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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I guess I just need some consoling! I know my husband won't understand.
I quit running barrels about 7 1/2 years ago after one of my horses reared up and flipped over trying to get him into an alley. I had another horse I could run, but my heart just wasn't into it after that.
Now, 7 1/2 years later I've decided that I want to get back into it again. I still have both horses, but decided to just stay away from the first horse since he still has respect problems and I cannot even work him in a roundpen... much less ride him.
My other gelding has been lame. I really thought it was just a thrush soreness issue, but I've kicked the thrush and he's still not 100%. Well, I took him to the vet this afternoon and after a lameness exam and x-rays he has athritis in one of his hocks. The vet thinks that even just to have him as a trail horse we'd need to give Legend (or something similar). I've decided to not go that route and am going to give him Bute in his feed everyday and go back every 6 months for a single injection (vs. the 3 week shot that has to be done every 6-12 months) just to ease his pain while he's out living life in the pasture.
I'm just a little deflated. I've been saving my money up for a new horse, but I'm still a few more weeks/months out to afford something nice (as in not a grade horse that I wouldn't be able to re-sell if it doesn't work out. I'd like to have something papered and semi-well bred just in case I change my mind on running). All I can afford right now would be a grade or a nice yearling/2 year old that would still need to be broke and sent to a trainer. I'm more looking for something that is patterned, just needs have speed added and seasoned. I know that won't be very long in the grand scheme of things, I just was really hoping to have a horse I could ride to kill the time. Okay, I'm done with my pity party! Any tips on how to get thru the waiting period??
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Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: Right Where I'm Meant To Be :) | First thing I'd do is sell the horse that flipped you. It sounds like there's not a strong bond there on either part. You'd get some extra cash to put toward your new horse and the money you would save on feed and bedding would all add up pretty quick. Is there a barn near you that you could go ride for a while in the meantime? Like someone needing a trail ride partner or has an extra horse you could leg up. This will help gain your balance and confidence so when you do purchase your new horse, you'll be ready. Good Luck and I hope you're back in the saddle real soon! |
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 Crazy Doggy Mommy
Posts: 1419
Location: Where Governor's make the liscense plates | I would most certainly be placing an ad on here for the flipper over guy! You two obviously dont click and he may with someone else-- even if you dont get a lot for him he wouldnt be costing you the extra feed so you could save more... Where are you located? I'd love to help you look online @ ads. any particular breeding your favorite or you steer clear of? |
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I am a Freak
Posts: 3326
Location: Nowhere Special | Ive been seeing adds down here for grade horses bringing pretty good money.. Id start looking for a "nice horse" that will keep you safe, rebuild your confidence and allow you to have fun. Papers or not that kind of horse will always be worth some money and you may even be lucky and find something a little cheaper if it was grade.. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I would def list the flipper! I value my life too much to deal with it. Just because he's a nightmare for you...there may be someone out that that "gets" him and he will be a dream for them. Horses are crazy like that. Plus that will give you some extra cash for the newbie. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 259
Location: PA | Id definitely sell the Flipper, it sounds like his lack of respect wont ever change so why continue to feed an animal like that especially one that you cant ride. I'd send him down the road in a heart beat!
I wouldnt knock a grade horse seen some pretty nice ones running awesome around here. A good running horse is good with or without papers! wouldnt do you a lick of good if you have a well bred papered horse and it cant perform.
good luck on your search!
Edited by hopelessly_spoiled 2014-02-27 9:50 PM
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 Regular
Posts: 60
Location: Oklahoma | Well I agree with everyone else about selling the horse that flipped on you. It doesnt sound like your gonna be getting much done on him anyway.
Just keep your eye open for a nice horse and PRAY about it! God will put the right horse there for you when it is the right time! Do you have any friends eith extra horses that you could go riding with? That might help you through the down time.
And I wouldnt absolutely say no to a grade horse. Theyre never my first choice, but if you happen to find a great prospect, you might take a look. But I dont blame you for looking at papers. Anything could happen, and there will be resale value there. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | If I was in your shoes I would look for an older horse that you could have some fun on, get yourself back running again and tehn resell in a year or 2. They are alittle cheaper and if they are a good youth or beginner horse will hold their resale value for when you are ready to and have the money to move up. Or find a friend with an extra horse they just want some miles put on that might get that riding bug cured until you have the money to buy something of your own.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | Longneck - 2014-02-27 4:32 PM I guess I just need some consoling! I know my husband won't understand.
