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What to look for in a project horse?

1K views 11 replies 12 participants last post by  AnalisaParalyzer 
#1 ·
Second question of the night. I'm helping a friend find a new horse. He's looking for a nice project to work on. What are some things to look for in a project horse? Are there any real deal breakers? How do you assess a potential project pony?
 
#2 ·
Assuming your are going for a flip, get the best conformation and movement you can find. It's easier to resell layer if you have good pictures and video of a good mover.

Then it just takes experience to be able to read their temperament if they haven't had much handling. Something that will become amature friendly is best. If your lucky, you can pick up that amature temperament with great confo and movement for a steal of a price.
 
#3 · (Edited)
They have to pass their pre-purchase exams. When I was shopping before I bought my youngster, I was planning on buying a project to flip a few so I could afford a nice horse (didn't work out that way) but a lot of people won't buy if the horse can't pass a pre-purchase exam. For a personal horse I'll over look certain things because I know what you can manage/work with or not but a lot of people won't. You have to be mindful of your market, what are the people in your area looking for? Think of the market and what people are looking for.

For a re-sale project I look for something easy, uncomplicated to ride. Most people don't ride quirks or hot (even minimally hot) or especially sensitive well. It needs to be something tolerant of mistakes or doesnt over react. So I'll get a little off balance on purpose and careless but not terribly rude with my aids to see what they do and try to gage how they handle situations. A lot of horses won't show any quirks with skilled rider I'll pick a horse who is maybe a little less talented but has an easy temperament and high trainability over talent because if you're planning on turning a horse over trainability is a heck of a lot easier to sell then a super star talent who no one can ride.

You just have to keep in mind who you'd be selling to and realize you're not buying this horse for yourself.
 
#5 ·
Ignorance. I look for ignorance wrapped in good conformation and decent brains.

I don't mind if the horse acts leery of me, especially if the owners are doubly ignorant. The horse likely was treated as a pet or treated like an AQHA World Champion, and neither actions made any sense to it.

I buy one if I have at least a couple options for it. Will it possibly make a ranch horse or trail horse or lead line horse for someone's grandkids or a low goal polo pony or be able to go in local playdays?

I also recommend a pre-purchase exam if you aren't confident to do your own or can't withstand the emotional and financial loss if something shows up.
 
#6 ·
Ignorance. I look for ignorance wrapped in good conformation and decent brains.

I don't mind if the horse acts leery of me, especially if the owners are doubly ignorant. The horse likely was treated as a pet or treated like an AQHA World Champion, and neither actions made any sense to it.

I buy one if I have at least a couple options for it. Will it possibly make a ranch horse or trail horse or lead line horse for someone's grandkids or a low goal polo pony or be able to go in local playdays?

I also recommend a pre-purchase exam if you aren't confident to do your own or can't withstand the emotional and financial loss if something shows up
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Boots makes a good point. I would like to have a good idea of what the horse is best suited for and then think of what the requirements that a buyer looking for that type of horse would have. A horse that doesn't have great athletic ability could still be quite valuable as a child's or novice's mount but would need to have the right temperament.
 
#8 ·
All good replies above.
I would add this...it all depends on how hard your friend wants to work.
I have come to think of a project as having to clean up someone's mess. Hopefully your friend has the experience to do it.
 
#9 ·
Decent conformation good feet, good temperament, and pass PPE. The rest depends on what kind of project your friend wants and what they want to do with the horse afterwards.
 
#10 ·
I bought my project filly on the fly--arguably not the best choice.
That said, if I were to do it again I would want something with solid conformation and feet; something with a sound mind and no visible malice; and something that can pass its PPE.
 
#11 ·
Over the years I bought some weanlings or yearling to raise until 3 and then train and sell but with today's prices you probably wouldn't be able to break even on a venture like that. I bought a couple that were being ridden by kids and just needed a tune-up to learn they could no longer do exactly what they wanted. And more than a few that were neglected and needed some meat put on their bones, hooves tended to, etc...
 
#12 ·
I look for good bare feet, good legs, a willingness to learn and a lack of aggression.

My colt was underweight, his feet were horribly long, he had a massive worm load, and he was scared of his own shadow. Got rid of the worms, got weight on him, trimmed his feet up, and went to work. He actively looks for what you're asking him to do, and responds well to positive reinforcement. He's never tried to bite or kick, and I don't think I've ever seen him pin an ear at a person. There was a good horse under all the neglect. That's what I look for.
 
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