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Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own? |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I think a lot of it has to do with people nowadays wanting instant gratification. Everything is so instant now that people don't have the patience to put the work into a horse. Obviously there are still tons of people (myself included) that train their own. In my opinion, kids today aren't being taught how to wait. They want to win, and they want to win NOW. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1392
Location: Central Texas | For me, I'm old and don't want to hit the ground anymore. The last young horse that I had hurt me very bad and destroyed my confidence. Now I will only buy older, solid, been there done that horses. For me it has nothing to do with instant gratification and everything to do with self preservation. |
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 Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | GraciousLegacy - 2014-10-14 6:57 AM For me, I'm old and don't want to hit the ground anymore. The last young horse that I had hurt me very bad and destroyed my confidence. Now I will only buy older, solid, been there done that horses. For me it has nothing to do with instant gratification and everything to do with self preservation.
Me too!! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Idaho | Not everybody has the ability to train. Just like there are people out there who shouldnt be teachers, they just dont have the ability. Thats not to say people shouldnt learn horsemanship and be able to ride different styles of horses. I believe that there are three types of people out there. The trainers, the jockeys and the ones who can do both. Trainers love training horses and are good at it, but hate the competition setting. Jockeys love to compete but dont like the slowness of training. The combo of the two enjoy the process of making a horse from beginning to end. Barrel racing has really increased in size the last several years. I just think the amount of people who love to compete has just come to out number the people who train.... thats my opinion :) |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I'll be honest. If you know what your goal is (1D or WPRA) you are much cheaper in the long run to buy one that is already competitive. I will never (shouldn't say that lol) buy a young show horse again. I bought mine as a yearling. Trained him myself for all the ground work. Sent him off to be started this spring and he came back crippled. He was fairly cheap priced, but with what I have into him now, love-time-vet bills. I could have bought a $10-$15k already been there done that, and just had a trainer work with me on and off to learn the things I don't know. My husband wasn't thrilled as it was and so if this gelding doesn't come around, I don't see him letting me go out and buy a more expensive one. I would have been better off talking him into a finished one to start with. |
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Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | Why should it matter what people want to do? If they have the money and want to go buy a finished horse - why does it matter? I work full time and don't have time to camp out on and haul a young horse. Not to mention I am out of shape and not in the state of mind to train on one. I certainly don't have the money to go buy something high caliber, but I will go and buy something finished, solid, honest.
Not everybody has the timing, skill, finesse or experience to train a horse And if they would rather buy a finished horse than mess up a young horse with their lack of experience / skill - I think that's the way to go.
Our industry needs the people who want to spend the money on the finished horses - otherwise the trainers wouldn't be making $$. Most sure don't make that much money riding horses for clients.
Edited by TheOldGrayMare 2014-10-14 9:27 AM
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I usually train my own. But then I sold out for health reasons and when I was able to ride again, had bad luck with my next 3 prospects. I was tired of sitting at home and came into money from a lawsuit settlement, so I bought a finished horse and have enjoyed the heck out of him, even with the soundness and other problems we've had. I'm also training a 4 year old I raised from a yearling and having a finished one is helping with that--less pressure to get her going and my other horse has reminded me of a lot of things I had forgotten about running and tuning, so I'm better prepared to do justice to my mare.
Everyone has a reason for what they do, and I'm thankful that there's a market for finished horses because I've personally benefitted from it. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| A long time ago we didn't have the ability to communicate or look up results and talk so easily. People used to not know where so and so got their horse from and what trainer helps or mentors them but now information is more readily available of everyone to find out and its harder to lie.
But who cares where they bought it. It takes a heck of a hand to keep any 1D horse at the pro level together. Yes some ppl are be sat on one thats been tuned and go and win but some can't keep that horse tuned and together for long periods of time. The ones that bought it AND keep it together kudos to you! Buy all you want! |
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Honestly there are alot of different scenarios here that would hinder someone who is rodeoing or running barrels for a living from training their own horses. Number 1, it's time consuming and as competitive as things are today, trainers have to go through alot of colts to find that special one that can run at the upper most level and be successful....they are few and far between. You have to kiss alot of frogs, so to speak. Lots of well bred, high priced prospects bought and sold every year, and few of them are top of the 1D/rodeo horses when they are finished.
