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Veteran
Posts: 126
 
| Looking for a new prospect. Have been leaning toward buying a 3yo but friends keep advising me to get a 2yo. I am not a Futurity rider even though if I had the right horse I might dabble. Obviously, time and expense wise a 3yo makes more since.
What would you do???? Someone help me make up my mind! |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
 
| I just went through this same deal. I bought a 3, glad I did too. I just feel like you may as well turn them out as 2 year olds unless you plan to run them in the Juvenile. |
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Veteran
Posts: 126
| I will add that I am in the NW so not looking at running in any Juvenile races. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| 2yr old for me. I like to put miles on one outside the pattern and then start on the pattern at 3. If you are looking to start one right away then you might go with a 3yr old. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I bought mine as a 2 year old in the fall, and had him started as a coming 3 year old this spring...I'd do it like that again. It gives me some time to get to know them before I start riding them, even if I send them off to a trainer. |
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 Peecans
| It really depends on what you want, can do, and are willing to do.
do you want well started, 30 days, unstated?
Do you start your own? Send to a trainer? Are you willing to send the horse for several month to get to the point you can ride if you are not into riding colts?
Are you willing to wait an extra year before you can run?
Its really hard to sudgest what age without really knowing you and what you want!
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Veteran
Posts: 126
| della - 2015-04-30 9:40 PM
It really depends on what you want, can do, and are willing to do.
do you want well started, 30 days, unstated?
Do you start your own? Send to a trainer? Are you willing to send the horse for several month to get to the point you can ride if you are not into riding colts?
Are you willing to wait an extra year before you can run?
Its really hard to sudgest what age without really knowing you and what you want!
I start all my own or buy them lightly started. I like a horse extremely soft and working off my feet so I have always had a preference of doing it all myself. The horse will probably not go off to a trainer at all. I don't pressure my horses or even move them along very fast. They get lots of riding out and are introduced to cattle and a rope before I ever take them to the pattern. That's why I am so torn. I don't mind the waiting with a 2yo but at the same time my place is small with very little turnout so I like keeping them in "work" so they don't get bored standing in a corral. |
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Peecans
| ShortnRound - 2015-04-30 9:45 PM
della - 2015-04-30 9:40 PM
It really depends on what you want, can do, and are willing to do.
do you want well started, 30 days, unstated?
Do you start your own? Send to a trainer? Are you willing to send the horse for several month to get to the point you can ride if you are not into riding colts?
Are you willing to wait an extra year before you can run?
Its really hard to sudgest what age without really knowing you and what you want!
I start all my own or buy them lightly started. I like a horse extremely soft and working off my feet so I have always had a preference of doing it all myself. The horse will probably not go off to a trainer at all. I don't pressure my horses or even move them along very fast. They get lots of riding out and are introduced to cattle and a rope before I ever take them to the pattern. That's why I am so torn. I don't mind the waiting with a 2yo but at the same time my place is small with very little turnout so I like keeping them in "work" so they don't get bored standing in a corral.
In that case then,
I would shop with an open mind and look at 2 and 3 year olds and pick "the one" and not be concerned about age too much, unless you are very sure your turn out space is an issue. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I personally want a 3 year old. I also like to put some miles on before the pattern but I dont like to start horses before 4 on the pattern. Personal preference. I am not a futurity rider either which makes a difference. |
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Location: Texas | ShortnRound - 2015-04-30 10:45 PM della - 2015-04-30 9:40 PM It really depends on what you want, can do, and are willing to do. do you want well started, 30 days, unstated? Do you start your own? Send to a trainer? Are you willing to send the horse for several month to get to the point you can ride if you are not into riding colts? Are you willing to wait an extra year before you can run? Its really hard to sudgest what age without really knowing you and what you want! I start all my own or buy them lightly started. I like a horse extremely soft and working off my feet so I have always had a preference of doing it all myself. The horse will probably not go off to a trainer at all. I don't pressure my horses or even move them along very fast. They get lots of riding out and are introduced to cattle and a rope before I ever take them to the pattern. That's why I am so torn. I don't mind the waiting with a 2yo but at the same time my place is small with very little turnout so I like keeping them in "work" so they don't get bored standing in a corral.
I start all of our two year olds, because like you, I like all mine soft in the mouth and working off my feet before they go to the trainer. The only issue I have with buying a 3 year old is I have to know who did the basic foundation work.
If you can find a 3 year old KNOWING who has done any or all of the work, thus far and are satisfied then I say go with a 3 year old. Otherwise, I would get a 2 year old.
That's just my opinion and what makes our program work.
Edited by EqualRanch 2015-05-01 7:38 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 165
| I went through this last year and ended up buying an unstarted 3 yr old. Glad I did, he got a good start last year, now he is that much more mature, physically and mentally and ready to go to work.
Edited by Glittergirl 2015-05-01 9:09 PM
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I like late 2YO early 3YO, already broke but green. I can take them off the track and really enjoy doing it that way.
Right now I have a 2YO i got as a long yearling and I've had to do it all myself, which is fine if I had a lot of extra time, which I don't. But this summer he's getting ridden a ton so he will get there! |
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Veteran
Posts: 126
| Well, I guess you know your horse when you see it!
Went with a 2yo! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Pics? |
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Veteran
Posts: 126
| Chandler's Mom - 2015-05-03 9:34 PM
Pics?
I will post pics and more details when I bring her home :) Will be a couple weeks |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | ShortnRound - 2015-05-03 10:38 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2015-05-03 9:34 PM
Pics?
I will post pics and more details when I bring her home : ) Will be a couple weeks
Can't wait to see |
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Location: Texas | ShortnRound - 2015-05-03 5:14 PM Well, I guess you know your horse when you see it! Went with a 2yo!
Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures!  |
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2 or 3yo??