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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
   
Location: Phoenix | What in God's name compels new or green riders to get young, green horses?!?!?!
So we have a new gal at the barn. Hasn't ridden since she was 10, and is about 25ish now. She bought a 3 y.o OTTB practically sight unseen from halfway across the country, had it shipped to AZ, and doesn't know how to put the halter on. She wants to ride it later. Why do they have NO FEAR? I'd say I'm a pretty decent rider/horse woman and I have NO DESIRE to ride/own/train a young horse. *I* would be nervous to be getting on this horse the day it hops off the trailer! I'm headed out to assess the situation later tonight. We'll see how this goes!!! |
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 Professional Amateur
Posts: 6750
 
Location: Oklahoma | They're "Green" and don't know any better. I recently sold a 3 y/o and I had a lot of parents wanting the horse for their 9 to 12 y/o kids. I asked if they worked with a trainer, if they were willing to send the horse to a trainer to continue the training, etc. If I didn't like the answers, I didn't sell to them. I found the right home for the horse, but a lot of sellers don't care where the horse goes and are willing to sell a green horse to a green rider. I rely on referral and repeat customers. Hopefully this girl gets some help from someone.
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | LOL |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I think a lot of it has to do finances. Green horses are usually cheaper than well trained horses and easier to fit into a green rider's budget.
I've also noticed that inexperienced horse people think anything over 10 is about to kick the bucket. My former brother in law told his daughter that he would not entertain the idea of even looking at a horse that was over the age of 10.... and she has never rode a day in her life. I told people that the gelding I was buying was 11 and they thought I was absurd because he would be too old to enjoy... |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | They are enrolled in the school of hard knocks!
Seriously....we were all green at one time.....
I do feel you may be witnessing a great story in the making :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | Green + Green = Black and Blue
Nearly Every Time
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| My daughter won a weanling in a 4-H raffle when she was 9yo and that was the best experience we could have ever asked for. She did all the training from the ground up and the horse was running 3d money times and getting faster before a fractured pelvis ended the story. Wouldnt change a thing, she is 17 now and has the tools to train a horse better than most.
Edited by Itsme 2015-08-25 4:49 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| Beacuse they have more money than they have sense is what my old trainer used to always say. The other best one is the green 40-50 something divorcee who can now have a horse because she no longer has to be a wife. Runs out to some rescue so she can have the rankest, meanest Son-of-a-Gun that she can find to "gentle" him and "prove everyone else wrong about the horse." 90 days later the rescue comes to pick it back up or she can't admit deafeat and off it goes to the meat wagon. Uggh. |
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I have actually heard parents say "they can learn together". Really??? When my kids were young, the horse had to be AT LEAST as old as the child, or older. I agree, I don't understand that mind set. But I see it all the time. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | RodeoCowgirl4u - 2015-08-25 2:44 PM Beacuse they have more money than they have sense is what my old trainer used to always say. The other best one is the green 40-50 something divorcee who can now have a horse because she no longer has to be a wife. Runs out to some rescue so she can have the rankest, meanest Son-of-a-Gun that she can find to "gentle" him and "prove everyone else wrong about the horse." 90 days later the rescue comes to pick it back up or she can't admit deafeat and off it goes to the meat wagon. Uggh.
OMG this exact same scenario happened at the barn earlier this year! She bought a broodmare and wanted to Trail ride her and the mare was actually a Saint-- so calm and so patient and this lady just had the mindset that she was going to blow up at any minute and was just over cautious and it drove me nuts!!!