Secondly, sometimes it takes an army to raise a child. I have always trained my own horses, and still do, and here lately even have had some neat outside horses in for training. That being said, I have a colt who needs to be hauled to be seasoned more than I am able to go, so he will leave tomorrow to go for seasoning and hauling through the winter so that by spring he'll be ready to enter or we'll start paying futurity nominations in the next couple of months.
Training is hard, it's time consuming, and the reality of choosing a colt that goes on to make the level of horse that the "Pros" need is slim. They have found trainers they trust and who's style fits theirs so the transition is easy when they step on these horses themselves. Others do find horses and buy them and sometimes it's a good fit and sometimes it isn't.
Just alot variables to your questions.
Edited by Herbie 2014-10-14 10:12 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Herbie - 2014-10-14 9:52 AM Honestly there are alot of different scenarios here that would hinder someone who is rodeoing or running barrels for a living from training their own horses. Number 1, it's time consuming and as competitive as things are today, trainers have to go through alot of colts to find that special one that can run at the upper most level and be successful....they are few and far between. You have to kiss alot of frogs, so to speak. Lots of well bred, high priced prospects bought and sold every year, and few of them are top of the 1D/rodeo horses when they are finished.
Secondly, sometimes it takes an army to raise a child. I have always trained my own horses, and still do, and here lately even have had some neat outside horses in for training. That being said, I have a colt who needs to be hauled to be seasoned more than I am able to go, so he will leave tomorrow to go for seasoning and hauling through the winter so that by spring he'll be ready to enter or we'll start paying futurity nominations in the next couple of months.
Training is hard, it's time consuming, and the reality of choosing a colt that goes on to make the level of horse that the "Pros" need is slim to none. They have found trainers they trust and who's style fits theirs so the transition is easy when they step on these horses themselves. Others do find horses and buy them and sometimes it's a good fit and sometimes it isn't.
Just alot variables to your questions.
What she just said ^^^^^^^^^^^^  |
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Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | I trained one in high school. We did pretty well. I struggled more after coming back to it after many years in college. I am not buying a finished horse but am having my young one trained. I feel out of the game so knowing that someone will help me bring her along right makes me feel much better. I'm sure there are similar feelings in people that buy. Plus its always great to have the market. Anyone who breeds or trains is happy of that. |
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| I think those that don't have the time or ability to train one only makes the industry stronger by buying them. That is what keeps the trainers in business. As far as what someone could or should do....just like everything else in life, we all need to keep our mind on our business and not what someone else is doing. I consider myself a bit of a trainer but I certainly buy horses too and then I do my uptomost best to keep them tuned myself....been happy doing both, had some success both ways and a little bit of disappointment both ways as well. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| I honestly think it is mostly about money. I think if you can afford a finished horse and have the riding ability buying something finished might be the way to go however, many people do not have the funds so they make due with what they can do. I train my own horses and always have but its only because Im broke lol I would love to but a finished horse but I have to buy what I can afford and hope they turn out after a few years. Yes I said years because unless you stay home all the time, working and training your own horses to seasoned, finished, and stay sound will take a lot of time.
With that said, however, ability is a very big factor because I have seen a lot of ppl especially in my area that attempt to train their own horses and really should just save their Christmas money up for a few years instead of ruining a good horse.
Edited by horsiace1025 2014-10-14 10:18 AM
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | to each their own.
I'm not a big fancy trainer, nor do I have to patience to develop and season horses. Any horse I buy from now on will be finished. I'd like to be aboard a horse that has the capabilities to get into the 1D/2D consistently. I just don't have the interest or desire to train young ones except for the ones I have now. I don't see why it would be a problem from any one persons point of view? there are too many variables with horses for me to want to start them young. I mean injuries, poor conformation that leads to problems in the future, maybe a horse just might not cut it to be a barrel horse because it goes crazy? I'd like to have a career, not spend most of my time investing into horses that just don't have it. Call me selfish or lazy but I just don't have it in me to put my blood, sweat and tears into a young one and would rather pay the price for someone that did have it for them.
