I have personal experience owning a horse that just "wasn't right" for me. It was a horse I bred. I chose the stallion myself, so this was a foal I really wanted. I kept him for 10 years, but even though I raised him I never really enjoyed him the whole time I had him. His personality did not mesh with mine. He was grumpy and not highly motivated, didn't have a ton of personality, wasn't sensitive, and to top it all off he was so tall I didn't enjoy riding him. He was gorgeous and a lovely mover and was super calm, but we just never clicked. I have a variety of interests and my horse only wanted to be out on the trail. It took me 10 years to admit to myself that I was bored with this horse I'd bred. For whatever reason, he always struck me as a man's horse. I ended up selling him to a master of foxhounds out in Virginia and my horse finally ended up with the life he wanted and deserved with a man who needed a big, calm, solid citizen of a horse who only wanted to work in the great outdoors.
I'm going through this. I had a sweet mare, and we did so well in the show pen but had reached our potential in our partnership. I sold her and bought a yearling. He's 3 now, and boy is he tough. He's a grumpy stand offish sort and really tough to train. I had hoped to show him futurity but he wasn't ready. I do like him, I'm not one to be put off by his grumpy nature. And seems that now I've mentally let go of the Futurity goal, things are moving along nicely. It appears I was putting too much pressure on him and myself and now that I have backed off, it's going much better. Great video, enjoyed the information.
Oh my goodness, what you say at 6 minutes in is SO TRUE! I had to quit working with a client because she refused to rehome a horse and get one appropriate for her skills. She was given a beautiful but very sensitive, reactive horse with a sketchy training background. He was already 15 years old and had many fear issues. He was around 15.2hh. and this lady was not even 5 feet tall, in her 60's, and a rank beginner rider. She didn't know how to saddle or bridle, hold reins, post a trot, etc. The lady didn't know how to sit her horse's singlefoot gait and balance herself in the saddle to keep him from pacing. Her inexperience scared this poor horse to death. I loved the horse and had a lot of fun working with him, but seeing this lady try to work with him broke my heart and made me feel so bad for the horse. He was confused and terrified by the mixed signals in her groundwork and body language. She could barely ride my unflappable babysitter lesson horse! I strongly urged her to sell this gelding and buy a horse that could teach her to ride, but she refused so I had to say goodbye to this dangerous, heartbreaking situation. Nothing wrong with the horse (he was absolutely lovely in so many ways!) and nothing wrong with a beginner rider. We all start at the beginning. But the combination was a trainwreck.
This was great. When I got my horse 8+ years ago everyone said we would be a great match. We were until the 6 month mark and his personality came out. I considered selling him because we didn't click. It was a real learning curve but I kept at it every day and he realized I wasn't giving up on him and was giving him a chance. Fast forward to 8 years later, he is just what I need and want and he appreciates that I show up every day. He came with a lot of issues after having 6 owners in 7 years. His eyes are soft and trusting now. He is always aware of what I am doing--cleaning the stall, water, filling hay bags, getting his grooming box etc. Most people think he is so good natured but he is a master of hiding his feelings. He is a paint with cute markings and people go to him over our grey horse or our bay pony. I don't see him as cute. I know his quirks like don't go for his face. He will only offer it if he trusts you. I always know when someone does it. He is a tattle tale and lets me know.
I bought an appendix mare as a companion to my first horse. She needed someone with more horse experience. My trainer helped me bring that to light. Found her a very nice 4 h home. Another time, I bought a nice apha horse, he responded well to training and I liked him, but he was too mean to my main horse. He put my horse out of riding commission for 3 months in the summer. He found a new home.
I went though this. I had a lovely hunter but I really wanted a jumper. I put her up for sale and then took her off being for sale for a year and a half. I loved her but I knew she was depressed trying to do what I wanted to do and I was depressed trying to do what she loved. I was lucky and had a friend with the opposite problem and we traded her jumper for my hunter and we were all so happy! It worked out perfect.
I've been around Hancock horses. You are very diplomatic. My Grandpa loved them, but he was a rancher and rode all day and was tough on horses, and they could take it. They were often mean and hard headed too, but if you got them to respect you, they were great.
I've ridden all my life but have only owned one horse. Got her from a local horse dealer where I was able to ride her. I'd just been leasing a horse that had seriously scared me, and asked for "a nice quiet trail horse." That was exactly what she was at the age of 3. She had walk-trot-canter all very smooth and never spooked at anything (her biggest spook was a huge shudder at what she thought was a giant snake but was really a lead rope on the floor). We got along great for several years, until I began focusing on jumping. Although she was pretty reliable at it, she didn't enjoy it and wasn't very good at it. I decided I wasn't being fair to her and sold her to a woman who wanted to do Western trail riding. Circumstances weren't right for me to buy another horse. But I still treasure her for rebuilding my confidence in so many ways.
