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