If someone can develop them from the start and be successful well then, good for them. I'm jealous I don't that sort of drive anymore.
Edited by Crowned Image 2014-10-14 10:29 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 933
Location: north dakota | Whether you train your own or buy one I think you still have to be a good rider to win or place in the 1d at bigger barrel races.
I'm sure glad there is a market for finished horses though. When I was pregnant I sent 2 horses to be patterned on the barrels and the one I bred I realized was going to be to good for what I have time for and was also more of a push style horse when I have ran free runners. She has proved me right and her new owner is placing in rodeos both up in my country and has recently pulled checks down in Oklahoma. I may not ever buy a finished horse but after sending those to to the trainer I won't ever hesitate to use her again. The other horse my 11 year old daughter just started riding and she's really having fun with her. I should add that it's a lot easier to teach her how to roll back, counter arc and learn how to control the body of the horse on a broke horse. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| TheOldGrayMare - 2014-10-14 9:26 AM
Why should it matter what people want to do? If they have the money and want to go buy a finished horse - why does it matter? I work full time and don't have time to camp out on and haul a young horse. Not to mention I am out of shape and not in the state of mind to train on one. I certainly don't have the money to go buy something high caliber, but I will go and buy something finished, solid, honest.
Not everybody has the timing, skill, finesse or experience to train a horse And if they would rather buy a finished horse than mess up a young horse with their lack of experience / skill - I think that's the way to go.
Our industry needs the people who want to spend the money on the finished horses - otherwise the trainers wouldn't be making $$. Most sure don't make that much money riding horses for clients.
^^THIS!!!^^^ I couldn't have said half as well as you did! |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | i train all my own, i do the first ride and everything in between.......the good the bad and the ugly....i also have raised all my own....the one i did buy is pretty low and dirty so she will be with me til she dies as i would never sell her to anybody..............my goal is to rodeo again...but it takes a lot of patience and a lot of time.........and very humbling...lol
one big reason why i dont buy, is because i cant afford the 1D horses and i know how to ride and fix my screw ups..........lol
m
Edited by mruggles 2014-10-14 12:10 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| I agree with you. Anyone can buy a finished horse (with the right size checkbook of course) but if that person can give the animal the care it needs to win and spend the time to really "get with them" and keep them winning, thats admirable in my book. And like someone already said ...for those of us in the horse business we benifit from the "finished" horse buyers. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| I have no choice but to train my own, we raise our own. I can not afford a finished horse even though there are days I would love to just go make a run. I do enjoy the process but can't get out as much as needed. My daughter who is 15 has never had a finished horse, she rode an old rope horse, then moved on to a cutter who had never seen the barrels, then stepped on a mare we raised that hadn't done anything. I wanted to give up on that mare so many times but she has kept at her and finally she has a pretty nice horse, still slow on the barrels but a heck of a good pole horse. She now has a 4yr od who we did run in one futurity and she won her first buckle ever on her at a jr rodeo series. I keep telling her I she wants a finished horse I will do my best to find one but she always tells me she wants to make her own . So onward we go trying to get faster and better . I think you learn a lo from doing your own but totally understand that not everyone can or should and some people just want to be able to leg up and go run. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| I will admit I have a lot of respect and admiration for those who trained a horse that they are having sucess on. I know it is not an easy task from start to finish, and to win on top of all that is awesome. Yeh, I definatly love to hear those stories of the self made horse.
Also, I do understand why people buy finished mounts. Not everyone has the time/means to train one. Some see it as a much smarter investment to buy something proven that they know they can be competitive on. I myself wanted to buy a finished horse for the longest time to ameture rodeo on because I just felt like I didnt have the time or know how to start and finish one from scratch. (I have overcome that hurdle though and am happy I did it) |
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes with this thought, I was just curious but I am glad to see the responses! It thought in my first post I mentioned the younger generation of barrel racers but maybe I wrong.
