May trade for a new horse thoughts please?

[Chickerdoodle13]

I would pass on anything with really high withers. I have a gelding with high withers and he's a pain in the butt to fit a saddle to. It's nice that the saddle doesn't move, but I've always had a MUCH easier time finding saddles for low withered "round" horses.

I like the appy mare, but definitely take a look and see! 14 is a perfect age for what you want to do. Also, as others mentioned, don't fall in love at first sight. Go back and look at the horse a few times before deciding on anything. If they have that many horses, and so many that are for sale, it may be possible that they are horse traders. There's nothing wrong with getting a horse from a trader (I've had a few excellent and well priced horses from them) but traders are like car salesmen. They know all the tricks! So if that's the case (I'm not saying it will be, but just be wary!) don't let them pressure you into anything.

 

[arabianequine]

The owner says she is not worried about trading or not up to me. They do breed and this one does not have her papers so that is why she is letting this one go. She has about nine she is selling because her husband got hurt and can't ride and she can't ride that many horses. Need to replace money the spent on fixing their truck too.

I thought the high withers was a problem too that the saddle will rub or hurt them in some way just makes them uncomfortable usually.

I am not taking the trailer when I go on monday just going to look.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

There are saddles that will fit high withered horses well, but I found them to be more on the pricey side. Tex Tans were gorgeous saddles that fit my gelding beautifully, but they were $800-1000. We ended up finding a Circle Y that fits him pretty good, but he's such a pain because some seasons the saddle will fit him better than others. My other horses all pretty much fit the same saddle because they are similarly shaped. (I just realized I'm talking about western saddles. I don't really know much about fitting english saddles and if they have some of the same problems western ones do)

Another suggestion is to bring a camera and take pictures while you're there. That way you can go back and look at them even after you are home. Also, videos of someone riding the horse are always good too, because then you can show horse friends when you get home to get opinions about lameness issues and what not.

Hopefully you have a pleasant experience! Too many times I went to look at horses and the sellers were pushy and acted like it was such a small decision to make. When I found a "good" horse owner, they were ok with me doing just about anything to the horse before I made a decision! I've gotten some strange looks, but these days it's so difficult to get rid of problem horses that I wanted to be sure I chose a good one!

I'm very excited for you though! Getting a new horse will be so much fun.

 

[geebs]

when I shop for a horse... I ask the horse...not the owner... really...

I show up several times...It is a costly mistake to not take your time.

I watch the horse get handled.... on the ground I flex test them... Most of all... I look at their feet.... I take video tapes of movemetn and I look at it at home in slow motion.

I look at gum color.

I look at teeth and dental age them... Look online for charts..any one can learn to do it

In the videos and in person I am looking for an unshod horse... this give me the best example of a unaltered horse.. I want to watche the footfalls at all gaits that the horse is landing heel first at the trot and canter.

I look for muscling... how is the muscle attached... a lame horse will look uneven and weak in the loin.

I look at the feet... contracted high heels are rejected without hesitation...

If the horse is shod.... does he have high heels??? (reject him) does he have a fat meaty frog... this is very good.

Is he wide eyed??? or is he relaxed?

I pop in for a surprise visit if I am still interested... and see the horse "on the spot"... If the owner won't do it...forget it..

I want to know that the horse hasn't been drugged or had his heels injected.

Paperwork on the horse is important...vet records.... If there is no paperwork to age the horse I learn all I can...

I make a note on whether the gear is fitted to the horse or if the horse is seeing it for the first time.

Make the videos and notes...you won't remember it all so take notes...

I am highly experienced so I do Not make a vet appt...That only answers the question: was this horse lame this day at this time when she/he was inspecting it. It does not make recommendations about how the heavy muscling on the front end may speak of navicular syndrome or whether the horse's windsucking (that you will not see) means he has ulcers. etc....

I watch the horse ridden and pay attention to his attitude. Is he willing, supple, patient. This is what I would want for a confidence horse... Even a 20 year old one would be fine for a confidence horse if he/she was healthy and not broken down.

favorite breeds for older patient horse would be older arabian that has been well cared for... any older dressage horse...Even TB
youngish quarterhorse as they don't hold up as well. Connemara, Older Haflinger (can be pushy) Older appaloosa (depending on horse by horse basis)...the prettiest horse in the world is the one you can get on and ride and that keeps you safe.. Don't go colorblind....Ugly can be a good ride... Fall in love with the trust and the gentle eye...

Good luck

Get online and learn about how the muscles are affected by how they are ridden... Most of the pictures posted... The horses were NOT in service.. no muscling on the topline...just saying

Feel free to send me pix to my pm for a conformation clinic on your prospects... I am in expert in my field.

