May trade for a new horse thoughts please?

[NellaBean]

Yes, it is the same people/rescue under a new name.

My point is that if you want to get a horse from them don't believe what they say on the horses' background, history, training, health or anything else. They've been lying for years and will continue to do so.

Horse dealing is horse dealing but I can't stand someone who hides under the guise of being a rescue in order to scam people out of their hard earned cash.

 

[welsummerchicks]

Some horses to check out (Horse ID's) on Dreamhorse website:

1611743
1589088
1588658
1582497

On the other hand, fugly doesn't exactly meet any established criteria for investigative journalism. It's more like 'my friend's friend told me', and if she's inaccurate, there isn't any boss that calls her on the carpet and she never publishes any retractions that I've seen. I'll believe her accusations of wrongdoing when there are links to official government web sites with dates, formalized charges, convictions, sentencing and fines. In fact, rescues ARE allowed to make a profit and keep their status, just not a whole lot of profit.

Til then, given the bargain basement shopping, one's bound to come across some pretty rough spots.

There are plenty of decent honest folks in Pony Club selling nice horses or even giving them away - trained, sensible, serviceable older horses. There are families selling nice family horses their kids have moved beyond. There are adult amateurs wanting to move up to a fancier show horse. There are trainers trying to rehome older horses that have 'been there done that'. There are horses being leased while waiting to be sold, there are riding schools cutting back. There are therapeutic riding centers that always have to find other homes for horses for various reasons - when business slows down, for example, they often sell the horses that get less use, like the larger ones. But she's not going to those people. She's going to places where there are going to be a lot of problems. And that's what's happening - over and over.

The best thing to do when something isn't working, is to do something different.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
That first one listed (1611743) http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1611743&share_this=Y

sure is a big boy but he is listed for $3000.00 - OP only wants to spend up to $1000.00, which is limiting her ability to find the horse that would meet all of her requirements.

 

[ultasol]

check out these two!!!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/grd/2054450136.html
good age, appear well loved.

 

[welsummerchicks]

I would pass on the one being ridden in the mechanical hackamore. The other one, possible but doesn't look big/sturdy enough for her wishes.

But I would also not read the ad and the sob story about leaving the country and how much they love them. Just skip over that.

The price is the problem, as they say.

You're going to have a very, very hard time spending 1000 dollars on a horse, not getting a vet check, and not getting blood tests. The results have little chance of being good. Sure it MIGHT work out, but I like having the odds a little more in my favor.

My suggestion? Wait til you have 2500 or 3000 to spend, pay an experienced trainer to come along with you. Right after trying out the horse, ideally, blood is drawn right then and there, before the drugs have a chance to wear off.

Also, check out Pony Club newsletters in the area for people trying to find homes for nice family horses, as suggested before.

I usually make very sure it's a horse I want before I go to look at it. Right age, training, etc. Letting people talk, they usually tell you what the horse is pretty clearly and one learns to read between the lines a little too. I can go with the trailer, and have a vet stop by during the visit to draw blood and check the horse over.

One of the BEST things you can do, is tell the seller that you will be bringing your vet and hauling your trailer, and that the vet will take blood the same day(and do it). The tone of the phone conversation, I guarantee, will be different.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
30 days' training is not going to solve those problems. Really really.

If the owner calls you, don't answer the phone

This is SO not the horse for you.


Pat

 

[Hound]

I have to say I have NEVER been pleasantly surprised by a horse i've gone to look at. Usually they're significantly worse than advertised, every once in a while the description is accurate, but i've never seen one better than the advert suggested. The best ones have always been found through word of mouth, from friends or relatives who know the horse or owner. What i'm trying to say is that if the owner (who is trying to make a sale) says the horse is bad, it's rotten.

Unless you're in a very horse-rich area the gas costs involved in shopping for the right one are usually quite significant.

ETA If anyone gives you the "in 30 days he'll/she'll be a different horse' speech run as far as you can as fast as you can. If necessary buy new tires when you're out of there, you'll be better off than if you buy the horse. The issue isn't how the horse behaves with a trainer, it is how the horse behaves with you. It is about the amount of knowledge and experience you have to deal with that horse. That mare is the kind that will try and try you. She will find your weaknesses and capitalize on them. That kind of horse is by no means a confidence builder, quite the opposite. A good trainer might have her behaving for him/her in a month, I guarantee she will be misbehaving for you within the following month. I by no means mean any disrespect to you, the right horse will teach you a great deal and be a joy to own. The wrong one can put you off riding for good.

Just another ETA I don't believe you fall into the category of 'it's too shameful to ride a quiet, predictable horse', but many people do. I just don't get it. I'm not old, and I have never had any aspirations to ride hot, wild horses. There's nothing more pleasurable than riding a well-mannered broke horse as far as i'm concerned. If that means riding a 'kids horse' then so be it. The enjoyment I derive from riding comes from feeling in control and capable, from asking a horse to do something and it responding. Clinging on for dear life and feeling on the verge of an explosion is not my idea of fun. I'd really recommend looking for an older lesson horse, someone's older (quiet) retired show horse, something along those lines. These horses often are affordable as the owners cherish them and are concerned about them finding good homes rather than making a profit. Well there isn't really any profit to be made on a horse of that age if they've owned it a while. I think $1000 is a stretch for a good solid horse, but for $1500-$2000 it is quite possible. Obviously the more you save, the more you have to choose between also. When it comes to something as risky as horse-riding it really is worth the investment.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
If training is available where the horse is, why hasn't she been trained there to fix her problem?

Red flag--avoid this horse

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
@ hound That is what I am looking for and all I want.

The training is not available there as far as I know. I have a trainer and was just saying if I don't have to pay for the horse that would be at least one month of training and I can have more training done. I guess you saying it won't help a horse that old. She said it had not been ridden and worked with much in the last year. So I thought maybe a refresher would help.

I am confused however on the differences in the legs of the horse. How can I tell if it is a large boned/legged horse able to handle weight. I never see two horses side by side that I can tell a difference visually one with small boned legs and one with large boned legs.

I will keep looking I am in no hurry really I hope to find something by spring. I was thinking with todays horse market and the economy that I could find an inexpensive horse that I can use....so why pay a ton of money for something they should not be charging that much for supply and demand. I hear of good deals all the time and think I can give a horse a home, friend for my horse, and a horse I can ride.

 

[ultasol]

But a lot of those 'cheap' horses come with baggage. As someone already mentioned, paying more to get a safer horse is less expensive than risking your body and limb.