Lots of people love their horses; they may not LIKE them very much, however. I have experienced personality clashes as well in my own horses through the years.
Wow! Awesome to hear a professional trainer say a horse is in wrong home already. Agree wholeheartedly about people being blinded by color/looks and not paying attention to conformation, temperment, etc. It can be a hard thing to look in the mirror and admit your horse is not the one. Might be a good horse, just not good for you. Too many times, we all let our egos get in the way because we don't want to fail/admit defeat, but that's perception. I always look at it like it's not fair to the horse to keep it when it's not right fit.
Had a little QH mare abandoned at my agistment as his beginner rider thought she was dangerous to ride ( she wasnt) though she certainly knew how to bluff people. Several months later had her riding ok though she drove me batty and I went home irritated every ride. Agistment owner found her a new home and I was relieved not to have to work with her anymore but was satisfied she wasn't just left abandoned for being "unrideable" aka well trained in running under trees, spinning in circles instead of going forward, cow-kicking when you went to mount at times
I worked 5 years with a horse to finally have my farrier tell me he was not a match for me. She put it this way: When you have a favorite pair of jeans that just don’t fit anymore it doesn’t mean you don’t like them. It just means they will fit someone else better. You are not a failure. The horse is not a failure. You just don’t fit anymore. I sold my horse to a much better home for him two weeks later.
I'm a senior and seriously thinking about getting another horse. Had my last horses for 20 and 30 years. They weren't perfect, but they were good enough for me, and had great ground manners. My current criteria for a new horse is: Short, stout, cheerful and over 10 years old. I loved my seal bay 17 hand 7/8th TB Appendix hunter, but I want to mount from the ground, not a ladder. My AQHA sorrel mare with a lot of chrome was cold-backed, which was fine when I was 30, but I'm over 60 now. So I'm already being pretty darn picky and I haven't set a target breed. The horse's attitude is everything. Pretty is as pretty does at my age. Wish me luck!
I'm 58 and definitely get it! Shorter is better now for sure. I'd look at what you want to use the horse for. Gaited breeds can be awesome for trail riding, especially for anyone with some joint pain these days. Good luck!
@@tracyjohnson5023 I rode a walking horse/draft cross at a riding stable, and was impressed with him. Breed isn't high on my ask list. Just short, stout and cheerful. Gonna take my time and enjoy looking.
@@tracyjohnson5023 Thanks! I'm looking for a good attitude in my next horse. Trail riding here requires a truck and a trailer, so I'm looking for pasture sound. I'm hopeful.
I bought a Haflinger from an auction that was soooooooo slow I could not stand it. He was super chill, so there were not training issues, but he was not fun. I sold him to a person that just wanted a safe horse for people with issues to be able to pet safely while he was loose. It was a perfect fit. Then I bought another Haflinger who had some energy and loved him. So it is not always that the horse is too much for a rider, but also they can be too boring and dull.
I have a skipper w mare. The sire has bits of him throughout his papers. Her mom has the peppy line. She is a nice mare. Picky about who handles her. She loves moving cows.
I made a mistake buying a fancy horse at an auction that was supposed to be quiet but turned out to be way too much for me. Fortunately I was able to sell him to a young girl who had a great trainer.
I had an Appaloosa/TB foal from 5 mths my friend bred her half a mile from me. We grew her… and broke her. At 5 years we realised she didn’t fit in our family … I sold her to a professional Polo guy where she did very well. The purpose we had for her didn’t suit her talents and personality. She needed to be in a professional yard with plenty of work.
As a novice, last year I trusted the wrong person and bought my first horse that I'm starting to think is wrong for me. While he's generally sweet and kind, when he's asked to do something he doesn't want to do, especially on the ground, he's not so great. He's a pushy horse without any desire to get out of my space. While he does this behavior with even experienced horse people, they know better how to handle it. As a novice, I feel like it's just a matter of time until he hurts me. This video made me feel a bit better about possibly selling him...
I have actually given some horses away that rubbed me the wrong way. I believe I found them good homes where the new owner wonders why I didn't try to sell them. It is hard for me to put a horse up for sale like that, because I can't honestly speak well of them even though they will work wonderfully for another rider who sees them in a different light. Every horse has a different personality, just like people. I try not to focus on the $ I have lost.
