How did you pick your next Dressage partner? How do you decide what age, level of training, breed and what not?
Especially on a lower budget:lol:
I’m just contemplating as a slowly start shopping after losing my young horse to Wobblers. Obviously I’m going to be picky and vet VERY thoroughly in the future. More than ever.
What does “lower budget” mean? Like $3k or 25k?
$10k and below…
Well, I picked my current dressage partner because he was the right price. A whopping $500 OTTB.
With that extremely low budget I’ve obviously had to spend a lot of time retraining and molding him into a good dressage horse. I also know we’ll probably never make it past third or fourth (assuming he stays sound for a good amount of time as we’re just second level right now).
My next partner I’ll have more money theoretically as I got my current guy a few months after I’d graduated college. But budget will probably always be the biggest factor for me. I can’t see spending more than $5,000-10,000 in my current tax bracket. So I’ll likely always have younger horses that need training. In that I look for a good attitude and a somewhat calm demeanor.
I don’t mind an off-breed. I also don’t mind getting mid to high 60s on a regular basis or not showing at the high levels. And I like one I can trail ride and hack occasionally. Easy keeper is great…particularly good feet.
But it’s all very much based on personal goals and finances.
I find them kind of at random.
The latest one was supposed to by my husband’s horse. My primary criteria were 1. wide bodied (my husband is 6’2, but I needed a non-giant since I had to ride the horse the other 364 days a year that my husband is not interested) and 2. so extremely uncaring about pretty much anything the rider does. I tried him and got in his mouth, pony club kicked him, knocked over the mounting block, laid over his butt, etc and he could not care less. I paid $5k for him, which really was too much, but when I say quiet, I mean Q-U-I-E-T. Yesterday I rode him within striking distance of a building with a guy wielding a nail gun on the roof. The only thing this horse has ever spooked at was a live, seven-foot-long alligator in Florida.
He proved to be more trainable than I expected (by a long shot) so became my horse but chief for me is a horse that doesn’t get flustered even when they’re unsure of what you’re asking or what they’re doing. I was looking for a response, even if it was the wrong response, rather than an ignoring or a shutting down and/or overreacting. There’s a lot you can do with a horse who is just cooperative and works on a fair question/reward basis.
My other recent acquisitions are: a three year old pony filly, whose video of her first ride included someone riding her up to the back of an open garbage truck, and the most expensive horse I’ve ever bought, my gelding’s half-sister who is 4 and was $13k USD from the breeder in Canada. I couldn’t raise a purpose-bred horse for $13k, so she was an excellent deal.
When you’re budget is low, you have to compromise a lot. Gender, breed and height (assuming you’re average height/weight) are first to be tossed.
Only looking for quality of gaits and temperment.
Canter and walk are most important.
Once you have some possible candidates out of what’s left, then you can narrow by age/height/breed.
Smaller horses tend to be less expnsive.
Green is cheaper.
Off breeds are cheaper.
My last mare cost $3,500. A 15.2h mutt. We won Series Grand Champion at Second Level, and won the dover award against 8 other riders (some who had won at Nationals the year before). Would’ve continued moving up, but she died unexpectedly.
My current mare was $1,500. We’ll be competing 3rd next summer (working toward my Bronze). I found her on craigslist. She’s got a lot of potential. If I were a better rider she’d be 4th by now and moving up.
A lot of kissing toads to find a prince (or princess).
I don’t think quality of gaits is all that important for a low budget.
Honestly, the great majority of amateurs do not need 8 gaits.
Most people need a good, trainable brain above all else. Sound is the second criteria - with or without maintenance depending on age/training. Third is three clean gaits - not necessarily fancy. A lateral walk, or a canter that lacks a moment of suspension or goes four beat, will get frustrating.
From there, you can compromise on age/breed/height/training/location. Shopping in the middle of the country and in other disciplines can work out well.
I had a wish list. Size (no more than 16 hands), temperment - ie good for ammy, trainable, can be hacked, not easily rattled. Decent gaits, particularly canter. Demonstration of a calm flying change; gelding. Lusitano/PRE. Age, somewhat flexible ie 6-13ish. Color - any. I took that list, looked online within a BIG price range, to get an understanding where the market seemed to be and how close I could come in the $ range that was actually workable for me. I thought about other breeds, but that seemed to be my deal breaker. IE I would rather have a younger iberian than an older and more trained something else even if we take longer to (hopefully) get to FEI levels again.
First, I would think hard about myself and about what parts of horses and dressage make me happy. Do you enjoy bringing along youngsters and will sacrifice immediate competition goals? Or would you rather deal with maintenance and get right to the show ring? Obviously you are going to make sure the horse is serviceably sound (as much as you can) after your experiences.
My horses have all been well within your budget. But I am not ambitious about competitions. I know my type and stick to horses with that kind of temperament. I would not be good with a nervous, flighty, overly-sensitive type, yet I didnt want totally phlegmatic. My Morgans have suited me as they are generally sensible and sturdy yet with a “go button” and a fabulous work ethic. I am short, so 15h works fine for me.
