Picking your Dressage partner

[BigMama1]

those of us on lower budgets have to be really clear about what’s a priority, because we have to compromise. Look at factors like age, level of training, temperament, soundness, maintenance, show record, size, breed, colour, etc. and figure out what’s most important to you.

My first horse I chose because I LOVED HIM (I was 17years old). He was a greenbroke 3yo and unsuitable in almost every way. DON’T DO THAT.

My second horse was still green (age 5) but safe. Unfortunately he was not terribly sound and was retired at age 10.

My third horse I chose safe and trained - a true schoolmaster. The sacrifice was longevity because I bought her at age 22 - would never have been able to afford her even 5 years younger. Unfortunately we only had a year together but it was an amazing year.

My next horse will likely be of the aged, trained variety too.

[fordtraktor]

I like to be competitive but have a similar budget, so I bought a weanling.

She is 5 now and REALLY nice, but it was a long road to get here! I am seriously thinking of doing an ET from her for my next horse. I have a mare I could use as a recipient. It does take forever but horses are a long game no matter what, esp on a budget.

Really sorry about your horse. Wobblers is a heartbreaker. Horses are heartbreakers! Somehow we keep coming back…lol

[Dutchmare433]

I had a similar budget and a breeder I wanted to work with–I knew the mares and the temperaments. I picked the one with the best canter and ended up with a lovely 2 year old. I would have been fine with whatever age, but buying at 2-2/12 gave me a few months to mess around with him and let him grow before I backed him, but not so much time supporting him, it was more luck of the draw as the breeder usually sells them as foals.

It’s not always the cheapest or most advisable way for most people to go, but I have experience with young horses and like starting them.

[RedHorses]

My off-breed dressage horse is a TBxQH. Before the warmblood invasion this cross was very common in many disciplines. Now not so much.

These days a lot of Quarterhorses have a lot of TB blood. It isn’t always obvious as Appendix registered horses can earn their way into the main studbook and within a couple of generations the TB or Appendix ancestors fall off the papers and the horse you’re looking at seems to be full QH.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[Lunabear1988]

Buying a yearling or 2 year old would be the smartest way to get me the nicest horse I can afford. But after not riding much because of horse health issues, at this point I just want something I can ride. And I’ll sacrifice a little quality for that, as dumb as it is!

[Lunabear1988]

@RedHorses I had two QH horses growing up. One as a kid, a really nice foundation QH, retired jumper. So sound and well built. Old school breeding, had Three Bars in there.

And another big guy, 16.3 who had a good amount of TB blood although not super close up. He was very cool.

[kashmere]

@Lunabear1988

Buying a yearling or 2 year old would be the smartest way to get me the nicest horse I can afford. But after not riding much because of horse health issues, at this point I just want something I can ride. And I’ll sacrifice a little quality for that, as dumb as it is!

That is so not dumb! It would be dumb if you were hoping to establish your name as a breeder, or if you had specific high-level competitive goals. Other than that? Quality schmality. Truly, the number of folks I know who would have been much better served by buying something with less “quality” and was more suited to their strengths and weaknesses as a rider is bananas.

Life is short and hard and weird. If the thing that will bring you joy is riding your horse, buy a horse you can ride and hang the rest of it. No bullying yourself into feeling bad about a non-fancy horse, if that is indeed what you end up with.

[Mersidoats]

@Lunabear1988

@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.

As far as OTTB’s in work… have you talked to Amy Paulus? She has a huge network for TBs, many are right off the track, but some are in work and just need a new home. Plus, she is honest and ethical.

[Lunabear1988]

@Mersidoats have you worked with her? I talked her briefly years ago. I don’t want something straight off the track but she might be worth reaching out to about someone who bought and restarted one of hers.

[Mersidoats]

@Lunabear1988

@Mersidoats have you worked with her? I talked her briefly years ago. I don’t want something straight off the track but she might be worth reaching out to about someone who bought and restarted one of hers.

I have not, but my good friend got her mare via Amy. The mare was exactly as stated as far as her condition, soundness and temperament, and has proved to be an impressive horse. Her mom has also purchased a few through Amy, one as a personal horse and one that she uses in her trail string. My friend is in regular contact with her and is often forwarding me ads and photos of horses from Amy that I have no money to purchase :lol:

[Heinz_57]

@Lunabear1988

Buying a yearling or 2 year old would be the smartest way to get me the nicest horse I can afford. But after not riding much because of horse health issues, at this point I just want something I can ride. And I’ll sacrifice a little quality for that, as dumb as it is!

