I just went through this OP, and am a trail rider as well.
I contacted a trainer local to me, who had put some rides on one of my other horses a couple years ago and I trusted, as well as a trainer I rode with for years. I spent time looking at horses on my own, probably about a dozen of them, and was not finding quality in confirmation or training. I looked at horses whose owners couldn’t even tell you how tall the horse was and didn’t know what a “hand” was, as well as horse with more blemishes on their legs at the age of 5 then both of my senior horse’s legs combined. I probably went to places I never should have gone to alone, but didn’t always have someone else to go with me.
I ended up buying a really nice Haflinger gelding that the trainer I formerly rode with found through another trainer. He was about three hours away from me, which was probably not an area I would not have looked in otherwise. Haflingers are not my breed of choice (yet, but am very impressed!), but this horse fit the bill- great confirmation, lots of bone in his legs, very nice feet and short enough to make it easy to mount from the ground when out on the trail. He has been hauled around and seems to be smart, quick to pick up on new things and very people oriented.
The two trainers I worked through are on the TN/ GA border. Feel free to pm me if you would like their info!
