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Would you buy a horse who cribs?

6K views 35 replies 23 participants last post by  LovesMyDunnBoy 
#1 · (Edited)
My neighbor is looking for a horse for her daughter (age 10). The daughter and the parents have almost no experience with horses. They are where my family was two years ago. :). The BO where we ride and take lessons has a horse that the girl is trying for a month...he's a real sweet boy... But has a few issues:

1). He cribs on EVERYTHING. The fence, the feed tray, his lead rope. The BO says he hasn't been doing it for long, but our trainer says that looking at his neck, this habit has been around for awhile.

2). He rubs his hair off. The horse has no hair on his face and multiple bare spots on his body. He also seems to be very gassy and makes a funny noise when trotting (trainer says its a gut noise).

3). He can be spooky on the ground. He is terrified of cross ties and the wash stall.

4) There are gaps in his training. He's 10 and has no idea how to pick up his leads.

Our trainer thinks he has a nice personality, but had the same concerns we do. She thinks with training the gaps in his knowledge can be fixed. The other issues could be more difficult.

So, knowing this horse is 10 and the family wants him for a beginning rider. The horse would be an all-rounder. They would want to be able to ride him at play days, work him Western pleasure (local shows), and trail ride. The BO is asking $3,500. (Average cost around here is between $1,500 and $4,000)

Would you buy this horse?
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#2 ·
For that price, and all those issues on top of it.. I probably wouldn't. Maybe if the price was lower, and if there were valid reasons for the holes in his training.

I'm bringing home an OTTB mare this weekend who cribs, and also has a joint problem.. but she's considerably cheap and there's ways to manage her issues. She's also an absolute joy to be around and has no other vices besides the cribbing.. although she is a bit of a hard keeper.

If the daughter really likes him, and the family is willing to pay the extra costs to keep his issues under control.. then I'd go for it, but they'd really need to evaluate it.
 
#3 ·
Would you? Minus even the cribbing (which I would not buy a horse that cribs)
Spooks on the ground for an inexperienced person at any age would not be good, let along a 10 yr old.

For that price tag you could get an awesome horse in my area and have it shipped and not have any of the issues you are telling me this horse has.
 
#7 ·
You're right...I would not buy this horse.

I love his personality...but our mare (who we purchased for $3,000) did not have ANY of these issues. Her biggest "fault" was a little stiffness from being a pasture puff for 6 months. Regular workouts and some joint supplements fixed her right up.

I'm thinking everything else can be fixed with time and $$$. I just don't know anything about cribbing. I've told the Mom my thoughts, but wanted some more opinions to give her. :). Also, if they ARE stuck on this horse, I told them I would negotiate the price way down and get a vet check.
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#4 ·
Do you know if cribbing can cause issues down the road? It's not something I'm familiar with, other than knowing what it looks like and that it's "bad".

I've heard of cribbing collars, but the BO doesn't like them.

I guess our main concern is that this is a gateway to higher expenses or bigger issues.

Thanks!
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#5 ·
First, he's a cribber. Second, he obviously has some sort of skin problem. Third, he's 10 y/o and has enough training/fear issues that he wouldn't be suitable for a youngster.

I wouldn't knowingly buy a cribber, and certainly wouldn't buy one who has something wrong with his skin so much that he's rubbed all the hair off his head.

For $3,500 your friends could buy a healthy, NOT spooky, noncribber. Pass.
 
#19 ·
First, he's a cribber. Second, he obviously has some sort of skin problem. Third, he's 10 y/o and has enough training/fear issues that he wouldn't be suitable for a youngster.

For $3,500 your friends could buy a healthy, NOT spooky, noncribber. Pass.
That. ^^^
His spookiness alone would make me walk away. Not suitable for a beginner.

I have a cribber, so that isn't a deal breaker for me. Besides the cribbing (which is 90% controlled by a collar), he's a saint. :wink:
 
#6 ·
I personally would not buy that horse. Cribbing is destructive and if he is going to be shown I don't think he would show well with the lack of hair on his face and body. With regards to his spookiness, fear of cross ties and wash stalls it would take some work to desensitize him for showing purposes. And, the asking price in our neck of the woods, with the gaps in training evident would be way too much. Just my opinion without having seen him.
 