The barn owner told this new girl that she should not buy the horse because she hadn't bought the horse yet when she came to look at the place. He told her he would find her a good trail horse that would be fun to ride and he would personally guarantee the horse and she did not take his advice and bought the horse instead. He found three horses in her price range that they could take a look at that day and would be perfect for her and yet she still just ignored someone trying to help her out. They just they don't want help! I'm off to assess the situation, and my poor horse's tail because he's rubbing it again...... =/ |
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  Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | The only thing I can think of is it's like a person getting a puppy vs an older dog. Because a horse savvy person knows that you need a horse suitable for your experience and riding ability. Not young and untrained if you're the same. Green + green = black & blue.  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| OMG!!! I seriously wanted to go off on the broker who brought 2 novice clients to look at our 11 yr old mare who is suitable for a beginner or an experienced rider. Been there/done that nothing bothers her. Neither client wanted to try her in the first place bc she "was too old" |
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 Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Ignorance is bliss, that's why they have no fear. And she's young. The young are fearless. Once in a while it works out because of that lack of fear. They're relaxed. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | When I was 10, I got my first "barrel horse". She was 3 and palomino and I loved her. She actually bucked me off when I tried her, but I didn't tell anyone because I wanted her so bad. LOL So I learned to ride a bronc (she only bucked me off once more, but she bucked or kicked up all the time), and she ended up being a decent barrel horse and a 20-21 second pole horse as well as a fun trail horse (when she wasn't bucking haha). My parents, at that point, absolutely didn't know any better. After that, they made sure I was mounted on safe horses that knew their job--apparently, I scared them to death a few times.  |
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| Maybe she just needs someone to tell her Hey, that could be dangerous...etc. If she's arrogant and won't listen that's one thing but maybe give her some tips, advice to help her.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | I think it is twofold, often times it is finances (younger horses usually=cheaper) and ignorance. The girl in your barn sounds a lot like me actually...I was on the back of a horse before I could even walk but I stopped riding around 13. I decided to start riding again when I was 23 and guess what I bought.....an OTT 4 yr old who was hot and blown up. Sometimes it works though, that horse is now one of the most broke horses anyone could throw a leg over. I have to admit, I had forgotten a ton of learning, but it comes back especially if they are quick learners and have great mentors. Hopefully it works out for the girl in your barn too!  |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Well, I went out last night and she's aware of her situation. The mare seems pretty gentle and I guess they were riding on the trails back in Ohio. But it sounds like she wants me to be her mentor/trainer and I'm like no nowhere NEAR qualified enough to help her "train "this horse…brother!! |
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Member
Posts: 5
| My first horse was a little bay mare with more attitude than I had ever seen in my life. Pretty sure she was drugged when we got her, because she rode around like a champ and had a great attitude. Got her home, a day later we were wondering what the heck we got ourselves into. She would stomp a mud hole into anyone that went in her stall to catch her. Fearless 12 year old here, went in one day ****ed off and frustrated, called her bluff, and from that day on, 11 years later, that horse is my best friend. If that was my child though, that horse would have caught the first trailer out of there. Luckily nothing severe happened but I was absolutely dead set on that little bay mare with the bushy long forelock and nothing was going to change my mind. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | LMS - 2015-08-25 2:36 PM They are enrolled in the school of hard knocks!
Seriously....we were all green at one time.....
I do feel you may be witnessing a great story in the making :)
yes we were all green at one time...doesn't mean we should've been mounted on green horses! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 310
Location: North Dakota | IMO I'm an advocate for what I call "The Rule of 18". Which means Riders Age + Horses age = at least 18.
Granted, there are exceptions to every rule. I've had younger horses that acted old, and older horses that still think they're 2. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Longneck - 2015-08-25 2:08 PM
I think a lot of it has to do finances. Green horses are usually cheaper than well trained horses and easier to fit into a green rider's budget.
I've also noticed that inexperienced horse people think anything over 10 is about to kick the bucket. My former brother in law told his daughter that he would not entertain the idea of even looking at a horse that was over the age of 10.... and she has never rode a day in her life. I told people that the gelding I was buying was 11 and they thought I was absurd because he would be too old to enjoy...
This! My parents got me a 2 yr old for my first "big" horse, although I had ridden a pony for several years. It was REALLY not a fun time. I did learn a lot but I really wanted a 12 yr old mare that was GENTLE. I ate a LOT of dirt sandwiches and cried a lot of tears, (I was lucky I didn't break my neck). |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I had a gal exactly like the OP - the mare was viscious towards her. Drug her around the arena on her face on more than on occasion. Finally she called it quits but didnt want the mare to end up in slaughter. I offered to put 30 days on her in the agreement she finds her a good home where money didnt matter. She openly agreed. The mare had a really rough history and her behavior was a combo of mistrust, physical inability and attitiude.