I shopped an off-breed and got a young horse that was very green. But he made me smile from the first video and I knew I wanted to work with him. As it turned out, he has exceptional gaits for his breed for dressage and has progressed well. OTOH, his beautiful barefoot hooves developed some issues and he now wears orthopedic horseshoes (neither the vet nor the farrier could believe it!) You never know with horses…
Horse shopping seems like it should be fun - but it isnt! With a limited budget it takes even more patience. Network with trainers and anyone who might know someone. Look at horses that dont seem like they would work. In the end, sacrifice what you need to in terms of breed, size, training, etc, but never compromise on your feeling about the horse. Find one that you really like and whose personality works for you. They are out there!
I’m finding this harder to do as the fb restrictions on animal sales combined with the decline in the use of sales websites versus individual webpages means prices are often not published or I’m required to waste the time of sellers to even figure out where I need to be.
What are your non-negotiables? Even when I was just browsing, I had my non-negotiables, so when presented with a horse, I could make a move-forward-or-no decision off the bat if I needed to. I was in the same bracket as you budget-wise and my only requirements were sound, sane, and tall, because I am tall with long legs. I lump gaits in with soundness, as a horse with good mechanics will stay sounder longer. At <$10,000, that’s about the extent of a horsey wish list.
My friend found my mare in the backyard of a breeder who was phasing out of the business. She was a premium filly out of an elite mare, tall, perfect temperament, gaits for an 8, with a modern and refined sporthorse conformation…but she was double digits and un-started, so I got her for a song. Did it take me a month to teach her to bridle? Yes. But good lordy is she a talented and trainable horse.
Pump your connections for prospects. Quietly tell people you are looking, what your maximum price is, and you might be surprised what someone has available. Even down south, there are horses that are waaaaayyy underpriced because their training isn’t advanced “enough” for their age. Other deals you might find: something with questionable or ugly x-rays, but passes flexions. A horse that isn’t making it in the discipline it was bred for. Fire sales - going south for the season or going north for the summer and they need it off their feed bill.
If you want 8/9/10 gaits and have competition plans, and if you are brave and capable and willing to do a thorough PPE to rule out something catastrophic, you might be able to get a talented-but-quirky individual under $10,000. They might buck when they come through their back, or stand up if there is too much pressure, or be cold backed, bolt, or have any number of holes in their program that make them unsaleable to the average amateur. What you don’t spend up front you will spend in time making them a solid citizen. For some people, that is a worthwhile pursuit. For others, it is not worth the risk.
I love this subject! I think, when buying horses, it’s super duper easy to lose sight of our actual goals, needs, circumstances, and desires in the face of things like potential, thinking about what’s “ideal” for the sport instead of for us, etc.
Here is my thought (it is worth what you’ve paid for it - no refunds :)): Assuming a baseline of soundness - if a horse can walk, trot, and canter without undue effort, then that horse can “do” dressage. I ride out of a dressage barn - we have lovely, purpose bred warmbloods; we also have QH crosses, TBs, draft crosses, Morgans, etc. We’re a barn full of adult amateurs, and no one is held back by their horse’s limitations. Do some things come more easily to some of them? Sure - but it’s at least as much rider input as horse capability.
My own personal process is not going to be useful in this case, because it is: Swear to buy nothing and to save up for a lovely, quality baby while focusing on the many, many project horses that people have asked me to ride. Fail after mere weeks into this upon being offered a total disaster of a horse who needs help. It’s working out - but it’s a bad process :lol:
What I’d tell myself to do, though, were I a less impulsive human, is figure out the following:
What are your actual goals as far as training and “progress” in the first year? It’s so easy to start daydreaming about “well I’d like a horse I could get to 3rd on…” and that’s an awesome goal! But are you a rider who is finessing their skills at second for whom a year-one goal of starting 3rd makes sense? Or would a goal of “I’d like to take one dressage lesson a week and successfully school a training level test” more your style for year-one? We will all have infinitely more fun and success with riding if we choose horses who will be suitable for our realistic year-one goals!
What do you want to do with this horse outside of dressage? Do you want to hack around? Play over fences? Let your kids or friends’ kids sit on it for pony rides now and then? Is it important for the horse to be road safe?
What would make you scared or uncomfortable or unhappy to manage in terms of riding and handling? Be honest - no one else needs to see this list! Will a looky, somewhat reactive horse kill the joy for you? Will you lose your marbles if you have to really work on tuning the horse up to your leg?
Once you’ve got those things in mind, look for that magic venn diagram of horses within your budget that seem to be a reasonable fit for your year-one goals. Assess as you go along, and buy one that makes you happy! (and that vets… obviously :))
These responses are great! So much to think about. I can’t respond to everyone but absolutely enjoyed reading your thoughts and advice.
I am not looking to be competitive. I’m more into the process and journey for sure. I want something I can grow with whether that be from green baby to something schooling first and developing it to schooling more advanced work like third/fourth level stuff.
I’m pretty good at picking something out with a nice, more uphill build and movement even for my budget. I look for pure gaits, a nice walk that over tracks and a good canter with some suspension and a decent hind leg. Nothing jaw dropping but nice enough.
