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paintedChix said:
I think I mixed up threads and replied to the other one with info for this one... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-feed-my-horse.1212463/page-5 - Post #46

You are all over the place when looking at horses. Good on one hand, you are learning about the different breeds. Bad on the other, as you aren't pointing in one direction. Good - go out now and try different disciplines and breeds. Bad - some of those disciplines take MANY years to learn and appreciate.

In your first list of horses - #1, 2 & # 4 are all NoNo's. They are young and right in the ads it states needs more experienced rider than you state you are.

The Pintaloosa gelding #3 has possibilities - then they kill it when they state he can't be ridden alone by a beginner rider. Wonder what he's like in a paddock or barn alone? Does he tear it up? When I watched the video, I was put off (I feel I'm an intermediate rider) by the way he was heads up and looking at EVERY THING at the beginning. I kept wondering when he was going to jump out from under his rider. But as I watched, maybe that is part of his attitude and personality. He moved nice enough for a grade gelding, looked pretty smooth - in fact smoother than I expected from his round build & longer legs.

I couldn't open the other two that you listed later on the same post. Said ad expired.

On the "Paint" I agree w/ the other person who replied with a great description of what they saw. I would add that her head actually looked much older than "12 yrs"... and papers, as I have learned the hard way with my involvement with Shetland ponies, can actually be switched around (tho much harder with paints and appaloosa's that have specific markings, not impossible).

Was surprised when you brought up the 2018 baby due in July... Then realized, again, that you are still learning breeds and looking around. That baby wouldn't be ridable for at least 3 yrs and has a lot of training in front of it. Probably not the type you are looking for either, from what you've described.

Currently we have a 21 acre "farmstead". We are learning about chickens and permaculture methods of farming and rabbits. No pesticides or herbicides. So far - most of my gardening attempts have died here in NC.

I've raised Shetland ponies since 1995 - our 3 daughters grew up riding and did fairly well. None of the 3 exhibited signs of wanting to learn the specifics of either their care or their training - instead just doing what I pointed out (or said "do it now"). They just like riding the ones that I picked out for them - some of which were actually "their" own mounts. I started out doing the basic training and of course, what they did helped. When they outgrew "listening to Mom" - who, of course, "knew nothing - she doesn't even ride..." - they went to outside instructors. They understand/know some training techniques, but ... it will be interesting if/when any of them really pick up riding again... All 3 expressed major surprise when they've seen me ride and gotten compliments.

Others who thought I didn't know how to ride were also VERY surprised...

Now, the youngest would like to ride/train horses again, but with her job hours, she doesn't have the time - especially since her boyfriend that she lives with part time is over an hour away from us drive time and making her almost 2 hours away from her job. Though she makes a larger amount of money than I ever did (or have) she is currently spending it on driving back & forth; partial rent at 2 homes; taking care of her cat (which lives with us). Currently taking another expensive correspondence college course (which she is paying for) which will (should?) gain her access to a GOOD pay raise. She worked for a company that was recently purchased by Dell, so now works for Dell.

All 3 of the girls have a basic foundation in western riding, huntseat riding and jumping. They may not know or understand a basic dressage pattern - but all the instructors they took lessons with worked from a base in dressage. All three have worked many long hours to develop their balance in the saddle. They can feed a horse if feed program is set up for them - they will flounder a bit when/if they get started on their own. Nothing wrong with that. Not sure any of the 3 realizes just what equipment costs or what I did to get it (I made/still make a lot of my own equipment) and riding stuff. Went to lots of consignment shops, bought used and maintained it. Helmets and boots alone are dear... Our first horse trailer was manufactured in 1969. I purchased it in 1997. I still have it - got a new floor & raised the height of the roof in 2001 - it gets regular maintenance - no longer has the canvas roof canopy. The girls pretty much stopped going with me to events in 2007, started downsizing the bigger horses then. Bought new Shetland ponies from bloodlines I liked - older broodmares. Took lessons in driving from a Draft Horse trainer from April 2010 thru November - using braided haystring harness I'd made. Trained the pair to work together, they worked on our small acreage at home. They pulled a draft horse drag together at their first event.

View attachment 1460550

Purchased a new bumper pull stock type trailer in 2012 to haul ponies and the wagon they pull. I can get the wagon in the back, the harness purchased between 2011 & 2014 hangs on the trailer walls, the collars go in bed of the wagon. Can haul up to 6 shetlands in the front (gets "whiffy" - prefer to haul no more than 4)... Grooming supplies, covered buckets of water, extra hay goes in bed of truck, full haybags either in trailer w/ ponies or hanging on outside of trailer for them when we arrive, coolers for human drinks and food. We've hauled these shetlands to rated Shetland/Mini horse shows in TX, OK, OH, IL & IA - though mostly the ponies that were shown were kept with trainers that trained, conditioned & hauled them to the shows. I have hauled the driving ponies around NC & SC (haven't been to any events in VA), OH & TX. I used to go out with a friend, but since her dad has had lots of health issues we last hauled together in October 2013 & I had started going to some places events by myself... That's a lot of work when you haul 4-6 Shetlands yourself. But I love driving pairs (in work harness).