I think I have the right horse - a dominant mustang mare - for myself, because I like the challenge and the learning curve with her. But I am asking myself on regular basis if I get help from a trainer which I did get on regular basis.
I fall of in a spook. I broke my back. Came back fysiks and re start the horse. Work her so I try to heal the holes.- in reaktions, over reaktions, fears. Make a new religion . I have still some fears but I ride and progress . I go allways plan A , B ,c
I'm a 3rd wheel my brother is the one that works on the ranch but I grew up on a farm and actually have a corresponding degree. But from an outsider perspective too much is put on bloodlines in horses and the # of "hot" bloodlines are pretty small. I find it odd that people fight over papers without taking into consideration all else.
worked with racehorses many moons ago...1 young gelding hated me and tried to maul me every time I got near him. Had to tell my boss, thankfully he took me off of that one!
I went with a friend to look at a beautiful black and white Appaloosa gelding. He was gorgeous and my friend was ready to buy on the spot. However, he was already saddled up when we got there (!!!). when the owner was mounting up to show him off , I saw the horse trying to go down. Owner recovered him quickly. My friend ignored it. He was ready to close the deal. Until……I asked for the saddle to come off. Poor horse was verrrry swayback .
You talked about preferring to buy horses from show pens. What about buying a horse to be started? They wouldn’t be shown, so where might you look for candidates?
Yeah this is more the wild west 😂 My horses are chipped because it is a requirement of the studbook, but AQHA for example doesn’t even require studs to be approved for breeding. You can breed anything and get papers. Also lots of backyard breeding without any papers at all… and no passports, very few people chip.
There is an expression, I think from the thoroughbred race world- “Breed the best to the best and hope for the best. “ Really enjoyed this video. I wished someone asked about Smart Little Lena and Doc Bar. Years ago, I read that Doc Bar changed the way horses are trained or at least that bloodline.
Can’t be blinded by eye candy
I have personal experience owning a horse that just "wasn't right" for me. It was a horse I bred. I chose the stallion myself, so this was a foal I really wanted. I kept him for 10 years, but even though I raised him I never really enjoyed him the whole time I had him. His personality did not mesh with mine. He was grumpy and not highly motivated, didn't have a ton of personality, wasn't sensitive, and to top it all off he was so tall I didn't enjoy riding him. He was gorgeous and a lovely mover and was super calm, but we just never clicked. I have a variety of interests and my horse only wanted to be out on the trail. It took me 10 years to admit to myself that I was bored with this horse I'd bred. For whatever reason, he always struck me as a man's horse. I ended up selling him to a master of foxhounds out in Virginia and my horse finally ended up with the life he wanted and deserved with a man who needed a big, calm, solid citizen of a horse who only wanted to work in the great outdoors.
I'm going through this. I had a sweet mare, and we did so well in the show pen but had reached our potential in our partnership. I sold her and bought a yearling. He's 3 now, and boy is he tough. He's a grumpy stand offish sort and really tough to train. I had hoped to show him futurity but he wasn't ready. I do like him, I'm not one to be put off by his grumpy nature. And seems that now I've mentally let go of the Futurity goal, things are moving along nicely. It appears I was putting too much pressure on him and myself and now that I have backed off, it's going much better. Great video, enjoyed the information.
Oh my goodness, what you say at 6 minutes in is SO TRUE! I had to quit working with a client because she refused to rehome a horse and get one appropriate for her skills. She was given a beautiful but very sensitive, reactive horse with a sketchy training background. He was already 15 years old and had many fear issues. He was around 15.2hh. and this lady was not even 5 feet tall, in her 60's, and a rank beginner rider. She didn't know how to saddle or bridle, hold reins, post a trot, etc. The lady didn't know how to sit her horse's singlefoot gait and balance herself in the saddle to keep him from pacing. Her inexperience scared this poor horse to death. I loved the horse and had a lot of fun working with him, but seeing this lady try to work with him broke my heart and made me feel so bad for the horse. He was confused and terrified by the mixed signals in her groundwork and body language. She could barely ride my unflappable babysitter lesson horse! I strongly urged her to sell this gelding and buy a horse that could teach her to ride, but she refused so I had to say goodbye to this dangerous, heartbreaking situation. Nothing wrong with the horse (he was absolutely lovely in so many ways!) and nothing wrong with a beginner rider. We all start at the beginning. But the combination was a trainwreck.
