Horse Talk

[chicknmania]

The other horse the trainer liked is 22 years old. He sure doesn't act 22, he's nice looking and fun to ride, but he does not fit our purpose. He fits the TRAINER's purpose. WE need a bomb proof horse who will eventually probably be part of a police mounted patrol unit. This paint gelding does not do well on trails and can be spooky.

 

[chicknmania]

My question is...why would our trainer insist on her using a snaffle? It should be a gentle bit, so that's probably why..but then why did the mare hate it, when, in fact, she can ride in a halter with no bit at all?? And why in that case would the owner be using a correction bit on her for anything else? Because she flies around at the canter? Wouldn't we be able to work with her cantering in a ring using a longe line until she became more balanced and used to cantering in a circle? It just seems to me that the yay hoo who rode her was more than 50 per cent why the mare acted the way she did. I didn't get a chance to ride her at all. Not that I would have wanted to right after he did, anyway. I don't like people who think it's ok to yank on the horse's mouth, while they're wearing big spurs..... I don't think we have much chance of finding what we're looking for, without paying a lot more than what this mare was offered for. I just don't understand it, they had all these videos showing how quiet the mare was, and her on trails, etc..and she was fine. Unless they had her drugged or something...I suppose that's possible, but I don't think so.

 

[Bunnylady]

My question is...why would our trainer insist on her using a snaffle?

My 2 cents' worth - I think the trainer wanted a snaffle because that's what she prefers, and wanted to see if the horse will go in one. The horse throwing her head may have been tooth problems, back problems, etc; even a 'gentle' bit is still a hard hunk of metal in a horse's mouth, and heavy hands can make it painful . . especially in a mouth already sore from a harsher bit. If the rider wanted to use a correction bit, it may be they were afraid of what the horse would do without it, which may have made them a lot rougher, or maybe that's just the way that person handles horses, period. The world is full of stupid people who mess up perfectly wonderful animals; do you have any way of knowing how old those videos were, or even if they were the same horse?

 

[chicknmania]

I can tell they are the same horse, I studied them and studied them before I saw her. I think you're probably right about the sore mouth. I seriously don't know how old the videos are. I was surprised it wasn't the same person riding the horse yesterday as the one in the videos..the person in the videos was there with us, but had her cowboy boyfriend ride the horse. I thought that was a bit odd. She says they bought the mare at the beginning of the summer, with the intention of "flipping" her. According to her, the mare has been bought and sold a few times.

 

[res]

Chicknmania - If you are in central Ohio, and are looking for a bomb proof horse that can do trails with potential to be a mounted police horse, I would recommend finding an Amish or Mennonite horse.

The BEST horses, hands down, that I have EVER had in the therapeutic riding program that I manage, have been Amish or Mennonite harness horses. Drafts, draft crosses, Haflingers, etc. They are all stoic, bomb proof and sturdy horses. Several of the ones we have bought have been "retired" from farm work because they are too slow or lazy to work in a team, with other horses. But that personality is just what we need....

 

[ShrekDawg]

The other horse the trainer liked is 22 years old. He sure doesn't act 22, he's nice looking and fun to ride, but he does not fit our purpose. He fits the TRAINER's purpose. WE need a bomb proof horse who will eventually probably be part of a police mounted patrol unit. This paint gelding does not do well on trails and can be spooky.

Oh yeah, I knew it was for the trainer, I just meant that'd be awesome for them he seems like a pretty good horse

My question is...why would our trainer insist on her using a snaffle? It should be a gentle bit, so that's probably why..but then why did the mare hate it, when, in fact, she can ride in a halter with no bit at all?? And why in that case would the owner be using a correction bit on her for anything else? Because she flies around at the canter? Wouldn't we be able to work with her cantering in a ring using a longe line until she became more balanced and used to cantering in a circle? It just seems to me that the yay hoo who rode her was more than 50 per cent why the mare acted the way she did. I didn't get a chance to ride her at all. Not that I would have wanted to right after he did, anyway. I don't like people who think it's ok to yank on the horse's mouth, while they're wearing big spurs..... I don't think we have much chance of finding what we're looking for, without paying a lot more than what this mare was offered for. I just don't understand it, they had all these videos showing how quiet the mare was, and her on trails, etc..and she was fine. Unless they had her drugged or something...I suppose that's possible, but I don't think so.

My 2 cents' worth - I think the trainer wanted a snaffle because that's what she prefers, and wanted to see if the horse will go in one. The horse throwing her head may have been tooth problems, back problems, etc; even a 'gentle' bit is still a hard hunk of metal in a horse's mouth, and heavy hands can make it painful . . especially in a mouth already sore from a harsher bit. If the rider wanted to use a correction bit, it may be they were afraid of what the horse would do without it, which may have made them a lot rougher, or maybe that's just the way that person handles horses, period. The world is full of stupid people who mess up perfectly wonderful animals; do you have any way of knowing how old those videos were, or even if they were the same horse?

