How can I find the confidence to buy another horse?

I would def. not get something green if you're trying to find that perfect horse... and if I were you I would see if you could have a trail on a horse that suits you... seriously pay the extra money and find something that will actually work for you. I have had some bad relationships with horses in the past... I finally found one Im comfortable with. I learned to have someone teach me some parelli and other saftey / training help so that I know what to do if A situation arises. Im not trying to be a know it all, but it has helped me , I had a bad exp. where the draft I bought bolted with me in traffic. so it smashed my confidence..so I can totally relate to you. I would first find a horse to bond with and one that is a match before I did any type of showing... I would like to see what me and the horse could do as a team together. and grow together. I hope this makes sense. goodluck

zi watched the video and really a horse should spook in place not dart out I dunno given what you have been threw find something that has more training on it. this one is too green and some are harder to train when they're older.

I'm not sure what options you see for this wonderful horse. You're not going to be able to sell him to a good home, and if you give him away (or sell him) you can't control what's going to happen. He's very vulnerable here. Older tbs who cannot (or soon cannot) be ridden don't have many options. Just two, really: a caring current owner who gives him a good retirement, and the auction and a long journey to hell. If you sell him, you don't know which he'll get, but my money's on the second. So I would try to give him that good retirement. You may be able to lease him to a kind beginner or older person to use as gently as need be. Some use is good for an arthritic horse. You'd get some money for his care (possibly), you'd know he's in good hands (yours), and you'd help someone else out as well. I'd want to make it an "in barn" lease, wheere the horse stays at your current barn so you can always know his condition. Even if the lease doesn't pay all his expenses it should help. The time will come when you have to get another horse if you want to ride, one way or the other. If you can delay this a year or two, the economy may pick up, you may be able to afford more, who knows? If you can't find someone to lease him, I'd stick with as long as possible. I truly think this guy has more to teach you than you realize. Learn to get good impulsion from him - often the problem is the rider, not the horse! - and getting good impulsion from a less forward horse will teach you more about impulsion than getting it from a forward horse will. Another way to advance would be to occasionally ride a school horse, or someone else's horse, or even do a below cost lease for yourself. There are lots of ways to advance without abandoning your best friend. I hope you can find one.

I'm not good at judging horses so I'm not going to address this horse but my question to you is why are you looking at a green horse?? If your confidence has been shattered, why aren't you looking at a horse that can rebuild your confidence, not possibly shatter it again? I had a horse that shattered my confidence to the point that I was ready to retire my saddle and never get on another horse again- and this was after working for years at a barn for no pay and very little riding time just to prove to my parents that I wanted a horse (I was 14 at the time). The horse that replaced him was exactly what I needed- well trained and perfect for rebuilding my confidence. Don't get a green horse, no matter how much potential he may have. Right now you need a horse that will forgive you if you make a mistake and a horse that will adjust to your riding level. I'm sure after riding for 18 years, there is an amazing rider inside of you, but you need the right horse to bring that rider back to the surface and I don't think a green horse is going to do that for you. Talk to your trainer about this and I'm sure s/he will suggest getting a more experienced/better trained horse.

PS- Did he spook because of the guy standing there???

as gorgeaus as that horse may be it's kind of a bad idea for you to buy him. you may have jumped at the situation ten years ago but that was ten years ago. ten years ago when you had the confidence to do it. what you need is a horse that will help rebuild your confidence so a horse that is well broke that really doesnt need anymore training. you need a horse that you can build a bond with and not have to worry about ruining it but just worry about rebuilding your confidence on it. right off the bat that horse spooked a bit and say you are out on a trail and he does that and you dont control it right away and it only gets worse then it is a major confidence kill. you need to seriously consider expanding your budget and look into some horses that are well broke and are hunter. even if expanding your budget means waiting a few months to save up some more money then do it. i hate to say it but this horse is not for you.

You have a good seat...stuck like glue when he spooked! I would not ride next to tee posts on a green horse I know nothing about. Is there a name for a ______ phobia for fear of impalement on a tee post? ...LOL!

Okay the horse:

I like him, seems like he has a good disposition; but here is the math you need to do;

Green horse + added "risk" to physically and your ability to earn money + training / lesson fees = how much?

or

Finished horse + less risk + less training fees = how much?

or

Do you find more enjoyment in training than riding?

I think if you do the math you will have your answer.

If he is 11 yrs old and still green that is not good I find as they get older the harder it is to mold them into the horse you want them to be I find they are set in there ways they are used to being lawn orniments. I think you should keep looking and look for a horse that has been there and done that it will give you back your confidence.