|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
  
| So I was feeling a bit discouraged the other day when the horse I liked didn't do the best on the pre purchase exam. My trainer and I drove 10 min yesterday to see another one. He's a BIG gelding, just turned 8. Came from out west. SUPER fancy broke, and safe (which is what I want). Owner was very nice, and she seems very honest. She said she's taken lessons with him all winter, and he's only ridden a few times a month now, due to having kids, etc. They are asking $8k for him, which is over my budget. My budget is $7,500. They said the lowest they will take is $7,300, which works. My question is, how do you value a prospect? His owner is not a barrel racer, and he has trotted them maybe twice. This horse has been roped off of, and has done the extreme ranch riding/rodeo ( I don't know anything about that). He's very quiet, and is a gentle giant. Has tracked the hot heels. I know that as a prospect no one really knows how a horse will do on the barrels, but I'm worried that if he vets sound I'm going to be buying a deluxe trail horse..maybe I'm just overthinking things. I need a horse that will help me with my confidence, BUT I'm not looking for a trail horse. If I was, I would not be spending $7,300.
My mind is in a million different places, and I could just be over thinking everything..
I thought I wanted a 3-4yo but I don't. The ones we looked at did not have a solid foundation/basics. I like a lot about this horse I looked at yesterday, his temperament, demeanor, he's very comfy, willing to please, but has not seen the pattern. My trainer says she's not worried about that, as she said she can put the pattern on anything.
If a horse is a big horse, big feet, does it mean they won't be good at barrel racing? Or if they are kind of "slow" doing arena work, does that mean they won't be good at barrel racing?
Edited by emricmacy 2018-06-09 12:49 PM
| |
| | |
Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | You’re trainer should be able to evaluate how athletic and willing their horse is.
The next question is, how competitive do you want to be ? Do you went to be able to place in the 1/2d ?
If you’re not worried about being in the 1d, then you’re trainer saying she can put a pattern on anything doesn’t worry me so much.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the price if he checks all the boxes unless you’ll want to sell him if he doesn’t work out. | |
| | |
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 599
| Not directly related to your question, but I bought a big, gentle giant a couple of years ago. He was already finished, but he’s a babysitter horse for me. Safe, safe, HUGE, and surprisingly fast and athletic.
Sounds like a good horse to me, if your trainer has confidence in the horse, it may be a great fit! GOOD LUCK!!!!! | |
| | |
 Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | If I had your dilemma, first I would make a list in order of importance. I would have my top five NONnegotiables. These would be the MUSTHAVES that my new horse must have. You will be the one ultimately riding and caring for him.
I noticed that one of your main concerns is a confidence builder. I am 100% behind that thought. There is nothing worse than owning a horse that scares you, could possibly hurt you, and or kills your confidence. There is nothing better than a horse you enjoy and can’t wait to go ride. As far as training him on the pattern, your trainer felt confident, after all he is super fancy broke. Most barrel races are 4 to 5 D. That leaves a lot of places to land.
You had some concerns about size. I know a lady that has a brother to a colt I have that is 17.2 and 1460 lbs. He’s won several races and futurities.
Two of my must haves, good mind and big heart.
Good luck and go riding! | |
| | |
Veteran
Posts: 141
| Has your trainer produced winning horses from the ground up?
We send off videos to a few different performance vets including one at a race track and we know a lady that consistently makes winners so we also send her a vid or two for her opinion.
Nothing beats (good) experience in my opinion. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| Liana D - 2018-06-09 1:29 PM
You’re trainer should be able to evaluate how athletic and willing their horse is.
The next question is, how competitive do you want to be ? Do you went to be able to place in the 1/2d ?
If you’re not worried about being in the 1d, then you’re trainer saying she can put a pattern on anything doesn’t worry me so much.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the price if he checks all the boxes unless you’ll want to sell him if he doesn’t work out.
Thank you! She has been very helpful, and I'm appreciative to have her guidance. I would like to be competitive in my area eventually. A solid 2d eventually would be nice. A couple of the 3yo's I tried made me nervous. They didn't do anything wrong, I'm just not as confident as I used to be I guess. I'm not ready for a 3yo. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| joemama - 2018-06-09 4:09 PM
Has your trainer produced winning horses from the ground up?
We send off videos to a few different performance vets including one at a race track and we know a lady that consistently makes winners so we also send her a vid or two for her opinion.
Nothing beats (good) experience in my opinion.
