I am a timid rider w/ trainer located in the Midwest thinking about my next horse. I have had horses for most of the past decade (have evented minimally through BN when packer horse was sound), but have had minimal consistent riding due to soundness issues - if you read my prior thread I did have to euthanize one earlier this year due to chronic soundness issues, I had to retire another horse completely from riding this year as well. I am not in a position to ride a sensitive forward horse (need a push ride), but don’t have more than a budget of about 15k. I would like to do lower level dressage, get some scores towards the bronze, and do a little jumping with a horse that a wide variety of riders can ride. Theoretical horse must pass a PPE to include back X rays but I welcome routine maintenance (hock injections/shoes). I don’t want an older horse (no older than 14) as I do need to resell at some point. I don’t mind a manageable quirk on the ground (sedation for farrier, cribbing, etc) but I need it to trailer well, get along in herd, and I need to be able to resell at some point. I don’t care whatsoever about breed if it can do the job. I am feeling intimidated by the prices in this market and am not sure if I can find something safe and sound in this market without traveling across the country. Feeling a bit discouraged by the process today…
Word = Morgan or Morgan cross. I’ve seen more than a handful that would be suitable for what you describe, at least if you’re looking for something that isn’t > than 16 hands.
Look for a Morgan or even an ASB could fit the bill. Both are generally ammy friendly and cheaper.
Thanks for the info! I’ll keep that in mind - I really don’t care about height so much as I do build, a 15h horse with a substantial build would be great. I would fall into the timid advanced beginner w/ a trainer category in terms of riding ability. I’m 5’7
Just saw a 15.1h cute little bombproof mare sell for $6500 from an h/j barn. She would’ve needed a little tuneup for the dressage (clearly had some buttons but was a kids horse recently) but your jumping and other riding goals were all installed already. Saw another FANCY one go for even less, but she was just over your age range. Horses are starting to pop up at my local sales programs moreso than online.
If you can do just shy of 16 hands you’ll have a lot of choices, IME. Also, check out the facebook pages of the local H/J programs - you may find a great deal on something “too small” or not quite hunter-moving enough.
You should be able to find a western-broke stock type for about half of your budget. You can use the other half to have some professional dressage/jumping training put on it. A solid, basic paint or QH that has been down the trail, etc. is likely to be your best bet, IMO. Western horses are more likely to have been out and about, hauled to ropings, expected to stand tied to the trailer, been exposed to livestock and all and often without a huge premium added to the price tag.
This was my first thought as well. Buy the brains, size, age, and vet then train the rest. OP’s riding goals are reasonably doable for nearly any sound horse, and starting with the brain you should be set.
