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Expert
Posts: 1419
 
| Getting back into horses and cant decide if I go with the youger broke trail horse and start them on games/barrels OR buy the 16+ yr old older horse thats been there done that and probable needs some type of maintence and probably has some type of quirks but knows there job??Mind you, Im 40!! Help!!
Edited by 2sassy 2018-03-14 8:22 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
 
| I personally prefer the older guys who take care of me, they may need a little maintenance but I am not a trainer and at age 57 I just want to point and go. It is my experience that having quirks have nothing to do with a horses age, we have owned older horses with none and young ones that were just wierd but great competitors, lol. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 599
| I’m 36....I say older!! It’s more fun to be able to just enjoy riding and fix the things I need to work on! I’m a few years in to my “getting back into horses”. My oldest is my finished “babysitter” and I STILL haven’t let him fully run yet. Then I bought a 4 year old futurity horse so she is also finished but younger (and a lot more expensive to buy). I am at the same stage with her as I am my older horse - not letting them run but really starting to get with them and trust them fully. |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | Depends on your goals & what you want to accomplish. Do you want to train or do you want to go have fun now? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| I'm 27 and I would hands down choose the older horse even though they might need a little maintenance.
The last time I owned a horse I was 20, and he was a dressage horse. I bought my barrel horse last August. He is 15 and needs maintenance, but I'm very happy with him. He's a finished barrel/pole horse and is all business in the arena. He knows his job, and LOVES his job. He takes care of me, and I'm very new to western/barrel racing. Before I bought him I was looking at younger all around horses, but I'm glad I chose my older gelding. He still has his quirks, but every horse does. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| It really depends on your goals. If you just want to go and have fun, the older horse hands down. If you want to try your hand at starting one and the ups and downs that come with it, but the pride when you succeed on them - then the younger horse. I personally like the second option (I’m 30) but my husband (he’s 34) and I look for well started prospects, we aren’t into breaking colts anymore! You can find something 5-7 years old that is handy broke, been ranched on, seen the sights but hasn’t been started on any particular discipline pretty reasonable. My experience has been they start on the pattern easy and learn quickly. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | I would chose the older finished horse. Like the others have already stated go with something that will take care of you and knows its job. |
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Expert
Posts: 1419
| I should say the younger ones are 8-10 and just trail horses and would just be going to "fun" shows and teaching them the patterns. I'm leaning towards been there done that lets just go have fun but then again I dont know if I'm making the right choice...ugh!
Edited by 2sassy 2018-03-15 11:13 AM
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 No Name Nancy
Posts: 2715
Location: never in the right place | I bought a 14 yr old been there, done that horse because I am 69 and want to still barrel race, with that said if he had been younger I still would have bought him because he is safe and dependable. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an 8-10 yr old trail horse and teach it barrels and any other games just to have fun. Pick the one that appeals to you the most |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | The answer is really simple: Do you want to go out tomorrow and have fun or would you prefer to spend a year making training progress?
If you enjoy seeing slow training progress then the trail horse is the answer. If you'd prefer to go out right away and just do fine tuning then the older finished horse is the way to go. |
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Expert
Posts: 1419
| Thanks all for your input, still up in the air as to what I really want to do! |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel.
So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | stayceem - 2018-03-16 1:47 PM
For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel.
So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school.
THIS. Unless you find a unicorn of a trail horse.
Even if you don't want a finished horse, something with a nice handle and good solid start will make training the patterns easy and fun.
Doesn't matter what they do or don't do as far as event, but if they can drive from their rear, move front and hind end separately, collect, you can build on that and have fun while doing it. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | dashnlotti - 2018-03-16 2:08 PM
stayceem - 2018-03-16 1:47 PM
For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel.
So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school.
THIS. Unless you find a unicorn of a trail horse.
Even if you don't want a finished horse, something with a nice handle and good solid start will make training the patterns easy and fun.
Doesn't matter what they do or don't do as far as event, but if they can drive from their rear, move front and hind end separately, collect, you can build on that and have fun while doing it.
Is it the same concept if they're barrels first, then trail? Or is that completely different? |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-16 8:28 PM
dashnlotti - 2018-03-16 2:08 PM
stayceem - 2018-03-16 1:47 PM
For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel.
So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school.
THIS. Unless you find a unicorn of a trail horse.
Even if you don't want a finished horse, something with a nice handle and good solid start will make training the patterns easy and fun.
Doesn't matter what they do or don't do as far as event, but if they can drive from their rear, move front and hind end separately, collect, you can build on that and have fun while doing it.
Is it the same concept if they're barrels first, then trail? Or is that completely different?
Not sure if you are asking me or the other but I don't care what they do, in any order but they have to have a good handle. My experience is those advertised as trail horses, generally have only done trails. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | stayceem - 2018-03-16 8:37 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-16 8:28 PM
dashnlotti - 2018-03-16 2:08 PM
stayceem - 2018-03-16 1:47 PM
For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel.
So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school.
