Choosing a riding horse
If you're thinking about getting a riding horse, there are a few things to consider to help you find the right match.
Keeping a horse is a huge commitment and places a considerable responsibility on the keeper. It costs a lot financially and in time and effort to keep a horse. So, having made the decision to get a horse, it’s essential to choose the right one. You should also plan ahead so you can get the best from your horse, and provide them with the best possible life into the future.
Before you choose a horse
No two horses are exactly alike in type, shape or temperament. The same is true for riders. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced owner, finding the perfect horse means finding one that is best suited to the keeper and/or rider.
When choosing a pony for a child, it’s even more important to ensure they are safe and suitable.
Needs of the individual rider or keeper
A rider’s height, weight, fitness level, ability and riding ambitions all have an impact on the type of horse that should be considered. If you’re already having regular lessons, you can ask for objective advice from your instructor. They can advise which type of horse would be best suited to your needs.
Tip
Regular riding lessons and assistance are beneficial for all riders, regardless of their experience and abilities. The costs of instruction and ongoing training should be included in the horse-keeping budget of every rider.
Being unrealistic about your ability and confidence can lead to being over-horsed (having a horse beyond your capabilities). This may make you feel anxious or unable to ride your horse, which can escalate.
If you’re looking to improve your riding skills, avoid choosing a young or inexperienced horse. An older horse or schoolmaster (a horse that is appropriately schooled, experienced and a consistent performer in a particular discipline) can provide the confidence and experience needed to help you improve. These horses are also suitable for a more capable rider who lacks the time to spend training.
If you’re a first time horse keeper, it’s a good idea to attend a horse care course before you begin searching. Non-horsey parents or guardians should also attend these courses if they’re looking to find a horse for their child. This is because they will ultimately be responsible for the welfare of the horse.
The activities you’d like to enjoy with your horse will affect the type of horse you should look for. A horse who is suitable for occasional leisure riding (such as hacking out at weekends) will need a different temperament to a competition horse. Horses competing regularly will need to be physically and mentally suited to equestrian events.
There are many breeds of riding horses, each with their own unique characteristics. Each breed can be further classified into different types. The many cross-bred horses and ponies may also be classified by type. The age of the horse may affect suitability for the first-time keeper or novice rider.
Size
Be realistic about the size of horse you need. A small adult rider may be best suited to a pony rather than a horse. Many native cob types are excellent weight carriers yet not too tall. Ideally, you should be able to mount unaided from the ground. Once mounted, your feet should rest no lower than your horse’s elbows.
You will need to ensure that your horse is able to easily carry your weight, tack and kit. A more advanced rider may be more balanced than a novice who lacks balance and therefore may ride ‘more heavily’. As a rule, a horse should not be asked to carry any more than 20 per cent of their body weight, including all tack and equipment.
Other considerations
While you should consider the most suitable breed, type and size, you should also think about:
- age
- temperament
- level of training
- experience
An older and more experienced horse is usually the most suitable choice. They can be a great pleasure to own, being safe and reliable. It may be best to choose a horse described as a good all-rounder, able to perform reasonably well in any area of equestrianism. Though unlikely to excel at one discipline, an all-rounder will give a novice rider an opportunity to try a variety of equestrian activities.
If you’re deciding to become a horse keeper, you’ll need to consider the costs needed to provide a suitable level of care. This will impact where and how your horse is kept. The care routine you plan to use will also influence the horse you choose.
A hardy native breed may be perfectly happy living in and working from a field throughout the year. But they may require more intensive management during the spring and summer to ensure they do not get overweight. On the other hand, a fine-coated, sensitive horse (less suited to coping with poor weather conditions) normally requires more care and supervision during the autumn and winter. This is to ensure exercise and welfare needs are met, and to prevent your horse from losing weight or becoming unmanageable because of being stabled for long periods.
