Finding the right horse.

[Annabreher]

Hey everyone. I have been looking at recent horse classifieds and I have come to the realization...people expect a LOT more for a horse that isn't worth squat. For instance...one mare was by a well known QH Sire, her dam was an okay eventer, and the mare? Well she was just okay. $15,000. No thank you!
I am not even in the market for a horse! I have no moolah. None. Nada. ZIP. I am looking at classifieds now so I can have a general idea of what I want and what I don't want...if that makes any sense. Green-broke is almost entirely out of the question. I have been riding for 18 years but not as consistently as one might like. I love Drafts, Thoroughbreds, and Appys. Too bad TBs are known for being so forward and [at times, but not always] a bit nutty.
What would you guys suggest as far as purchasing "the right horse"? I would LOVE to hear you thoughts! I am open to any and everything. I'm in the process of opening a savings specifically to buy a horse, pay for boarding, feed, tack, and for any freak accident that may happen, lol.

-Anna

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Oh Anna - thoroughbreds have been given a bad rep. They are highly intelligent - but they are hot blooded - doesn't mean they're nutty.

I think it all depends on what kind of riding you plan to do with a horse? For instance, just trai riding? Showing? Tell us a little more about what you expect - then we can weigh in with our suggestions Folks here have a wide variety of horses and experience.

This should be an interesting conversation!

[snowshoehair]

In actuality, I would think that a TB that is not "forward" as they are supposed to be will be one that turns up at the auctions or culled by a breeder. The ones that really don't care to race are the ones they get rid of.

Look how quickly Big Brown was retired and went off to stud... he thumbed his nose at his racing career and said he just didn't like the job anymore. But he became one of the lucky ones. And Cash... he's a real sweetheart of a TB!

[IMustBeCrazy]

Truly does depend on what you want. No way would I attempt dressage with my retired racers, but they are great for trails and just hacking around. Now that I am "older" a gaited horse has appeal to me. My TB's trot will knock fillings out!

[Annabreher]

LOL I have met a few nutty TBs. Mainly the stud colts. Maybe thats just them being studdish And I do love Thoroughbreds. There are plenty out there that are awesome. Just saying I have met a couple kooky ones. Haha!
I am not into eventing or anything like that. I love to throw on a saddle and take 2-4 hour rides on the trails. I learned to ride English first, and was introduced to Western when I was 8. I love Western! I do miss the super soft saddles though.

-Anna

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Trail riding it is then - I would either recommend a QH or a lovely gaited horse Course I'm not biased at all!

[Beth]

Morgans - foundation type Morgans - make excellent trail horses. They are very versatile.

[Annabreher]

Trail riding it is then - I would either recommend a QH or a lovely gaited horse Course I'm not biased at all!

LOL! I love gaited horses. I rode a Paso Fino cross for a long time and I miss that amazing floating walk! And Beth, I love Morgans. Such a beautiful breed. I am not picky at all . I think if a three legged horse showed up on my doorstep I would take it in. LOL!

-Anna

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Anna - I think the right horse will present itself to you - and you will KNOW in your heart

[Annabreher]

:) Anna - I think the right horse will present itself to you - and you will KNOW in your heart

I concurrrr.


-Anna

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

[Rowdy]

Anna,
I have some helpful info I can mail to you if you wish to give me an address. Unfortunately, it is on paper and not electronic. My vet has brochures that cover some things you should consider.

And I agree, the right horse will find you if you are patient and search right. I think the biggest mistake some people make is buying the first horse they look at because they don't want to seem too picky, or appear to be horse-haters, or imply they can't handle the horse, or whatever else their ego drives them at. This is where too many "bad" matches come from. If possible, see if you can try the horse for 30 days and determine if you are, indeed, the right match.

Finally, don't ever hesitate to say, "Sorry, but we aren't the right match" if you determine that the horse you are looking at is not the right one for you.

- Rowdy

[Annabreher]

Anna,
I have some helpful info I can mail to you if you wish to give me an address. Unfortunately, it is on paper and not electronic. My vet has brochures that cover some things you should consider.

And I agree, the right horse will find you if you are patient and search right. I think the biggest mistake some people make is buying the first horse they look at because they don't want to seem too picky, or appear to be horse-haters, or imply they can't handle the horse, or whatever else their ego drives them at. This is where too many "bad" matches come from. If possible, see if you can try the horse for 30 days and determine if you are, indeed, the right match.

Finally, don't ever hesitate to say, "Sorry, but we aren't the right match" if you determine that the horse you are looking at is not the right one for you.

- Rowdy

Hey Rowdy!
Thanks. I'll PM my address to you.
I know what you mean. I am very picky when it comes to horses, so I don't think that will happen to me. In fact the first horses I owned [I was ten] was the first horse my dad looked at. Never mind the horse was a show-prospect and eight years old, never mind he had poor vision in his left eye and spooked at everything. He bought him and then sold him within the span of a year. He was way too much for me. Luckily he has a very nice home and the people spoil him rotten. After that experience I vowed to wait until the right horse came to me. And he did! A adorable POA/Icelandic cross named Skipper was originally purchased for one of our boarder's sons. He was a spoiled brat and never mucked out Skipper's stall. Skipper had come from a feedlot and had horrific thrush and several other ailments...including [no shock here] worms. They bought him thinking he would be a fantastic kid's horse since he was so mellow. As soon as Skipper recovered from his ordeal they realized he was A LOT OF HORSE. HAHAHA! The kid didn't have the best riding skills, spurred him into a gallop every chance he got. Skipper finally had enough and dumped the kid. Giving up, the mom handed Skipper over to me. "If you want him, you can have him," she said. AND I DID! I worked out his kinks and we formed a great bond. Sadly my dad sold him without my permission two years later. I was 17.

I haven't had the best of luck as you can see when it comes to ownership. I hope to save up tons of cash. I want the BEST for my future partner. The last thing I want to do is buy a horse and have a lousy barn and crappy tack waiting for him/her. LOL!

-Anna

[Rowdy]

Anna,
Your Skipper caught our eye due to the Icelandic pony part of him...Eva was born in Iceland!

When I outgrew my first pony, a very sweet Shetland pony named Blondie, my mother found a lady looking for a home for an 11 year old Welsh/Hackney cross pony named Hector. She wanted $1000 for him. I visited and discovered he was unkempt, unruly, and totally undisciplined. I wanted him anyway, but we couldn't afford him.

There was a horse show the next weekend. The owner told me that if I could win a ribbon with him, I could have him. So.......I took him in the horse show, having never even ridden him! They placed through 6th in that show, and I went into several classes with no luck, Hector was just a brat. However, in our last class of the day, there were only 6 horses. We took last place, but the lady kept her word and let me have him! I found out years later that she put the $1000 price tag on him as a way of screening out the riff-raff.

With the right work and lots of patience, Hector became my first 3-phase eventer. We won many championships on the 4-H show circuit as well, riding both English and Western. I had him from age 13 to age 17, when I outgrew him also. I sold him to a younger 4-H child who continued to show and event him. She retired him and her mom kept him until he died of old age--34 years old!

I guess what I'm saying is that you will know the right horse, even if it doesn't seem like the right horse to anyone else.