She was just offered 6 figures for one of her personal horses whom she trained herself from an unbroke 2yo. She doesn't really buy and sell horses, so I don't know much about any horses she has trained besides the one she has now. Her motto is sound and sane. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| dRowe - 2018-06-09 2:12 PM
Not directly related to your question, but I bought a big, gentle giant a couple of years ago. He was already finished, but he’s a babysitter horse for me. Safe, safe, HUGE, and surprisingly fast and athletic.
Sounds like a good horse to me, if your trainer has confidence in the horse, it may be a great fit! GOOD LUCK!!!!!
She's honest with me in saying that she doesn't truly know if any horses will become a great barrel horse, and there are no guarantees. | |
| | |
| emricmacy - 2018-06-09 12:29 PM
So I was feeling a bit discouraged the other day when the horse I liked didn't do the best on the pre purchase exam. My trainer and I drove 10 min yesterday to see another one. He's a BIG gelding, just turned 8. Came from out west. SUPER fancy broke, and safe (which is what I want). Owner was very nice, and she seems very honest. She said she's taken lessons with him all winter, and he's only ridden a few times a month now, due to having kids, etc. They are asking $8k for him, which is over my budget. My budget is $7,500. They said the lowest they will take is $7,300, which works. My question is, how do you value a prospect? His owner is not a barrel racer, and he has trotted them maybe twice. This horse has been roped off of, and has done the extreme ranch riding/rodeo ( I don't know anything about that). He's very quiet, and is a gentle giant. Has tracked the hot heels. I know that as a prospect no one really knows how a horse will do on the barrels, but I'm worried that if he vets sound I'm going to be buying a deluxe trail horse..maybe I'm just overthinking things. I need a horse that will help me with my confidence, BUT I'm not looking for a trail horse. If I was, I would not be spending $7,300.
My mind is in a million different places, and I could just be over thinking everything..
I thought I wanted a 3-4yo but I don't. The ones we looked at did not have a solid foundation/basics. I like a lot about this horse I looked at yesterday, his temperament, demeanor, he's very comfy, willing to please, but has not seen the pattern. My trainer says she's not worried about that, as she said she can put the pattern on anything.
If a horse is a big horse, big feet, does it mean they won't be good at barrel racing? Or if they are kind of "slow" doing arena work, does that mean they won't be good at barrel racing?
*******************************************************
*******************************************************
PUT YOUR MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET ..
When you have your hope's dashed on purchase of one horse and then you
start trying to talk yourself into another horse that does not meet your present
criteria … it is time to stand still and do nothing.
Re-think your quest for a horse that will bring your confidence level back in the
event you would like to participate in.
If you had a daughter that felt great riding a schooling horse and was begging
for a faster or automatic patterned steady never fail good natured horse to
step up her game. WHAT WOULD YOU DO??
IMO you would start looking for a reliable horse that another kid owns and is now
asking for more speed that would be the perfect step up horse for YOU (r daughter)..
Take your hunt to the youth events and find you a solid 12-16 year old grade or
registered horse that will not have any surprises. The great thing about these horses
is they can't run fast enough to hurt themselves so most are as sound as a rock and
easy to sell once your confidence returns and your butt is telling your brain that
it would like to be sitting on a faster horse and it is time to make the move to
buy a faster horse you really like at first meeting ..
Right now, pick you out a horse that you feel you will out grow in the next year
and one that you don't have to train for a specific event since you are not as
aggressive as you once were.
Any trainer is going to pick one out that requires
some training because that is how they make their living. What you want your
trainer to do is … concentrate on YOU to get your automatic riding reflexes back
in order and you get some automatic muscle memory as you ride this horse
that has been a step up for a tuff upcoming youth rider.
After you get this youth horse … get out of the arena and ride a lot of pasture and
go find a group to ride trails with for hours … this is where your butt gets connected
to your brain and every thing falls in place … you need to make lots of wet
saddle blankets to get your confidence back. Which will return much faster the
more hours you spend on horse back and enjoying open country and other riders
company.
I looked on youtube for the extreme horse group thingy you mentioned …
It looks like a fun group of local primarily non-pro ranches and cowboys
doing ranch rodeo events with a lot of country fair activities and bull riding
rodeo as their big draw. Lots of ranch work events along with some ruff stock.