A reason I had this whole thought was because I feel like I couldn't buy a 1D horse and click with it. I tried it a time or two but it never quite worked out. But kudos to the women who can do it, afford it, and are amazing at it! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | Personally, I can't afford a finished 1d/2d horse. So I look for a prospect that is as much as I can get and still afford to train (I have 30 rides or so put on one), then ride, then put on barrels. I realize I can't do it all myself, but I also realize that I can take that propsect at the training he has had and continue. So I don't have technically a self made horse, but I can do the ground work, and I can do some slow work, and I realized it's okay to let someone help me where I need it. |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | I've done both and I think both are equally hard in their own right. For me, the satisfaction I felt when a horse I've trained did well and what I felt when I finally clicked with the first finished horse I bought, was exactly the same, just for different reasons. I used to think figuring out to ride a finished horse was "easy", until I bought one and hit a barrel every single run for the first 5+ runs, was constantly in the 4D, and couldn't go more than 1 run without hitting a barrel. The first time I made a 1D run on that horse I almost cried.
I love training but at this point in my life I prefer my finished horse. All I have to do is keep her legged up.
ETA also, I don't think starting out on finished horses is necessarily a bad thing for kids. How are they suppose to know what a good horse feels like if they start out on crappy ones, who they're trying to train to do something that they don't even know what it's suppose to feel like? Not saying everyone struggles like that, but I don't think that just because a kid starts with a finished horse doesn't mean they won't be able to train one. When you start a new job, you're trained by someone with experience...they don't partner you with another new person and say "figure it out". Kind of the same with horses. A finished horse will show you "this is what your end product should be".
For the record, I'm one of those kids who's very first barrel horse was one I trained myself. The only reason I didn't ruin him is because I wasn't one of those kids that always wanted to go fast, but I'm pretty sure it would have been a heck of a lot easier if I knew what a finished barrel horse felt like.
Edited by livexlovexrodeo 2014-10-14 9:07 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I keep the trainers in business. We are not a rodeo family, my girls started riding around 10-12 years old. We bought the old beginner horses and after a few years and step up horses we bought finished 1D horses for high school rodeo. We had the $$, did not have the skills or time to train. We routinely sent the horses and girls to our trainer to keep both on track. I am looking at a 5 year old, if I purchase him, he will go to Jan for training. I would just mess him up. I would love to have the skills to train one but not going to happen in this lifetime. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1410
Location: Peach State | I think it just depends on what you want out of your "barrel racing career" no matter what level that may be. I am just now venturing out into the training my own. I've done pretty well locally on some seasoned rope horses turned into barrel horses and now I'm trying my hand at training one from scratch. I definitely feel as if I appreciate the little things through out the pattern more on the horse I've trained verses what the clock actually reads.
However I will say I ride a lot more aggressive on my old faithful barrel horse that was bought completely ready to go, I do trust him more on the pattern which is something I need to do with my others for they have proven to me they are just as competitive.
When it comes to the youths who seem to be able to go out and hop on a 1d horse and win right from the start, it can seem "unfair" for it to be so easy for some while others work years to get that far. However I won't knock anyone who can stay on a 1d horse through the pattern because that takes talent, end of story. Also I won't judge because everyone's story is different. But it does seem as if the ones who have had to work their way up stay in the game longer as if they didn't get burned out by taking fast track. |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I train my own because I'm cheap and I also enjoy the process. Granted I want them broke when I get them, and preferably ready to go to the pattern right off. I've been very lucky the past 10 years and I have had a finished, seasoned horse to run while I brought others along. It's helped not to have to rush one along, though I ended up throwing Clifford into the fire last year at rodeos while Chance was sore. We paid our dues last year, but this year Cliff won almost all my rodeo money, which was very satisfying because I'd done all the barrels training and seasoning. I don't think anyone else has even walked him around the pattern.
As far as buying becoming more popular, is it possible that there is just a lot bigger market for finished barrel horses? Are more people training and then selling, so its easier for someone to find a finished horse to buy? |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | I've done both. My problem these days is that I'm old and I really don't like to go that fast any more.....hence the 1D horse in my signature for sale. I do better on ones that are patterned and I can come along and get confidence in them as they get faster. I have a finished horse, but he scares me these days, and I'm afraid my poor old body just can't hang with the centrifugal force he has around a barrel. :( I can get one to 1D level, but in order to showcase it, I have to put my younger jockeys on them because they all babysit me. lol |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own?
