I am looking for a first horse and…?
Posted by adminHi everyone,
I am looking for my first horse. I was looking on www.equinenow.com and I noticed a palomino colt close by that interested me. He is 3 and is going to mature at about 15.2 hands. He is currently going through training and the writer of the ad seems very kind and knowledgeable. She says he is kind, has good ground manners, is quiet, and has no health issues. He has had a saddle on his back with no issues. He is also my favorite breed… American Cream Draft. However, I am kind of skeptical on purchasing a first horse that is still being trained. So I was wondering if you could help me decide if this horse is ok for my ability.
Here is my experience with horses:
- I have been riding for 6 years (english and western)
- I have helped at a ranch each weekend for 2 years
- I have leased 2 different horses for 1 year.
- I have lots of experience with grooming, saddling, bridling, lunging
- I have my own tack and supplies from leasing
- I can recognize sicknesses in horses and am good friends with a vet
-I have many people around me that are always willing to help
So, do you think that with the help of a trainer, a sweet untrained horse would be ok for a first horse?
And please no rude comments. Thank you all very much!!!
I think taking on this horse would be way more work than fun for you.
Having had a horse that was green (3 years old) when I bought it. I can tell you its EXTREMELY time to train it properly.
Just a simple thing like putting a blanket on and taking it off can take weeks for a horse to get used to before they're comfortable with it and dont spook.
Clippers, Farriers, Trailering, is all stuff you'll be spending lots and lots of hours on.
You will need to spend way more time on the ground working with the horse than riding.
I had a hard time even finding a trainer that would help me train my green horse because most trainers I found did not specialize in starting green horses and did not want to deal with them
Be careful with your decision. Find some trainers in your area and ask their opinion.
Good luck with whatever you decide
December 29th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Well. even with alot of experience you will probably have trouble training a young horse. My first horse, even after 7 years of horse experience and lessons, I got that young untrained horse, and I couldn't handle it. I had a trainer to help, and the horse dragged her across the arena, and then i got a different untrained horse in a trade for that one, it was better, but it was a slow learner. traded it for my trained mare. that was a better experience. I suggest you get your first horse as a trained one. its easier, better, and more fun.
EDIT
also, being a draft it is more dangerous. they are stronger, bigger and coarser. and harder to train.
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December 29th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Hmm, you do have a certain degree of experience, but I would worry about this possible 'first horse'
My gut feeling would be to go for a tried and tested 5-7 year old, that way they have ironed out or displayed any bad points. But still have plenty if ZIP in them and a willingness to learn!
I am 43, and have ridden from the age of 8, I have owned a few horses and ponies in my time, and have a 16 year old daughter who shares my passion, ( two others who don't! lol!)
I would not want my daughter to go in for this colt, ( she has 10 solid years of riding,BHS lessons and practical every day handling of horses at home) but I would still feel safer, with an older one, and don't forget to try, extensively, like for a month, before buying!
Good Luck.
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December 29th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
How many days of training is he going to have when they say "he's done"? Will he trail ride? Or is he going to be only in a round pen? I bought a green broke horse for my first horse and that was the stupidest thing I've ever done. I thought I was experienced too since I'd ridden for 25 years. I hope he's close enough to you that maybe you can go see him being trained. That way you could get a better idea of what he's like. If you get him, can you take lessons with him from a trainer? I wish you all the best but BE CAREFUL. Have fun.
References :
my horse sense
December 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I think taking on this horse would be way more work than fun for you.
Having had a horse that was green (3 years old) when I bought it. I can tell you its EXTREMELY time to train it properly.
Just a simple thing like putting a blanket on and taking it off can take weeks for a horse to get used to before they're comfortable with it and dont spook.
Clippers, Farriers, Trailering, is all stuff you'll be spending lots and lots of hours on.
You will need to spend way more time on the ground working with the horse than riding.
I had a hard time even finding a trainer that would help me train my green horse because most trainers I found did not specialize in starting green horses and did not want to deal with them
Be careful with your decision. Find some trainers in your area and ask their opinion.
Good luck with whatever you decide
References :
December 29th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
If this is your very first horse then you should probably get a fully trained horse. When i got my first horse he was a western trail horse and was allowed to do whatever he wanted , when he wanted, so when i got him we had to train him for english, which wasn't that bad but we also had to teach him manners which were still doing as i speak. And hes treat to be around most of the time but some times he can be a pain like when mounting i need to get people to hold him because he wont stand still. Also usually when you get a horse they will test you, see what you will let them away with and what you wont and because size and because he still in training it could get you into some pretty dangerous situations, so i would advise getting a fully trained horse that is maby five of six years old then he/she would be out of there loud and pushy stage in life and would be probably be alot calmer. Hope this helps. And Good Luck
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December 29th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
The question is if you think you can handle a green broke horse? Having as much experience as you have doesn't mean you can handle a young horse, BUT it also doesn't mean you can't. I have about the same experience and their is only certain kinds of "greenies" I can handle confidently. If you have just started looking I would only email the seller, ask for more info and more pictures (if possible). Then, if you search for another week or two and you are still extremely interested in him , and your trained thinks you will do wellwith him then DEFFINETLY go try him out
He sound like a very good prospect horse
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December 29th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I would say it's a bad idea. One bad habit could snowball so to speak and escalate into so many bad things that you could get over whelmed and feel that your riding and horse skills are bad enough that you no longer want a horse. Get something that knows something and I think you will enjoy owning a horse more. That's what horse ownership is about. Enjoying them.
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December 29th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
unfortunatly i dont think it would be appropriate.
There is the old saying, green on green makes black and blue. In other words novice horse and inexperienced owner leads to serious bruises/injuries.
This horse is only 3, it is a colt (so will need special handling) and is still being trained. Even with access to a very good trainer every day this will be very very hard work for you and in my experience young horses as first horses leads to heart break, tears and loss of confidence (and often the will to live if the horse decides to be completely obtuse).
The horse does sound lovely but not suitable for a first or indeed a second horse.
How about looking for something older (8 years +), that can teach you the ropes and then once youve learnt them then think about a younger horse.
References :
20 years of horse ownership.
many years experience breaking and schooling young horses.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I really think that you should get a horse that has already been ridden for a few years.
This may end up being just a huge nightmare for you and no fun.
Possibly even get you hurt. This guy is for someone with many miles under their belt.
I'd wait and get one that is more for you. Something you KNOW you can enjoy.
References :
king p234