Anybody Have a Horse?
- Thread starter rowdy ridgeback
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I've got a horse. A QH, good solid, sturdy and versatile.
Do you have the money to take care of horse?
Horses are *very* expensive. Grooming supplies, tack, farrier bill, vet bills and monthly board. Or do you have a farm?
If your sure your ready for a horse
What type of riding are you doing?
For a first horse, bombproof or "schoolies" are always a good choice. They're older horses that know the ropes. They can teach you a lot
What do you mean "these people are so shady"?
Do you have the money to take care of horse?
Horses are *very* expensive. Grooming supplies, tack, farrier bill, vet bills and monthly board. Or do you have a farm?
If your sure your ready for a horse
What type of riding are you doing?
For a first horse, bombproof or "schoolies" are always a good choice. They're older horses that know the ropes. They can teach you a lot
What do you mean "these people are so shady"?
L
Me, my mom and my step dad used to have 4. I had Smokey, a black quarter horse mix gelding; my step dad had Wildfire, a red quarter horse mare; I got Montana, a bay mare (and my mom rode Smokey); we also had Sunday, a black Walker/quarter horse geliding mix.
It's better, IMO, to buy from someone that raises horses or has a farm with horses...that will let you look at them (teeth, hooves, ears, etc) and see how they ride. There are good horse sellers out there. Make sure the horse has had his Coggins done and been to the vet.
It's better, IMO, to buy from someone that raises horses or has a farm with horses...that will let you look at them (teeth, hooves, ears, etc) and see how they ride. There are good horse sellers out there. Make sure the horse has had his Coggins done and been to the vet.
Anyone I've ever bought a horse from, allows a trial period as well. It can range from a week to a month.
(Of course if your buying at auction that's not an option)
I'd say go through your trainer. If your taking lessons your coach should be in on the horse people in your area. She should be able to find a horse at your level, although I know most coaches will ask for 10% commission if they do find you a horse that you like a buy.
(Of course if your buying at auction that's not an option)
I'd say go through your trainer. If your taking lessons your coach should be in on the horse people in your area. She should be able to find a horse at your level, although I know most coaches will ask for 10% commission if they do find you a horse that you like a buy.
I have a ton of horses. I train and give riding lessons. I agree that you would be best off with an older horse that would be beginner safe. Be aware that these horses usually aren't the prettiest, but they are the safest. Just make sure that you have the horse pass a vet check before you buy, and try to get some sort of deal where you can try the horse out for 30 days and return him/ her if it doesn't work out. Have you considered leasing a horse? That may be a good option.
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Well I have been looking at horses over 10 years of age. I take western with one trainer and starting english with another. I have $3500 saved for the horse. I live in Texas and there are so many horses here. Most people do cattle roping and barrels. There are a lot of ex ranch horses here too. I know enough to have a vet check done and know about coggins, shots, worming, and cribbing. The problem I am having is seeing a lot of horses out of shape. Horses that have been in the pasture for a year and not ridden. One tried to bite its owner. Or they have only had the horse for a few months. Not wanting anything fancy. Just a nice horse to ride around the ring and on the trail. My trainer doesnt go and see horses for people. It is very hard to find a lease program here. I tried that.
Isn't your trainer/riding instructor helping you? If not, you really need to take along someone who knows your riding ability and knows horses. Make sure to have a vet check your prospective horse for soundness.
I agree, an older horse would be your best option for your experience level.(And a horse in his teens, providing he's in good health, is not over-the-hill. A friend's horse lived to be 51 and was rideable 'til he was 46; he was a handful well into his forties.)
Once you find a horse and even if you have the space to keep it at home, I would strongly recommend keeping it at a boarding stable. Unless someone in your family is experienced with horsekeeping, it would be safer for both of you to be where you have access to knowledgeble horsepeople. There is also the advantage of having people to ride with (and a riding arena), your horse will have company, you can split barn call costs for the vet and farrier and you won't have to worry about who is going to watch your horse if you want to go on vacation.
I agree, an older horse would be your best option for your experience level.(And a horse in his teens, providing he's in good health, is not over-the-hill. A friend's horse lived to be 51 and was rideable 'til he was 46; he was a handful well into his forties.)
Once you find a horse and even if you have the space to keep it at home, I would strongly recommend keeping it at a boarding stable. Unless someone in your family is experienced with horsekeeping, it would be safer for both of you to be where you have access to knowledgeble horsepeople. There is also the advantage of having people to ride with (and a riding arena), your horse will have company, you can split barn call costs for the vet and farrier and you won't have to worry about who is going to watch your horse if you want to go on vacation.
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Oh, I forgot to add that I am a lot more confident of a rider if I am on a smaller horse. I was told by several people that Welshes were mean. Is that true? Havent been around one yet. For lessons I ride a 14.1h quarter horse and it is a perfect fit. I also ride a 16.2h and I am not as confident on her.
