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Buying a horse that's right for you.

111K views 219 replies 151 participants last post by  poncHo4321 
#1 ·
Okay, folks, I think it’s time we get realistic about buying horses and what you need to look for when you are buying.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, recognize your experience and ability for what it is. Take a scrutinizing look and quit lying to yourself. If you can semi-confidently w/t/c around an arena on a school horse, that does not mean that you are an experienced rider capable of taking on a green horse. You need to be looking for a finished horse that knows his job but needs a rider that can ask properly. That way, when you are riding correctly, he’ll do the job right and he’ll let you know when you are riding poorly by doing the job poorly.

Between the horse and rider, there needs to be a combined ability level of expert. What I mean by that is this, if you are completely new to riding, then you need a horse that has been everywhere, done everything, and has proven himself cool and calm in even the most exciting of situations. You need an old schoolmaster. As the rider’s ability and knowledge increases, they can safely begin to ride horses that are less than finished.

There is a good reason for the old saying “green+green= black and blue”. A new rider paired with a green horse will almost always end up with one or both of them hurt and/or ruined. If the horse knows nothing, then the rider better damn sure know what a good horse is and know how to create one.

Next, make a list of what you want and need in a horse. If you are wanting a good trail horse that you can relax on and gain some confidence with, then don’t take a second look at the reject barrel horse that is being sold because he flipped over backward and broke his last rider’s leg.

Make a list of the things that are a necessity, things that would be nice to have but aren’t a “must”, and things that will be avoided at all cost and stick to it.

Example:

Must haves: Neck reining, trail experience, arena experience, good stop, good leg yield, calm with crowds and large groups of other horses, okay with kids, clips, ties, loads, not spooky.

Nice but not necessity: Solid flying changes, consistent sidepass, patterned on barrels or poles, started in dressage/reining/cutting/jumping/etc.

Avoid at all cost: Cribbers, biters, kickers, buckers, buddy or barn sour, aggressive with other horses in turnout.

Stick to your list, no matter what, and don’t compromise. Don’t horse shop with your heart because your heart will fool you into thinking that you can handle something that you are not ready for. Don’t shop strictly for color, either. While there is nothing wrong with having a particular color in mind, don’t compromise on the conformation, temperament, training, or ability just to get the color. You’ll be much happier with a plain chestnut that has a great personality and is a proven winner than with a buckskin that bucks you off in the ring and bites when you try to pet him.

“But Sparky is so pretty, I’m sure I can help him to get over his problem with rearing”. No, you can’t and you’ll end up hurt if you try. Leave the beautiful Sparky for someone who has dealt with a rearing horse successfully before. The fact is, the first time you handle a horse with a particular problem like rearing or bucking or bolting, you need to have someone there who is experienced who can tell you what to do and give advice on what works and what doesn't.

If you are on your own and have never dealt with an aggressive horse or a horse with a serious and dangerous vice like bucking, bolting, or rearing, don’t bring one home with the hopes that you can figure it out as you go along. Even more importantly, don’t bring home a monster with the deluded idea that you can “cure” him with love and end up with a “majikal bond”. It doesn't work that way. The horse will get worse and you will get hurt.

“I want to get a young horse so that we can learn together”. That is the most naive and asinine idea that there ever was and someone will end up hurt. Young horses are completely unpredictable and unpredictability with an inexperienced rider or handler is always dangerous.

It happens all the time and I can currently think of at least 3 open threads about this exact thing and the stream of them seems to be never ending.
“I’m a beginner and I am trying to train my horse but they are doing <insert misbehavior here>. What do I do?”

I know that many people who know nothing about horses tend to jump in head first without checking to see how deep the water is and that’s why I’m writing this post, in hopes of maybe educating some people so that they can save themselves, and an innocent horse, a lot of trouble.

I enjoy books and movies like The Black Stallion, National Velvet, My Friend Flicka, and the like as much as anyone but I think it’s time we get realistic. Love doesn't train a horse. Nobody can take a horse that has behavioral issues like bucking, bolting, rearing, biting, kicking, charging, etc, etc, etc and re-train it to be a perfect, respectful companion with nothing but hugs and kisses and sugar cubes. It simply doesn't work that way.

9 times out of 10, that horse that you brought home because he was free or just really cheap will cost you much more money in the long run (between trainer costs and hospital/vet bills) than if you had just went ahead and spent a bit of cash on a well broke horse to begin with.