I quit running barrels about 7 1/2 years ago after one of my horses reared up and flipped over trying to get him into an alley. I had another horse I could run, but my heart just wasn't into it after that.
Now, 7 1/2 years later I've decided that I want to get back into it again. I still have both horses, but decided to just stay away from the first horse since he still has respect problems and I cannot even work him in a roundpen... much less ride him.
My other gelding has been lame. I really thought it was just a thrush soreness issue, but I've kicked the thrush and he's still not 100%. Well, I took him to the vet this afternoon and after a lameness exam and x-rays he has athritis in one of his hocks. The vet thinks that even just to have him as a trail horse we'd need to give Legend (or something similar). I've decided to not go that route and am going to give him Bute in his feed everyday and go back every 6 months for a single injection (vs. the 3 week shot that has to be done every 6-12 months) just to ease his pain while he's out living life in the pasture.
I'm just a little deflated. I've been saving my money up for a new horse, but I'm still a few more weeks/months out to afford something nice (as in not a grade horse that I wouldn't be able to re-sell if it doesn't work out. I'd like to have something papered and semi-well bred just in case I change my mind on running). All I can afford right now would be a grade or a nice yearling/2 year old that would still need to be broke and sent to a trainer. I'm more looking for something that is patterned, just needs have speed added and seasoned. I know that won't be very long in the grand scheme of things, I just was really hoping to have a horse I could ride to kill the time. Okay, I'm done with my pity party! Any tips on how to get thru the waiting period??
I agree...send the flipper down the road. Whatever you get is more for your next horse. I also agree that for now, a seasoned grade horse will keep you riding, build your confidence, and if it is a truly good one, you should have no problem getting your money back in a couple of years.
The main reason I am replying is a caution on giving your gelding bute in his feed every day. If you truly were needing to keep him on something for pain, have you considered previcoxx? Long term bute use can really play havoc with his stomach, cause colics, etc etc. (so I am told and was warned by vets). I'm not a vet and have no medical training, just this has been drilled into my head by vets, and many board members on here say the same. Just wanted to make sure you had heard that and were familiar with alternatives.
Another thought...Actiflex 4000 and Fluidflex are great relatively inexpensive supplements that seem to help with arthritis.
Best of luck! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Getting rid of flipper would certainly be the most logical situation, but it's just not possible. My dad told my newphew that he could be his horse (strictly for just in the pasture.. no riding involved!... just to say "I have a horse" type ordeal)... my plans were to send him off to a trainer to get the behavior problem fixed, get him in shape and sell him. Long story short my dad won't let me because he's not going to go back on his word to my newphew and he doesn't even think he's worth anything (and he's probably right), so instead of spending money to send him off my dad just wants him to stay put. My dad says they have both earned the right to die on their place so I'm not going to fight it. He pays for their feed and they just eat hay with the calves so they're not any real financial burden to my parents.
I'll be paying for the 6 month injections on the second gelding and I know he's got a good home. I couldn't stand trying to sell him and worrying about someone else not giving him the proper care and making him be used.
As far as a new horse goes I believe I might look into the grade gelding I've had my eye on. He's supposedly got papers, they've just been lost. I hear trying to get things sorted with AQHA can be messy, so I probably won't worry about it. I would have the money right now to buy him, I think I'm just afraid I might make the wrong decision and be stuck with a hard to sell horse and have depleted some of my funds.
There isn't anyone I could really ride for. My friend/neighbor run barrels and has a few extra horses, but she has her daughter to help her leg them up. Certainly no stables or anything like that around here that I could go to.
As far as what I'm looking for on bloodlines I couldn't tell ya! I just don't want something that is hot or too strong willed. I'm not ready to take that type of horse on. I'd just like something level headed and that someone else might be interested in line wise if I couldn't make it work. I think a mare would be better suited since someone might want her a broodmare, but I'm not really wanting to run a mare again. The two I had before just didn't jive with me......... the more and more I type I'm realizing that grade gelding is probably my best bet! lol
I have my eye on a really nice looking gelding that is loping the pattern, just ready to be seasoned... just a tab bit out of my budget.
I see that the number of sales ads are increasing ecah day.... not sure if my patience is that strong! |
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