It takes talent either way. Talent comes in many forms even hard work and God given. Both are beautiful to watch when they make those magical runs |
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10D Crack Champion
| If I had the money, I would buy a trainer, a slew of top dog horses, a hot stable boy, a hot driver, a hot all around handy guy, a fancy rig, get plastic surgery, and go for it. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 412
Location: In Husker Land | I have trained both of mine that I own.. bought my really good rodeo horse as a 3 year old and loved every minute.. bought this other one as a 5 yr old that hadn't been ridden much and started her, then she got hurt and had a year and half off..started bringing her back this year. I can't buy expensive horses..doesn't fly here. So buy them reasonable as young ones and train them for life time horses here. We also have to be versitale here..they have to work cows and work in pastures.
Here is video of my good rodeo horse..we made Mid State Rodeo Finals last year and Nebraska State Rodeo Finals too.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnFvYypeb4
And here is a video of just starting this other little mare back up late in August..
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbu9X4uksk
Edited by hckbarrelracer 2014-10-14 10:45 PM
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I think you stepped on toes by saying it "irked" you that people bought finished horses and that they weren't paying their dues. Aside from the fact that's fairly judgemental, everyone has different goals with their barrel racing, different lifestyles and different horse skills. I work a lot of hours and have a high stress job. Riding is my relaxation, so I want something finished that's ready to haul that I can just go have fun with.
I have trained a couple of horses because I couldn't afford anything else. And while it was a rewarding process, I enjoyed my horses a lot more once they were finished.
It still takes talent and skill to maintain, or even improve upon, a finished horse. It takes skill to be a flexible enough rider to adapt to a trained horse. It usually takes some time to get with a seasoned horse too. Rarely does someone buy one and just go start tearing up the 1D. Buying a finished horse isn't really instant gratification either. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I'm currently looking for a patterned, ready to start seriously hauling barrel horse with good lines. I have a few in my sights, and none above $3,500. Those are out there if you know who to talk to. haha
I have always been 'oh, you have to train your own from the beginning or you are just cutting corners', until I realized, I just don't have time to dedicate to starting a colt right now. I need a horse I can keep legged up during the school week, then run on the weekends. So I am meeting in the middle, patterned but not winning yet. Keeps the price tag a little lower that way. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Great post! |
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 Ace Ventura Pet Detective
Posts: 2411
Location: Wisconsin | Love making them!! Im good at putting a nice pattern on them....then when they get too fast for this old lady...i sell them to the younger ones, and get satisfaction that way too. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| GraciousLegacy - 2014-10-14 8:57 AM For me, I'm old and don't want to hit the ground anymore. The last young horse that I had hurt me very bad and destroyed my confidence. Now I will only buy older, solid, been there done that horses. For me it has nothing to do with instant gratification and everything to do with self preservation.
SAME HERE - I will NOT ride colts anymore! |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own?
I've seen some have problems because of that. They can only ride certain horses because they fall apart or get in over their head. I've also heard trainers say that most of the people that come to ride their horses have trouble because they use their legs when they ride. So many ride with their hands and that's it because all they've ridden is made horses. Personally, I think it's because they haven't had to work their way up the ropes.
I give riding lessons & judge. I am firm believer that young/green/difficult horses are the only thing that makes a horseman. Unless you ride horses like that, you don't have a clue what it takes to put a horse where you need them. When you ride a horse that can't walk a straight line, you learn what it takes to put them there straight.
I realize that not everyone can train, nor should everyone train but I think if you want to call yourself a horseman you need to spend some time on some horses that aren't made and not as far along in their training so you learn what it takes.
Then again, I am one of those types that believes in doing things well and that means learning from the ground up. Kind of old school I guess. |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | I think it comes down to a lot of factors. There is no one answer. I have a barrel bred gelding in my pasture that will be looking for a new home. He's patterned but not broke enough for me to feel confident on him. He also has no cow sense and won't fit our program. All our horses need to be multi-dimensional. This gelding never will be. We bought him thinking we could put the time in to him. Hubby has the talent to do so, I do not. In the time we've had this horse, hubby bought another prospect for him and I had a baby... Which meant this horse has sat unused.