The most important rule that any potential horse buyer can follow is this: DO NOT buy a horse that is beyond your ability to handle and/or ride.

If you are a complete beginner, then you do not want to go buy, adopt, or take home the first horse you see that’s “pretty”, especially if it’s an unhandled yearling, or worse, a stud. A free horse is never free and if a young, pretty horse is being given away for free, then there is some reason for it. Normally, it's not a good one either.

Maybe the horse is unhandled, in which case it is certainly not suitable for a beginner; maybe the horse is lame or sick, in which case it is not suitable for a beginner because there are many things that come with caring for a lame or sick horse that a beginner doesn't know or understand and that could cause more suffering on the horse’s part.

More often than not, young horses that are green broke or advertised as “broke” are being given away for free or very small charge because they are dangerous or have serious vices or behavioral issues. None of those things are suitable for beginners.

Also, let me clarify one thing. Just because you have been taking lessons or riding broke horses for 5 or 10 or 20 years, that does not automatically qualify you to buy an untrained horse and train it yourself. There is a very big difference between being able to recognize/ride a made horse and being able to create one. A person should work their way up to working with untrained horses.

All children and beginners should start out with a horse very much like this one, very well trained and responsive but at the same time, docile and a bit lazy.


As a person gains experience and ‘feel’, then they can begin working their way up to green horses. The best way to do this is by working under a trainer or hiring a trainer to work with you.

I had been riding for about 10 years before I ever set foot on a horse that was less than finished. It was about 5 years after that when I successfully trained one from scratch (under the watchful eye of a professional trainer). I trained one other on my own a couple of years before that but I’ll be the first to admit that it was a mistake. I wasn't ready and the horse paid the price. Thankfully, I had the means to give him a forever home so he didn't end up on a killer truck.

I’ve been riding now for about 25 years and training (mostly my own horses until recently) for a little over 10 and I still don’t know how to handle certain things that come up with green horses: for instances like that, I still have my professional trainer to turn to. To believe that someone who had been riding a schoolmaster for 5 years would know when to push and when to back off on a greenie by themselves is ludicrous.

There are a great many things that simply cannot be taught over internet forums or chat rooms.

Will be continued in next post...too much text.
 
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#54 ·
I like Westphalian very much and I prefer this.

Originally bred as working and farm animals, the Westphalian horse was created to improve German horse stocks in the 18th century. Many records of the bloodlines were destroyed throughout the turmoil in Germany during the early 20th century, however the breed persisted as a popular sporting horse anyway.

 
#57 ·
Excellent post and like other's have said, glad that it's stickied.

I'm one that hasn't had much luck at all in finding the right horse. I've done everything that has been suggested in all the threads and have spent a ton of cash, still w/o the right horse. Hence, me taking a huge emotional and mental break from riding.

That said, I love riding, love horses and it's always been a dream to have one. Nothing outstanding, just a good ole been there, done that citizen that has little issue and only wants to jaunt around the neighborhood or trail ride.

The little boy in the video is amazing! Made me grin to watch him ride, grin more to hear him talk. Loved the 'yes, m'am", garsh, isn't he adorable?? A perfect match and a good example of what to look for.

Horses like that aren't a dime a dozen, at least not in my neck of the woods. Here, most people will sell you whatever it is they think you want, don't stoop to drugging a horse and a good trainer is near to impossible to find. By "good", I mean one that has YOUR best interest at heart, not theirs.

Seeing that video just makes my day. Thanks for posting it!
 
#58 ·
I would love some advice! I am a long time horse lover but have never been able to ride due to allergies. Recently learned and tested with Curlies with success and would now love to learn to ride. It doesn't help that I am head over heels for one of the geldings at the ranch. Only issue is that I obviously still dont know how to ride and can't take lessons anywhere due to the presence of normal coated horses. Any suggestions from the more experienced and knowledgable thread members would be appreciated :)
 
#61 ·
Our instructors often come to our barn to teach lessons. Would you be able to hire someone to come to you instead? If you have a place where you have been around the curly horses then likely you could find a way to ride there. It may cost more, but i suppose that is to be expected. Worth a shot though if you have a place you could ride if you knew how.
 