Hmm. Ok, well, you dont want a horse to show right? Just to ride in the ring on and on the trails.
I'm sure an older ranch horse would be perfect for you than! Usually ranch horses are solid broke, and are good out in wide open spaces, so great for trail riding.
It would be nice to find a horse that's in shape, but I'm sure there are plenty of horses out there that would fit what you need, and wouldn't take much to condition and get back into shape.
Try riding schools, maybe where you take english riding lessons... Usually english barns have school horses that you can part-board. So they still use them for lessons but you can ride it whenever you want to.
I'd look around at all the barns in your area. I'm sure some of the barns will have old schoolies that you could perhaps lease or buy.
I'm sure an older ranch horse would be perfect for you than! Usually ranch horses are solid broke, and are good out in wide open spaces, so great for trail riding.
It would be nice to find a horse that's in shape, but I'm sure there are plenty of horses out there that would fit what you need, and wouldn't take much to condition and get back into shape.
Try riding schools, maybe where you take english riding lessons... Usually english barns have school horses that you can part-board. So they still use them for lessons but you can ride it whenever you want to.
I'd look around at all the barns in your area. I'm sure some of the barns will have old schoolies that you could perhaps lease or buy.
As Snark said, I find it odd that your trainer isn't helping you out here. Have you spoken with the english trainer about wanting a horse?
And with size, there are different types of Welshes, I assume your talking about a Welsh B? There is A, B, C's and I think D's. A being the smalles hand restriction and C having none at all.
A B, is usually around 14h usually not described as being a horse.
I've worked with mixes before and they were fine.
The thing with ponies, why most people consider them mean, is from my personal experience people who own ponies let them get away with more. The bigger the horse the more experienced the rider.
My old schoolie, Tina, knew that she could get away with certain things. She was smaller so inexperienced people rode her and every now and again I'd have to ride her to staighten her up.
I don't think that it's "welsh's" in particular that are mean, but rather ill-mannered ponies that have a bad rep.
And with size, there are different types of Welshes, I assume your talking about a Welsh B? There is A, B, C's and I think D's. A being the smalles hand restriction and C having none at all.
A B, is usually around 14h usually not described as being a horse.
I've worked with mixes before and they were fine.
The thing with ponies, why most people consider them mean, is from my personal experience people who own ponies let them get away with more. The bigger the horse the more experienced the rider.
My old schoolie, Tina, knew that she could get away with certain things. She was smaller so inexperienced people rode her and every now and again I'd have to ride her to staighten her up.
I don't think that it's "welsh's" in particular that are mean, but rather ill-mannered ponies that have a bad rep.
Meh, as long as they're healthy. That's what your looking for. Healthy and bombproof.
A few months of grooming and proper feed and care will bring them back.
As cowgurl said, your not looking for a beautiful horse for confirmation show. Rather a well-mannered, older horse. It's nice to have a pretty horse, but Snark can show you the change with her Chance. When she got Chance he was horrible looking, underweight, horrible coat. Now, he's gorgeous! Actually a bit chunky maybe LOL
A few months of TLC will make whichever horse you get as beautiful as it can ever be
A few months of grooming and proper feed and care will bring them back.
As cowgurl said, your not looking for a beautiful horse for confirmation show. Rather a well-mannered, older horse. It's nice to have a pretty horse, but Snark can show you the change with her Chance. When she got Chance he was horrible looking, underweight, horrible coat. Now, he's gorgeous! Actually a bit chunky maybe
LOLA few months of TLC will make whichever horse you get as beautiful as it can ever be
I don't know about your area, but a well versed schoolie goes from between $1500 (being the older ones 19ish) to $4500 (the younger ones 15).
Of course that's here in Canada though.
As I said before though, a ranch horse might be good for you if you want to do trails. Especially if you plan on going on any trails alone ever. Some schoolies I know won't step foot out of the arena alone, some are quite spooky on trails too after spending so many years in the arena.
I think a ranch horse would be great for you if you could find one that's healthy and in your price range. Trailriding is the best!
Of course that's here in Canada though.
As I said before though, a ranch horse might be good for you if you want to do trails. Especially if you plan on going on any trails alone ever. Some schoolies I know won't step foot out of the arena alone, some are quite spooky on trails too after spending so many years in the arena.
I think a ranch horse would be great for you if you could find one that's healthy and in your price range. Trailriding is the best!
Your best bet would be to take over an older show horse .... We " bought" a champion jumper past his prime for $1. The owner knew he'd be doing what he loved , but on an easier scale. The poor thing was skin and bone and in a box stall all day. EliN was 13 and took him to Children's Hunter State Champion. Picture please !!! ???