The next horse we buy for me will be solid, patterned, and BROKE. I don't have the ability or time to train one. I have too many things going on and horses are for my enjoyment.
Kudos to those who train their own. I admire you and aspire to be like you. However, I don't have that kind of time. Granted, I'm not buying a 1D horse either. I don't know if I could ride one at this point. Maybe down the road, but not right now.
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 Queen Boobie 2
Posts: 7521
| sodapop - 2014-10-14 10:39 PM If I had the money, I would buy a trainer, a slew of top dog horses, a hot stable boy, a hot driver, a hot all around handy guy, a fancy rig, get plastic surgery, and go for it.
^^^^Like |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| hckbarrelracer - 2014-10-14 10:43 PM I have trained both of mine that I own.. bought my really good rodeo horse as a 3 year old and loved every minute.. bought this other one as a 5 yr old that hadn't been ridden much and started her, then she got hurt and had a year and half off..started bringing her back this year. I can't buy expensive horses..doesn't fly here. So buy them reasonable as young ones and train them for life time horses here. We also have to be versitale here..they have to work cows and work in pastures. Here is video of my good rodeo horse..we made Mid State Rodeo Finals last year and Nebraska State Rodeo Finals too. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnFvYypeb4 And here is a video of just starting this other little mare back up late in August.. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbu9X4uksk
Nice pony! I agree with you, if its on our place it has to be able to earn its grain. Thats why I ride mostly "cow type" horses. It wouldnt be justifiable for me to own a straight race bred that did nothing but run barrels. Everything we have is expected to work cows, head/heel steers, or a combination of those. Its kind of nice though because I feel they turn out better when they have mutliple jobs :) |
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Pig-Bear Dog Lover
| Honestly IMO it's not worth going if you don't have at least one finished horse in the trailer. After two years and going through different prospects sending the to trainers for months then months of hauling.. I finally bought something finished I could go on, and now I have two prospects I don't feel rushed on they can take as much time as they need and I can enjoy the process.
Edited by SwishMiss 2014-10-15 10:47 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Could never afford a finished horse, even had to train my own hunter ponies as a kid, sooooooo glad I did becauCe I can now train all my own horses, don't get me wrong I still go to others for help and lessons but I know the basics and I LOVE bringing them along! The only thing I send them off for is if I have a rank one that needs to be saddle broke! |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Fairweather - 2014-10-15 6:09 AM cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own? I've seen some have problems because of that. They can only ride certain horses because they fall apart or get in over their head. I've also heard trainers say that most of the people that come to ride their horses have trouble because they use their legs when they ride. So many ride with their hands and that's it because all they've ridden is made horses. Personally, I think it's because they haven't had to work their way up the ropes.
I give riding lessons & judge. I am firm believer that young/green/difficult horses are the only thing that makes a horseman. Unless you ride horses like that, you don't have a clue what it takes to put a horse where you need them. When you ride a horse that can't walk a straight line, you learn what it takes to put them there straight.
I realize that not everyone can train, nor should everyone train but I think if you want to call yourself a horseman you need to spend some time on some horses that aren't made and not as far along in their training so you learn what it takes.
Then again, I am one of those types that believes in doing things well and that means learning from the ground up. Kind of old school I guess.
I have to agree with you on many points. My husband trains horses for a living and pushed me to start my own on the barrels and go through the process. He would always tell me "if you make your own, you will know how to fix them if you ever need to". I have ridden all my life but never went through the whole process of training a horse on barrels. I am a much better rider now because of it. I have a lot more pride in the horses I ride myself as well. Having to do it does make you better. I dont see a problem with buying a horse thats finished and ready to go...BUT I feel that the rider should always be willing to put in the time and effort it takes to be a good horseman. |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I didn't take the time to read all replies but you have to be able to ride those expensive 1D horses so IMO it doesn't matter if you buy them or train them. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 596
Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | sodapop - 2014-10-14 9:39 PM If I had the money, I would buy a trainer, a slew of top dog horses, a hot stable boy, a hot driver, a hot all around handy guy, a fancy rig, get plastic surgery, and go for it.
