Finding a trail horse

[jody_jaffe]

I’ve been looking at the FB Trail horses for sale page and the last two that seemed intriguing, I did a google search of the seller and they came up in Ripoff Reports and had files claimed against them through the BBB (even the one who said "we pride ourselves in selling honest dependable horses).

So can anyone PM the names of people they would trust to buy a dependable, quiet, level-headed non-gaited trail horse with verifiable trail miles on the east coast, preferably within a few hours of SW Va?

Thanks!

[AKB]

What is your budget? What do you want to do with the horse? What age,size and breed? What will the living conditions be? Field boarded? Living at home with lots of pasture and a runin?

I regularly trail rode my Irish Draught for 9 years. He is brave, smart,quiet and a perfect confidence booster. I would not recommend the breed if you want to do 25 mile rides. He gets tired. Now, he has some soundness issues, so I am riding him less and I bought a Connemara/TB cross. My Connemara is like a sports car. He is a lot of fun.

Think about what you want. I love the Irish Draughts for their sensible nature. Most of the breeders know the other breeders, so it is usually easy to find out the horse’s history. My Connemara cross is also quite sensible, but does have a bit of a mischievious pony streak at times. There are some very good Connemara breeders in Virginia. Mine was bred by Deb Norman in Berryville. She has bred many good trail horses and ponies, as well as a lot of competition horses and ponies.

[katyb]

Check out Starting Gaits.

[paintedtrails]

You might also use the Endurance Tack & Horse Swap Facebook group, there are also several VA facebook groups for selling horses too

[WoofNWhinny]

If I were looking for another horse, I’d trust Denise:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gaitedhorsesofthemidatlantic/?hc_location=ufi

Webpage:

http://www.gaitrrr.org/index.html

You can’t beat these gaited horses for sane, calm, sensible personality, then add in the smooth ride and you’ve got a perfect trail horse.

[jody_jaffe]

Thank you for your suggestions. I find the FB groups intriguing, but the last two I googled had awful records in both Ripoff Reports and the BBB. So i was hoping to get the names of people chron readers have bought horses from.

Happy trails!

[jody_jaffe]

Thank you for your suggestions. I find the FB groups intriguing, but the last two I googled had awful records in both Ripoff Reports and the BBB. So i was hoping to get the names of people chron readers have bought horses from.

Happy trails!

[candyappy]

A few of the best mounts I bought for my kids were by word of mouth. If you know people in your area who you trust put the word out and they may know someone.

[chicamux]

Another thing to consider is to place your own “ISO” (in search of) ads. There are lot’s of people out there who have considered selling a horse/saddle/trailer but dread all the hassle of selling and never do place their own “for sale” ads. But if you run a clear detailed ad about what you want, what kind of rider you are and what you have to offer a wonderful horse, you might just get some good responses. Let the sellers contact you.

Friend Amanda Brunson is a honest trainer who lives in Louisa, VA. I’ve heard really good things about her. Friend Kim Belajac Pinello who owns The Galloping Grape in Warrenton. Kim is an avid trail rider and has horse people coming into her tack/wine store non-stop. A friend bought a wonderful trail horse from her. Yes, he is gaited. Did you know that most gaited horses will also trot as needed? Oh, Contact: Laura Martlock 540-292-1654
http://www.wildwoodfarmva.com
She is a trainer/instructor involved with TREC. She lives near Staunton, VA. Trail riding is a big part of TREC. I went to a clinic at her farm. She may be a very good contact for you. She knows other SW VA horse people so she may give you other contacts. Good Luck.

[GotMyPony]

I would make contact with some endurance and competitive trail groups - and there is a pretty big contingent in Va. I got my own horse because its owner was ready to increase her endurance distance and speed and her first horse (now mine) was great at the limited distances but not going to be a competitive 50-mile-or-more horse. I wanted to do only Limited Distance, Hunter Paces and basic trail riding around my home area so her horse suited me to a T and was really well trained for trail riding, overnight camping, etc.

[Mukluk]

It sounds like you want a horse that is already used to going on trails. Otherwise I think any level headed horse capable of having the endurance for the kind of riding you want to do would work out. My OTTB (purchased with only about 13 rides since leaving the track) turned into a very trusty trail horse who will happily go into the ocean up to her belly, gleefully jumps over logs, picks her way through rocky sections/obstacles, and has lots of go (never seems to get tired). Hope you find a wonderful trail companion!

[sketcher]

[QUOTE=chicamux;8975511]

The Galloping Grape in Warrenton. Kim is an avid trail rider and has horse people coming into her tack/wine store non-stop. [/QUOTE]

WAIT!!! A Tack/WINE store, all in one place?? Does this not deserve a thread all on it’s own??

[enjoytheride]

I have friends who have purchased horses from http://www.horseofyourdreams.com/

They have nice sales videos and appear to be quite honest with the horses they get in and sell. They specialize in flashy horses as well as gaited horses.

[Hunter_JumperMom]

Not sure if this was the normal approach but I looked for a fox hunter. With the logic he would be able to handle anything on trails dealing with packs of horses and dogs! Ended up buying a 6 year old Belgian/Morgan cross. So far so good! But very happy I went the fox hunt route. And I only trail ride.

[Salty]

A fox hunter or a working ranch horse!

[Foxglove]

This is an old threat, but I did just the opposite of Hunter/Jumper Mom --I was looking for a fox hunter and bought a trail horse! --Actually, he’s a ranch horse with trail riding in his resume --same idea though --if he can handle picking up bronc riders at a rodeo, I’m thinking he can handle the craziness of foxhunting! Haven’t taken him over fences yet, but I’ve only had him two weeks! We’ll get there. Oh, I bought my guy from Stony Creek Quarter Horses in Reading, MI --they are on facebook. They give a 7 day guarantee --don’t like the horse for any reason and they will refund (actually, they don’t cash the check until 7 days are up). Very nice people and good-headed horses.