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 Expert
Posts: 2128
  
| How offput would you be as a buyer about a 4 year old just being started under saddle? Futurities were not an aspiration. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| It wouldn't bother me. I hate the whole green breaking process. I like getting on a horse that can walk, trot, lope, stop and turn with no worries about bucking. I like to put the bells and whistles on one, just not the first 30 - 60 rides. |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I would ask if there's a reason for starting that late. Depending on the answer or believability, I may or may not be concerned. Most likely, it wouldn't bother me. Some people have nice horses standing around in the pasture that they haven't had the time to dedicate to them and they may have come to the realization that it's a shame to let a good prospect go to waste. If that's the case, that horse might be a good bargain. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Bear - 2017-03-14 4:23 PM I would ask if there's a reason for starting that late. Depending on the answer or believability, I may or may not be concerned. Most likely, it wouldn't bother me. Some people have nice horses standing around in the pasture that they haven't had the time to dedicate to them and they may have come to the realization that it's a shame to let a good prospect go to waste. If that's the case, that horse might be a good bargain.
I agree. I bought a 5 year old "started" under saddle which meant she only knew how to walk forward lol lol. This was only because her previous owner was green to horses and never sent her to a trainer. |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Wouldnt bother me a bit if it was the horse i wanted...:)....m |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | We have started many as late 3yr olds and even into their 4yr old yr. They were riding super nice in 4 months. At that age you can just hop on and log some miles and not worry about babying them around. Wouldn't bother me a bit unless they were injured and thus started later. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| Wouldn't bother me one single bit depending on reason. Get vet check. Bought a 6 yr old unbroke horse 3 yrs ago. He is the best horse. No quirks. No lameness. Dog gentle and tolerates a lot from the yearlings/2 yr old racehorses I pony at work.
I won't start my personal yearling until she is 3 |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Wouldn't bother me at all. I am old enough that I remember when I was a kid my dad did not break our colts until they were four. Like Bear said I would ask why they were late in gettting the colt broke and as long as it wasn't because it had been hurt then I would be good to go. I am not a fan of starting colts so young. But I realize I am in the minoritity and that is okay. |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | It wouldn't bother me one bit. I'd prefer a 4 year old that has just been started over a 4 year old that's been on the pattern for a few months. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I kinda like them to be a bit older and mature befor they are broke.  |
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 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | I would actually like that better. Coming from an English background, we never started them before 3, and sometimes even at 4 if they needed more maturing.
You have to remember they are not done growing till later. Not sure but I do believe is depends on breed. I read somewhere, the bigger the breed the longer it takes. So a warmblood or a TB will take longer than a QH.
I feel the only question for me would be, like Bear said, to ask what the reason was, and if they have a good explanation I would not hesitate to get the horse.
Actually my 2yo will not be seeing a saddle until next year, and depending on how he grows over the next year we might start him then, or wait a while. I don't do futurities and am in no hurry to get on him. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | Bear - 2017-03-14 2:23 PM
I would ask if there's a reason for starting that late. Depending on the answer or believability, I may or may not be concerned. Most likely, it wouldn't bother me. Some people have nice horses standing around in the pasture that they haven't had the time to dedicate to them and they may have come to the realization that it's a shame to let a good prospect go to waste. If that's the case, that horse might be a good bargain.
I just went through this. I had a nice prospect (great mind, good breeding, amazing conformation) started as a late 2 year old. with thirty days. Life happened couldn't get her rode. Had her re-started as a late 3 year old. Horrible, horrible winter happened. No riding for three months. I decided a few weeks ago that since she isn't even close to where she "needs to be" as a 4 year old, that I was seriously holding her back from her potential. Sold her to my trainer (who loves her) for half of what I have into her. Best choice for her. |
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 pressure dripper
Posts: 8699
Location: the end of the rainbow | If I were buying that would actually be my preference. I have a friend looking for just that & they are hard to find where people don't want an arm & a leg for them right now. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| All that means is you are in a different market selling wise. Futurity owners, trainers do not want a horse that old, but there are plenty of people out there that do not futurity. Your selling ability is wide open. I do agree with someone else though, It is easier to sell before you start the pattern. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | I much prefer it over a 4 year old that was started wrong. Undoing training/holes is worse than getting something just started under saddle. I would just ask the reason, vet check, etc. Wouldn't turn me off at all for a future open or rodeo horse prospect. |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Thank you guys!!! I have come to the realization I am going to have to part with my 4 year old. We just havent had the time for her. I was worried not many would look at her since shes 4 and just now getting a couple rides on her. I appreciate the feedback :) |
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