I had to grin when I found this horse which matches the description you gave
to a Tee on a video. Nice looking, well trained for many things but not solid
in any type of event. It would be a shame to take a horse like this and undo
all the training he shows and untrain him to run one speed event …
Look in the comment section for their asking price for this pretty boy ..
https://youtu.be/5lGreKKS-Rs
BEST WISHES AND GOOD LUCK ..
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2018-06-10 12:11 AM
| |
| | |
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 542
| Your post said "something to help you with your confidence", so I would not go with anything that wasn't already started on the pattern and going.
What I would do is keep saving until you had about 10k or so and then purchase a 4-5yr old thats just not making the futurity cut. Sometimes those turn into gems after a few years of taking it slow in the 2-3D and then later in life they sometimes pick up for you or if they don't you can still sale for a very good price espeically if they are sane sound and consistent.
Buy something that is an investment and will gain in value. To me buying something older that might not even wanna turn 3 is for you is definitely not an investment its a big gamble on just having a horse with a bunch of buttons but can't lope the pattern correctly and easily. Your friend said she can put anything on the pattern, and I believe anything can be taught the pattern BUT theres a big difference in ability/want to vs. just knowing the pattern. Older horses are always a bigger gamble.
So either save for something started or buy now and pay a trainer to put the basics on one then your friend can start it when its ready. IF you buy a prospect and then have it broke it's not as much up front costs but you'll have to pay a monthly training bill on it.
Edited by runfastturnsmooth 2018-06-10 10:09 AM
| |
| | |
 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Personally, safe broke horses are worth their weight in gold. Being "big" doesn't worry me, I know some incredibly athletic horses with big feet, big legs and bodies. However, I personally don't know that I would pay $7500 (give or take) for a non started gelding. Personal choice if I wanted a steady eddy. I would certainly pay that for a finished 3d/4d confidence builder but putting a horse on the pattern can be super simple but also super complicated. | |
| | |
 Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | BARRELHORSE USA - 2018-06-09 10:09 PM emricmacy - 2018-06-09 12:29 PM So I was feeling a bit discouraged the other day when the horse I liked didn't do the best on the pre purchase exam. My trainer and I drove 10 min yesterday to see another one. He's a BIG gelding, just turned 8. Came from out west. SUPER fancy broke, and safe (which is what I want). Owner was very nice, and she seems very honest. She said she's taken lessons with him all winter, and he's only ridden a few times a month now, due to having kids, etc. They are asking $8k for him, which is over my budget. My budget is $7,500. They said the lowest they will take is $7,300, which works. My question is, how do you value a prospect? His owner is not a barrel racer, and he has trotted them maybe twice. This horse has been roped off of, and has done the extreme ranch riding/rodeo ( I don't know anything about that). He's very quiet, and is a gentle giant. Has tracked the hot heels. I know that as a prospect no one really knows how a horse will do on the barrels, but I'm worried that if he vets sound I'm going to be buying a deluxe trail horse..maybe I'm just overthinking things. I need a horse that will help me with my confidence, BUT I'm not looking for a trail horse. If I was, I would not be spending $7,300. My mind is in a million different places, and I could just be over thinking everything.. I thought I wanted a 3-4yo but I don't. The ones we looked at did not have a solid foundation/basics. I like a lot about this horse I looked at yesterday, his temperament, demeanor, he's very comfy, willing to please, but has not seen the pattern. My trainer says she's not worried about that, as she said she can put the pattern on anything. If a horse is a big horse, big feet, does it mean they won't be good at barrel racing? Or if they are kind of "slow" doing arena work, does that mean they won't be good at barrel racing? ******************************************************* ******************************************************* PUT YOUR MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET .. When you have your hope's dashed on purchase of one horse and then you start trying to talk yourself into another horse that does not meet your present criteria … it is time to stand still and do nothing. Re-think your quest for a horse that will bring your confidence level back in the event you would like to participate in. If you had a daughter that felt great riding a schooling horse and was begging for a faster or automatic patterned steady never fail good natured horse to step up her game. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?? IMO you would start looking for a reliable horse that another kid owns and is now asking for more speed that would be the perfect step up horse for YOU (r daughter ).. Take your hunt to the youth events and find you a solid 12-16 year old grade or registered horse that will not have any surprises. The great thing about these horses is they can't run fast enough to hurt themselves so most are as sound as a rock and easy to sell once your confidence returns and your butt is telling your brain that it would like to be sitting on a faster horse and it is time to make the move to buy a faster horse you really like at first meeting .. Right now, pick you out a horse that you feel you will out grow in the next year and one that you don't have to train for a specific event since you are not as aggressive as you once were. Any trainer is going to pick one out that requires some training because that is how they make their living. What you want your trainer to do is … concentrate on YOU to get your automatic riding reflexes back in order and you get some automatic muscle memory as you ride this horse that has been a step up for a tuff upcoming youth rider. After you get this youth horse … get out of the arena and ride a lot of pasture and go find a group to ride trails with for hours … this is where your butt gets connected to your brain and every thing falls in place … you need to make lots of wet saddle blankets to get your confidence back. Which will return much faster the more hours you spend on horse back and enjoying open country and other riders company. I looked on youtube for the extreme horse group thingy you mentioned … It looks like a fun group of local primarily non-pro ranches and cowboys doing ranch rodeo events with a lot of country fair activities and bull riding rodeo as their big draw. Lots of ranch work events along with some ruff stock. I had to grin when I found this horse which matches the description you gave to a Tee on a video. Nice looking, well trained for many things but not solid in any type of event. It would be a shame to take a horse like this and undo all the training he shows and untrain him to run one speed event … Look in the comment section for their asking price for this pretty boy .. https://youtu.be/5lGreKKS-Rs BEST WISHES AND GOOD LUCK ..
I really agree with this............ excellent advice! take it | |
| | |
Regular
Posts: 89
| BARRELHORSE USA - 2018-06-10 12:09 AM
[
*******************************************************
*******************************************************
PUT YOUR MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET ..
When you have your hope's dashed on purchase of one horse and then you
start trying to talk yourself into another horse that does not meet your present
criteria … it is time to stand still and do nothing.
Re-think your quest for a horse that will bring your confidence level back in the
event you would like to participate in.
If you had a daughter that felt great riding a schooling horse and was begging
for a faster or automatic patterned steady never fail good natured horse to
step up her game. WHAT WOULD YOU DO??
IMO you would start looking for a reliable horse that another kid owns and is now
asking for more speed that would be the perfect step up horse for YOU (r daughter )..
Take your hunt to the youth events and find you a solid 12-16 year old grade or
registered horse that will not have any surprises. The great thing about these horses
is they can't run fast enough to hurt themselves so most are as sound as a rock and
easy to sell once your confidence returns and your butt is telling your brain that
it would like to be sitting on a faster horse and it is time to make the move to
buy a faster horse you really like at first meeting ..
Right now, pick you out a horse that you feel you will out grow in the next year
and one that you don't have to train for a specific event since you are not as
aggressive as you once were.
Any trainer is going to pick one out that requires
some training because that is how they make their living. What you want your
trainer to do is … concentrate on YOU to get your automatic riding reflexes back
in order and you get some automatic muscle memory as you ride this horse
that has been a step up for a tuff upcoming youth rider.
After you get this youth horse … get out of the arena and ride a lot of pasture and
go find a group to ride trails with for hours … this is where your butt gets connected
to your brain and every thing falls in place … you need to make lots of wet
saddle blankets to get your confidence back. Which will return much faster the
more hours you spend on horse back and enjoying open country and other riders
company.
I looked on youtube for the extreme horse group thingy you mentioned …
It looks like a fun group of local primarily non-pro ranches and cowboys
doing ranch rodeo events with a lot of country fair activities and bull riding
rodeo as their big draw. Lots of ranch work events along with some ruff stock.
I had to grin when I found this horse which matches the description you gave
to a Tee on a video. Nice looking, well trained for many things but not solid
in any type of event. It would be a shame to take a horse like this and undo
all the training he shows and untrain him to run one speed event …
Look in the comment section for their asking price for this pretty boy ..
https://youtu.be/5lGreKKS-Rs
BEST WISHES AND GOOD LUCK ..
Barrelhorse USA this is some of the best advice I have heard in a long time. I have to come to a crossroads in the horse world or should I say 2 crossroads, mine and my daughters. After being sick off and on for 5 1/2 yrs I'm finally able to ride. I had just purchased a coming 5 yr old when all that started. she has maybe been ridden a handful of times during that time she's 11 now and we are just starting over. But one thing I can say is that it didn't matter if she was ridden once a year I could get up on her and she would just walk off. Now that I'm able to ride we are battling some lameness issues but hope to get her fixed up soon. My daughter we are actually taking your advice yes, she has a 27 yr old pony in the barn, but this past winter was really hard on the pony. Along with her rapidly outgrowing her, can you say all legs lol. We are on a tight budget I hate to admit that we can't just go out and buy her whatever but hey it is what it is. So we have been slowly saving what we can and have just been casually looking for an older like 15+ ranch type, old soul, type of horse for her. She is way far behind in her riding skills due to my illness so she is really a beginner but we will get her there. so your advice really resonated with me.