I’m really good at picking a good mind. I am maybe even too picky about this because I really look for a specific type and temperament. I wonder if I should branch out a bit.
Where I struggle is being realistic (all horse’s have something going on with them ) or being over paranoid. I have a hard time finding the balance with this. I just plan on vetting well and getting second or third opinions.
I really love your post @kashmere. It’s a little different of a perspective and we’ll thought out.
My goals for the first year would be humble. Just getting to know the horse and doing training level work and other stuff would be fine. No rush to anything else. But after losing two young horses, I’m wary of anything that hasn’t had a lot of saddle time (I worry now about issues that just haven’t shown up yet without work) and I know I don’t want a huge project.
Outside of Dressage I want something my 9 year old daughter can at least help groom. And yes, even my 4 year old gelding was fine for that, supervised. I would also like something that I can trail ride on light trails in a group. And do very small jumps with occasionally.
Something really behind the leg would absolutely drive me nuts. Something grouchy or with a bad work ethic would not be my type.
Thank you guys. Here is hoping that I can find a match.
I was shopping in a similar price range and my experience in my area was pretty frustrating. After 4 failed (basic) PPEs on youngsters ranging from 3-6 years old, and a couple more ruled out by my vet preemptively, I realized I needed to reassess. I will say I was willing to accept imperfections on the PPE within reason. Anyway I found it to be a really tough price range to shop in.
Ultimately I realized I was going to have to up my budget, or by slashing it considerably I could also find a perfectly adequate project that would be fun to bring along with no big expectations because of the low price tag. So that’s what I ended up doing, we’ll see how that works out :lol:
@rulex I definitely don’t expect a perfect PPE (and personally I don’t know that any budget can insure that. I suppose at higher price tags more sellers have x-rays on hand though.) But my last horse ended up having Wobblers and pedal ostiestis, missed on PPE. So I’m going to be extra thorough to avoid that such stuff.
I hope your new horse works out!
OP I think you might have some luck shopping this Fall. A number of owners are looking to sell horses due to economic conditions and the coming cold weather.
I would not compromise on temperament or soundness (aside from a known issue you can deal with) Personally I would look at off breeds that are under saddle. Recent OTTBs might be riskier than you want after your experiences. Personally, my compromise would be on “talent”. A seemingly ordinary horse started perhaps as a hunter type who isnt cutting it there, or someone’s backyard horse can give you great experiences and certainly go through the lower levels. It might or might not surprise you by developing into a horse that can progress even further. But certainly you can enjoy all aspects and perhaps let your daughter take the ride eventually!
i love horses. i’ve always loved horses. I love getting to know them, becoming friends with them. I’ve begun dressage because i would like to get an ‘inside’ discipline now that i’m getting older. A way to ride toward a goal, but in a more controlled environment. I don’t actually have aspirations for showing (yet), i’m still progressing through my horses and mules to find out which ones have good natural abilities. We have a lot of horses and resources to keep them whether i ride them or not. (have several older retired horses in our herd) My ‘type’ of equine is an alert and sensitive individual. I prefer intelligence. The smarter the horse, the more i’m going to like her/him. And i want to have a beautiful lower-half. Down there i want a gorgeous, intelligent partner. One reason i think i’ve gravitated toward mustangs is i want a strong, healthy horse. I’ve had to say goodbye to many horses in my life and i’m going to do whatever i can to not fall in love with another ‘well bred’ horse. When observing videos of these mustangs i’ve bought from BLM, what i’ve looked for is athleticism and correct conformation. Though they generally have a straighter shoulder and shorter neck than purposefully bred dressage warmbloodish types, they have great mobile joints and thick legs and big feet. Many also have big heads lol, but plenty or room for brains in those big heads…And most of the ones i’ve gotten have smallish heads for their breed (but i come from Morgans, so i kinda like a smaller head) Body, beauty and brains…that’s what i look for in a horse.
@MsM I hope you are right! I could see it being that way this fall/winter.
I love Ottbs. I just get along with that type so well. But I do not want something straight off the track. I want something that’s definitely been let down and properly restarted and in work for sure. I’m actually pondering many other types right now. Looking at a mustang pony who looks really solid, great mind and very cute in training with a trainer I trust.
Other than that I’m eyeballing all types like Morgans, Andalusian crosses (if I can find one in my budget) Arabian crosses, even sport bred Appaloosas. I’m pretty open to looking at anything. Something lower maintenance sounds really appealing after having so many darn vet bills. 
Er, well… I impulse bought an ugly 3yo quarter pony last time. :lol: I just wanted something that would be fun to dink around with and didn’t really have a long list of requirements - 3 clean/sound gaits, not terribly old (<14ish), started, and not crazy. He’s a cute mover, not terribly downhill and doesn’t carry himself like a wheelbarrow. And he’s super chill. He gets bonus points for being cheap to maintain, too. He’s still sort of goofy looking, but he has the personality to compensate for it. :lol:
I think being open to look at most breeds will definitely serve you well - with a $10k budget you might even be able to find something pretty well going with some show experience. We’re heading into the right time of year for buying, too.
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