THIS. Unless you find a unicorn of a trail horse.
Even if you don't want a finished horse, something with a nice handle and good solid start will make training the patterns easy and fun.
Doesn't matter what they do or don't do as far as event, but if they can drive from their rear, move front and hind end separately, collect, you can build on that and have fun while doing it.
Is it the same concept if they're barrels first, then trail? Or is that completely different?
Not sure if you are asking me or the other but I don't care what they do, in any order but they have to have a good handle. My experience is those advertised as trail horses, generally have only done trails.
My mare was a wonderful barrel horse. Then went straight to trails. She carried me up mountains (I know, they're probably hills to some of y'all, but they were pretty tough from my perspective!) and down ravines, thru creeks, and across shale beds. Crossed highway bridges, had deer run almost under us, and had idiots that thought they were the man from Snowy Mountain race past us on trails barely wide enough for a single horse, let alone two. . . The two times I was most proud of her was when she slid down a muddy embankment and stayed down til I could get off, and when she took me to the top of a cabin lookout over the Clinton Chuckwagon races with my crutches strapped to each side of her saddle---like she had been doing it for years. And she would run barrels like a champ with Chandler at playdays in between all the trail rides with me. This girl is my black unicorn I guess you could say. I kinda like her! |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-16 8:54 PM
stayceem - 2018-03-16 8:37 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-16 8:28 PM
dashnlotti - 2018-03-16 2:08 PM
stayceem - 2018-03-16 1:47 PM
For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel.
So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school.
THIS. Unless you find a unicorn of a trail horse.
Even if you don't want a finished horse, something with a nice handle and good solid start will make training the patterns easy and fun.
Doesn't matter what they do or don't do as far as event, but if they can drive from their rear, move front and hind end separately, collect, you can build on that and have fun while doing it.
Is it the same concept if they're barrels first, then trail? Or is that completely different?
Not sure if you are asking me or the other but I don't care what they do, in any order but they have to have a good handle. My experience is those advertised as trail horses, generally have only done trails.
My mare was a wonderful barrel horse. Then went straight to trails. She carried me up mountains (I know, they're probably hills to some of y'all, but they were pretty tough from my perspective! ) and down ravines, thru creeks, and across shale beds. Crossed highway bridges, had deer run almost under us, and had idiots that thought they were the man from Snowy Mountain race past us on trails barely wide enough for a single horse, let alone two. . . The two times I was most proud of her was when she slid down a muddy embankment and stayed down til I could get off, and when she took me to the top of a cabin lookout over the Clinton Chuckwagon races with my crutches strapped to each side of her saddle---like she had been doing it for years. And she would run barrels like a champ with Chandler at playdays in between all the trail rides with me. This girl is my black unicorn I guess you could say. I kinda like her!
Oh I definitely think horses can be wonderful at both. But my opinion is those advertised as a trail horse, have not had much for formal training. They certainly have their value since they will take you through most things safely and as a trail horse that's exactly what you want. BUT if you are looking to turn a trail horse into a barrel horse, you tend to have to teach them a lot of basics which isn't always bad just a factor to consider for the OP. I looked at a lot of trail horses for my niece and they were awesome on the trails, super safe but starting them on barrels would require a lot of basics and breaking some bad habits. So going back to my original post it would have almost been easier to buy a greener horse that didn't necessarily have the bad habits as I would be putting a lot of the same work into the two.
So I decided to buy a finished game horse for my niece that could go now and she is also fantastic on trails. But she is 13, so not old but has quirks and likely need maintenance before some of the others I looked at but it was the better choice for us. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Older, been there done that, just make sure your not getting a problem horse would be better if you know and been around the horse if possible. Good luck on your horse buying  |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | dashnlotti - 2018-03-16 1:08 PM stayceem - 2018-03-16 1:47 PM For me it entirely depends. I was in this dilemma with my niece. What I noticed with the trail broke horses is they were simple trail broke. They needed A LOT of work on their basics before I would ever pattern them. Heavy on the front end, didn't bend off leg pressure, couldn't pick up leads, did collect of any kind so it almost made sense to buy something green broke without bad habits if I needed to all that work anyway. Now they went down the trail like a perfect angel. So I ended up with a finished game horse. She doesn't have much for maintenance but she has quirks.... and yet I am so happy with my choice. My niece has grown so much as a rider and is having so much fun. It also saved me a lot of time and effort. Only thing I can do is help condition her in the spring when she is still busy with school. THIS. Unless you find a unicorn of a trail horse. Even if you don't want a finished horse, something with a nice handle and good solid start will make training the patterns easy and fun. Doesn't matter what they do or don't do as far as event, but if they can drive from their rear, move front and hind end separately, collect, you can build on that and have fun while doing it.
This! I like ones that have all the buttons, then they are so easy to put on barrels or have a good barrel trainer put 30 days on them, then go on with. That is what I like to do, because I like to be able to move up with them, learn their style, and we can grow and get better together. |
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