Are horses really this high?

[clanter]

at least when they’re hurt they can still go up and down the ramp without a big effort.

we have concrete wash area that is raised on two sides… we can back the trailer to that area providing a level walk on it needed, no incline

[eightpondfarm]

i once had to move a bull that was completely lame our of his pasture…i was so grateful i had a stock trailer with a ramp!

[Bluey]

@clanter

we have concrete wash area that is raised on two sides… we can back the trailer to that area providing a level walk on it needed, no incline

We had a place for race horse vans to pull up or back to that was about level with even the highest van, so horses could just walk in there.

Otherwise, we find a low spot or barditch to drive it so it is level to enter if a step up is not desired.

[Alterration]

@beowulf

Unapologetic sidetrack – I understand the utility of step ups, but in practice came to really dislike them. I used to have a step-up Ponderosa stock trailer. I liked that trailer a lot, until the day I had to load up my three legged TB and bring him to Tufts. He couldn’t get on the trailer easily, and then when it came time to unload him, we had to sedate him to get him to come off and I could tell it really hurt him stepping down because he made a noise I’ve really only heard a horse make once or twice. After that, I decided my next trailer would be a ramp - at least when they’re hurt they can still go up and down the ramp without a big effort.

I just bought a Bockmann in part because the rear ramp can convert from a ramp to a step up (and back) easily. Also has the front ramp. I want as many possible ways to get one on and off as I can get

[TheDBYC]

Probably. Or at least close to it. The number of people I see getting themselves into deep doodoo because they bought a trail horse “no more than 5yo, no maintenance, & budget of $1000 firm” is insane. The amount of training that goes into making a truly safe animal for real trail riding is substantial – probably more than is required for the average sport horse that hacks out. That horse looks practically like he could read Google Maps, talk to park rangers, and go grab the first aid kit if you fell! Lol. And he’s a great size for getting on & off out on a trail and really good-looking to boot.

[Scribbler]

Yes. I hang out at the low end of nice horses in a self board barn with no overarching training program, and I see the long road that even good riders are on with their budget projects let alone the adult beginners with projects.

Most recently a couple of very nice women who are decent riders moved in with older horses they bought from a dude string. At first it looked like a good match, they were going to hit the trails immediately. But over a couple of weeks they started uncovering training holes and possible physical issues that weren’t obvious when they kept the horses at the dude barn and went on group trail rides. At the moment they have stopped riding to think about these things.

As a teen I bought my horse young, safe, but very greenbroke from a dude string and learned a lot about training from teaching her things.

Anyhow I mention this to say that even if you figure buying a dude string horse is a cheap way to get a trail horse it can be balky or herd bound or even rather hot once you stary feeding it properly and not riding 7 hours a day.

It is going to cost the same miles in the saddle to make a trail horse as a performance horse, and a pleasant trail horse requires the same foundation training light off the aids, lateral work, etc.in

[TheDBYC]

@Scribbler

I hang out at the low end of nice horses

This totally needs to be a T-shirt, flare, FB group, something!

[moonlitoaksranch]

BLM horses and burros are still dirt cheap ($125 or $90). You can find a nice yearling to train your way and might even get money back. All you need is a five foot fence with some sort of shelter. Online auctions are pretty often throughout the year. Some of those babies were born in holding pens and have been fed by people their whole lives. Not much different than a ranch horse yearling. That’s my next project.

[eightpondfarm]

I Mustangs! And after many generations of survival of the fittest, they are bound to start out pretty darn well constructed. I have several mustang projects, and for me, the most fulfilling are the older ones that spent years on the open range, free. Talk about a clean slate!! My experience with the few i’ve gentled is that when they give themselves it’s is 100%.

[mvp]

@quietann

@Sandysmom

I’m also surprised that prices have gone up considering that people lost jobs and wages during the pandemic.

But people who might have been able to afford a horse – I am thinking white-collar professionals, at least in my area – actually benefited from the pandemic, for the most part. Remote work means way more free time, expenses related to commuting/work clothes/etc. are way down, for those who have money in investments, the stock market has been doing well, etc. Those who kept their jobs and didn’t get severe COVID or have a family member get it are probably way ahead compared to February 2020.

This is what’s going on. The pandemic has increased (as well as exposed) America’s growing wealth disparity. The whole thing is very 19th century.

What I see where I live-- Aiken, SC-- kind of a “destination town” for horsers, is an increasing number of aging adults who want to ride. And/or, rather I should say, there seem to be more of those around, and they are the ones who can afford these horses. But the need Reliable ones. And they don’t need a lead change, and perhaps not even a good canter. They might not ever want to bother with schooling in the ring. They would like a horse they can ride after some time off and have a safe, predictable time on the trails.

That is a good horse. But, I’d argue, it’s not a great horse. And it’s not a horse that should have taken years to train, nor one what had to be expensively-bred. I think these folks are buying the aging-out reiners and the Western ranch horses that smart marketers are selling to the rich (English) horse people on the East Coast.

[eightpondfarm]

i wonder, do horses that look western…ie colorful or with big booties, draw the interest of these east coast rich ladies? Or are they wanting a chestnut/bay to dress in english tack?

[cutter99]

@Bluey

@clanter

we have concrete wash area that is raised on two sides… we can back the trailer to that area providing a level walk on it needed, no incline

We had a place for race horse vans to pull up or back to that was about level with even the highest van, so horses could just walk in there.

Otherwise, we find a low spot or barditch to drive it so it is level to enter if a step up is not desired.

