Experienced horse oweners

"Ridden too hard she will limp" is a huge red flag for me. How hard is "too hard?" Does her owner have any idea what part of which leg(s) the pain comes from? 

Over-use lameness issues can become any use lameness issues - in other words, a horse that cannot do any work at all, without experiencing pain. I own one of those sorts myself. I have a 13-year-old mare that foundered after a lost foal (supposedly). Her previous owner bought her as sound, but never really got much use out of her, because she always seemed a bit "off." Finally, last year, she was sore enough to be frankly lame even at a walk. She was given to me as a "pasture buddy" for another mare that I purchased. Whether this mare will ever be sound enough again to ride (even at a walk) is anybody's guess, but she still needs regular visits from the vet, and the farrier, and she costs me just as much to feed as the sound horse. She seems comfortable enough out in the pasture, not visibly limping, not particularly cranky or showing other obvious signs of pain - but she could live another 20 years like that. 

This horse you are looking at is practically being given away for a reason. Lame horses are very hard to find homes for, which is something you should keep in mind if you aren't thinking of this animal being your pasture pet until she dies of old age. 

Frankly, I'd pass on this one if I were you.

I would be VERY wary. It sounds like she's in major need of an upgrade but I would strongly recommend passing on this horse unless you're prepared to potentially spend a small fortune on vet care and rehab in the future. Even in this economy a sound, healthy, well trained horse will cost you... There is a reason she's only $100 and it's not bound to be good. If you do decide to go look at her and like her please get a VERY thorough vet check so that you know exactly what you're dealing with. It will cost far more than what they are asking for her but it may save you a ton in the future. Frankly, this horse sounds like WAY too risky of an endeavor for something you're planning on putting a small child on.
 

ETA: Do you have prior horse experience? I would highly recommend some lessons for you (since you'll be the one caring for the horse) if not. It's not like taking care of a dog, a cat, or chickens and the costs associated with horses are FAR more than your typical domestic animal. If you are set on a horse for your daughter I would also highly recommend a well broke, kid friendly pony or large mini-horse cross for such a young child. Something around 12 hands would be perfect and would be large enough for your daughter to ride for quite awhile if she's only 3 now.

I wouldn't buy any horse for my child at that age unless she has been riding such horse in lessons for a good while. There are great kid horses out there, but along with them comes responsibility and a LOT of care - which is why our daughter isn't getting a horse. I grew up with and on horses,  but for now, I'm content with letting her hitch rides on friend's horses.  Next year I'll start her on lessons (with a trainer I know very well), and if she sticks with it for a few years, I'll consider buying a horse for her.

If you really want your child to learn on her "own" horse, see about doing a lease with someone who has a good, kid safe horse and where she can have lessons.

A roping horse is used for speed with *very* fast stops once a calf is roped. This would NOT be a good horse for a 3-year-old. Usually the horses chosen for training into this sport can be hot natured and spookey. She could be walking calmly one moment and charging around the pasture the next if she is surprised by a bird, critter, loud noise or what have you.

If you are not experienced, a horse may sound like a lot of fun, but they are a lot of work and can easily become sick or injured without just the right care. Even ponies labeled as "easy keepers" can have issues, like foundering on grass in the summer.

A horse's hooves also require care every 6 weeks... no exceptions on this rule as overgrown feet can cause injury or permanent damage. They must be wormed on a rotating cycle of different varieties of wormers.

If you're willing to take on all the responsibility a horse requires, what you want is an old pony. You want one that has seen and done it all - that won't spook at things (much) and that doesn't have any nasty habits like biting or kicking. Something older than 14 or 15 is a good bet if it is sound. I'm not a huge fan of Shetlands. Look for a Welsh cross or a Quarter Horse  pony cross. Look for one that has had plenty of training and lots of riding, and has perhaps just been outgrown very recently. Horses that have been turned out and left alone for long periods of time can develop bad habits too.

If you consider yourself inexperienced, I would say, "don't buy a horse just yet." Go get some lessons, take your daughter to places that offer pony rides, and then take your time finding just the right (safe) animal.

Best wishes, and have fun on your journey learning about horses - they are wonderful if you're willing to do a lot of work and spend quite a bit of money  

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlaRocky 

I would pass also. Sign up for lessons, that way you find out if she will stick with it. Then you don't have an expensive lawn ornament for the next 20-25 years. Yes, horses are living much longer now. Also you can both try different types of riding. For example: English, Western, Saddleseat, western games, ect.

I grew up riding western and 3 day eventers, now I ride saddleseat and love it. I ride English to trailride, I love being able to really feel my horse and what they are doing. I rode the big troting horses and now I ride gaited. Love to be able to ride for hours at a time now, and not be sore or stiff when I get done.

Maye

Heh, I grew up riding dressage and jumpers, and now I stick with trails and sometimes reining horses. I've done western pleasure, gymkhana, gaited, cutting, reining, and driving. I'll be starting DD at a farm that does all around - western, hunt seat, jumping, and gymkhana. If I ever get horses here, I'll probably get drafts for driving though (grew up with Shires as well, and learned to drive with them - I love driving).

I can't say without handling the horse.  "Rope" horse does not mean "kid safe".  Nor does it mean "Not safe for kids".  It depends upon the horse.

My own cutting horse mare had power steering like a Ferrari.  You could put her into a spin by moving your shoulder.  Yet, put a child on her back and she walked like she was responsible for the state of fragile glass.  She would adjust her balance to stay underneath the child.  What a horse does for a living does not have much effect upon whether the horse is a babysitter, or not.  It is all dependent upon the temperament of the horse.

The lameness issue.... well, you should never buy a horse without getting it vetted.  Maybe light use really is OK.  But maybe the horse is in pain.  You can't tell from the ad.  Some types of lameness make a horse limp, but some types can make them fall.  Even a limping horse can be tricky to ride.  A falling horse is out of the question and needs to be humanely put down, not given to a child.

"Ridden too hard"  What does that mean?  100 miles in 24 hours?  Put 300 pounds on her and run her 'til she drops?  Or does it mean twice around the block on a cold day?

And in addition, I never believe what  a seller says anyway, unless they are serious horse people.  An amateur might tell you a horse is lame when the problem is that the saddle doesn't fit and is soring the back. Or they will call a horse that deliberately steps on you "kid safe".  One of my neighbors had a horse that both bit and kicked that she swore was a perfect kid's horse.

You want to see how valueless a seller's opinion is, look at all the horses called "gorgeous" in ads.  Photos look like a chart of conformation faults all the way from parrot mouth to sickle hocks.