How did you "find" your trail horse?

Thanks everyone! While I'm sidelined and I can't go to work, I figured I could at least shop online and see what's out there. I doubt I'll get clearance to climb on a horse for at least 6 months. Before he left my hospital room (after I asked him when I could ride again) my doctor gave me a pretty big piece of his mind and included some muttering about death wish and psychiatrist.... He's a really negative man.

I'm planning my return very carefully. I think I'll start by taking some lessons. Don't laugh.
A beginner safe horse in an arena will let me know if my mind has healed as well as my bones. I had to rebuild my confidence once and if I have to I can do it again, but I'm hoping it won't be necessary. I won't know though until I settle into the saddle. If it's ok, I'll be looking for a total confidence builder. I figure by the time I'm really riding again, I'll be 65. I don't care if the horse is safe with kids --- they bounce!!! I think my question will be "Would you put your granny on him?" LOLOL

Taking lessons sounds like an excellent idea!! No matter your riding level/experience, EVERYONE can benefit from lessons. I'm planning on taking some myself this winter.

Agreed. I'm just saying, those folks at the Olympics didn't get there by NOT taking lessons...

I am also not quite as young as some of the kids on this forum. (almost 55). The days of me rescuing throw away horses and retraining them are over. If I were in your shoes, I would look for an absolutely dead broke horse. I also think that you are wise to do the lesson thing. We all would love to see you keep riding. But if you decide not to keep riding, that is an ok decision. I have had young people tell me that horse back riding is a dangerous and very stupid sport. My doctor says the same thing. I plan to ignore that doctor's advice.

I really hope that you get all better real soon. You have plenty of time to find a horse. I would wait for the perfect one. You can't afford a "cheap" horse. They are way too expensive unless you are one of those bouncing kids.

I got Dancer from a trail riding place down in the outer banks of NC. (I would warn you to be really careful if that's the route you go, though.) Dancer did trail rides for tourists for 4 hours a day for 6 days a week. I was so naive when I got him that I thought him to be a really quiet, slow going mount for me to learn on. I was wrong. Once I got him home he was basically on retirement. He fattened up and his true personality came out. He's still a great horse but I've had to put a lot of work into him and I don't think he's a beginner horse anymore.

HagsonNags...I think taking lessons is a good idea. I took some. I, too, got my butt busted (really my leg - my butt wasn't involved!) trying a horse after not riding for 26 years. Talk about a confidence killer.

Biscuit has helped me gain confidence but he has had his moments. He is NEVER crazy though - and isn't a spooky fellow. LOL Biscuit became MY Heart Horse after I had had him for 8 months. Young hogs literally exploded out from under his feet and all he did was jump a little. It took me a long time to get attached to him - I didn't want to lose objectivity about him.

Lessons on my other horse helped my confidence, Biscuit has a trainer that works with him and I rode him 530 miles last year. Slowly but surely my confidence rises and so will yours. I can't tell you how many times I have rode with my heart in my throat!!!

Look for that non spooky horse - a spooky horse would make me a nervous wreck!!

My 'gamble horse' paid off for me, but it's not for everyone. I think taking it slow and building confidence with lessons is a great plan - and the trainer you go to for lessons will probably be a great asset in helping you find a good horse.

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you get better!

One was saved from slaughter. The other was bought from an Auction and too much horse for the kid he was for so they gave him to me

I called a trail riding barn that only sells horses that aren't good trail horses...The worst way to get a good one. But, it turned out all my horse needed was a little training and desensitizing to be fantastic on trails. He's many peoples worst nightmare on trails because of his clumsiness and bouncy gaits, what matters to me though is a horse that you can trust to be calm and focused in a risky situation.

"Stupid"....

The very idea! "Priceless" is what it really is....
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