Shopping for a "boring" horse. Update post #115

[FatDinah]

[QUOTE=oldernewbie;8663512]
You might also consider a Saddlebred - no, not the high octane leg waving kind but the retired buggy horses at Saddlebred Rescue. Lots of ex-Amish horses brought along by one of the most reputable rescues around. Give them a call, tell them what you wan and they will find it for you. They are very good at matching horse and purpose.

Www.saddlebredrescue.com

They can help you with transport too.

Good luck!

ETA: They can keep an eye out for more sport horse types or western if you aren’t into saddle seat type.[/QUOTE]
I checked out their videos and love some of tem. OP look at Case!!!

[NoSuchPerson]

[QUOTE=ManhattanOnTheRocks;8663340]
You might do well looking at a higher end riding school, one that has horses that show so they’re a little more comfortable in new surroundings. That’s where I got my mare, she wasn’t loving the many riders many times a week, so now she putters around with me a few times a week![/QUOTE]

@Pocket Pony;8663349

I have a boring horse and he’s really quite handsome and sweet. Maybe see if there are any pony clubbers who have outgrown their horses or are going off to school?

I bought my boring horse, who is an absolute gem, from an older teen who was ready to move up to a less boring horse. I was alerted to his availability by her trainer, who knew I was looking for “boring,” and I bought him before he ever officially went on the market.

[Bluey]

Whatever you get, I would not compromise what you want and like.
Get it all in the horse you will have now for some or many years to come.

I would keep looking if you have questions about the one you check out.
“If in doubt, don’t” is always good advice in important matters like your next one and only personal horse.
A project horse, training horses, you get along with and like them all.
By the time you have many horses under your belt, for your own enjoyment, if you only want one as your friend and partner, being more choosy helps get the right one.

You don’t want to come back later complaining that you tried for a year and the horse you got is still just not pleasant for you to live with or ride.

The voice of experience here.
I am very short and old and wanted a short horse, 14.3 and under.
Found and bought the perfect horse but for his size, he is about 15.3.
Then I hurt my good left shoulder and it is not going to work any more.
Getting on is iffy, getting off not working at all without damaging the shoulder worse.

It will take as long as it does, but do wait for the right one, not buy any one and hope to get lucky.

[DoodlesMom]

I had some really bad falls, and several health issues over the past few years, so when I had to retire my older gelding for good, I knew I wanted a boring horse, like you. I’ve had the crazy horses, and I just wanted something easy and quiet, that I could get on and go, preferably something I could ride on trails immediately.

Well, somehow, after MONTHS of looking, I ended up with a yearling. The complete opposite of what I wanted! Now that he’s 4, he’s pretty much everything I was looking for. He has a great brain, fantastic personality, he’s gorgeous, and he’s sweet as pie. But definitely NOT what I had been looking for! He’s been so much fun these past couple of years though, that I’m pretty sure he was just what I needed to get me excited about riding again.

I like the suggestion of asking local riding schools if they have any older school horses that need homes. For me, it was all about patience. I tried some really nice, inexpensive, quiet trail horses, but I just didn’t have a connection with any of them. I tried a really lovely 4 yo ISH, who was stunning, but was a little more horse than I was looking for. I had almost given up when I found my kiddo. So it may take a while, but I’m sure you’ll find exactly what you need eventually. Good luck!

[jetsmom]

Too bad that mule that was posted in a video here last year isn’t for sale still. Most amazing bombproof mule ever.

[Malda]

I keep a spread sheet when horse hunting. It’s easy to forget who you’ve contacted and it’s a good idea to keep notes on horses you’ve tried.

I’ve also reached the slowing down stage, which caught me by surprise. I always trotted/cantered the trails, now I find I’m quite happy at a slower speed (but I still like my four hour trail rides).

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=Lucassb;8663766]
I bet you can find one. Ask at the tack/feed stores, the local vets, etc. FWIW, I have had the same challenge on the other side of the equation trying to find someone who would enjoy keeping my older guy in shape !![/QUOTE]

Thanks, I do hope so, but I’m open to all sorts of types as long as they’re safe. Well, as safe as horses can be, anyhow.

And I imagine it would be tough to find someone as well. It’s a special kind of matchmaking!