I can tell they are the same horse, I studied them and studied them before I saw her. I think you're probably right about the sore mouth. I seriously don't know how old the videos are. I was surprised it wasn't the same person riding the horse yesterday as the one in the videos..the person in the videos was there with us, but had her cowboy boyfriend ride the horse. I thought that was a bit odd. She says they bought the mare at the beginning of the summer, with the intention of "flipping" her. According to her, the mare has been bought and sold a few times.

Yeah, I honestly think the horse could have just had a bad day and/or hated the rider! That happens sometimes. And maybe he hasn't ridden her much before?

You could always get her checked by a vet to be sure there aren't any health issues and/or ask to ride her again or have the person in the videos.

She could be a lot of work OR if she really is as calm and quiet as in the videos and you're sure it's the same horse, she could have just had an off day, been in pain, or hated the rider. All of which happens sometimes. They are animals after all.

Or it's possible the videos are from when they first got her and they've ruined her

 

[res]

This is my latest purchase... Bonnie, a 6 yr old Haffie mare. This was her first time under saddle, EVER, during a trial ride at the Mennonite farm we bought her from. The Mennonite kids all ride bareback, with twine for reins on harness bridles. The day we unloaded her at work, she stepped right off the trailer and into a packing demo, and had a Decker saddle and panniers thrown all over her and lashed down. She didn't even flinch. She has been mobbed by wheelchairs - they literally raced toward her and surrounded her, she didn't flinch.

I know there are lots of opinions out there regarding Amish and Mennonite, but there is no dispute that they turn out well broke QUIET horses.

 

[Bunnylady]

I know there are lots of opinions out there regarding Amish and Mennonite, but there is no dispute that they turn out well broke QUIET horses

I would like to amend that with the word "usually," if I may. I knew one horse, an Andalusian/Percheron cross, that was the flakiest animal I have ever met. I commented to the barn owner that it would be a red-letter day when I could lead that horse in or out of the barn, and not have her spook at something - you never knew what would set her off. Supposedly, she had spent some time with an Amish trainer. I don't know what she got out of that, other than a fear of straw hats.

(Pardon me while I drool over that Haffie!

 

[Peaches Lee]

Hi guys, newbie to the forums here and perusing all the boards. Just thought I'd pop in here and introduce myself seeing as I'm a horse-mad woman with 3 horse-mad daughters!

I've ridden pretty much my whole life, gave up riding competitively to get married and have kids, but the kids have ponies and I'm currently breeding my own forever horse which is super exciting - my Anglo Arab mare is due end of the month or early November, she's in foal to a 16.3hh tobiano WB so it's excitement galore here!

My girls are 3, 5 and 7 (all about to have birthdays though) and they just love riding. It's getting easier as they get older to do more stuff with the horses - hopefully once mine is ready to ride they will be pretty self sufficient with their own ponies/horses.

They have a couple of ponies but they love riding our "super pony" - he's a purebred 14.2hh Arab and the most old-soul horse you'll ever meet.

Hoping to get them out doing endurance riding next year, as it's a really nice family friendly sport over here in Australia. I'm an avid SJ/eventer and it looks like my eldest wants to follow in my footsteps, so we'll probably eventually branch out into Pony Club and events too.

Anyway, I haven't read many of the threads yet but wanted to say hi, might pop some photos up later after I've read through some of the previous posts!

Welcome to BYC! Sounds like you and your girls are going to have lots of fun! You must post photos of the foal! Does the WB go back to Samber bloodlines? He was known for throwing nice dual purpose (dressage+jumping) horses so that foal along with the Arab/TB should be amazing for sport! Good luck to you and your mare!

 

[chicknmania]

Awesome! At the stable where I ride, we have two horses from the Amish. One, her breed is a mystery, we just call her an Amish Carriage horse. When she came, we could tell she'd not had a very good life, she was not fond of people and very head shy. She's been there over a year now, and her attitude is so much better. She's a great horse, they use her for lessons, she has an amazing work ethic. I have not ridden her, but I have a friend who usually rides her, and loves her. It was cute to see the expression of wonder on the mare's face when we first began bringing her treats...apples, etc. With her came a four year old Friesian/ Percheron cross mare, who, we think, regarded the Amish Carriage horse mare as her mother, or at least her very best friend! No way was our trainer going to separate those two, so she bought both, lol. The draft cross is huge, and I love her,I've ridden her a lot, but she is still very, very, green at 5 years old. She just does what she wants a lot of times. Still, she has a sweet disposition, like a puppy, and I think eventually she might be a very good horse. So thanks for reminding me res, I'll remember that. They (the Amish) have auctions frequently, not far from us.