Carol was in her 50s when she looked to buy her first horse. She had ridden as a child, then returned to riding 40 years later. Trusting the advice of her now former instructor, she bought from him a 8-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred who proceeded to throw her off six times in a matter of months before she sold him back to the instructor. The horse ended up as a show jumper with a strong, rider in her 20s. Thankfully, Carol was not seriously injured in those falls, but she learned a valuable lesson about temperament and suitability. She ended up with a quiet paint quarter horse that could easily go from trail to clinic. He may not have had great potential for upper level dressage or jumping, but he was versatile in his well-rounded ability with a safe, well-mannered disposition.
Like buying a horse for young beginner/novice rider, experts recommend that when buying a horse for an adult beginner/novice rider, the most important attribute is temperament.
“A kind, forgiving horse is what I look for,” explains Marie, a riding instructor who has assisted several students in purchasing horses. “Typically, we look at horses 10-years-old and up.”
She looks for a “been there, done that” attitude.
The difference, she has found, is in the intended use of the horse.
“Adults are often looking for a long-term relationship. They are looking for a companion as well as a teacher,” she says. So less important is the potential resale value of the horse since most adults have no intent to eventually sell their horses.
Young riders, by comparison, especially those looking to compete, will likely sell their horses when they’ve taken them as far as they can in competition or when they have learned all they can from their horse, Marie said.
“I’ve found that when a younger, better prospect comes along, which can go further, young riders have no issue selling their horses for a new one,” she commented.
She added that maybe that’s just the types of students she sees, but her adult riders, when they are looking for horses, are looking for a horse to learn from, to have as a companion and to grow old with.
Junior riders buying their first horses are typically more goal-oriented regarding competition goals, notes Christy, another instructor. “The novice adults I know who are looking for horses tend to look for all-a’rounders. He jumps low courses quietly, goes on trail, has hunter paced, is capable of training level dressage, can be easily trailered to a clinic, etc. He’s not flashy or pretty, but he does have to be comfortable and sensible.”
When Christy looks for horses for older clients, she looks for horses who have had older owners. For owners looking to show, like her adults who want to show lower level dressage, she looks for that are being downgraded in their training or are being sold by younger riders who are moving up the levels and need another mount. She agrees that the horse’s resale value is more of an issue for juniors than for adults.
"You have to understand the 'why' aspect of why your adult student wants her own horse," Christy added. "Once you start looking at horses with her interests and desires in mind, you'll find the right horse for the older rider."
Patty is in her late 50s and owns a 17-year-old sound, sane, quiet, Warmblood cross. At her old boarding facility, the owner, who was also a horse seller, kept pressuring her to sell the sweet mare for a younger horse. Patty loves the companionship her horse brings her, but she was almost convinced there was something wrong with her.
"Maybe if I were 15 and had dreams of the Olympics," she said. "I might consider another horse. But why would I give her up? She does everything I need and want."
Seventy-year-old Sally had her first horse Frank for 10 years before he tragically died. She has had Arley now for four years. Arley, in his 20s, is a retired show jumper.
Arley is now laid up for a year with a bowed tendon, and Sally briefly entertained the idea of buying a new horse while fully retiring Arley. But she recently decided that no one could replace him and she’ll wait to see if he’s rideable, even if just for walks on the trail, when his injury is healed.
“We’re retired together,” she said of her relationship with her horse.
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By Ron Petracek
Ron Petracek was raised in rural southern Idaho. With the snake river and a beautiful 16 hand jet black morgan as his adventure companion. Horses and the outdoors are engraphed within his DNA. If you would like to take part in helping others learn more about horses. Please visit our equine forum. "We always leave the barn door open on purpose for new friends! Just click Here --> http://www.horsechitchat.com To experience Equine Classifieds in a dynamic way, please visit http://www.click4equine.com
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