Need some opinions/advice/help about a horse

[rodriguezpoultry]

The horse you describe sounds like Max in temperament. I consider myself a VERY green rider, simply because I don't want to overestimate my own devices. I bought Max when he was 2 years old, green broke. I did not ride him at all until he was 3 and had him broke by another person (simply because I knew I couldn't handle it). A nice gentle horse is a hard thing to find, without medication. To me, personality is tops. Conformation comes next, depending on what I'm after. You can't change a personality, you can "help" conformation with corrective shoeing, braces, etc. If you're wanting a roper or something, conformation plays a much bigger role, but seeing as how you have kids...personality is the way I would go.

I DEFINITELY recommend getting a vet out there to check out her conformation and health before purchase. I'm just trying to let you know, that in some cases, green + green doesn't always equal black and blue. Could I have gotten a more trained horse for the same amount? Sure, but I wouldn't have felt the same connection.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Read, read, read, read Educate yourself as much as you can. Get a good all around horse magazine like Horse Illustrated or Equus, most others are specialized for breed/discipline. Western Horseman is usually pretty good too despite the "Western" in the title.

You can get the basics pretty cheap. Even just asking at a boarding stable if any boarders they have anything they want to get rid of (most horse people are packrats). If you were just a few hours closer, I have a bridle, breastcollar, bits, halter, and English saddle and a few other things that you could have. PM me for details if you happen to come up to Michigan.

If there is a boarding or riding stable or training facility near you, try to see if you could spend a day shadowing the owners/managers around or even a Girl Scout troop getting Horse Lovers badge.

BabyBlue is right. It is extremely dangerous for horses to run loose. They weigh a LOT more than deer and could easily cause fatalities to drivers and passengers if hit by a vehicle. Even if the woman wants to keep the horse, maybe ask if you could help put up fencing.

Oh, and if you decide to get this horse, you will need another. They are herd animals and need equine companions. Given the economy, many nice older sound horses are being given away.

 

[booker81]

A lot of great advise, but one that I always keep in mind is that the cheapest part of owning a horse is buying it - even if they are free

Second, talk to any friends you have and if you really want to try to do this, and the owner wants to sell, have not only the vet out, but a horse savvy friend come out. The vet will look for most health issues, but a trusted friend will look for temperament and mindset - and if you are good friends, they should be able to help determine if you and the horse are a good match. Horsey people will usually jump at any chance to meet with a new horse - I know I do

Unless you are going to pay for boarding, keep in mind they do need shelter and fenced grazing area. Depending on your terrain, if it's good grazing, a decent average is at least two acres for the first horse, and one acre per horse after - more is better, and you want to have the pasture split for rotation grazing. If you have a true winter, you need to have hay stocked up to feed, in a clean, dry area. Boarding is much easier, but costs more. Vet visits for shots are needed even if the horse doesn't get sick, the farrier is needed every 6 to 8 weeks, you need to have their teeth checked regularly.

They are a big commitment, and big fun

 

[chicks4kids]

My plan is to call her tomorrow and express our sincere interest in her and see if she would be willing to part with her.

She has another horse that stays in a fenced area and the horses are together at night in a barn. She just has the other one out to free graze during the day.

I know she can't ride the horse because of her health, so I honestly don't know if it has been ridden before. She has a teenage daughter so hopefully she has ridden her. Well first things first....find out if she's willing to sell her

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Due to the fact that I have to go in a few seconds and couldnt possibly fit all of my advice on one post im just going to say this. TAKE THE HORSES & THE DOG(if its nice). They need you and honestly I wish I could find more horses like that out here, I just place guesses at aucion (and so far have been quite lucky might I add). Anyways give it a shot

.

 

[chicks4kids]

OK, I emailed her and this was her reply......

She is for sale. I sold the other horse...he was a stud horse and not good for kids. They can get bitey... She is real nice to ride on trails. I was asking $1500.00 she has really good bloodlines. I raised her from a baby so I know her well. She would be an excellent horse for you. Let me know if that is too much. I have a friend coming Thursday to pick her up and she is going to try to sell her for me. I cant buy her anymore food. So she is going to feed her for me.
Call me and let me know. I know you children would be safe with her.

So, do you think that's too much? What is a good price? She didn't say how old she is, but she appears to be very young. Ideas? Opinions? Need some questions or thoughts before I give her a call.......

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I would check out Craigslist in your area to see what horses are going for these days. Based on that, I would make her an offer pending having vet out to do a check.

I was a beginner 7 yrs ago when I bought my first horse. I paid $3500.00 for a 5 yr old registered spotted saddle horse (pinto) that I was told was a totally broke, experienced trail horse, excellent for a beginner. I fell in love with her. Had her vet checked and she only had an issue with her feet due to thrush. She turned out to be green broke and needing more miles. Very spooky out on the trails.

Then I bought a 17 yr old registered tennessee walker (pinto) for $2500.00 that WAS the totally broke trail horse. Very safe but a little boring out on the trails. She could have walked herself. Vet check showed she was very fit, young for 17 yrs with no signs of arthritis. Her only issue was she was in need of having her teeth floated.

Prices have dropped in my area due to resession. The same horses today would go for $1500. average.

 

[twentynine]

Gee!

I am liable to get creamed for making any comment at all. But here goes!

January my wife bought a horse, we were at the time completely- totally-- absolutely unprepared. Both in the physical material and mental know how departments. Got through it, with a lot of hard work---- I stress a lot of hard work. Miles of fencing, water troughs, stalls, brushes, feed, coggins test, vaccinations, wormings, attempted training, BUG SPRAY, gates, farrier on and on and on and on. The initial purchase price of the horse is so far the cheapest part of the whole deal.

In my case no one got hurt, nor was the horse injured, but we put in some long hours.

This is what I would do, assuming you have fencing and the other material needs met. I would go talk to that lady, offer a good home to that horse. The lady you spoke of was in poor health and probably worried about what would happen to horse if she crossed to the other side. The horse having a good home may well and truly ease her mind.

You would get the horse at no initial cost--- the money you saved could then be spent on the material needs of the horse, vet, farrier, coggins test, worming, vaccinations.

The lady would get piece of mind. No easy to come by these days.

The horse would get a good home and the care she needs.

 

[lorieMN]

do you have a friend that can go ride her for you?.when people are looking for a horse for kids and ask me if this or that is to much,I always ask them what their kids are worth.. if she is kid safe,,,that is not to high of a price,and good pedigree on top is just a bonus.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Do you have any friends that know horses? As already suggested, I would take someone with horse savvy over to ride her and check her out.
Without seeing the horse or knowing her training or pedigree it would be impossible to say if her asking price was fair or not. One thing to keep in mind is that temperment is hard to put a price on, but is particularly valuable to beginners. She does sound like a horse with a good head on her.
I hope you can take someone you know with you that has horse experience.
I wouldn't suggest asking her for the horse for free. It sounds like she could really use the money. But, you could ask her if you could lease the horse from her for a month. This way she won't have to feed her for a month and it will give you a chance to find out what is involved in owning a horse.