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=FatDinah;8664102]
I checked out their videos and love some of tem. OP look at Case!!![/QUOTE]

They are all so pretty! If I had to pick one by looks, I really like Scott, but looks are the least important part of the equation in this case. :lol:

[Countrywood]

Be careful to ask specific questions that the “boring” horse will be that boring in exactly the kind of riding you want to do. Don’t assume that a horse who is quiet and easy in certain situations, will be like that in others. If you want to do both arena work and trails, then make sure you get a horse that has already done both, not a horse that is good in one and you assume will like the other.

It still can cost $ to buy a quality “boring” horse that is also sound , there are owners who just want a good home and willing to sell for little but if a great one is there and costs a bit more can be well worth it.

Re, asking specific questions, an ammie I know wanted a very quiet, trail safe horse, bought one sight unseen but owner had ridden it all over the place, inlcuding parades, and sent photos of him riding the horse down busy streets . Ammie bought the horse, horse was quiet as can be on roads and trails except at the canter, when he would turn into a wild bucking machine (did same in ring at canter). The buyer failed to ask, and seller failed to disclose, that he never cantered the horse, just walked and jogged it in all the parades and streets. Nobody including trainers could ever get that horse to settle at the canter, so owner just never cantered him ( eventually sold him I hope horse is ok)

[Countrywood]

Maybe I am missing something, but how does a Saddle bred ridden in a double bridle with high headed carriage and big gaits as shown in he videos of them on the rescue site translate to a boring horse? (aka easily rideable and easy going).

[fordtraktor]

You might also consider something super smooth for your joint issues. I have a good friend who is big into those Rocky Mountain gaited horses back home. She does competitive trail riding with them. A very nice one with with thousands of competitive trail miles, parades, shows, the works, a good solid 10-12 age and pretty and sound seems to be able to be had for a couple thousand. To me that sounds like it might be perfect for you. I have ridden some of them and they are fun and sensible, at least the ones I rode were. And smoother than the STB pacers I have ridden which were super fun but are hit and miss on being comfortable. I have a bad back and I can’t walk after riding half of the STBs though some are awesome.

She rides them western on a long rein, they don’t have to be held in a gait or anything.

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8664190]
Whatever you get, I would not compromise what you want and like.
Get it all in the horse you will have now for some or many years to come.

I would keep looking if you have questions about the one you check out.
“If in doubt, don’t” is always good advice in important matters like your next one and only personal horse.
A project horse, training horses, you get along with and like them all.
By the time you have many horses under your belt, for your own enjoyment, if you only want one as your friend and partner, being more choosy helps get the right one.

You don’t want to come back later complaining that you tried for a year and the horse you got is still just not pleasant for you to live with or ride.

The voice of experience here.
I am very short and old and wanted a short horse, 14.3 and under.
Found and bought the perfect horse but for his size, he is about 15.3.
Then I hurt my good left shoulder and it is not going to work any more.
Getting on is iffy, getting off not working at all without damaging the shoulder worse.

It will take as long as it does, but do wait for the right one, not buy any one and hope to get lucky.[/QUOTE]

This is really good advice, particularly as I do tend to keep my horses until they pass. Thankfully, I’m not in any hurry. I’ll actually probably have more free time in a few months, but I know that horses don’t always do things on our timelines. And if Sadie was still alive, I’d be finding the time for her, so I can find time for the right horse.

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=DoodlesMom;8664239]

Well, somehow, after MONTHS of looking, I ended up with a yearling. The complete opposite of what I wanted! Now that he’s 4, he’s pretty much everything I was looking for. He has a great brain, fantastic personality, he’s gorgeous, and he’s sweet as pie. But definitely NOT what I had been looking for! He’s been so much fun these past couple of years though, that I’m pretty sure he was just what I needed to get me excited about riding again.[/QUOTE]

Some of the most reliable horses I’ve owned and worked with were the ones that I got as youngsters, so I can totally see how that would work. I think I’ll pass on that, though, since I really don’t want to be starting horses here by myself. I like having someone else around just in case things go south.

And while I could board again (which is what I’ve done in the past when I was starting horses) for a while, or hire a trainer, I think what I really want is to be able to wander out my back door, hop up bareback, and go for a little walk. Not that I don’t want to tack up and go a farther and a little faster sometimes, too, but that I could have that option if I were so inclined.