40-50 years ago everyone had the leveled area to back in, and many, many horses were still hauled in the bed of a pickup!

[cutter99]

@beowulf

Unapologetic sidetrack – I understand the utility of step ups, but in practice came to really dislike them. I used to have a step-up Ponderosa stock trailer. I liked that trailer a lot, until the day I had to load up my three legged TB and bring him to Tufts. He couldn’t get on the trailer easily, and then when it came time to unload him, we had to sedate him to get him to come off and I could tell it really hurt him stepping down because he made a noise I’ve really only heard a horse make once or twice. After that, I decided my next trailer would be a ramp - at least when they’re hurt they can still go up and down the ramp without a big effort.

I’ve been told the perfect trailer would be a step up in the rear, but would also have a side door with a ramp.

I just bought an LQ trailer with a ramp this year. I prefer a step up, but the ramp is necessary due to the trailer sitting higher because of taller trucks. It took a little work to get my horses used to it as I have had only step ups for the last 20+ years, they got it.

I was going to take the ramp off, but as my husband reminds me I am not getting any younger and the ramp makes loading things like my generator much, much easier!

[Spudsmyguy]

Also known as a loading dock.

[Sandysmom]

@eightpondfarm, the horses I see going for the highest money are those with color, buckskin, palomino, paint and appaloosa, bays and sorrels with lots of chrome. Definitely chunky with big butts. I think these ladies are turning to western tack as it’s more secure than English.

[mvp]

@eightpondfarm

i wonder, do horses that look western…ie colorful or with big booties, draw the interest of these east coast rich ladies? Or are they wanting a chestnut/bay to dress in english tack?

For every “color bigot” who hates a “loud”-colored horse, there is another who just adores the hair sturm und drang of a Gypsy Vanner.

These riders do not compose the majority of folks in Aiken. But there is a contingent of them. it will be interesting to watch the upcoming auction and to marvel at the prices folks might pay for “meh.”

[Willesdon]

@mvp

For every “color bigot” who hates a “loud”-colored horse, there is another who just adores the hair sturm und drang of a Gypsy Vanner.

Speaking up on behalf of the “Gypsy Vanner”, “Traditional Irish Cob”, “Drum horse” (and any other fancy name that has been applied recently), I live in the land of such hairy, coloured creatures and they are very popular because they are generally kind, forgiving, level-headed and very happy living in a field with low maintenance. Ideal amateur horses. They will turn a hoof to many things and often surprise their owners with how good they can be - like winning at national dressage competitions or putting in a good days foxhunting all season long. The hair thing is frequently solved by using clippers!

[mvp]

@Willesdon

@mvp

For every “color bigot” who hates a “loud”-colored horse, there is another who just adores the hair sturm und drang of a Gypsy Vanner.

Speaking up on behalf of the “Gypsy Vanner”, “Traditional Irish Cob”, “Drum horse” (and any other fancy name that has been applied recently), I live in the land of such hairy, coloured creatures and they are very popular because they are generally kind, forgiving, level-headed and very happy living in a field with low maintenance. Ideal amateur horses. They will turn a hoof to many things and often surprise their owners with how good they can be - like winning at national dressage competitions or putting in a good days foxhunting all season long. The hair thing is frequently solved by using clippers!

I agree with lots of what you said in praise of these horses.

But show me some accomplished, winning ones please!

Also, someone told me that they had been bred to not canter (since they were bred for the job of pulling carts while being very docile and easy-keeping). Is that right? I knew one who wouldn’t canter without a helluva ride. I thought she was just terribly behind the leg (while being a kind girl). But someone else said that she not cantering was common. Is that so?

[lenapesadie]

@mvp

Also, someone told me that they had been bred to not canter

I dunno. A lady semi local to me breeds, drives and rides the hairy, paint things. She has a relatively large lesson program using the hairy, paint critters as schoolies. They all seem to canter easily enough. Not stunning quality or anything, but responsive enough for beginners to learn to canter on.

Accomplished and winning? They do well enough at the lower level dressage and driving comps locally. I haven’t seen anything that screams UL prospect. Jumping seems a stretch. This all relative to the small sample size of this one program.

Wouldn’t be my pick for a sport horse prospect, but if I wanted a loud colored, husband safe horse I could ride or drive? I might be in. If I was shorter!

I like a 17 hand horse myself.

[Willesdon]

@mvp

@Willesdon

@mvp

For every “color bigot” who hates a “loud”-colored horse, there is another who just adores the hair sturm und drang of a Gypsy Vanner.

Speaking up on behalf of the “Gypsy Vanner”, “Traditional Irish Cob”, “Drum horse” (and any other fancy name that has been applied recently), I live in the land of such hairy, coloured creatures and they are very popular because they are generally kind, forgiving, level-headed and very happy living in a field with low maintenance. Ideal amateur horses. They will turn a hoof to many things and often surprise their owners with how good they can be - like winning at national dressage competitions or putting in a good days foxhunting all season long. The hair thing is frequently solved by using clippers!

But show me some accomplished, winning ones please!

Also, someone told me that they had been bred to not canter (since they were bred for the job of pulling carts while being very docile and easy-keeping). Is that right?

They can canter just fine. I have ridden some than can trot faster than a canter but they have all four gaits and are willing to use them.

As to a winner, take a look at Show Cob “Our Cashel Blue” ridden by Alister Hood, shown all summer and foxhunted all winter. There are loads of images and videos as he was supreme champion at HOYS etc but currently beyond my technical ability to upload one!