She turned out to be a hell of a mare, within a week was a different horse. It was hard to see her go but last I knew she was going to be a 3 day eventer. So it is certainly annoying but sometimes the owners just dont know better. especially those that rode as a teenager, they dont realize how much you forget or how broke your horse was as a teenager. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| A lady that I worked with wanted to get her kids some riding horse. I told her to get some older like 14-18 year old been there done that kind of horse that the kids could enjoy. She told me they would not buy something that was ready for the glue factory. They ended up buying a two year old stallion that had not been handled much. This is the clincher, I told them they needed to get him cut ASAP. She said they could do that to him because he might resent them for having him cut. The kids could not even get near him. Some neighbors rode down the road past their house and the sweet young stallion dropped and was about to go through the fence. She just could not believe he would act like that. She asked me how I could keep the other people from riding around her horse. Some people. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | streakysox - 2015-08-27 11:31 AM A lady that I worked with wanted to get her kids some riding horse. I told her to get some older like 14-18 year old been there done that kind of horse that the kids could enjoy. She told me they would not buy something that was ready for the glue factory. They ended up buying a two year old stallion that had not been handled much. This is the clincher, I told them they needed to get him cut ASAP. She said they could do that to him because he might resent them for having him cut. The kids could not even get near him. Some neighbors rode down the road past their house and the sweet young stallion dropped and was about to go through the fence. She just could not believe he would act like that. She asked me how I could keep the other people from riding around her horse. Some people.
This just makes me shake my head. It's unfortunate that there are sellers out there that are so eager to make a buck that they will sell to whomever. |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| hammer_time - 2015-08-27 1:59 PM
streakysox - 2015-08-27 11:31 AM A lady that I worked with wanted to get her kids some riding horse. I told her to get some older like 14-18 year old been there done that kind of horse that the kids could enjoy. She told me they would not buy something that was ready for the glue factory. They ended up buying a two year old stallion that had not been handled much. This is the clincher, I told them they needed to get him cut ASAP. She said they could do that to him because he might resent them for having him cut. The kids could not even get near him. Some neighbors rode down the road past their house and the sweet young stallion dropped and was about to go through the fence. She just could not believe he would act like that. She asked me how I could keep the other people from riding around her horse. Some people.
This just makes me shake my head. It's unfortunate that there are sellers out there that are so eager to make a buck that they will sell to whomever.
I would not blame the seller. I think the people that bought the horse went over there shooting their mouth off about how much they knew and the seller knew less than the buyer. |
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Veteran
Posts: 227
Location: Heart of Texas | hammer_time - 2015-08-27 1:59 PM
streakysox - 2015-08-27 11:31 AM A lady that I worked with wanted to get her kids some riding horse. I told her to get some older like 14-18 year old been there done that kind of horse that the kids could enjoy. She told me they would not buy something that was ready for the glue factory. They ended up buying a two year old stallion that had not been handled much. This is the clincher, I told them they needed to get him cut ASAP. She said they could do that to him because he might resent them for having him cut. The kids could not even get near him. Some neighbors rode down the road past their house and the sweet young stallion dropped and was about to go through the fence. She just could not believe he would act like that. She asked me how I could keep the other people from riding around her horse. Some people.
This just makes me shake my head. It's unfortunate that there are sellers out there that are so eager to make a buck that they will sell to whomever.
While I see your point, why is it up to the seller to tell someone what they can and cannot have? The seller disclosed what they were selling. They didn't lie. I know plenty of parents who buy their 16 yo a sports car. That'll kill ya quicker than a 3 year old horse will. But it's not the car salesmans job to tell a parent this car is too much for that kid. You live you learn. either she'll figure it out or the horse will be gone. If she gets beat up, well that was her choice. Yes, it's a bad idea all around but Unless you're footing the bill, it's none of anybody's business. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | They don't want to pay what it costs for a trained, seasoned horse, so they get a young one because it's cheaper and they "can learn together". Yeah, right. Thank God my parents were smarter than that! I learned on an old babysitter.
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Green horses, green riders.....WHY?!?!