Cost for a decent trail horse?

[MysticOakRanch]

I’m a dressage rider, so horse prices are really different in my “world” - but I have reached the point in life where I want to do some trail riding. My dressage horse has let me know she is NOT a trail horse;) OK, fine, I understand.

So I am thinking of buying a trail horse. My criteria -

I like a forward horse, so nothing sluggish. I understand forward horses intimidate some riders, but that is my preference.
Not too big - 14.2 to 15.2 hands.
Not too old - 6 to 10 years old.
Not too wide - medium to MW back.
NOT gaited - I want a horse that walks, trots, canters.
Does not need to be registered.
Needs to be sound!
Mare or gelding is fine.
Decent conformation - I went and looked at a horse that had a hunter’s bump, and I guess I’m too vain to get over that;) He was also skinny and kind of beat up, that I can fix, but the hunter’s bump bothered me.

I am in Northern California. What do you think the budget would be for such a horse?

[rainpants]

What is “some trail riding” for you?

A) Is it a nice ride on some groomed trails, with a couple friends?

B) Or is it crossing rivers, climbing mountains, jumping logs and ditches?

In my part of the world For Horse A) I’d budget somewhere around $2000.

For B… More like $5000.

[cutter99]

The last one I bought like that was in 2003. I paid $4900, he was worth every penny, and I still ride him every day. And we got everywhere, trail or no trail. I have been put in horrible situations while riding with others, and this horse is an absolute angel!

Mine is a registered QH, great confirmation and dun. If you go to my profile his picture is there.

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=fallenupright;8836473]
What is “some trail riding” for you?

A) Is it a nice ride on some groomed trails, with a couple friends?

B) Or is it crossing rivers, climbing mountains, jumping logs and ditches?
.[/QUOTE]

Oh, more like A, although there could be some crossing of small creeks, and I would love to do an ocean ride once a year (I am about 2 to 3 hours from nice ocean riding). Nothing major though! Some riding on my own property - trails aren’t groomed, but ground is lightly rolling hills. Some hauling out to “safe and sane” trails. Probably once weekly haul-out, a few times a week around my property, or even in the arena. I am not looking for a competitive endurance type, for sure!

[Pocket_Pony]

I was going to ask what you mean by trail riding, but someone beat me to it. You are certainly poised in the right area of CA to find a good trail horse! Being so close to Tevis country and the foothills, there are TONS of trail riders up there - both people who do endurance and people who “just” trail ride (even though trail riding could be camping, going down single track on the side of a hill, going over bridges, through rivers, etc.).

I don’t know if you can do ISO ads, but you might check with some trail clubs around the foothills areas. I have a couple friends who are in this club: http://www.goldcountrytrailscouncil.org/.

If you are open to mustangs I could see if the guy I got mine from is still working with them. Last I heard he was interested in doing Tevis, but he used to get mustangs and burros from the BLM and train them up and take them out on packing (hunting) trips, so they’ve seen everything (although green under saddle for what you’d be used to with a green w,t,c dressage horse) and will go anywhere. Mine is an AMAZING trail horse (but like I said, was very very green about any sort of “refined” riding and doing any sort of arena work). I would take him anywhere and feel confident that he could handle the situation (and since I got him did “dressage” him up;) to get him more rideable).

Good thing about mustangs is that most of them are so hardy as to not need shoes. They are small enough to get off/on while out riding, or duck under tree branches or whatever. They are very careful with their feet.

I would not sell my mustang for anything. His trustworthiness and the miles and experience I’ve put into him make him priceless to me. That might be the thing with finding a good trail horse to buy. Just like anything, the really good ones aren’t sold.

If you’re open to QH, you might check with Bryan Neubert. I don’t know what his horses go for, but he breeds (and starts) his own and they get a thorough education going out on his ranch. I have a friend who has one of his horses and he’s an awesome horse. Great brain, sound, solid horse.

[MysticOakRanch]

I am not opposed to a Mustang, but… It would have to be pretty broke. I know several people who have gotten Mustangs and found them to be really tough horses to train. I know that isn’t always the case, but it does make me a little wary.

I’m leaning more toward Arab cross, Morgan cross, QH cross, something a bit more domesticated

[cripplecreekfrm]

I have one that meets your requirements that I have for sale for 3k but I am on the east coast

[Pocket_Pony]

[QUOTE=MysticOakRanch;8836625]
I am not opposed to a Mustang, but… It would have to be pretty broke. I know several people who have gotten Mustangs and found them to be really tough horses to train. I know that isn’t always the case, but it does make me a little wary.