 

[SilkieTime]

My daughter is looking for a barrel horse. Look look look, don't just look at a few.
geeb, gentle eye

Very true and do it last. Take your time, if it is ment to be it will happen.

 

[welsummerchicks]

You haven't said what you want to do with the horse, your experience, how you keep your horses. That makes a big difference. Competitive trail riding and putting in hours a day at speed? Working on a ranch several hours a day all year? Wanting to go to the World Equestrian Games and win the Individual reining? Or like most people, a companion and friend for the occasional trail ride and a few local shows a year...but not too hot about whether we win or not, just going for fun.

Going to write as if you're a 'typical rider' - love horses, has some experience, not a lot of formal instruction, wanting a nice, sensible family horse, and wanting to ride on trails near home now and again, and ride around your pasture most of the time, take the winter off, and maybe show a little locally at 1-2 shows a year - showmanship, western pleasure, at saddle club and community type shows.

Most of the pictures show horses that are under-muscled and under weight. I'm guessing maybe the Appy mare is the only one that's fed up well and looks like it has had any work any time recently, IF that picture is recent. Don't get fooled by older pictures when the horse was in a summer coat and had a bath.

I'd more expect her to look like the rest of them when you go to see them, though sometimes people have one or two they keep up better.

Forget anything the seller says except breed, age and height, and take that with a grain of salt. Pay no attention to anything about reasons for sale, and pay little attention to stories of what the horse has done unless you can look it up on say the USEF website and verify it. I cannot say how many times I have heard sellers say 'I had a baby' or 'I don't have time for them all' and my friend would take one home and wonders of wonders it was lame. GEE. Don't let this be about what the seller says, forget that. Look at what the horse is now in front of your face.

Horses tell you who they are. Loud and clear. How they move around you, how they listen to you, how they react to traffic, odd things around their home, and how they act when saddled, bridled, brushed, led. The sore horse acts sore. The untrained horse acts untrained. The drugged, tired out horse acts that way.

Pictures of being rode? I could care less. I already know a crazy or untrained horse can be worked to death before the parade or that it might have been from years ago before he went nuts, went lame or got neglected for four years.

I am leery of anything that is not in work, and I don't care what the good sounding excuse is for why. I'm better off looking at fit in use horses. If I want a trail horse I want to see it on a trail ride - TODAY. I would not look at anything unless it got worked steadily over this summer unless I felt like playing Russian Roulette and could afford to support a pasture pet and another one I can actually ride.

Leave the ones out of work to the professionals and those who can afford to gamble. Yes I have gambled and it took three years of work, work and more work to make up for all the training and handling and medical care and wrong feeding the animal had , and to heal up his feet. He'll never be as sound or as reliable as one that was done right to start with. Sure it comes out great sometimes. Most of the time it don't.

If you are looking for a family horse for casual use, to be a pal for occasional rides, and maybe once in a while go to a little local show, I would not be too much concerned about the 'blemishes' on the older horse. Those are rubs from a blanket or saddle. An hour or less trail ride mostly at a walk three times a week, unless the terrain is very challenging, it is not necessary for the horse to be a perfect specimen, but his legs and feet should be in good shape and serviceable, he should be serviceably sound, and he should be gradually conditioned to do it over months, like any athlete.

Not concerned about a long back not carrying the rider well, unless you really are going to use the horse only for VERY long rides often. I never saw a long backed horse not carry a rider well. Not concerned about the horse with 'high withers', his withers aren't really that high, he's thin and out of shape. There are plenty of used saddles for sale for western horses that are a little narrower and more withery.

So what IS important to the average rider? Temperament, temperament, and temperament. After that, temperament and temperament. For the family horse, 1. temperament. 2. training. 3. sound enough to do what you want to do, with a little room to spare

That said, the one photo of the app, she looks too sharp and quick minded for a family type horse. Go for the horse that does NOT thrill you, that stands quietly for pictures, that is easy to ride, and will stand there on a loose rein til you want to go somewhere.

Buying a horse should be like an arranged marriage, not like falling in love. You will fall in love after you are together and the horse serves you well and takes care of your behind when you need him to.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I just wanted to add not to be afraid of an older experienced horse since you are not an experienced rider.

My first horse was sold to me as a 5 yr old totally broke experienced trail horse excellent for a beginner. She was not. She had been a pasture horse her whole life bred once and taken to auction. Purchased by my sellers 6 months prior and worked with their trainer at their farm.

After learning this at the vet check, I brought her home anyway because I fell in love with her. I loved her spirit, her get up and go, first to meet you at the gate, always following me around when out cleaning. Didn't like being out on the trail alone, spooky, bolted on me once (broken and lacerated finger). She was very pushy and in your space because I didn't know about ground manners. Worked with a trainer for a year.