This was great. When I got my horse 8+ years ago everyone said we would be a great match. We were until the 6 month mark and his personality came out. I considered selling him because we didn't click. It was a real learning curve but I kept at it every day and he realized I wasn't giving up on him and was giving him a chance. Fast forward to 8 years later, he is just what I need and want and he appreciates that I show up every day. He came with a lot of issues after having 6 owners in 7 years. His eyes are soft and trusting now. He is always aware of what I am doing--cleaning the stall, water, filling hay bags, getting his grooming box etc. Most people think he is so good natured but he is a master of hiding his feelings. He is a paint with cute markings and people go to him over our grey horse or our bay pony. I don't see him as cute. I know his quirks like don't go for his face. He will only offer it if he trusts you. I always know when someone does it. He is a tattle tale and lets me know.
I bought an appendix mare as a companion to my first horse. She needed someone with more horse experience. My trainer helped me bring that to light. Found her a very nice 4 h home. Another time, I bought a nice apha horse, he responded well to training and I liked him, but he was too mean to my main horse. He put my horse out of riding commission for 3 months in the summer. He found a new home.
I went though this. I had a lovely hunter but I really wanted a jumper. I put her up for sale and then took her off being for sale for a year and a half. I loved her but I knew she was depressed trying to do what I wanted to do and I was depressed trying to do what she loved. I was lucky and had a friend with the opposite problem and we traded her jumper for my hunter and we were all so happy! It worked out perfect.
I've been around Hancock horses. You are very diplomatic. My Grandpa loved them, but he was a rancher and rode all day and was tough on horses, and they could take it. They were often mean and hard headed too, but if you got them to respect you, they were great.
I've ridden all my life but have only owned one horse. Got her from a local horse dealer where I was able to ride her. I'd just been leasing a horse that had seriously scared me, and asked for "a nice quiet trail horse." That was exactly what she was at the age of 3. She had walk-trot-canter all very smooth and never spooked at anything (her biggest spook was a huge shudder at what she thought was a giant snake but was really a lead rope on the floor). We got along great for several years, until I began focusing on jumping. Although she was pretty reliable at it, she didn't enjoy it and wasn't very good at it. I decided I wasn't being fair to her and sold her to a woman who wanted to do Western trail riding. Circumstances weren't right for me to buy another horse. But I still treasure her for rebuilding my confidence in so many ways.
Lots of people love their horses; they may not LIKE them very much, however. I have experienced personality clashes as well in my own horses through the years.
Wow! Awesome to hear a professional trainer say a horse is in wrong home already.
Agree wholeheartedly about people being blinded by color/looks and not paying attention to conformation, temperment, etc.
It can be a hard thing to look in the mirror and admit your horse is not the one. Might be a good horse, just not good for you. Too many times, we all let our egos get in the way because we don't want to fail/admit defeat, but that's perception.
I always look at it like it's not fair to the horse to keep it when it's not right fit.
Had a little QH mare abandoned at my agistment as his beginner rider thought she was dangerous to ride ( she wasnt) though she certainly knew how to bluff people.
Several months later had her riding ok though she drove me batty and I went home irritated every ride.
Agistment owner found her a new home and I was relieved not to have to work with her anymore but was satisfied she wasn't just left abandoned for being "unrideable" aka well trained in running under trees, spinning in circles instead of going forward, cow-kicking when you went to mount at times
I worked 5 years with a horse to finally have my farrier tell me he was not a match for me. She put it this way: When you have a favorite pair of jeans that just don’t fit anymore it doesn’t mean you don’t like them. It just means they will fit someone else better. You are not a failure. The horse is not a failure. You just don’t fit anymore. I sold my horse to a much better home for him two weeks later.
I'm a senior and seriously thinking about getting another horse. Had my last horses for 20 and 30 years. They weren't perfect, but they were good enough for me, and had great ground manners. My current criteria for a new horse is: Short, stout, cheerful and over 10 years old.
I loved my seal bay 17 hand 7/8th TB Appendix hunter, but I want to mount from the ground, not a ladder. My AQHA sorrel mare with a lot of chrome was cold-backed, which was fine when I was 30, but I'm over 60 now.
So I'm already being pretty darn picky and I haven't set a target breed. The horse's attitude is everything. Pretty is as pretty does at my age. Wish me luck!
I'm 58 and definitely get it! Shorter is better now for sure. I'd look at what you want to use the horse for. Gaited breeds can be awesome for trail riding, especially for anyone with some joint pain these days.
Good luck!
