Need Input on Which Horse to Go With

[MidnightWriter]

I know nobody can tell anybody else what to do, but I would really like some objective input as to which of two horses I should lease.

One horse is a retired eventer. He has done Novice, but he is not 100% sound anymore for galloping/jumping. I have always wanted to try eventing (talking Tadpole here, not even Beginner Novice). I love dressage; I also love getting out of the ring and riding across country, on trails, etc. I used to jump (2’ tops). I have been doing Intro Level dressage, and trotting ground poles, and know my own limits. This horse is sound for what I want to do, and he could teach me more than I will probably ever need to know. He seems to like dressage, and is very good in the ring, but once outside the fence he can get kind of hot and bothered and strong.

The other horse is a trail horse. That is all he has ever done. He is retired now from long rough trails, but he is 100% sound for hacking and for the trails around here. He will go in front, in back, in the middle, or alone. He is so laid back as to have almost no personality at all. He is also quiet in the ring, but he knows nothing about dressage. He will jump logs, etc., out on the trail but he is totally self-taught. I trust him as much as you can trust any horse. He is gaited; his preferred intermediate gait is a sort of singlefoot (he’s a Morgan cross). I don’t know if I can teach him anything about dressage but I would like him to know some.

I’m not interested in going to major shows and showing off my horse and my lack of talent. I am interested in entering some local schooling shows and fun days where I can ride with my friends and have fun. The eventer is like my dream horse and I would like to at least try to realize a dream before I retire. The other horse is not at all my dream horse, not at all the kind of horse I ever thought I would want, but he is very quiet and relaxing.

[candysgirl]

Lease? Given your goals, I’d lease the first one. If you were talking buying? I’d pass on both.

The first one can teach you a bunch while he’s still mostly sound and when you’ve outgrown his limited abilities, you can hand him back to his owner. Lease him.

The second one could certainly be taught dressage and to jump (Morgans are usually quite athletic), but if you don’t already know how, I’d not put a lot of effort into a leased horse.

[Lieselotte]

What exactly is the issue with the horse that’s not quite sound anymore?
Sounds like he could break your heart - and your wallet…
The other horse doesn’t sound ideal either, at least not for what you want to do.
Are these two your only choices?

[katyb]

What does 100% sound for hacking mean? Around here, trail riding requires more soundness than pretty much anything you can do in an arena.

I’d keep looking, if it were me.

[Tucked_Away]

[QUOTE=MidnightWriter;7245928]
I have always wanted to try eventing…I also love getting out of the ring and riding across country, on trails, etc… I am interested in…fun days where I can ride with my friends and have fun…but once outside the fence he can get kind of hot and bothered and strong.[/QUOTE]

I’m happy to believe that horse #1 is lovely and that he’s serviceably sound, but I keep getting do-not-pass-Go-do-not-collect-$200 stuck on the part where he just doesn’t sound suitable for the job that you want him to do.

Horse #2 sounds like a really good boy but an Intro Level rider and a green-to-dressage horse can make for an awfully frustrating match. Doesn’t sound like he’s going to hurt you, though, so how much fun you might have (or don’t) with this one really depends on your personality and goals.

If it were me, I’d look for a door #3.

[ThistleDewDressage]

Tadpole level is very very little work for the horse. Literally trotting over 18" or so. If you feel comfortable riding this horse out, he may be good for you to lease and learn on. If you have problems with soundness he could always go back to his owner for a less demanding job. I would consider him more favorable than the other. Good luck.

[GotMyPony]

You don’t say how old you are or how high your capacity for risk is (increasingly important as you get older). On horse #1 the unsoundness and the “hot, bothered and strong” outside of the ring would cross him off my list.

Horse #2 would get my vote for a lease. An experienced trail horse really has been exposed to a lot of things and you say you totally trust him. Plus he seems OK in the ring (which not all trail horses are). It sounds like on this horse you could relax, have fun, and work toward your tadpole eventing goal. You can teach him while improving your own skills, and if you find yourself outgrowing his capabilities in the future, you could return him to his owner as a better horse. Or you may fall in love.

[Flash44]

Neither horse appears to match up with your goals, and both appear to have soundness issues. Keep looking. There are lots of nice horses out there for not much money, and why be frustrated with a horse when you don’t have to?