There is a lot to learn in the horse world.... If you are ever down in NC, give me a holler. I can show you some driving ponies and do some logging. OR if you come down during major 3 day event driving in Southern Pines, you'd have something else to watch, too. I still wish I could ride again, I've missed it. But the ponies are easier for me to care for, groom up and haul by myself w/o anyone else involved...

I think our granddaughters are going to outgrow the Shetlands before they ever get real interested in learning to ride. They are only 4 miles away from us - and they are here several days a week - but they'd rather play with electronics or swim in the pool then "work" with ponies...
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Saw that and just replied but I will copy the reply here too just so we don't derail that thread or in case you wanted to answer all in one.

"Thanks so much for all the info and help! There's so much I'm not really sure where to reply but it is definitely very helpful so thanks! And wow your one daughter has had it pretty rough with all those major accidents/injuries! Hopefully she's doing well now. And thanks for all the info on like exercises to practice and how to get on and off the horse and all that stuff, it's helpful. I'm not sure anyone will let me try that here/on their horses but maybe. I do think it could help"

Anyway, thanks again. And thanks for the offer! I do wish we were closer because you seem to have a lot of info and knowledge that I could learn from and I could possibly try some of those exercises you mentioned or at least learn how to do them because I'm not sure anyone here would let me do thay but I might try to ask after I've been riding somewhere long enough. Or maybe find a specific equine therapist or something aha

As to the babies and horses for sale, I wouldn't actually get them, I just love horses and now have been bit with the bug again so I like browsing. I browse lots of other animals too aha

And I hope you have better luck with your garden!!
 
BreanneRN said:
Well, it is an interesting case, it isn't the most common thing for someone to put a foal up for sale before birth... Although maybe it is more common back east. Perhaps their confidence levels in that foal are not what they should be and they want him/her out of there by 6 months weaning time. Or could be they know they can't keep him/her longer than that because they don't have sufficient land or zoning... Hard to tell. As to the free gelding, I might actually be inclined to refuse that, it should be the owner's prerogative when to geld and I would have it done when the horse developed to a point I liked, if a colt. Especially when breeding to an Arab, you can expect to lose some of that warmblood muscle and keeping them intact for awhile can sometimes put it back. Usually, if someone includes gelding, it's because they don't want that horse leaving the property able to breed. Or perhaps they just have no facilities to separate the mother and colt, so must geld to prevent an unwanted accidental breeding... You could check all that out, ask a few questions if you went to see the mare. I'm not in the market though and the horse is far away. Probably a good thing. And the last thing any amateur horse person should be buying is an unborn foal. You would be responsible for all the training that needs to happen before that horse is ready to go under saddle and after too. Training is extremely expensive and since you don't know how you would have to pay for it. A lot has to happen after birth of a horse to bring out the best in them and easy for an amateur to ruin one, because they don't know horses and don't know what to do, and don't see the subtle signs of disrespect. A horse will test you, it is their nature to want their leader to be strong and they won't follow or obey someone that isn't. With horses, you have to speak their language, understand their nature, and always realize they are horses 1st and did not read Black Beauty or see National Velvet, or watch Fury on Saturday morning and don't know that they are supposed to be the equine version of Lassie.
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I never thought of those reasons, maybe I am too trusting/nice/naive haha thanks

They probably don't want people breeding cause they're worth a lot.

And yeah, I wouldn't buy it, just found it pretty and interesting because I've never heard of the breed.

That's a good point though and I didn't realize they were so opportunistic or whatever. I guess maybe I'm a little too optimistic or something or like coming from a different perspective with a lot of other animals where the boss thing isn't the best anymore or doesnt even work and was hoping I wouldn't need it but maybe horses still have a boss?
 
Chick-N-Fun said:
I have 3 horses. 2 paints and 1 QH. I used to ride everyday.....now you are more likely to find me watching my chickens than in the arena! Lol. I still enjoy them and ride, but not nearly as often. They are a huge expense, but worth every penny!
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Aw I can understand that! Chickens are awesome! Lol

casportpony said:
You want to see some horse eye candy? If so, start looking at pictures of Welsh Ponies! :D
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I am definitely going to do that now!
 
They seem a little small for me though but maybe not. Maybe there are bigger ones or half bred ones. Or I could try driving. I think @paintedChix mentioned that. I had not considered driving before and am kind of scared of that too, maybe more cause you can't easily get out, but it does seem really fun.
 

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