#8 ·
Personally, that horse in that situation would be a huge NO to me.

Would I buy a horse that cribs? I might....but I would have HUGE reasons for overcoming what is usually a deal breaker for me.

If the horse have great talent, I might decide to override my better judgement.

Cribbing has so many downsides..,

* it tears up fencing, barns, everything

* requires keeping a tight cribbing collar which requires almost daily care to avoid rubbing holes in the horse's neck

* is often accompanied by gastric ulcers that can cause digestive problems

and so many other things I would have to decide to deal with.
 
#9 ·
Cribbing has so many downsides..,

* is often accompanied by gastric ulcers that can cause digestive problems
*snipped*

THAT was probably my biggest concern. I plan to talk to the Mom tonight. I might need to encourage them to lease a different horse right away. My fear (if it were my kid), would be her falling in love with an unsuitable horse. While I WILL disappoint my child for her safety (and my pocketbook)...I don't see any reason to cause her heartache if it can be avoided.
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#10 ·
No I wouldnt normaly do so.

I can tolerate weavers and box walkers but I personaly cannot copee with cribbers or windsuckers as it drives me batty!

Even if the horse wasnt a cribber It would not be suitable for a novice and certainly not at that price.
 
#11 ·
I would pass on him.

Have they looked at many horses or is he one of a few?

My advice, which I'm sure you know but for their sake, is to enlist the help of a few trainers, or fellow horse owners who are knowledge. Take time in finding the right one. This guy sounds sweet but for being 10? Nope, not even for $1000. I know PLENTY of well trained and mannered horse, both young and old, who are selling for $3500 or less.
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#17 ·
Have they looked at many horses or is he one of a few?

My advice, which I'm sure you know but for their sake, is to enlist the help of a few trainers, or fellow horse owners who are knowledge. Take time in finding the right one. This guy sounds sweet but for being 10? Nope, not even for $1000. I know PLENTY of well trained and mannered horse, both young and old, who are selling for $3500 or less.
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This is the 3rd horse they have considered. I'm trying to encourage them to lease for at least a year first...that way they know their daughter is really dedicated to the blood sweat and tears that come with horses and riding. Kitten (my daughter) took lessons for 18 months (leased our horse for 9 months) before we agreed to purchase a horse. She was begging us for a horse from day 1, but my husband and I stayed firm.

I worry that they are rushing things. I'm guess I just need to reassure myself that I'm not looking for problems that don't exist just because they are not doing things the way I would.

I really appreciate y'all's opinions and plan to share your responses with the family tonight.
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#13 · (Edited)
My neighbor is looking for a horse for her daughter (age 10). The daughter and the parents have almost no experience with horses. They are where my family was two years ago. :). The BO where we ride and take lessons has a horse that the girl is trying for a month...he's a real sweet boy... But has a few issues:

1). He cribs on EVERYTHING. The fence, the feed tray, his lead rope. The BO says he hasn't been doing it for long, but our trainer says that looking at his neck, this habit has been around for awhile.

2). He rubs his hair off. The horse has no hair on his face and multiple bare spots on his body. He also seems to be very gassy and makes a funny noise when trotting (trainer says its a gut noise).

3). He can be spooky on the ground. He is terrified of cross ties and the wash stall.

4) There are gaps in his training. He's 10 and has no idea how to pick up his leads.

Our trainer thinks he has a nice personality, but had the same concerns we do. She thinks with training the gaps in his knowledge can be fixed. The other issues could be more difficult.

So, knowing this horse is 10 and the family wants him for a beginning rider. The horse would be an all-rounder. They would want to be able to ride him at play days, work him Western pleasure (local shows), and trail ride. The BO is asking $3,500. (Average cost around here is between $1,500 and $4,000)

Would you buy this horse?
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NO.......

I won't touch a cribber, period. Add to that he's spooky on the ground, you can't put him in the wash rack or crossties and he's got holes in his training and I'd run away screaming.