To the OP, You'll know when you find it, it will click. I know it's hard because I want so bad to get my daughter something so she could be showing this summer but at the same time I know she needs something that is going to teach her. Better to wait and find a confidence builder than get in a hurry and destroy what she already has. Find something that is going to stretch your riding skills just a little and let you become a better rider. Ride every day even if its only for 10 minutes that time you spend saddling it's gonna help you as a rider too. Goodluck with your search and sometimes when you find it it's not gonna be what you thought you were looking for that's how I ended up with a plain sorrel DFC/EJ 15.3 grandaughter. I'm so not a big horse running bred person I'm more a working horse 14.3 person but hey I got a stepstool for mothers day lol anyhow good luck and don't get discouraged you will find it. | |
| | |
 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I feel like that's a lot of money to spend on something that you have to talk yourself into 
| |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| UPDATE: I feel EXTREMELY overwhelmed. One of my trainers clients came for a lesson today (they live 1.5 hrs away) and brought one of her horses that is for sale. I rode him for an hour. I liked him, I just feel so torn. The horse today was nice, sane, did not spook once, was fun to ride. Will be 9 next month. Primarily has been a rope horse, spent 5 months with Brandon Cullins 1.5 years ago and never saw the barrels again until today with me. We did ok. He's started on them. Loping them we did not look the best. I'm new to barrels, and he is rusty. He definitely knows what they are, and was very willing. I think with regular lessons with my trainer, we could enter jackpots in August.
I just feel all over the place. The big gelding we tried Monday, my trainer really liked him, and thought he would be a good horse for me. We scheduled a pre purchase for him Thursday. Today, she likes this horse better than the gray. Today she said the gray has a big neck, and a little bulkier, and has not been started on the pattern. When we first started our search, that was what we were looking for. The horse I tried today is lightly started, and she said she likes this one better, but it's my choice. I feel very torn. I like both. My trainer said today that no one will ever know how well a horse will do on barrels, no guarantee, and I get that. She said today that she will no longer be able to come with me on trips to look at horses, as she is busy herself with lessons, and running the circuit she runs on. I get that, we have look at a bunch of horses, and I appreciate her time.
They my husband wants something that I can run now, and thinks it's a waste to buy something that I can't run now. I have told him that not everything is instant.
Where I live, we don't have 3d/4d horses for sale because the kid outgrew them and stuff. Sure, there are tons of horses on FB that are in my price range, and what I'm looking for, but they are 10 states away, and how many states will I go to searching? I know how to ride, but am so new to barrels that I do not know how to put the pattern on a horse, so I need my trainer.
Anyways, thanks for listening.. | |
| | |
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Where are you located? | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-06-11 9:03 PM
Where are you located?
Vermont | |
| | |
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Probably not the hot bed of barrel racing, huh?!!!
I have no advice, but I truly hope you will find the horse of your dreams soon. How's your horse doing that was lame? | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-06-11 9:16 PM
Probably not the hot bed of barrel racing, huh?!!!
I have no advice, but I truly hope you will find the horse of your dreams soon. How's your horse doing that was lame?
He's pasture sound. Still at my trainers barn, but she wants him gone as he's in a pasture with two mares, he's so nice to them, but the two mares are arguing over him, so that's our fault I guess. He's happy though. A lot going on, trying to find a horse, my trainer wants him gone..very over whelming! | |
| | |
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I am a 3D/4D rider and am quite happy at this level. I started riding at 49 (now 57) when my girls went off to college and I did not want to sell their rodeo horses. They slowed down for me and all I had to do was stay out of their way. This allowed me to focus on myself, how to sit, where to look. Been there, done that horses are worth their weight in gold. If I was horse shopping I would buy the consistent older horse who already knows the pattern. If you had tried the second horse first, do you think you would be more excited about him?
Edited by rodeomom3 2018-06-12 7:16 AM
| |
| |
| |
Folks on-line