#59 ·
I've bought 2 horses so far & although they are both "good horses" neither one has turned out to be what I was looking for or thought I was buying. I needed a beginner horse & both seemed well trained & easy for me to handle at the beginning but they have both realized how inexperienced I am and have started to push & test me.
A horse friend of mine said that no matter how good the horse is over time they will come down to the level of their rider. I'm taking some lessons with them & it's helping but I have a lot to learn.
I'm looking for a good kids horse for my 7 year old daughter. She started riding pony club & gymkhana this year and she is confident but still figuring out using voice & legs before reins. She rode both of our horses on her own at the beginning of the summer but now is having trouble (they've stopped listening because she doesn't stop pulling) so I've gone back to leading her with them using halter only. I've found lots of ponies/small horses that sound pretty good but I'm listening to my spidey senses more now and won't rush into anything until I find the horse (and seller) that we really need!
 
#60 ·
No rider is ever past the point of needing lessons, there is always something more you can learn. My trainer who has 30+ years of walker training and has been in the saddle since she could walk still takes lessons -everyone has something different to offer and something for you to learn.

I think it is great that you are taking lessons on those horses as it will teach you how to be a better rider. Even more, I think it is great you recognized that and that you are willing to make th effort to become better, kudos!
 
#62 ·
Horses can be hard to train Bud he is aunry sometimes only my fiance can ride him because he is more experienced than I am he threw me off last year and I was hurt on my arm quite a bit and I didnt cry either but it got better I got back on a horse 6 months later and thats my good horse Baxter hes calm and gentle as can be
 
#66 ·
I wish this was around when I bought my first horse. I was 16 and he was 17 but acted like an idiot. he was heard bound, hadnt worked in years and didnt care much for people. He would run me over, take off. I have now learned and I didnt get hurt. I am now 20 and I'm still looking for something trained. I would love to have an ottb like my last boy but he was extremly well behaved
 
#67 ·
This is a really great posts. It's awesome that this thread is stickied and (hopefully) everyone will read it before they do something silly.

P.S that boy is absolutely adorable - I literally squeed when he said "yes ma'am" and I hope I can ride as well as him one day :P
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#70 ·
Confidence builder?/Right horse?

As of right now, I'm on hiatus from having a horse. It hurts not having one however trying to find that right one has been horrible. Finding a trainer has been even more difficult. Below is a horse that I called about, probably close to 2 1/2yrs ago when I was looking for a solid, been there, done that, easy confidence builder. I was VERY upfront and told the seller that I had confidence issues. I never, ever make myself sound to be a better rider than I actually am, which I hear a lot of, but am truthful to save everyone time and NOT to be matched with the wrong horse.

When I was told about this horse and the "accident" that happened, something just didnt' feel right so I told the seller that it just didn't sound like a good match, so, driving the 2plus hours to her facilty wasn't going to happen. She was a bit put out, telling me this was an awesome horse, the woman had only owned him a short time, was a total novice and there was no issue to be had with the horse. So, take a peek and tell me: does this sound like a beginner horse to you all?? or am I just being picky??

My horse was owned by a very timid rider. She would rarely lope him, mostly just walk-jog. If he ever lifted his head or tilted an ear in the wrong direction, she would get off put him up. Well, long story short, they had a VERY bad accident together and she was almost killed. She was found unconscious below him with a broken back, several fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. He was still completely tacked up (and still wearing his cribbing strap too, btw). No one knows what truly happened. I have my theory, but they are just a theory. Many people blamed him and told her to give up on him and put him down. I honestly don't believe what happened to them was his fault at all. That being said, in the two and half + years I've owned him, he has become a much more confident horse who looks to me for responses. I'm not saying he won't still have his moments, but he has gone from a Western walk/jog horse ONLY to now one who can do Western, English, Trail, Pattern classes, jump and even dressage. And now we are working on flying lead changes! (We can sometimes get them two handed. We'll get there). And just today I won high point with him at the local show I took him to!

This horse needs something like Perfect Prep Gold to help him with the anxiety that his former owner instilled in him. He just can't do the whole show atmosphere without a little booster. But then 99% of the time he has become a calm, wonderful mount who will never leave me! I love my horse ... can you tell?


Anyway, Perfect Prep is completely legal in all show divisions. It doesn't "drug" them ... more like ADD medicine for horses!
 