I have a gorgeous, 7 yo mare who does NONE of that and I still wouldn't sell her to a beginner. She's even been shown at Nationals, but I don't cosider her an appropriate mount for a beginner child. And her price is not that much higher than what this barn owner is asking. They can do a LOT better.
 
#14 ·
It's funny because when the daughter is riding him, he's not spooky at all. Heck, our mare kicked at him because he got too close to her rear and he just stopped and stood there. He's been very forgiving of the daughter's ignorance. For those reasons we really like this horse.

It wasn't until I went to put him in the wash stall to hose him off after a ride that we discovered his phobia of the wash stall. The cross ties was another unexpected discovery.

The gaps in his training were discovered by our trainer at last night's lesson. The BO's daughter is selling him as a "great barrel prospect". Our trainer won't tell us what to do because with this being the BO's horse, she has a conflict of interest...but I can tell she likes the horse's personality, but doesn't like the other issues I mentioned.
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#18 ·
I would lease the horse 1st. Based on what you've said I personally not buy a him. He doesn't sound like a horse for a beginner, and he has to many issues for the price they are asking. Have you loaded him in a trailer, or road him out alone yet?
 
#20 ·
That is another concern, trailering. With his fear of "enclosed" spaces, I'm not sure how well he trailers....and I'm not quite willing to risk my trailer to find out.

We have ridden him on short rides around the barn (some nights I will have the girls leave the arena and we will walk around the grounds, by the lake and past the barn). I like to do this with our horse, just to give her variety and avoid her becoming arena sour.

The gelding did fine on the "trail". Of course, I was on the ground walking next to him for safety. I have no idea how he would do away from home at shows or parades.
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#21 ·
I would only buy a cribber if they were a 5' jumper, and in my price range - which is never going to happen.

Even without the cribbing, I would not buy this horse with its other issues. Add to that the terribly inflated price, and it's a no go all around for me.
 
#22 ·
Not only would I say no on this particular horse, 99.9% of the time I would also pass on one being sold by the BO.

The BO doesn't "like" cribbing collars, well what else doesn't she "like" and how intrusive is she going to be once this horse is purchased? Life can get really miserable really fast when you have someone who is busy telling you what you can and cannot do with YOUR horse simply because they used to own him.

You are also getting zero input from the trainer because it's the BO's horse. I understand and respect her decision to stay out of this BUT that's not the way to buy a horse! You want to look at horses that the trainer can give her complete unbiased opinion on them and their suitability for the rider.
 
#23 ·
Another pass. Cribbers seem to destroy everything (my neighbor has one, and I've seen them in a boarding barns) and have health issues on a way. Plus other issues. Plus he's way over-priced. Even around here (and MD is not a cheap state) you can find something decent, not-cribber, and cheaper. I'd just keep looking...
 
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#24 ·
To simplify things I've said BO, but the actual seller is the BO's 19 year old daughter.

BOD is one of those girls who believes she's the best horse/rider trainer ever. Her mother, the BO believes this as well. Many of the owners in the area agree...if all they want to do is barrel race.

The problem is, I have seen better horses/riders/trainers because we venture outside the local horse scene. BOD was teaching my neighbors daughter some really bad habits...I convinced them to try our instructor. Especially since their DD doesn't really know what she wants to do. She thinks she likes barrel racing, but also thinks she wants to show. We're taking her to a show with us this weekend, so she can see what it's all about.
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#25 ·
**Update**

Last night we went out to the barn. Kitten and her horse needed to practice for our show this weekend so ND and her family decided to ride in the smaller arena to allow Ius to focus.

Well, both horses were having off nights (I don't know where Acey's brain was!). Cribber took the bit between his teeth and just refused to listen to ND. At one point, he crow hopped when she tried to turn him away from the corner (where he would just stop and stand).

So the BOD (seller) hopped on and he was just as bad for her.

The parents were on the fence before, but after Cribber scared ND, they are quite firm that they will not be purchasing this horse.