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=Malda;8664751]
I keep a spread sheet when horse hunting. It’s easy to forget who you’ve contacted and it’s a good idea to keep notes on horses you’ve tried.

I’ve also reached the slowing down stage, which caught me by surprise. I always trotted/cantered the trails, now I find I’m quite happy at a slower speed (but I still like my four hour trail rides).[/QUOTE]

That’s a good idea. Around here people pay a lot more for color, so most of what I’ve been browsing are relatively nondescript chestnuts and bays. And a lot of horses seem to be for sale by flippers, so I should really make a list of those so I can avoid them. Not that there’s necessarily anything wrong with the horses themselves, but some of the horse traders around here are pretty shady, and I prefer to have a little more history on a horse if possible.

I love the whole “Yes, this horse is 100% sound, and has been nothing but healthy for me.”

“How long have you owned him?”

“Three weeks.”

/eyeroll

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;8664835]
Be careful to ask specific questions that the “boring” horse will be that boring in exactly the kind of riding you want to do. Don’t assume that a horse who is quiet and easy in certain situations, will be like that in others. If you want to do both arena work and trails, then make sure you get a horse that has already done both, not a horse that is good in one and you assume will like the other.

Re, asking specific questions, an ammie I know wanted a very quiet, trail safe horse, bought one sight unseen but owner had ridden it all over the place, inlcuding parades, and sent photos of him riding the horse down busy streets . Ammie bought the horse, horse was quiet as can be on roads and trails except at the canter, when he would turn into a wild bucking machine (did same in ring at canter). The buyer failed to ask, and seller failed to disclose, that he never cantered the horse, just walked and jogged it in all the parades and streets. Nobody including trainers could ever get that horse to settle at the canter, so owner just never cantered him ( eventually sold him I hope horse is ok)[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, I used to ride a lesson horse, even before I owned a horse of my own, and he was fantastic in the indoor arena, and a stark raving lunatic outdoors. So being a lesson horse where students rode in the indoor was a pretty good job for him, one that he held for many years. But that wouldn’t work for me at all. I could give up arena work these days, but I’m not willing to give up the trails.

It’s amazing sometimes what we take for granted, particularly in an otherwise quiet horse. Hopefully the horse with the cantering problem found someone who didn’t want to canter.

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;8664838]
Maybe I am missing something, but how does a Saddle bred ridden in a double bridle with high headed carriage and big gaits as shown in he videos of them on the rescue site translate to a boring horse? (aka easily rideable and easy going).[/QUOTE]

I think the point was just that some of them do have quite a lot of training, though not necessarily in the areas that I’m looking for.

Though looking over their adoption terms, it’s probably a moot point. If the adopters ever don’t want the horse any longer, the horses must be returned to the rescue in New Jersey at the adopter’s expense. Now obviously I have no plans to give up any of my horses, but on the off chance that I suffer some unforeseeable huge personal tragedy or financial crisis, the last thing I want to add to that pile would be the expense of shipping a horse to New Jersey from Wisconsin.

[Wayside]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8664843]
You might also consider something super smooth for your joint issues. I have a good friend who is big into those Rocky Mountain gaited horses back home. She does competitive trail riding with them. A very nice one with with thousands of competitive trail miles, parades, shows, the works, a good solid 10-12 age and pretty and sound seems to be able to be had for a couple thousand. To me that sounds like it might be perfect for you. I have ridden some of them and they are fun and sensible, at least the ones I rode were. And smoother than the STB pacers I have ridden which were super fun but are hit and miss on being comfortable. I have a bad back and I can’t walk after riding half of the STBs though some are awesome.

She rides them western on a long rein, they don’t have to be held in a gait or anything.[/QUOTE]

I’m a odd one, and I absolutely love, love, love trotting. So nothing gaited, or at least nothing gaited that can’t also trot. And nothing with that super slow baby-stepping Western Pleasure jog either. Sitting a big trot might be a painful struggle, but I love posting a big trot, so I’d go for one I couldn’t sit over one that I could barely post on.

Maybe someday, but I’m not ready to give that up yet.

