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My First Horse Young Untrained or Older Trained?

7K views 15 replies 12 participants last post by  danastark 
#1 ·
I am looking to buy my first horse at 40 years old and I am working with a trainer where I will be also boarding the horse. After looking at several different types I am settled on a draft preferably Belgian, Percheron or Clyde but not in that order. Looking to do primarily trail riding and driving. No intention of showing, hunting, jumping or any of that stuff.

My trainer is trying to steer me away from buying a young 2-3 year old untrained horse. The trainers reason is possible cause of injury to me. I am 5'7 200 lbs so by no means small and I am athletic even at that build. My trainer would prefer I get a horse already trained who would only need a little work if any.

I would prefer a younger horse as one I would like to have a greater hand in training the horse. My other thought on a younger one, is I would have some time to learn how to just take care of the horse and learn some ground work. Then in a few months or a year when the horse is ready to be trained in riding and driving I can concentrate on that as I will already have an good start on the basics of care.

What I am looking for here is a different opinion from someone other than my trainer. My trainer was my first contact and while I do trust her. I have also learned as in other things in life to trust, but verify. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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#2 ·
If you are still learning the basics of care, you don't need an untrained horse. :wink: You need to be an accomplished rider before you can even think about a green horse. Get the older horse; they are a lot less trouble! (And you're less likely to get hurt or ruin a horse.) I have a greenish four-year-old who drives me mad. Can't do anything fun with her.
 
#5 ·
I think it's all according to how quickly you wish to get going. With a young horse, it might be a couple of years before you have him trained well enough to ride/drive him yourself. Also, a young horse might have not been handled well or much. Might have some bad habits.

An older horse, properly trained and as bomb proof as possible, you can ride/drive right away. Hoooowever, it will likely cost a good deal more than an untrained youngster.

Both of our last sales of Gypsy Horses, were young, well handled and sold to older ladies who wanted to grow and learn with them. But everyone is different. Tons of wonderful young Gypsies around right at reasonable prices. Most handled a lot and they are wonderful first horses to ride and drive. As we grow older, we sometimes like a horse a little closer to the ground - although there are some tall Gypsies.

Whatever you choose, I suggest spending time with the horse for a while to see if you connect. One of our sales recently, went to a lady who flew from NY to California, to spend the weekend with the horse she was thinking of purchasing.

Lizzie
 
#6 ·
I agree with the above posters... to a point. You did mention that this is your first horse to own but you didn't state whether you have had any other kind of experience in the past with horses. Either on the ground or in the saddle. We're all assuming that you haven't had any kind of experience and in that case I would definitely tend to suggest a previously trained horse as someone already stated you will be able to ride/drive them now instead of waiting. The most important thing IMO... and that is what you asked for afterall... ;-) is that you go an look at horses available around you in your price range, take your trainer with you, and work around the horse. You will know almost right away if you and the horse are suited for each other. Personality-wise at least. Then, because you're new with horses.. or I assume you are, I'd visit the one's that you like a few more times before making a final decision. It's not something to jump into without thinking it through and making sure it's the "right" choice before you buy.

Good luck on finding your new horse.. and remember, we're all here to give advice to you :)
 
#7 ·
You will be a much better horse trainer after you have had a few years just being a rider and letting your first horse "train" you. It's like parenting, we usually do so much better with the second, third child.
How lucky you are to get a first horse. Don't think of the "old" one as OLD. A ten year old horse is NOT old.
 
#8 ·
I have very limited experience riding but I am not shy in the saddle or on the ground. Have done some handling experience but what I would say is very minimal. The two I have looked at have been handled alot, lead cross tie and both of them backed up for me willingly without much problem at all and only light pressure on their breast. They also lead very well with a slack lead and followed me with no problem. One a mare will be two in June the other a gelding 3 in May both Clydes. Planning to look at a Belgian in a week or so. Also going to the PA Farm show to talk with some of the breeders there and the Pennsylvania Draft sale right after that. So planning on a significant amount of looking yet. Just want to make sure its in the best direction.
 
#10 ·
As said before, you didn't say what, if any, experience you have with horses. If you're a somewhat experienced rider and know how to work/train a horse, just remember that training a horse is very time consuming and doesn't happen in a short time. Training a horse to ride will take 1-2 hours a day, 5 days a week at least and for several weeks. If you are having someone train it for you, that could cost a good chunk of money. If you are learning the ropes yourself, you would be better off getting an older, well trained horse to learn from. You'll have less stress and headaches.
 
