all my life and dream of owning lots.  I was petrified of these magnificent and beautiful creatures.   I decided to take lessons.  Already I was wanting to own my very own horse to ride once I knew how.  I leased an awesome 5yr old gelding, the one I was taking lessons on. for awhile.  My husband talked me into, without much effort I must say, getting a 7 month old filly.  She is a beautiful yearling now, prettier everyday.  My husband has taught her to walk on the lead line, lunge at a walk jog and canter, both ways.    We have gotten  very lucky with our girl.  We board her out because we just dont have the space.  She never even offered to kick bite nothing.  She is very smart, you show her something once and she does it easy.  Plus we have had lots of help from friends who have trained and ridden for yrs.   Most are very surprised how good she really is.  I am a bit timid around her still, but i am also taking lessons learning to work with her.   Like I say we were lucky but unless you are lucky enough to get a horse like mmine   dont get a yearling.  It's alot of work when you don't have ny help or know how to do so yourself.  In 3 years I may be able to ride her so as I am still learning I am willing to wait till I can ride her   and it is exciting for me to learn everything from the ground up so to speak.  I love it.