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Pig-Bear Dog Lover
  
| Honestly IMO it's not worth going if you don't have at least one finished horse in the trailer. After two years and going through different prospects sending the to trainers for months then months of hauling.. I finally bought something finished I could go on, and now I have two prospects I don't feel rushed on they can take as much time as they need and I can enjoy the process.
Edited by SwishMiss 2014-10-15 10:47 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
 
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Could never afford a finished horse, even had to train my own hunter ponies as a kid, sooooooo glad I did becauCe I can now train all my own horses, don't get me wrong I still go to others for help and lessons but I know the basics and I LOVE bringing them along! The only thing I send them off for is if I have a rank one that needs to be saddle broke! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| Fairweather - 2014-10-15 6:09 AM cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own? I've seen some have problems because of that. They can only ride certain horses because they fall apart or get in over their head. I've also heard trainers say that most of the people that come to ride their horses have trouble because they use their legs when they ride. So many ride with their hands and that's it because all they've ridden is made horses. Personally, I think it's because they haven't had to work their way up the ropes.
I give riding lessons & judge. I am firm believer that young/green/difficult horses are the only thing that makes a horseman. Unless you ride horses like that, you don't have a clue what it takes to put a horse where you need them. When you ride a horse that can't walk a straight line, you learn what it takes to put them there straight.
I realize that not everyone can train, nor should everyone train but I think if you want to call yourself a horseman you need to spend some time on some horses that aren't made and not as far along in their training so you learn what it takes.
Then again, I am one of those types that believes in doing things well and that means learning from the ground up. Kind of old school I guess.
I have to agree with you on many points. My husband trains horses for a living and pushed me to start my own on the barrels and go through the process. He would always tell me "if you make your own, you will know how to fix them if you ever need to". I have ridden all my life but never went through the whole process of training a horse on barrels. I am a much better rider now because of it. I have a lot more pride in the horses I ride myself as well. Having to do it does make you better. I dont see a problem with buying a horse thats finished and ready to go...BUT I feel that the rider should always be willing to put in the time and effort it takes to be a good horseman. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I didn't take the time to read all replies but you have to be able to ride those expensive 1D horses so IMO it doesn't matter if you buy them or train them. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 596
Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | sodapop - 2014-10-14 9:39 PM If I had the money, I would buy a trainer, a slew of top dog horses, a hot stable boy, a hot driver, a hot all around handy guy, a fancy rig, get plastic surgery, and go for it.
Haha, my first thought was LRQHS wrote this!  |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | scwebster - 2014-10-15 10:56 AM Fairweather - 2014-10-15 6:09 AM cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 8:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own? I've seen some have problems because of that. They can only ride certain horses because they fall apart or get in over their head. I've also heard trainers say that most of the people that come to ride their horses have trouble because they use their legs when they ride. So many ride with their hands and that's it because all they've ridden is made horses. Personally, I think it's because they haven't had to work their way up the ropes.
I give riding lessons & judge. I am firm believer that young/green/difficult horses are the only thing that makes a horseman. Unless you ride horses like that, you don't have a clue what it takes to put a horse where you need them. When you ride a horse that can't walk a straight line, you learn what it takes to put them there straight.
I realize that not everyone can train, nor should everyone train but I think if you want to call yourself a horseman you need to spend some time on some horses that aren't made and not as far along in their training so you learn what it takes.
Then again, I am one of those types that believes in doing things well and that means learning from the ground up. Kind of old school I guess.
I agree with you guys that you learn a TON from training your own horse, though I can see the fun in learning to ride one somebody else trained too. As a trainer, I like it when others can jump on my horses and make good runs because that's talent in itself. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | I bought a "project" horse. And it has been just that. A lot of humility in seasoning and training my own. Hind sight being what it is, I wish I would of just spent the extra money for a finished horse. I'm not saying that I'm not having fun in the fulfillment of the steps that we have taken, but it has been a humble road thus far. I wish I had the time to dedicate to being a barn bum, but I have other reponsibilities to worry about that are not horse related. My next horse will be a finished horse that is for sure. I really don't think I want the headaches of training and seasoning one again. I'm getting too old for that mess. LOL!!  |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| It’s About the Journey, not the Destination |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | If I had the choice and the money I would buy a finished one just because I am old and don't always enjoy starting from the ground up anymore but I am also poor so I must start with un-trained ones and counted myself blessed that I have those 
"count"
Edited by ampratt 2014-10-17 2:41 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: South | I'm probably the odd person out here, but I would rather train my own. While growing up I competed in Horse Shows and then when I was more competitive I teenage rodeo and it went from there. My parents didn't have the funds to go and buy me a finished horse to compete nor could I handle one. So my parents went and bought me two cow bred fillies. That summer after they were broke out as 3 year olds my Dad let me choose which one I wanted. To make a long story short, that was 11 years ago. She's 15 and I'm 25, and she is a finished competitive 2D barrel horse. We grew together, learned together, made plenty of mistakes but we survived and I've turned down plenty of offers for her. I wouldn't have traded any of it for the world. I look at her and see my hard work, dedication, and love.
In those 11 years of me barrel racing my parents did get a small amount of money for a settlement and my sister wanted to start rodeoing So they went and bought me a finished horse so we could both compete. That was the worse mistake we ever made. She was set in her running ways, and I had a hard time adapting to her style and really never did until about 3 years later. I now still have my finished horse I trained and I'm training a younger horse now for her replacement. I enjoy the training, and also enjoy competing. But I also know that patience is the key to bringing a young horse along. I can say I have equal respect for both side of this article. But in the end, I know I was blessed too. |
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 Chatty Kathy
Posts: 6635
Location: In Ky following Barrel Races & Walker hounds. | I use to love riding young horses, 2 knee surgeries later, not so much.