[microbovine]

My next horse will be safe, sound and COMFORTABLE. I didn’t even know horses could be so smooth until I met my Morgan. She’s older, but absolutely lovely to ride. When she’s gone, I will look for another Morgan or something possibly gaited. Whatever you decide on, make sure you ride enough different horses to pick out which are easy on your back and joints. I broke my back when I was younger, so jarring trots mean shorter rides for me. And my next horse can have a head like a mailbox, too!

[lovemytbs]

I will admit I have not read all of the previous posts, but I just bought my very own “boring” horse in October. After several TB’s, QH’s, and others that were not my cup of tea (FTI-all QH’s are not quiet-lol!) I happened upon an adorable draftx (he’s in my siggy line) who met most of my requirements. A lady in a FB group had posted a funny and honest ad about what she wanted and I saw my guy in one of the comments and immediately messaged the owner. Then I noticed she removed the photo! Apparently, she was only posting to show people that they do exist and wasn’t really sure she wanted to sell. This was literally what I wrote to her that I was looking for (yes, I am just another crazy horse person)

“I’m currently horseless for the first time in 30 years! I’m being extremely picky, and have decided to only buy/lease/try horses from people I know. I’ve been lied to way too many times and I’m over it! So, if you hear of anything that is DEAD quiet, perfect ground manners, capable of a training level dressage test (or don’t mind a Western type horse, just want it to walk, trot, canter, steer and be “trained” in the ring), NO crow hops, rear, buck, or silliness, and will trail ride on the buckle, and can have a week or two off and be fine, let me know! No dealers, none without a history. Nothing green, and only a very minimal spook! Yes, I want a magical unicorn that farts glitter! But, I’ve owned or leased 3 in the past 10 years, so I know they exist! Prefer horse to be able to come to my 80 acre farm (former show barn) for a trial too, would love a lease to buy situation to ensure a perfect fit. So don’t feel bad if you don’t know of any! LOL! I’ve lost more and more confidence riding horses that aren’t all what I wanted or needed, so I need to take my time and be patient. There HAS to be ONE out there. My biggest issue right now is cantering, the last 2 I’ve gone to try crow hopped into the canter (should have known when the owner had a hard time getting them into it something was up) so one that will pick up the lope/canter easily without a fuss is important. Mare, gelding, old, young, any breed, pretty, ugly, do not care, but leaning towards the stock/draft type breeds as I think I need that temperament. I want to ride 1-2 days a week in my ring wtc, and feel safe hacking out around my farm and doing the occasional trail ride off the farm. Willing to look in any price range at this point to get my confidence back and feel safe.”

Lucas pretty much checks all of my boxes, but I did have to make some concessions, I hate a bad loader, and he’s not great (but that was disclosed) and he’s younger than I wanted at 6 (now 7). It was and sometimes still is hard for me when I see friends and acquaintances riding their well-schooled nice dressage/jumper/eventing horses but I am finally at a point in my life where I know I can’t keep a fancy, light, forward horse in proper work. It takes effort to keep a horse trained like that, and Lucas is content to haul me around my ring once a week and I feel safe and that is the goal. My life is very busy and my family comes before horses, so I knew I needed a horse that could sit for a month and be ok the next time I got on. He’s not fancy, but he’s had some dressage training (cute pics here of his former owner on him:
https://www.facebook.com/LoveableLucas/photos/pb.652541994880264.-2207520000.1463402865./652546124879851/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/LoveableLucas/photos/pb.652541994880264.-2207520000.1463402865./652549061546224/?type=3&theater )

has been trail ridden, and had excellent care. His former owner had him for over 2 years and I felt confident in that since most horses I’ve had that did not work out had not been owned very long. We talked back and forth on FB for days, talked on the phone several times, and I went to try him twice. I felt really good about it, and bought him. He’s a sweetheart, and while finally understand no horse is perfect, he’s pretty perfect for me. Best of luck with your boring horse search, take your time and go in with a list of what you must have, what you want to have, and what you absolutely cannot live without ?

[cloudy18]

Check out www.equineadoption.com. They are near Marshfield, WI. I adopted my mare from them, know them well, have camped with them. More horses come in as others get adopted and they have room. Check it out, and if you’re interested it’s absolutely necessary to get an application in and approved. That way if you see something you like you can call on it right away. A lot of people are like you and looking for the boring horse.