If you are planning to keep your horse at a livery yard, it's worth considering:
- the yards routine and whether all year turn out is available
- whether horses are required to come in at night
- if there are periods of the year where turn out is not possible
Loaning or buying
Having a horse on loan from their owner is a popular form of horse keeping. It's also a good alternative to the cost associated with buying a horse. But the costs and responsibilities of keeping a horse are the same whether they are on loan or bought.
You could consider a share of a horse, where you will share the costs and care responsibilities – usually with the owner. Whether you’re loaning or sharing, make sure to have an agreement in place.
Many equine charities (including Blue Cross) place horses on loan to approved homes. There are many advantages to borrowing from a charity:
- The high quality of training your horse will have received
- The advice and support available to new keepers
- The ability to return your horse in the future
If you choose to loan a horse from a charity, check that it’s a member of the National Equine Welfare Council. This will help to give you some reassurance around quality and standards.
Note
Some charities, including Blue Cross, may transfer ownership of horses to their loan homes after a successful loan period.
Finding the right horse
You can find horses for sale and loan on dedicated websites, local papers and equestrian magazines. It is often best to start the search locally, extending regionally and then nationally if the right horse has not been found.
Important
If you’re looking online, be cautious of horses offered free or cheaply for a quick sale and always ask advice if you are not sure.
Other possibilities are word of mouth, and noticeboards in local tack and feed shops. Many equine welfare charities have horses and ponies available and are experienced at matching the right horse to a potential keeper.
Viewing a horse
When viewing and trying a horse for the first time, it’s important to be accompanied by a suitably experienced person. Their advice can be invaluable in assessing whether the horse is suitable, and that your requirements are in place.
You should:
- see the horse being handled both in the stable and in the field. You should also carry out all routine tasks (such as catching and leading) yourself.
- view the horse being trotted in hand on a level surface to assess their conformation, straightness and soundness
- see the horse being ridden by their usual rider, before riding them yourself. It’s a good idea to trial riding in various situations and areas.
- ask the current keeper for details of the horse’s history, experience, fitness, and any health or behavioural issues
By law the horse should be microchipped and passported, so ask to see the passport and check it is for the horse being viewed.
Pre-purchase veterinary examination
It’s vital to organise a pre-purchase veterinary examination of your chosen horse. This should be done before finalising the decision to purchase or enter into a loan agreement.
The vet should identify signs of disorders that may make the horse unsuitable for your needs. Remember that the vet cannot identify everything that may be wrong with the horse. A pre-purchase examination is also not a guarantee of long term good health.
Many insurance companies require a copy of the pre-purchase veterinary report before they consider insuring a horse.
Written agreements
Buying or borrowing a horse can present many potential problems if you're unprepared. When things go wrong, they can be costly. So, whether buying or borrowing, it’s essential to put the agreement in writing. You should also ensure that all the paperwork (compulsory equine passport, vaccination records and breed certificates) is with your new horse when the transfer is made.
Many equine charities provide clear loan agreements. If you’re planning a private loan with a horse owner, a similar loan agreement should be in place. This should lay out the terms of the agreement, and the responsibilities of both parties.
When you’re ready to move your new horse to their new home, clear travel arrangements should be made. If you cannot be there when your horse arrives at the new yard, decide who will be responsible for the transfer. A new environment may be stressful, so care should be taken to minimise this as much as possible.
At the new home
It may take your new horse several weeks to become accustomed to their new home. A horse that appeared calm and quiet when first tried may become unsettled when in new and unfamiliar surroundings. You should expect this and give your horse sufficient time to settle in.
A new horse and rider may also need to get used to one another and develop a level of trust and mutual respect. Otherwise problems can develop rapidly. Ongoing training is the key to a long, successful and enjoyable relationship between you and your new horse.
Tip
There are many pit falls when choosing a riding horse. If you’re at all unsure of the commitment and responsibility of taking on a ridden horse, it may be better to have regular lessons and conversations with a qualified instructor, until you feel ready.
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Reviewed
• 7 January 2025
Next review
• 7 January 2028