I did share the responses here and they were very appreciative to get the opinions from folks not involved in the process. I think it really helped them to see just how many people felt the horse is overpriced for his level.

OH! I also found out that BOD purchased Cribber for $500. It seems she is trying to start a business "flipping horses". Buy them cheap, train them a little and sell for a profit. I fear we're going to see a lot more horses like this at our barn. :(
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#26 ·
I also found out that BOD purchased Cribber for $500. It seems she is trying to start a business "flipping horses". Buy them cheap, train them a little and sell for a profit.
A lot of folks do that. While I don't think that's a bad way to do business, it's definitely unethical if you're trying to deliberately pawn off an unsuitable animal onto someone who has no clue. Especially if those someones are buying that unsuitable animal for a CHILD, and the seller knows it. :-x

Glad your friends saw the light and will be passing on this horse. There are plenty of suitable horses out their for their daughter that won't cost nearly as much as this cribber with shaky health and a 'tude.
 
#27 ·
While I have no problem with horse flipping as a business concept, its probably a great way to give horses a fresh start, my issue is with this particular person.

The fact that she paid $500 3 weeks ago and wants to sell him for $3,500 as a barrel prospect...when the horse cannot even pick up his leads is concerning. The fact that she considers this horse "finished" and recommended him for a green rider, really bothers me.

I'm concerned that this new business will open up the barn to a whole bunch of half trained animals with green riders in the arena. It could become dangerous to practice! Thank goodness our trainer is always willing to make space for us at her barn if things get bad. Right now I love the two covered and lighted arenas (the trainer's arena is 1/2 the size and uncovered), but I will move our horse if we no longer feel safe.
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#28 ·
Green on green equals black and blue. I'm glad they decided to pass, and I hope they find what they want. If there are any big trainers around, they often have horses for lease or sale. If not, they can at least point you in the right direction.

I just started horse shopping for my son. He has some riding experience, but I would never consider a horse like that, even if his goal was not showing.
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#29 ·
HOLY COW! at that price not way. There are so many people who sell who only see the $$$ and not the fit of the horse to the rider. can the cribbing be controlled by a crib collar or no?.. just wondering on that one. A horse like that in my area may... and i say may very loosely.. go for $500. I would advise them to shop around. Dreamhorse.com or Equine.com are great websites. I wish them the best of luck, but that horse you just described is bound to get them hurt with their lack of experience. =[
 
#30 ·
Putting the horse's behavioral problems aside...

My 25 y/o is a cribber, and I won't willingly bring home another cribber unless the horse has some amazing talent under saddle. It's not worth the destruction to my stalls, his teeth, or his health.

However, my friend recently bought a TB that cribs mildly when she's grained, but it's controlled easily with a collar that's only put on when she gets her grain. That kind of situation I wouldn't have much of a problem with.
 
#31 ·
I'd never buy a cribber regardless of his/her skills.

I'd could get over the damage and using a collar etc but the noise just drives me nuts! I can't stand horses that crib all the time. I had one once.

Maybe you or the trainer should talk to this family about what they should be looking for, because just hearing about this horse most people on here are backing away, but these people were already leasing it.

A child's horse must be very easy to handle on the ground and have solid basic training under saddle. These points should never be negotiated on but this gelding had neither of these!
 
#32 ·
Monday was this child's first day with an instructor (I convinced them to use ours, because she is awesome!).

The parents are...impulsive...to put it mildly. They love to indulge their daughter and sometimes act before they think. Luckily, their daughter is a sweet girl and not rotten like some kids with indulgent parents. They seem determined to buy their child a horse because she doesn't want to wait.

I've actually been working in convincing the daughter that she doesn't want to own a horse until she is sure s/he is the perfect horse for her. I think I'm making progress on that front. She trusts me and usually wants my opinion...so I'm not shy about sharing.
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#33 ·
I am glad that she is not going to buy that horse.

1. I would not buy a cribber.
2. I would not buy an animal with skin problems.
3. I would not buy a barrel horse that can't take the correct leads.
4. I would not buy a spooky horse for a child.

There are too many nice horse out there, especially if you have $3,500 to work with.
 
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