I think that term is a compliment (even if that is a term I just would never use). I love a strong stb head, esp. with a bit of a Roman nose.
Let me just put a word in for ranch trained Quarter Horses. So smart, so easy, so flexible. I’ve been really happy with mine, and I grew up on hunters. I ride her in a dressage saddle and she’s fine with anything that comes up.
[QUOTE=Countrywood;8665883]
Beautiful mare, LesleyW![/QUOTE]
Thanks so much! She was an auction rescue - I still have the $178 receipt. One of the smartest, lightest horses I’ve ever ridden.
[QUOTE=LesleyW;8666516]
Thanks so much! She was an auction rescue - I still have the $178 receipt. One of the smartest, lightest horses I’ve ever ridden.[/QUOTE]
Ours came from the slaughter plant lot.
Very large, had been pulling a seasonal tourist cart thru the city streets.
Summer over, there she was.
She too, as yours, was refined and a wonderful individual, very dark, shiny, purplish liver chestnut with a little star.
[QUOTE=Stitch In Time;8665228]
I really wish you were closer to me. I have a mare that is decidedly not boring, or ugly, but she is looking to step down to a flat only career doing lower level dressage and trail riding. She’s a been there done that type, but she is also sensitive and forward, so not for a beginner. I’ve done everything with her from chasing cows, galloping on the beach, cross country schooling, hunter shows, judged trail rides, kids pony rides etc. She’s awesome, and I was hoping to pursue my bronze medal in dressage with her, but I recently found out that she has arthritis in her hocks and she can’t do the collected work.[/QUOTE]
Aww, thank you! I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be able to pursue your bronze with her, but she sure sounds like a pleasure to have around.
[QUOTE=RockstarPony;8665234]
Just wanted to ditto the previous comments about ranch & endurance horses! I’ve spent time with both & they were both wonderfully solid, seen-everything-done-everything-would-do-it-again types.
(Also, I’d give you an internet high five for the EDS, but both of our arms might fall off, so… nevermind.)[/QUOTE]
Haha, that’s for sure. You are so right about both the horses and the arms. High fives in spirit, though, LOL!
[QUOTE=RiderInTheRain;8665524]
In thinking back on the shopping process involved in finding my “boring” “husband horse” mare, one thing that really helped me was to actually dramatically undersell my husband’s riding ability/comfort level when making phone calls or other inquiries about horses for sale. He’s really a pretty secure and confident rider for his level of experience, but I found that if I described him at all that way that people would point us in the direction of horses that were WAY too much for him (and in a few cases, horses I wouldn’t even want to get on myself even though I generally enjoy hot horses and have started a few young ones for myself).
So don’t be afraid to oversell the importance of the horse being quiet and sensible. I think people initially assumed we maybe were wanting something more athletic and such based on my initial conversations but once I started opening with “quiet is #1 the most important quality I am looking for/would you put your beginner child/friend/grandmother on this animal?” we had a lot more success![/QUOTE]
That’s a really good point. I think I tend to read ads and talk to sellers while thinking about what I could do, which is not necessarily what I want to be doing right now. While I am managing to rule out the most unsuitable candidates, I’m definitely still finding myself drawn to some that are still a little bit on the iffy side.
You sound like me a few years ago! It’s such a hard thing to admit that maybe I’m not “up to” a young, green horse anymore. Ugh. I bought one a few years ago and regretted it immediately. I had to put him with a trainer, who did a fabulous job, but I didn’t really click with the horse. I put him up for sale and while I was looking for a new horse, I realized I wanted a BTDT kid safe, yet still fun, horse. And by fun I mean boring. One that stands still for mounting and baths, gets on the trailer without a fuss, doesn’t try to run away when I’m bridling him, handles shots like a grownup and doesn’t require a ladder and blindfold to worm. I found that horse, eventually, and he’s perfect for me. Plus he’s a terrific show horse - just challenging enough to keep it interesting but no bad “quirks.” I’ve had some very nice offers on him that would net me a pretty profit, and I’ve turned them all down. I cannot replace him.
I’m really loving all the wonderful Standardbreds and other fun, easy types that are showing up on this thread.
So, anyone have any thoughts about the general viability of a been-there-done-that almost 20 year old barefoot TB (holy grail? platypus?) that’s mostly been sitting the last few years? IME they usually remember a lot, but obviously there are no guarantees.
[QUOTE=Wayside;8666616]
So, anyone have any thoughts about the general viability of a been-there-done-that almost 20 year old barefoot TB (holy grail? platypus?) that’s mostly been sitting the last few years? IME they usually remember a lot, but obviously there are no guarantees.[/QUOTE]
My concern would be that sitting for the last few years might not have done the joints any favors if the horse was known to have any arthritic type issues prior to the period of sitting. Maybe not as likely if the horse lives out 24x7 or otherwise has a lifestyle that encourages lots of movement. Also would make sure the horse has always been barefoot and that the shoes weren’t pulled as a cost saving measure when horse began “sitting”.
[QUOTE=Wayside;8666616]
I’m really loving all the wonderful Standardbreds and other fun, easy types that are showing up on this thread.