Haha, my first thought was LRQHS wrote this! |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | scwebster - 2014-10-15 10:56 AM Fairweather - 2014-10-15 6:09 AM cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own? I've seen some have problems because of that. They can only ride certain horses because they fall apart or get in over their head. I've also heard trainers say that most of the people that come to ride their horses have trouble because they use their legs when they ride. So many ride with their hands and that's it because all they've ridden is made horses. Personally, I think it's because they haven't had to work their way up the ropes.
I give riding lessons & judge. I am firm believer that young/green/difficult horses are the only thing that makes a horseman. Unless you ride horses like that, you don't have a clue what it takes to put a horse where you need them. When you ride a horse that can't walk a straight line, you learn what it takes to put them there straight.
I realize that not everyone can train, nor should everyone train but I think if you want to call yourself a horseman you need to spend some time on some horses that aren't made and not as far along in their training so you learn what it takes.
Then again, I am one of those types that believes in doing things well and that means learning from the ground up. Kind of old school I guess.
I agree with you guys that you learn a TON from training your own horse, though I can see the fun in learning to ride one somebody else trained too. As a trainer, I like it when others can jump on my horses and make good runs because that's talent in itself. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | I bought a "project" horse. And it has been just that. A lot of humility in seasoning and training my own. Hind sight being what it is, I wish I would of just spent the extra money for a finished horse. I'm not saying that I'm not having fun in the fulfillment of the steps that we have taken, but it has been a humble road thus far. I wish I had the time to dedicate to being a barn bum, but I have other reponsibilities to worry about that are not horse related. My next horse will be a finished horse that is for sure. I really don't think I want the headaches of training and seasoning one again. I'm getting too old for that mess. LOL!!  |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| It’s About the Journey, not the Destination |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | If I had the choice and the money I would buy a finished one just because I am old and don't always enjoy starting from the ground up anymore but I am also poor so I must start with un-trained ones and counted myself blessed that I have those 
"count"
Edited by ampratt 2014-10-17 2:41 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: South | I'm probably the odd person out here, but I would rather train my own. While growing up I competed in Horse Shows and then when I was more competitive I teenage rodeo and it went from there. My parents didn't have the funds to go and buy me a finished horse to compete nor could I handle one. So my parents went and bought me two cow bred fillies. That summer after they were broke out as 3 year olds my Dad let me choose which one I wanted. To make a long story short, that was 11 years ago. She's 15 and I'm 25, and she is a finished competitive 2D barrel horse. We grew together, learned together, made plenty of mistakes but we survived and I've turned down plenty of offers for her. I wouldn't have traded any of it for the world. I look at her and see my hard work, dedication, and love.
In those 11 years of me barrel racing my parents did get a small amount of money for a settlement and my sister wanted to start rodeoing So they went and bought me a finished horse so we could both compete. That was the worse mistake we ever made. She was set in her running ways, and I had a hard time adapting to her style and really never did until about 3 years later. I now still have my finished horse I trained and I'm training a younger horse now for her replacement. I enjoy the training, and also enjoy competing. But I also know that patience is the key to bringing a young horse along. I can say I have equal respect for both side of this article. But in the end, I know I was blessed too. |
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 Chatty Kathy
Posts: 6635
Location: In Ky following Barrel Races & Walker hounds. | I use to love riding young horses, 2 knee surgeries later, not so much.
Now I perfer a horse with a good, solid foundation. I like to start mine on barrels so they can sort of "work with" my weak leg. My mare was so great for me, proving I could train one in a way that worked for me.
I don't think anyone who does it either way should be looked down on. Whatever works for them should not make them feel "less than" someone who does it the other way. Why do something you aren't comfortable with or cannot afford to do to impress someone? |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 9:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own?
Just my 2 cents..... but not everyone is a trainer or wants to be a trainer. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| i just wished people would learn to ride first hanging allover them in there face go learned to ride then run barrels
so many out there now can/t ride but if would take the time to learn would have more fun
i di not say that right but i think u get my drift |
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 Roan On The Range
Posts: 7889
Location: Stephenville, TX | If you train your own, you should be grateful that there's people out there willing to pay good money for a finished horse. If everyone had a train-your-own attitude, a finished horse wouldn't be worth much.
