I'm not at all sure as yet, but I am looking. A couple of horses out of state.
#1. Is a gelding, a bit over 15 hands, just under saddle, sweepstakes nominated, polish/russian cross. He's green. I like his build, it is long and lanky (looks anglo arabian). If I buy him I'll have to get a loan, he's expensive. He has been shown in hand. Purebred arabian, papers in order. No health issues, well behaved, was started under saddle as a 5 year old, so his growth plates closed, always barefoot, rides in a snaffle or a hack. I'd need a year to get this guy to the place I want him before he could compete. So starting all over again, with a quiet and sane horse, but not a proven horse.
#2. Is a gelding, older than the other horse. He has had training level dressage, has been trail ridden, always barefoot. He did have an injury a year ago that worries me. Caught a leg in an electric fence and cut himself to the bone across the rear cannon. It is all healed, and they say he is sound and "energetic", "forward," and a horse that likes a job to do, and he isn't spooky. No papers on this horse, so I could get bamboozled on his age. They also said due to the daily treatment of his leg that he got sour on having his hind leg handled, but the farrier has worked it out. So the leg and the age worry me quite a bit. Sound for an hour a day may not be sound on the trail for extended trotting. So that concerns me. He has a lot of plus's to his column as he has a good training base on him, he's a responsive horse, cues off your legs, so I wouldn't have a lot of backtracking, and could start legging him up right away. This horse is priced "cheap". So I keep wondering why.
Phebes, I don't have a clue what to do about her. Of course I need to rehab her, and get her trail riding again. Where we go from there? I just don't know. I'm told that some horses outgrow this issue. Some never repeat it, and some will tye-up every time they get fit and have too long a rest period. I just know I don't want to damage this beautiful mare.
Off to work...........~E.G.
I hope you can find the horse you're looking for. It's a long journey.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a Morgan? They do well in endurance but are a bit less...hot. Very forward, and pocket ponies.
I just don't know for sure what I'd do, but I think I'd do the same thing. Endurance just gets into your blood.
ReplyDeleteCan't blame you one bit for looking at geldings this time! If the cheap one's really cheap, drop some money on a really comprehensive vet exam - get that leg x-rayed and maybe U/S'd. But he might just be cheap because it's 2011, the market still sucks, and his owners need money.
Wooee, tough decisions. You don't know me and have no reason to listen to my advice but having bought and sold multiple horses over the last few years looking for an endurance prospect--I wouldn't even both with the second horse. The injury and cheap price are big red flags. Of course you know that. I've just managed to talk myself past red flags in the past and paid the price for it (had to resell, buy another a couple of times..also on one bad purchase ended up shattering my leg, just now getting back into LD). Anyway...of course you know what is best for you but had to throw my 2 cents in.
ReplyDeletewww.redheadedendurance.blogspot.com
Are you sure you don't want a saddlebred. :-) Just got an e-mail today about another pair of saddlebreds winning on a 3-day 50 mile ride in VA under what sounded like really tough rainy, muddy conditions. And the 2nd horse was pulled out of the pasture 4 weeks before the event for training and they say he finished 3rd and was still rearing to go.
ReplyDeleteAnd my friends in CA keep doing really well. They have won first place and best condition on several 50 mile rides. And those rides in CA have oodles of riders more than we do here.
Lots of great saddlebreds going for very little money as people outside the show world don't realize what great athletic horses they are. I know arabians are considered the best, but I would not discount other breeds. (Morgans are another one of those hidden treasures.)
Then there is that fabulous smooth ground covering trot that some saddlebreds like Doc have.
I think I would stay away from anything too green. Unless you really enjoy the process of getting the miles on them.
For the 2nd horse, a good vet check with x-rays if things are looking good will tell you a lot.
Trying this a third time :(
ReplyDeleteI'd pass on that second horse. You have one horse with a problem, why take on a second? There are too many horses out there without issues to take a chance on something that is a known risk.
You should check out these guys:
http://www.horseofyourdreams.com/LapcoArabians.html
I got Mika from them (he's still on their colts page - Comokado) and they're totally awesome. If I had the time for a second horse I'd be down there again in a heartbeat!
They're in Marion, KY (AKA the middle of nowhere), but the farm's owner is a WEALTH of knowledge. The first time we went down, we spent most of a day there being shown all of the horses I might have any remote interest in. Despite having 100+ horses, they were all in fantastic shape and the owner can rattle off the pedigree of any horse you point out. They all live in herds in pastures - even the stallions.
Oooooo, Lida's got a good point. Love those ASBs! Well, the old school functional ones at any rate!
ReplyDeleteThey both sound like a lot of time and work, though number one sounds like a better investment.
ReplyDeleteSomeone else mentioned Morgans... what about a Morab? Apparently, they have great possibilities in the world of endurance.
Morabs and ASBs and Morgans are all fine and good...
ReplyDeletebut c'mon.
Aren't you ready for something SENSIBLE? Something BROWN? Something with a gigantic head and fabulous feet?
You know what I'm saying (nudge nudge, wink wink).