So, anyone have any thoughts about the general viability of a been-there-done-that almost 20 year old barefoot TB (holy grail? platypus?) that’s mostly been sitting the last few years? IME they usually remember a lot, but obviously there are no guarantees.[/QUOTE]
It depends on what all he was taught before he was left sitting there the past years.
Most horses are who they are, even after some years.
Can you find from whoever was riding him before what they did with him and consider if that is what you want now in your next horse?
At the more advanced ages, you have to consider you may not get to ride him much longer, but maybe by then you will be ready to just take care of him?
We had one gelding that was still very spry and loved rides moving cattle around at 30 years old, even after two rounds of penile cancer, with two operations and chemo, at 28, being still healthy and sound after that.
You will do good finding your horse because you are not set on any age, breed, color, so more options that may still fit what you want.
I’m going to second a nice, all-around Quarter Horse. There are tons of them, lots of different body styles due to the specialized sports, generally tractable, usually pretty healthy and easy keepers. It’s what I’ll be looking for if I ever own again :yes:
Boring horses are the best because you can do anything with them. You don’t have to worry about whether they trailer alone, or trail ride alone, or freak out xc schooling, or become barn sour, or spook at stupid stuff and break your bones costing you months of fun time in the saddle.
Unless you’ve got serious competitive goals, then a well behaved all arounder is going to allow your horse experience to be as exiting as you want. Trail riding, gallopping on a beach, sorting cows, jumping clinic, low level dressage, etc. etc.
[QUOTE=Wayside;8666600]
While I am managing to rule out the most unsuitable candidates, I’m definitely still finding myself drawn to some that are still a little bit on the iffy side.[/QUOTE]
Go see the iffy ones. You can’t tell everything from videos and conversations. You never know where your next horse is coming from!
The TB was ridden barefoot, out 24/7, did some jumping, some hacking, and was shown in dressage. Owner had a baby a year or so ago and has basically just longed the horse or hopped on bareback once in a while since she got pregnant.
I’ll ask a few more questions, but I think I might be interested enough to go have a look.
[QUOTE=Malda;8667410]
Go see the iffy ones. You can’t tell everything from videos and conversations. You never know where your next horse is coming from![/QUOTE]
Maybe so. There is a mouthy paint gelding that I’m debating having a look at. Sounds like he has lots of trail miles, a bit of a “make me” attitude, but is on the lazy side and apparently doesn’t buck or rear. If that’s accurate, it sounds like something I could work through comfortably by myself, but I know some horses like that who will have a fit when you tell them firmly that they are expected to respond promptly.
[QUOTE=Wayside;8667861]
The TB was ridden barefoot, out 24/7, did some jumping, some hacking, and was shown in dressage. Owner had a baby a year or so ago and has basically just longed the horse or hopped on bareback once in a while since she got pregnant.
I’ll ask a few more questions, but I think I might be interested enough to go have a look.[/QUOTE]
You could go look at both, they may not quite be as represented in some important way to you.
Doesn’t sound like you want a project, but a horse you can teach along without needing to retrain.
If they are as advertised, the TB sounds like a horse that is there now, one you can smile just looking forward to work with him.
The paint sounds like a horse, if he is pushy, that will be at times aggravating and, like you say, not a pleasure to work with when he has a bit of an attitude, something you may not want any more.
I would choose a friendly, polite disposition for a horse to relax with above all, but you may be different.
You sound like you are drawn to fixer upper projects which is fine but if you want one solid, pleasant , rideable horse for years to come I would not look at either. A TB at that age might have years of riding left or one year left… A make me attitude, if you already know the horse has that why even look at him ?I bought a horse like that and though it feels “safer” than a bolting or high energy one, they can turn out to have a dangerous side as well. Push them past their comfort level, which could be as low as leaving the barn, and they can challenge; if nothing else it makes every ride unpleasant.
If you this time you really want a “boring” horse in the best sense of the word, such as not having major behavior, soundness, or age issues, then YOU have to become boring in your approach. Which means methodical, not impulsive, take your time, make a list of reasonable age range and must have qualities, perhaps put aside some $ first to get a better horse.
That is hard for certain personality types to do. (ask me how I know) I tend to be impulsive and take on the underdog types ( and then spend years trying to fix the unfix-able) . I doubt I’ll have the budget or circumstances to buy again but if I do, I will be very methodical next time. “Know Thyself” Analyze your own inclinations and did they lead to having misfit horses re what to do different this time. I wish you the very best of luck.
[QUOTE=Wayside;8663368]
I’ve been contemplating taking some lessons to prevent myself from collapsing into total incompetence, though, so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. Longe lessons and networking. Brilliant![/QUOTE]
Ding!Ding!Ding!!!
This sounds like Win/Win for you & a lesson horse needing a new job.
Your farrier is also a brilliant source - maybe a customer with an extra or looking to rehome one???
And if you can stash your heart somewhere safe, visit a local auction.
Some have vets onsite for not-obvious blems.
Friends have gotten some nice horses from the Shipshewana, IN auction if that’s not too far for you to travel.
Too bad you are not close to GA I know of a trainer somewhat local to me who had a QH g 15 yrs old BTDT kind of guy. Worked cattle, rides in arena etc. She is a BB devotee. Pretty big chestnut for $2500.