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![](<a href="http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/andersmk5/media/horse/20141010_173339-1_zpsv5eadqyj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1033.photob) Regular
Posts: 76
| It surprised me with how many people on here prefer to train their own horse! Last year I purchased my first horse which ended up being drugged. I was told by many trainers that i wouldn't be able to fix her by myself and more than likely would get hurt or killed in the process. Well I was able to find a trainer than specialized in problem horses. She comes out once a week for a few hours and teaches me how to work with her, and then gives me homework for the following week.
Within one year My horse has gone from attacking people, biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, and bolting to being shown in 4h and getting started on barrels. I have learned so much and have become my trainers apprentice, helping her with several other horses.
I feel like I know my horse from the inside out, and am able to appreciate the small things because I know how far we have come. I'm a better rider and handler because of her and my confidence has grown.
Of course part of me regrets not selling her and purchasing my friend/barrel racing trainer's finished 2D gelding. Mainly because I took lessons on him and 2 months after declining his offer the horse died in someone else's care. Plus my friend moved to the other side of the country.
I feel like a finished horse would have taught me a whole different set of skills |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I don't see anything wrong with either... I respect those a lot more that admit training isn't for them vs ruining a nice horse because they don't have a clue.
I personally train my own. I couldn't afford to buy a finished horse anyway but I enjoy the process. I like being able to swing a leg over my horse and know every little move he has and not having to put a lot of thought into it. I enjoy making them user friendly and seeing others enjoy riding them.
I however hate the roller coaster ride that comes with colts but its a small price to pay for the love of barrel racing.
I also enjoy watching others and talking to others. I am not perfect by any means and you can always learn more. I would attend more clinics if I could afford them. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| vjls - 2014-10-17 7:09 PM i just wished people would learn to ride first hanging allover them in there face go learned to ride then run barrels
so many out there now can/t ride but if would take the time to learn would have more fun
i di not say that right but i think u get my drift
Agree with ya! I dont think all barrel racers should be "trainers" or want to be. I just feel that everyone should want to learn. There is more to it than going out there, making three turnes and coming out. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran there is always something to work on as horsemen/horsewomen. Thats probably the only thing I see that I shake my head at sometimes. People that are willing to go spend the money on the horse, and the gear, and the clothes...but dont take the time to learn how to ride so that they do that horse justice. Just my opinion lol. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Elsa5 - 2014-10-20 11:20 PM It surprised me with how many people on here prefer to train their own horse! Last year I purchased my first horse which ended up being drugged. I was told by many trainers that i wouldn't be able to fix her by myself and more than likely would get hurt or killed in the process. Well I was able to find a trainer than specialized in problem horses. She comes out once a week for a few hours and teaches me how to work with her, and then gives me homework for the following week. Within one year My horse has gone from attacking people, biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, and bolting to being shown in 4h and getting started on barrels. I have learned so much and have become my trainers apprentice, helping her with several other horses. I feel like I know my horse from the inside out, and am able to appreciate the small things because I know how far we have come. I'm a better rider and handler because of her and my confidence has grown. Of course part of me regrets not selling her and purchasing my friend/barrel racing trainer's finished 2D gelding. Mainly because I took lessons on him and 2 months after declining his offer the horse died in someone else's care. Plus my friend moved to the other side of the country. I feel like a finished horse would have taught me a whole different set of skills
I remember your post about the mare you had gotten! Great to hear things are working out for you!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1531
Location: South | Now that I am an adult, I would still prefer to train my own but with my lack of time, would not hesitate to buy a finished one after doing my research. It never bothered me at rodeo's, open shows, NBHA shows etc
I think the only time people who bought ever bothered me is kids who were handed a 20k horse in 4-H. I grew up in 4-H and took 3 green broke horses (up until I was 18 and graduated) to the State Fair and was top 5 on all 3 out of 300+ horses because of my own hard work. Those are memories i'll never forget and the reasons why I fell in love with it as much as I did. My sister and I never wanted a finished horse, if I won I wanted to be the reason why. It didn't feel right to get praised for sitting on a horse someone else made into a superstar when that wasn't the real reason for 4-H. Other than that, to each their own.
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People Who Train VS People Who Buy