#12 ·
Training a horse to ride will take 1-2 hours a day, 5 days a week at least and for several weeks.
That's all? If that were the case, then everyone with some free time could do it. I think training in an ongoing process that takes years and years. If it was something that could be done in several weeks, well, all I would have to do is stash my colt in a pasture somewhere, pull him out when he is 3, spend a few weeks with him and viola, riding horse! But it doesn't work that way (does it?).

I think you are probably just referring to the saddle breaking process, but still.....even if you send a horse out to a trainer for breaking, isn't the usual 90 days? And that is if the horse is ready to go with ground manners and everything. Then you get the horse back and have to put tons of mileage on it, hoping you and the horse do well together without have to use to the trainer after that.

I dunno, but I expect to spend years training my colt, even if I end up having a trainer do the first 90 days under saddle. Maybe I'm just making life harder than it is?
 
#11 ·
Don't think having a horse already trained somehow takes the fun or learning out of it. On the contrary, a horse already trained lets you have fun and learn right away.

There is a saying that goes "horses train people, then people train horses." In other words get a good horse to help train you, then after a number of years you can get a horse to train.

Maybe you will be a lot more successful than I am (although horses are my lifelong passion and I haven't stopped learning about them since I was a kid) but I have had horses for about 16 years, and I am only just now training my first one from the ground up. And it's harder than I thought it would be. :shock:

But look at it this way, if you get a horse with training you can skip much of the frustration and trouble and actually enjoy the horse (and learn) right away. There will be plenty to learn with even a well broke horse, and you can still do all the groundwork and stuff with them too.

So it's up to you, but almost everyone who has had horses for a while can agree that it's enough of a challenge for a first time owner with even a properly trained horse, much less a horse without training.

Good luck with your search. I would love to own a draft! :)
 
#13 ·
Going with the group here. You will most likely have much more fun and learn safely from a horse who has some experience. Young ones can be really tough, as some here have stated. They may lead fine today-then tomorrow they act stupid-you react incorrectly, and it becomes a major issue. They are MUCH more impressionable, for the most part, than a horse who has been around the block a few times.

I also agree with geldings being less "complicated"....just personal preference.

I disagree that the youngsters are less $$. Yes, the initial outlay of cash may be less, but you have to consider the time you will have them until they are rideable (at least I do), which can add thousands, depending upon your board. You will also, most likely, have to pay someone to do the initial breaking for you, since it doesn't sound like you have the ability?
All of a sudden a $10 Belgian baby (the last one I was REALLY tempted on at an auction) becomes a $4000 horse easily by the time they are rideable.

I just think one with a bit more age is more of a "known" commodity. They are less apt to dramatically change over time. Youngsters are still developing, both physically and mentally.

Good luck-I love the drafties too-you might even look at Frog Pond draft horse rescue-they have some nice ones for adoption. And they will tell you exactly what you are getting. Great people. Very knowledgable on drafts.
 
#14 ·
I thank everyone for their assistance and will now be directing my attention in looking for an older already trained horse. The younger Clydes I looked at yesterday were affordable for me ($2k and under)and the cost of training over the long run was not an issue. However the trained ones I looked at were $4500 and up and not looking to spend that much out of pocket all right away. Going to look at a Belgian and a Percheron soon that are already trained older. Thanks again for everyones help.
 
#16 ·
I understand your wanting a horse that isn't carrying any "baggage" from previous owners but there really are great horses out there that will bond with you and have no issues. Even if you do get a horse that isn't the most personable at first, if you treat them well, they will come around. We have a 17 yr. old large pony we bought and he was a wonderful horse to ride but scared of us on the ground. Now about 4 years later, he is such a character and it makes me feel so great to see his personality coming out. In the meantime, he is the pony/horse that everyone wants to ride. He knows his job and does it and I didn't have any hand in that. You will derive much more pleasure in getting a horse you can ride and learn from. I am just finishing up my 6 yr. old that I've had since he was 11 mos. old and got another baby and part of me is wondering "What am I doing?" Training is not all fun..... takes a lot of experience and patience. Have you considered a draft cross. My gelding is a draft cross, he's huge and a great horse but considerably cheaper than a pure draft. Just a thought. Goodluck to you!
 
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