This is the opposite of dumb! :lol: it’s super sensible for your current needs. I bought my qh pony after a similar period, and haven’t regretted going with something a little plain and easy at all. It’s helped me get my sea legs back and not feel like a wet noodle up there. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun!

[BigMama1]

@Lunabear1988

Buying a yearling or 2 year old would be the smartest way to get me the nicest horse I can afford. But after not riding much because of horse health issues, at this point I just want something I can ride. And I’ll sacrifice a little quality for that, as dumb as it is!

Not dumb at all. The best advice somebody once gave me is “Buy the horse you are going to ride and enjoy now, not where you think your skill will be in 2-3 years.”

I’ve bought a 3yo, 5yo, and 22yo - guess which one I would do again in a heartbeat!

[ToughShet]

Wow, OP, you could be me right now. I’m also looking, in the same budget, out here in the PNW where it seems like horses are expensive in general (or I just do not have good connections). Here’s what I’m thinking about list-wise. Maybe we can stay in touch during this process! I’d love to know how you look for good mind, because that is key for me, too. I’ve ridden too many reactive horses and want someone with a little more “try” than “Why?!?” this time. Mu current must’s:

• No serious vices, which in my book means history of bolting or rearing. I rode a bolter for years and was fine at the time, but it makes me anxious now.
• Decent PPE. I'm still learning what to look for but I know I want to avoid kissing spine, at least.
• Forward, willing, sensitive but not reactive. A quickly settled spooker is fine. A drop-the-shoulder-and-spin-off-running every time type, I'll pass.
• Good feet
• Smooth canter; I just can't sit jackrabbits.
• Capable of trailering without meltdowns
• Not known to be buddy- or barn-sour
• Exposure to lots of different things — looking for someone who I can trail ride in an urban setting, and I'm really interested in doing low-key endurance rides. A little jumping would be fun but isn't necessary.

I'm hoping that my preference for smaller horses helps me. Ideally I'd love a mare who is an easy keeper with at least decent confirmation for dressage, but all of that's negotiable. A youngster with a good brain is fine, but so is a teen with several good years left. I like doing groundwork, so I don't mind working on manners, but a horse with something like severe food guarding would be out because of where I ride.

Like you, I’m more interested in building the relationship and poking along towards the levels. I would personally love to reach third and fourth someday, but I’m a “maybe can pass first on a perfect horse” person right now so I have no timeline and no pressure. I hope your search goes well! This thread’s been very informative for me. Thanks for starting it.

[Lunabear1988]

@ToughShet very similar! What side of the country are you on? It seems shopping on the East coast is probably much easier.

As far as looking for a good mind, I just like to see how they react to people, unknown stimulus, being asked questions they don’t know. I want them to try. Or if they spook, I want them to come back quickly and continue to resume work. Horses that will respond but not overreact.

Basically what everyone wants :lol:

[eightpondfarm]

My coach told me yesterday she’d like me to bring one of my mares back into lessons. That she is a quality horse…/./(as is the little black foxtrotter i’ve been training lately, but he’s not going to work out because well…foxtrotter lol-though i will school him under my coach for a while longer just to set him up right) That she (coach) likes everything about my beautiful mare (and then rattled off: her coat, her spiritedness, her nimbleness, and her stride, her size). So this horse, who came from a rescue as a filly, and cost almost nothing, will be my first dressage horse.

[Cameraine]

@Lunabear1988

Buying a yearling or 2 year old would be the smartest way to get me the nicest horse I can afford. But after not riding much because of horse health issues, at this point I just want something I can ride. And I’ll sacrifice a little quality for that, as dumb as it is!

This is reason, sense and knowing what you need, rather than what your heart thinks it needs. When I retired my mare and was casually looking I found this gorgeous, lovely moving, tall, black gelding. When I went to look at him the farm owner talked me in to looking at this other gelding as well, short (15hd-ish) muddy liver chestnut, but a decent mover. The flashy gelding, I knew from the moment the barn’s rider got on him that he was not for me. He was one of those horses that needed to be ridden six or seven days a week to remain sane and curb his naughty tendencies, plus he tried to bite me and the mounting block. Hard pass. The short, muddy chestnut? He came home with me, total solid citizen, super quiet, easy to trail ride, I popped my toddler daughter on him for her first rides. He was what I needed, solid, quiet, a joy. Is he perfect? Nope, terrible, terrible front feet but, I never worry about him bolting or rearing with me.

I might have to retire him soon because of those foot issues, the vet is coming to look at him today in fact. Which fuels my anxiety window shopping. I don’t have a grand budget either, so it’s older with maintenance, or young and unbroke. Who knows what’s out there that you could truly love if given the chance.