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Possible buys. Help?

2K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  FoxyRoxy1507 
#1 · (Edited)
So here's the story. I've gone quite some time without a horse at this point, and am in some serious withdrawal. I haven't even ridden in about 4 months. But, I finally graduate high school this June, turn 18 in July, and have a steady job. So at this point, I'm finally ready to start looking for a new horse :] Unfortunately, I'm still looking for a barn in my area at this point that really fits my needs, so I am sans trainer to help me look, and would love it if you guys could help!

- My budget is fairly small. I'm hoping to pay a max of about $2000, but will go as high as $3000 if the horse is really perfect.
- I am looking for a horse that has some serious eventing potential, if not previous training. I'm hoping to be able to take this horse up to at least showing training/schooling prelim.
- I have 12 years of riding experience, and although I still have much to learn, I am comfortable with a horse that needs an experienced rider.
- Green is okay, but at this point, I am not comfortable enough with my own skills to train from the ground up, so I would prefer a horse that at least has its basics down.
- I live in the Philadelphia area, and am willing to travel up to three hours away.

Those are the only requirements that I can think of right now, so if you wanted to help me search I would very much appreciate it!

Now, onto the horses I have found so far. Not all of them have very good conformation shots, but if you guys convince me it's worth it, I will be emailing the owners and requesting some :]

Last but not least: I do not own my own laptop and the one I'm using is from school, so of course, youtube is blocked :[ So unfortunately, I cannot see most of the horse's videos. So if you guys wouldn't mind watching and telling me what you see, I'd be very very thankful.

Dressed to Impress
First guy I found. I'm very curious to hear about his video. I'm not a fan of the fact that it appears as though they're using draw reins on him. I tend to find those cause more harm than anything else in most cases, and I fear I might have a bit of bad training to fix with him, but it might be worth it.

Coach Chaney
I like this guy a bit better than the first. He looks as though he has some nice potential in the flat pics, although in the jumping ones he looks like he might have the habit of getting in a bit close? Could also be the rider. But if anyone has the time to go to the youtube channel they list, I'd be much appreciative.

Bleniem
VERY interested in this guy. But in his confo pics, something about his front pasterns worries me. Is anyone else seeing it? Might just be shadows.

That's all for now!
Oh, and this girl - Mimi - kinda makes me wanna cry. She came up in my search because she doesn't have an actual price listed, but she's a very obviously well trained Hanoverian owned by Susie Beale, so she can't be cheap *sob*. I really need to get my butt over to Susie Beale's barn though and see about training with her, because it's about the only reputable event barn I can find in my area.


THANKS AGAIN GUYS!
 
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#2 ·
The thing that irks me about all these horses is that they're over-gadgeted. The first two look to be launching themselves over fences that they're not comfortable with.
I would be most interested in the top two, but you would have to spend some serious time training them how to work properly without all that crap. Dressage, dressage, dressage. Of the two, I like the top one most. The third one... his pasterns really scare me, but it might be worth asking for another photo where there isn't a shadow.
 
#3 ·
Most definitely agree with the dressage! I may be an eventer, but I got started in dressage, and it holds a special place in my heart. I've seen just a little bit of dressage training work miracles on horses previously deemed hopeless.

Anyway, what is it that you see in the first one that makes you lean towards him? As I said, I can't see the videos, and in his picture he seems very heavy on the forehand... although it could very possibly be a bad picture and/or bad riding. I am going to try to get more pictures of the third guy, but the more I stare at those pasterns, the less I can believe it's a trick of the light, so I may very likely pass him up.
 
#4 ·
Dressed to impress-
There wasn't much in the video except for a jump(which he chipped) and a little cantering that was a bit too fast but nothing bad. He's pretty green. I rather like him, though. I feel like he has potential. With the right kind of work he could be a steal at 1000 dollars.

Coach Chaney-
Not a horse I would go for, personally. He's less stylish than the first one. I feel like he's less green, since he's trotting around controllably, albeit fast, with very loose reins, but he has less potential. That's just my instinct, though, not based on much. He looks a little "pokey" if you know what I mean. He might be easier than the first but if you can train the first horse right you'll be going more places.

Bleniem-
Pasterns. Bad. Pretty horse but-Pasterns. Bad. Ask for another picture, though, just to make sure they're as bad as they seem. He looks athletic and I'd say go for it if it weren't for those pesky pasterns.

I'll look around a bit for you- I love horse shopping!
 
#7 ·
Oh drat. Can't believe I missed that. I was being careful because there were quite a few listed that were already sold, but I guess I got to excited. Back to the drawing board then.

Also, I was just meandering around Susie Beale's site a bit, and found that they hire working students. I don't know if they're actively looking for anybody (I'll call tomorrow) but has anyone taken a job as a working student? And if so, how worth it would you say it was?
 
#9 ·
I don't know that much about being a working student--I know people who have done it, they said it was a great experience, but being a working student does mean you will WORK.

I can't tell much from the ad, but if you want you could contact American Girl's owner and ask for pictures or a video or something. With only this it's a bit hard to judge her.

Just a thought--if you're looking for a thoroughbred-type horse, perhaps try looking at an OTTB. Some of them, I know, can be pretty crazy, but if you find the right one it could be great. There will be a LOT of training involved with an OTTB, most likely, but it could be worth it...
 
#10 ·
I'm not necessarily looking for a thoroughbred type horse, they just seem to be the only one's with potential popping up under my search requirements. Lol.

I have considered an OTTB, and will start a real search on them sometime this week when I have more time. My issue with them is that there tend to be a lot of health problems, weight issues and things of that nature that come along with them, and I'd like to avoid that at all costs if I can.
 
#15 · (Edited)
DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1664920 - Petal By Petal here is a great one. I wasn't really sure if you could do a young filly but I mean I think she would be great. She is started under saddle and it looks like they are free jumping her. She looks like a great mare. She also has those big tb strides I see from one of the four vids. O.M.G watching the second video! I wish my horse had that canter. A nice smooth easy-riding canter. Third video more cantering :) she is awesome! She is good and her free jumping is great, totally look into her!!!!
 
#16 · (Edited)
Hmm. I was just finally able to watch her videos, and she is very nice. Her movement isn't really anything special - not a whole lot of suspension - but she is still quite young and looks to have a very nice start. I think I'm gonna shoot the owners an email and see if I can go check her out in person.

That barn has a few other horses that I quite like, but they're all a but out of my price range :[
 
#17 ·
Petal does look to have some suspension but its not coming out due to the rider. i think once she's actually using her hindend like she's supposed to she's going to have some really nice gaits
 
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