I’m leaning more toward Arab cross, Morgan cross, QH cross, something a bit more domesticated ;)[/QUOTE]

Yes, they are tough minded for sure.

When I was considering a Morgan I found this person online:

http://www.jafmorganstockhorses.com/

She puts a really good start on her horses. I visited her ranch to go shopping but at the time I wouldn’t consider a mare (ha!) and she had a lot of those who were ready to be started. She might at least be a good resource.

[Palm_Beach]

I think brain-wise you can’t beat a stock breed horse. And while trail riding you are always in for surprises, so sitting on something that maintains composure is a super big plus. Good luck!!

And cutter99 your horse is such a cutie!! Love his color.

[Lusoluv]

My friend in WY is always looking for horses you described. She is an outfitter that takes guests on trail rides in moderate to tough mountain terrain. She usually pays between $350 - $550 and gets nice stock bred horses. Usually QH or Draft crosses with some TB crosses. They need to be sound, not too tall, able to pack a novice but not be dead-headed. She always has about 25 horses on hand, so you just have to put your feelers out and let people know you’re looking. Tell your farrier, your vet, local tack or feed shop, local trainers…They often know of horses looking for a good home at decent prices.

[saratoga]

In my experience, trail horses are super cheap. Especially Arabs and Arab crosses. If you like a forward horse they can’t be beat for trail and I see lots for sale for under $1000.

[2tempe]

OP - Suggestion: A bunch of years ago I did a vacation ride out of Ricochet Ridge Ranch in the Fort Bragg area. The owner had a really nice bunch of horses - arabs, QH, several Akel Teke’s and so on. She is/was an endurance rider. We rode in the forests, beaches, everywhere in between.

You might want to contact her - don’t know if she sells hers, but maybe. She can maybe also give you some suggestions, price ideas. Not sure if you are that far north.

[SharonA]

For what you’re looking for, I’d encourage you to consider horses older than 6 to 10 years. A horse that is healthy, sound, and sane in its early or mid teens, especially if it’s an Arab cross, might be expected to do what you’re looking for until the mid 20s, and likely a few years further. And a mid- or late-teens horse is likely to have a good brain, good experience, and a lower price tag.

[AKB]

Think about what you really want. My two good trail horses are jack of all trades type horses. My Irish Draught is a brave, awesome, trail horse. He also could foxhunt or do low level eventing or schooling jumpers. My Connemara/TB is an incredibly brave, agile, trail horse. He has evented through Training level and does nice Training level/first level dressage. My daughter has an Irish Draught/Arabian who loves long trail rides. He is also a good lower level eventer.

We paid more for our horses than we would have paid for horses who only knew one discipline. However, the versatility is really nice for us. Enjoy the trails!

[poniesinthenight]

These folks do an awesome job on rehabbing TB’s http://www.gatetogreat.com/

[Shine]

Depending on how far No. Cali you are maybe you can get some recommendations from here http://www.greenhornranch.com/.

[DQ_Foxhunter]

Of course there are good trail horses in most breeds, my TB is awesome on the trails very catty and sure footed.
I also foxhunt him.
I also have a warm blood who is good on the trails but not as sure footed on tricky trails.
If I was looking for a strict trail horse I would also look first at the stock breeds, that unflappable temperament is a big plus in a trail horse.

[RockstarPony]

I would also look on Sacramento craigslist, honestly - it’s a maybe little sketchy sometimes, but that’s where I usually see people posting ranch/trail horses. The ex-ranch horses I’ve met are fantastic on the trails; pretty good at moving off the leg, very used to having a job, and basically impossible to surprise.

If you’re willing to take more of a risk, I have a friend in the area who’s bought all of her endurance horses out of people’s backyards for less than 1k each, and somehow she’s had nothing but good luck. That method’s kind of a crapshoot, but it might be worth poking around a little to see what’s out there.

[cutter99]

Thanks Palm Beach! He is the perfect trail horse for me- short, stocky, great bone and foot, and broke, broke, broke. He is actually very well bred for cutting, but did not have the attitude for it. I was looking for quality when I was shopping and I did find it in him.

[Shine]

This guy might be a older than you want but seems like he’s still has a lot of get-n-go to him, I’m just glad I live on the other side of the country because I don’t need another horse. https://reno.craigslist.org/grd/5754923233.html