@@tracyjohnson5023 I rode a walking horse/draft cross at a riding stable, and was impressed with him. Breed isn't high on my ask list. Just short, stout and cheerful. Gonna take my time and enjoy looking.
@@tracyjohnson5023 Thanks! I'm looking for a good attitude in my next horse. Trail riding here requires a truck and a trailer, so I'm looking for pasture sound. I'm hopeful.
I bought a Haflinger from an auction that was soooooooo slow I could not stand it. He was super chill, so there were not training issues, but he was not fun. I sold him to a person that just wanted a safe horse for people with issues to be able to pet safely while he was loose. It was a perfect fit. Then I bought another Haflinger who had some energy and loved him. So it is not always that the horse is too much for a rider, but also they can be too boring and dull.
I have a skipper w mare. The sire has bits of him throughout his papers. Her mom has the peppy line. She is a nice mare. Picky about who handles her. She loves moving cows.
I made a mistake buying a fancy horse at an auction that was supposed to be quiet but turned out to be way too much for me. Fortunately I was able to sell him to a young girl who had a great trainer.
I had an Appaloosa/TB foal from 5 mths my friend bred her half a mile from me. We grew her… and broke her. At 5 years we realised she didn’t fit in our family … I sold her to a professional Polo guy where she did very well. The purpose we had for her didn’t suit her talents and personality. She needed to be in a professional yard with plenty of work.
As a novice, last year I trusted the wrong person and bought my first horse that I'm starting to think is wrong for me. While he's generally sweet and kind, when he's asked to do something he doesn't want to do, especially on the ground, he's not so great. He's a pushy horse without any desire to get out of my space. While he does this behavior with even experienced horse people, they know better how to handle it. As a novice, I feel like it's just a matter of time until he hurts me. This video made me feel a bit better about possibly selling him...
I have actually given some horses away that rubbed me the wrong way. I believe I found them good homes where the new owner wonders why I didn't try to sell them. It is hard for me to put a horse up for sale like that, because I can't honestly speak well of them even though they will work wonderfully for another rider who sees them in a different light. Every horse has a different personality, just like people. I try not to focus on the $ I have lost.
I think I have the right horse - a dominant mustang mare - for myself, because I like the challenge and the learning curve with her.
But I am asking myself on regular basis if I get help from a trainer which I did get on regular basis.
Good advice so true
like your comment on having the right horse for the job
I fall of in a spook. I broke my back. Came back fysiks and re start the horse. Work her so I try to heal the holes.- in reaktions, over reaktions, fears. Make a new religion .
I have still some fears but I ride and progress .
I go allways plan A , B ,c
Great topic!
I'm a 3rd wheel my brother is the one that works on the ranch but I grew up on a farm and actually have a corresponding degree. But from an outsider perspective too much is put on bloodlines in horses and the # of "hot" bloodlines are pretty small. I find it odd that people fight over papers without taking into consideration all else.
worked with racehorses many moons ago...1 young gelding hated me and tried to maul me every time I got near him. Had to tell my boss, thankfully he took me off of that one!
I went with a friend to look at a beautiful black and white Appaloosa gelding. He was gorgeous and my friend was ready to buy on the spot. However, he was already saddled up when we got there (!!!). when the owner was mounting up to show him off , I saw the horse trying to go down. Owner recovered him quickly. My friend ignored it. He was ready to close the deal. Until……I asked for the saddle to come off. Poor horse was verrrry swayback .
I've seen it with a good friend that has a horse that is not right for her.
You talked about preferring to buy horses from show pens. What about buying a horse to be started? They wouldn’t be shown, so where might you look for candidates?
In the uk by law all equines have to be microchipped and a passport. Be it by breed society or a general ID. Is that different to the USA?
Yeah this is more the wild west 😂 My horses are chipped because it is a requirement of the studbook, but AQHA for example doesn’t even require studs to be approved for breeding. You can breed anything and get papers. Also lots of backyard breeding without any papers at all… and no passports, very few people chip.
Do you know anything about paint called Ris key business? We have his grandson.
What about a horse being alone in the pasture?
There is an expression, I think from the thoroughbred race world- “Breed the best to the best and hope for the best. “ Really enjoyed this video. I wished someone asked about Smart Little Lena and Doc Bar. Years ago, I read that Doc Bar changed the way horses are trained or at least that bloodline.
A good horse is never a bad color, statement came from author that I can’t recall his name,aging dam😂
Mark Rashid, title of one of his books.
@ Yes, thank you, enjoy his books read them every night to my son when he was in preschool