Now I perfer a horse with a good, solid foundation. I like to start mine on barrels so they can sort of "work with" my weak leg. My mare was so great for me, proving I could train one in a way that worked for me.
I don't think anyone who does it either way should be looked down on. Whatever works for them should not make them feel "less than" someone who does it the other way. Why do something you aren't comfortable with or cannot afford to do to impress someone? |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | cecollins0811 - 2014-10-14 9:36 AM Back when I was younger all the fast and big girls trained their own horses and kinda had that pride of training their own amazing horse. These days though I'm seeing a lot more people just buying 1D horses and then thinking barrel racing is easy. Maybe it's just in my area but it irks me just a little. I am no means meaning to be putting down anyone who has bought a finished horse, I believe it's great for some! But are kids/young adults these days being taught that it's better to buy finished than to train your own?
Just my 2 cents..... but not everyone is a trainer or wants to be a trainer. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| i just wished people would learn to ride first hanging allover them in there face go learned to ride then run barrels
so many out there now can/t ride but if would take the time to learn would have more fun
i di not say that right but i think u get my drift |
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 Roan On The Range
Posts: 7889
Location: Stephenville, TX | If you train your own, you should be grateful that there's people out there willing to pay good money for a finished horse. If everyone had a train-your-own attitude, a finished horse wouldn't be worth much.
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![](<a href="http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/andersmk5/media/horse/20141010_173339-1_zpsv5eadqyj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1033.photob) Regular
Posts: 76
| It surprised me with how many people on here prefer to train their own horse! Last year I purchased my first horse which ended up being drugged. I was told by many trainers that i wouldn't be able to fix her by myself and more than likely would get hurt or killed in the process. Well I was able to find a trainer than specialized in problem horses. She comes out once a week for a few hours and teaches me how to work with her, and then gives me homework for the following week.
Within one year My horse has gone from attacking people, biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, and bolting to being shown in 4h and getting started on barrels. I have learned so much and have become my trainers apprentice, helping her with several other horses.
I feel like I know my horse from the inside out, and am able to appreciate the small things because I know how far we have come. I'm a better rider and handler because of her and my confidence has grown.
Of course part of me regrets not selling her and purchasing my friend/barrel racing trainer's finished 2D gelding. Mainly because I took lessons on him and 2 months after declining his offer the horse died in someone else's care. Plus my friend moved to the other side of the country.
I feel like a finished horse would have taught me a whole different set of skills |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I don't see anything wrong with either... I respect those a lot more that admit training isn't for them vs ruining a nice horse because they don't have a clue.
I personally train my own. I couldn't afford to buy a finished horse anyway but I enjoy the process. I like being able to swing a leg over my horse and know every little move he has and not having to put a lot of thought into it. I enjoy making them user friendly and seeing others enjoy riding them.
I however hate the roller coaster ride that comes with colts but its a small price to pay for the love of barrel racing.
I also enjoy watching others and talking to others. I am not perfect by any means and you can always learn more. I would attend more clinics if I could afford them. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| vjls - 2014-10-17 7:09 PM i just wished people would learn to ride first hanging allover them in there face go learned to ride then run barrels
so many out there now can/t ride but if would take the time to learn would have more fun
i di not say that right but i think u get my drift
Agree with ya! I dont think all barrel racers should be "trainers" or want to be. I just feel that everyone should want to learn. There is more to it than going out there, making three turnes and coming out. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran there is always something to work on as horsemen/horsewomen. Thats probably the only thing I see that I shake my head at sometimes. People that are willing to go spend the money on the horse, and the gear, and the clothes...but dont take the time to learn how to ride so that they do that horse justice. Just my opinion lol. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Elsa5 - 2014-10-20 11:20 PM It surprised me with how many people on here prefer to train their own horse! Last year I purchased my first horse which ended up being drugged. I was told by many trainers that i wouldn't be able to fix her by myself and more than likely would get hurt or killed in the process. Well I was able to find a trainer than specialized in problem horses. She comes out once a week for a few hours and teaches me how to work with her, and then gives me homework for the following week. Within one year My horse has gone from attacking people, biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, and bolting to being shown in 4h and getting started on barrels. I have learned so much and have become my trainers apprentice, helping her with several other horses. I feel like I know my horse from the inside out, and am able to appreciate the small things because I know how far we have come. I'm a better rider and handler because of her and my confidence has grown. Of course part of me regrets not selling her and purchasing my friend/barrel racing trainer's finished 2D gelding. Mainly because I took lessons on him and 2 months after declining his offer the horse died in someone else's care. Plus my friend moved to the other side of the country. I feel like a finished horse would have taught me a whole different set of skills
I remember your post about the mare you had gotten! Great to hear things are working out for you!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1531
Location: South | Now that I am an adult, I would still prefer to train my own but with my lack of time, would not hesitate to buy a finished one after doing my research. It never bothered me at rodeo's, open shows, NBHA shows etc
I think the only time people who bought ever bothered me is kids who were handed a 20k horse in 4-H. I grew up in 4-H and took 3 green broke horses (up until I was 18 and graduated) to the State Fair and was top 5 on all 3 out of 300+ horses because of my own hard work. Those are memories i'll never forget and the reasons why I fell in love with it as much as I did. My sister and I never wanted a finished horse, if I won I wanted to be the reason why. It didn't feel right to get praised for sitting on a horse someone else made into a superstar when that wasn't the real reason for 4-H. Other than that, to each their own.
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