Moved her from co-op barn to 4 acres and I set about finding her a pasture mate that WAS a totally broke trail horse the second time around. Gal was going through divorce and couldn't keep her 17 yr old Tenessee walker that her and her husband camped all over the Pacific NW.

I ended up bringing her home the day I went to see her along with the gals horse trailer. Bill of sale contingent on passing a vet check and getting along with pushy Kitty (spotted saddle horse).

Dixie passed the vet check with flying colors despite being a little under weight but discovered she was dropping hay because she needed her teeth floated. Got that done and she gained weight right away. The vet said she was a very healthy 17 yr old and it was evident to her that she had been used. Healthy heart and no signs of arthritis. The vet said at the time she was taking jumping lessons on a 30 yr old, so not to be afraid to buy an older horse.

Dixie was very safe with no spook out on the trail. Went out riding on elk trails on the Skookumchuck River over logs under low branches crossed the river without blinking an eye.

I found her to be a little boring, she could have walked herself, but totally safe.

This picture is the day I brought her home and put her in the pasture next to Kitty with hot wire between them and was amazed at how much alike they looked. Older thinner Dixie Tennessee walker on the left and younger bigger chunky spotted saddle horse Kitty on the right.

Even though Dixie was older she let younger bossy Kitty be the boss and they got along just great.

 

[welsummerchicks]

What a nice history from a great owner.

 

[arabianequine]

@ welsummerchicks I did say what I was looking for in a horse in post #18 (I am looking for a horse to relearn to ride on, gain more confidence, and also be a pasture buddy for my 2 year old arab filly.) probably missed being so busy with all the pics in that post....I did not quote it cause such a long post.

The marks on the free 18 year old gelding are bits the owner said. The owner of the 11 year old black gelding said he has some bites too. I think this says something about both of the horses personalities....I understand I am not a horse but they are obviously a little more easy going and submissive and get picked on compared to the other horses there.

The 11 year old black geldings top line.....the owner mentioned this and said it is bad cause he has not been worked that much lately.

The owner of the appy and the black horse....her and her husband breed, raise, and train horses. The best two for what I am looking for that she has out of 28 she says are the appy mare 14 and the 11 year old black gelding. She was asking $2500 for each and because of the economy lowered them to $1500 each because of their training.

I know the wife said she got the appy this spring for her....I don't recall why she said. She already had the appy pic sent it right away. So either she took it this year or it was sent to her when she got the mare. The black horse pic was done the day I listed it.

That is a nice story sweet cheeks. The owner is actually leaning me more towards the black horse for whatever reason. It appears she thinks he is better suited for me. The owner seems sincere. The owner said they don't care one way or the other if we trade or not. In her ad she state for people to not wait these horse won't last long at this price but out of those two only the appy is on there. She has not even advertised the black horse she only offered him to me after I told her what I was looking for.

I like both so far but the appy is a mare and I worry about her and my filly fighting cause they are both mares. I worry about her being able to handle my weight. This appy mare does seem to look like she can have an attitude and younger then her age. I like her looks and that she is 14 and that the owner says she is well trained.

One poster said something about the appy mares legs.....what does do other people think about her legs by the looks of them in the pic.

The black gelding....I worry about his condition but I know it can or hopefully just a feed issue and out of shape for only being 11. But he is very pretty....my husband has always like the looks of an all black horse. I do see the potential with him. I like that he is low man on the totem pole for part of behavior and personality. I wonder if his teeth need floated? When does that start needing to be done? Maybe that is why under weight? He looks like he can handle my body weight better then the appy in the pic.

I will be in a arena with a trainer for a while till I feel comfortable being alone in there and till I know what I am doing.

Then maybe some light ridding on trails with people for a while before I ever go on my own.

 

[MustLoveHens]

I see a lot of potential in the black too. If you decide to take a go at him, make sure you get your pre purchase exam and in this exam the vet will go over this horse with a fine tooth comb and evaluate his over all health and soundness and see if he is compatable for your needs. If his teeth do need to be floated, the vet will state that at the exam. If you decide to get him, then have his teeth floated rigth at the start. It will help him get into condition easier. Then usually you have the teeth checked yearly at his regular vet exam. It might be that he will only need floating every so often. It is much ceaper to keep the teeth maintained as opposed to waiting and then face a major dental float that can be costly. I would be prepaired to find that he does need a good float. This along with the diet change that the owner indicated would have a lot to do with his weight loss in my mind. He is a big boy and unless he is on very lush rich pasture and supplemented correctly, he would loose weight especailly not being a head honcho in the heard.