Horse talk for 20-somethings

I'm Dani! I'm from Sask, Canada, and I own 1 horse, a two year old Appaloosa named Walter, who is my baby <3 I'm 21.

I rode for a while when I was young, and again when I was 18-19ish. I haven't ridden for a while due to lack of rideable horses around, or the time really. I have been training Walter! I swam competitively for 10+ years, so that took me away from horses for a good chunk of time.

And cheques.. I only use them for rent!

So sad to hear about your mare. I can understand taking a bit of a break.

If you're looking though - just curious, I've heard that horse prices in Alberta & BC are much higher than other provinces. Are you looking at possibilities in Saskatchewan or Manitoba too?

Thanks! She was a piece of work, that mare, haha. But I was really upset when she went. She didn't go calmly [not that I thought she would. She had a lot of fight in her, haha], but she's at rest now and there wasn't much more I could do for her.

Horses in BC are definitely over priced. Alberta can be too. Right now horses are over priced because hay is so good right now. Some people think they can get $10k out of a 15 year old mare that isn't even in solid work right now.. It boggles my mind.

Unfortunately we're not able to travel that far right now /: I have two horses we're going to see on Sunday, and two possibilities on Tuesday. Maybe one of them will work out c: If not, we'll just keep hunting.


Dani- I love your little guy. He's so cute!

Thanks!

I haven't really been looking, but I think horses are decently priced in SK right now. I could be wrong though- I'm not in the market, so I just browse usedregina and kijiji every morning lol.

I'm sure I could find you a fantastic horse if you'd bring me some hay... :/ It's not like we're having a bad year, it's just frustrating because the area where I live the land is 'worth too much' (growing cash crops like canola, soybeans and corn) to 'waste' it on growing hay. We used to have a guy not too far away that always had decent hay at good prices but he retired last year so now we're hay hunting again. Fun fun...

That's a lovely username :) I have a 12 year old cousin in Ailbhe (Al-vuh) and it was a bit to wrap my head a round.

I'm so sorry to hear about your horse, Tay :( I took a break from horses from 14-19 due to personal issues and I'm sure you'll find the right horse in time.

I actually have no idea about what a "good" price is for a horse. I mean as I said before there are reasonable horses around for $3000 or less but I've never bought my own horse so I wouldn't know!

I reckon buying your first horse could possibly be one of the most amazing, yet terrifying, moments ever...or maybe I'm just a worry wort? Haha.
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Nice to meet you all!

My favourite breed is a Suffolk Punch, typically thought of as a driving horse rather than a riding horse. But they're incredible in person, with such rich colour.

I don't really plan on getting another horse anytime soon, but I would spend around 3-4 grand depending on training and such.

Critter you're welcome in my book, but not sure how the OP feels about it

Buying your first horse is the most exhilarating, adrenaline flowing, happy dance moment ever. Of course there's the will I do this right, do I know enough about this, and the what if's, but they go fast. Trying out your first few is exciting, but finding the one you want is like having an epiphany with sparkles and bubbles all over. At least it was for me.

Finding good hay is hard down here right now too. Coastals gone up to like 12 bucks, and t/a is like 20 bucks a bale. It sucks big time.
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The first horse I got as an 'adult' living on my own was actually a gift from my uncle... and he was the stubbornest, meanest, most ornery gelding I've ever met. We hated each other from the get-go and it never improved. I kept him for ages though, since I felt bad selling a gift.

The first horse I actually bought was also a failure. She was cute and sweet and had a lovely personality, but the farm where she came from (and where I went on a test ride) was in the middle of nowhere. When we brought her home, I quickly realized that she was TERRIFIED of just about everything, most of all cars. Since where I live I HAVE to ride on the road at least a little bit to get anywhere, it was a disaster. I tried working with her and nothing helped.

It made me super frustrated. I actually considered throwing in the towel and selling them both and just not having horses. But my husband encouraged me to try again, since he could tell how much it meant to me. When I was horse shopping this past spring I was so nervous, I actually felt sick to my stomach every time I looked at an ad. I just didn't want to have a THIRD failure.

Éowyn was a total gamble - she'd had a serious leg injury in the past and had unknown training history. She led nicely but when I asked if I could go for a ride the previous owners said they didn't have a saddle (???) but I insisted on at least getting on bareback. There were alarm bells and warning signs all over the place but there was something about her that I couldn't get out of my head. The fact that they had SEVERELY underpriced her also made me nervous - but also made me want to give it a try. At her price I could send her for a month or two with a professional trainer I knew and trusted and still be within my budget so I went for it. Turns out the previous owner was completely NUTS (hence the warning signs and alarm bells) but Wyn herself is pretty darn amazing. In this case, my gamble most definitely is paying off.

I think just about everything in life is a gamble and it's such an awesome feeling when it pays off. Did you bring a horse person with you, Failbhe? Like a trainer or something? Or are you one of those lucky devils who can call themselves an experienced horse person? When I get my own horse, no matter how many years I've been riding, I shall be bringing my trainer and a vet just to be sure!