#71 ·
I would keep looking myself. I'm a lot like you about riding I don't pretend that I'm better then I am, and wish horse people wouldn't pretend their horses are more then they are either ;-) If you get that kind of weird feeling like something just isn't right I would follow my gut. I'm more timid about riding then my sister yet she hasn't been on horses on a consistant basis since we were teenagers but she gets right on and takes control and my horses listen to her right away and she doesn't give them time to take advantage of her. This horse might not give her new owner any problems just because of her confidence where as with a more timid rider who knows the kind of trouble it might get up to. I do a lot of reading about horses and riding and the one thing I wish that experts would do is write from the point of view of when they first started out and didn't know anything ;-) I think when some people sell their horses they sell the horse from their own riding ability. Just my opinion.
 
#72 ·
Thanks Chandra. I passed a few years ago and this popped up on another bb. I guess she'd forgotten that she tried to market him to me as a beginner's horse.

The woman selling/riding him is a "professional" and considers herself well versed in matching a rider to a horse. It's because of never ending stories and lies like this that's made me take a break in riding/looking for a horse.

I'm glad to know my interpretation of the description of this horse wasn't just my imagination:D
 
#74 ·
I've been on my quest to learn to ride for two years now. I do have a horse but I allowed people to convince me he was a great horse, and he is for a more experienced rider though. I just recently acquired a rocky mountain/quarter horse that is more suited to me.
I'm certain that I will offend someone with this statement but I now take everything that a horse expert tells me with a grain of salt I let them rattle on and smile. I recently went to look at a mare for my niece and it was the first time that I got on a horse that I didn't know and the guy had him in a barn for me to ride so we went around the barn and this mare wouldn't stop when I asked. I even told the man we live two hours out and its for a new rider who is 14 and he assured me it was a great horse, so I looked the guy in the eye and said this horse is too much for my niece and we left. That same week a friend of mine was in the process of getting her first horse and the owner of that horse allowed them two weeks to get to know this horse, she let them come out anytime they wanted to ride and see if the horse was going to be a good fit. I thought that was the most awesome thing for a owner to do, a lot of horses would end up in a better place with more people acting that way. Just my opinion ;-)
 
#75 ·
I have horse allergies myself I sneeze and my eyes get itchy. I just deal with it and try not to touch my face. I don't know how severe yours are so I can definately sympathize. This might sound crazy but I went on craigslist and posted looking for riding partner, plus I had seen a post on craigslist with someone who was looking for a partner to ride with. I got so many replies and met 3 great girls in the process and 2 who weren't a good fit. I could ride so so at that time and I'm much better now they were all experienced riders it has been the best experience of my life. I think that there are so many people out there who would love to have a riding partner but just don't know how to go about it. Hope it helps ;-)
 
#76 ·
My first horse was a heavy weight driving cob....I retrained with the help of my friend (who is a trainer by trade) but he did have a fabulous temperment laid back nature not bothered by anything, and wanted to please.
I seeked her advise before purchasing him also had him on loan for 6months...and we have been together ever since 15year later :) being patient is the way forward with horses. With some experience of training green horses and youngsters, I have decided to embark on training a young horse for myself, but still have a good friend to turn to if I need help.

Most important thing is if you have bitten off more than you can chew admit it! :)
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#77 ·
Ha ! Great Post. Love it! I have been riding since I was little, 20+ years now but I am far from an expert and will still send any horse I get to an excellent trainer, even if they are "broke". Take a trainer with you just like you would take a used car to a mechanic before you buy. There is absolutely no shame in needing help!
 
#82 ·
Expect to spend big$ with good trainers to find a ready-to-ride reliable horse. Finding a well trained, well behaved and sweet natured horse quickly is beginner's luck and just as common as happily marrying your high school sweetheart.
ONLY with experience can you gauge the progress of your younger horse. If you are too soft, your horse learns to be aggressive. If you are too aggressive your horse learns to fear.
You ruin it, and the horse keeps changing hands and getting worse.
I constantly assess my training sessions. I am bold when I need to be, and soothing when I need to be. Often I have to switch back and forth quickly to praise my younger horses right after they've been disciplined for a wrong behavior. This gives my horse a REASON to please me.
Save us a lot of trouble by not matching green + green.
 
#83 · (Edited)
I definitely, definitely learned this hard lesson. I totally figured that, just because I had been riding lessons horses for years meant that I could handle anything. I was so, so, so wrong. I bought my horse because he was nice to look at, and he was cheap, which I thought was a miracle but it was really a bad experience in disguise.

