Hi everyone. I know this is a topic that has been discussed at length, I have read a lot of the threads and they have been very helpful so I thought I'd reach out for a litte extra advice.
I'm a novice / intermediate rider, really love jumping and have aspirations to eventualy jump around 1m. Current level of comfort is more like 2'6, and I can run into confidence issues. My coach / barn owner has found me what seems like the perfect horse (would be my first horse) ... he's 9; warmblood; very calm disposition, tops out jumping around 1.15m (still beyond my capability) a little above my ideal price range but would pay more for a safe, experienced horse. I've ridden him and jumped him at his barn and at my barn (his first time at my barn) and besides looking around at things he's completely calm and happy. My coach has known this horse for a few years, and knows the owners well and feels he is a good fit.
My main concern is that I'm clearly not as good a rider as his current owner... how much of a risk is there that his disposition will change or his level of rideability will change with just me on him? Is this just a risk you take as a first time owner? I will be taking private lessons once a week so will still be training with whichever horse I end up buying... but I'm not interested in out horsing myself. I don't feel out horsed because of this guy's disposition... is there anything else I should be thinking about? Appreciate people's advice.
Thanks
I'm a novice / intermediate rider, really love jumping and have aspirations to eventualy jump around 1m. Current level of comfort is more like 2'6, and I can run into confidence issues. My coach / barn owner has found me what seems like the perfect horse (would be my first horse) ... he's 9; warmblood; very calm disposition, tops out jumping around 1.15m (still beyond my capability) a little above my ideal price range but would pay more for a safe, experienced horse. I've ridden him and jumped him at his barn and at my barn (his first time at my barn) and besides looking around at things he's completely calm and happy. My coach has known this horse for a few years, and knows the owners well and feels he is a good fit.
My main concern is that I'm clearly not as good a rider as his current owner... how much of a risk is there that his disposition will change or his level of rideability will change with just me on him? Is this just a risk you take as a first time owner? I will be taking private lessons once a week so will still be training with whichever horse I end up buying... but I'm not interested in out horsing myself. I don't feel out horsed because of this guy's disposition... is there anything else I should be thinking about? Appreciate people's advice.
Thanks