If this experience taught me anything, its that I know squat about horses compared to what I "thought I knew". I wont hesitate to state that I screwed up big time getting this horse and thinking we could work through it together. In the end, my own naive stupidity wasted a lot of money and let a lot of people down. But, you live and learn, and now I know. I wish people were more honest when selling thier horses, instead of sugar coating their true personalities with things like "I just don't have time.." or "I have too many.." or "hes dead broke but needs a confident rider with lots of experience" ...like.. what? Whats his issue then? What is it about him that you dont like enough to sell?

When I listed my horse for sale, I stated plainly that hes too much for a beginner rider, and he bucks. Thats his vice. He makes me nervous. Thats why I'm selling him. I was completely honest and I wish other people would be too. I actually got a tonne of replies, even with the blatant honesty. And most of those replies came from qualified people who had experience re-training buckers, save for one little girl who messaged me saying he was really pretty and reminded her of her old horse, but I turned her away, just because I couldn't live with myself if he hurt a child. Having that on your shoulders just isnt worth a quick sale, at least not to me. So yea. Yes, I screwed up, by being naive, but the seller should have been a little more honest with me in the first place. -.-
 
#84 ·
GOOD FOR YOU turning away the girl. You saved her from probably harm. I've gotten heat bc I sold a TB to the meat market after he pulled out his back on ice several years ago. I got him (free) when he was 8yo, and for the 8 years I had him he never completely turned himself around. DH and I were bucked off several times OR sat down on. When he slipped on the ice my Vet suggested a chiropractor. I put him in the trailer and sold him for MEAT. I KNEW that the next owner would be fooled as I was and would THINK he was a good mount, until he pulled his bag of tricks out. I figured that his age would attract a teenager looking for the first horse. He had abilities and could jump--I only took him over 4'5". but he could do more. You just pushed the wrong button for an explosion, and I didn't want to hear about a child being hurt. I didn't cause the problem, but I DID end it.
As we debate about the TV trainers here, please remember that THEY are training horses that turn out right. I would be happy to own a horse started and finished by Clinton Anderson, or Ken McNabb or Chris Cox or Craig Cameron any day of the week.
OA, hug yourself and move on. You've harmed no one.
 
#100 ·
taking responsibility

GOOD FOR YOU turning away the girl. You saved her from probably harm. I've gotten heat bc I sold a TB to the meat market after he pulled out his back on ice several years ago. I got him (free) when he was 8yo, and for the 8 years I had him he never completely turned himself around. DH and I were bucked off several times OR sat down on. When he slipped on the ice my Vet suggested a chiropractor. I put him in the trailer and sold him for MEAT. I KNEW that the next owner would be fooled as I was and would THINK he was a good mount, until he pulled his bag of tricks out. I figured that his age would attract a teenager looking for the first horse. He had abilities and could jump--I only took him over 4'5". but he could do more. You just pushed the wrong button for an explosion, and I didn't want to hear about a child being hurt. I didn't cause the problem, but I DID end it.
As we debate about the TV trainers here, please remember that THEY are training horses that turn out right. I would be happy to own a horse started and finished by Clinton Anderson, or Ken McNabb or Chris Cox or Craig Cameron any day of the week.
OA, hug yourself and move on. You've harmed no one.
I have to applaud you for your total honesty, its a shame more people don't have this attitude because if they did there would be fewer people out there owning problem horses/ponies. It annoys me when I hear a current owner being accused of causing a problem that most time they bought because the seller was either unscrupulous or just dumping a problem on someone else. Do Gooders are going along to auctions and feed lots and buying a cheap horse and thinking they are rescuing it but they often have no clue of how to deal with it or even why its there in the first place.
I have never been one to give up easily and always explore and try every reasonable way to sort a problem, there are lots of new methods and old ones out there and lots of better people than I am but now and again there are some horses out there that can't be fixed, maybe because they have an unsoundness thats beyond repair and they are in pain or maybe because their mental problem is just too complicated to sort out even by the most expert of people and hard though it might seem, the best place for them is that great pasture in the sky, either by having your veterinarian euthanise it on your yard or you take it direct to a local slaughter yard, its your choice but its also your responsibility. I would rather do that than pass a horse on to someone who doesn't know whats wrong with it or stick it in an auction and convince myself that its going to have a happy ending because that just isn't going to happen and while people are wasting time on these animals perfectly good ones are going to the slaughter yards because there aren't enough homes to go around.
Buy a horse that suits your needs and abilities. Its important to have a trainer for guidance and lessons but if after a while you are finding that you still can't handle or ride your horse without them then its time to move on.
 
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