Good Beginner Horse

[Mocha]

Hi everyone! 

All horse people here, i’m helping my friend’s sister find her first horse. I found an add that i’m interested in, but wanted some opinions.

I’ll probably be going to check him out with my vet, and my friend’s sister.

He is a Quarter Horse, 15.0 hh, and he’s a gelding. 

The current owner says that he’s a wonderful companion, he rides wonderfully , and is mostly used for trail and arena riding, but is working on jumping. He’s only being sold for $2,500. 

My friend’s sister is using him to start learning to ride (not showing,just pleasure) and later on when she is more experienced will probably find a younger horse with some experience and talent at jumping.

Do you think this sounds like a good beginner’s horse?

Thanks for the help!

[LittlePuffyTail]

A good beginners horse definitely needs to be quiet, a been-there-done-that type of horse is usually best. A horse that has been on lots of trails and to many shows has become accustomed to strange noises and is usually less spooky. You want a horse that also has a good background of training because as a beginner she will want a horse that knows what he’s doing so she can work on her riding and not trying to fix the horse’s lack of training and/or behavioral problems.

How old is the horse? How much training does he have?

Does your friend have a coach? If yes, bring the coach with her. The coach can ride the horse first and if deemed suitable, then your friend can ride. If she decides the horse is a good match, then bring the vet out for a pre-purchase vet check. Unfortunately, some people will lie about the horse’s health. You don’t want to find out your new horse is very arthritic after getting him home. 

The most important thing when buying a horse is patience. Never be tempted to buy a horse that is unsuitable in any way. A first horse should be a pleasant experience and if you buy a horse that is too much to handle, it will end badly. Most people have to look at many horses to find the perfect match. Don’t be tempted by a low price tag or beautiful colour.

[Mocha]

He is 10 years old and mainly does trail rides. I help rehome horses, so I always bring my vet (he’s also a close family friend) to do examinations on them.
We’ll probably go there first with my friend and see if he is a calm trained horse, and then go with her trainer, and lastly with the vet.
She doesn’t need a fancy show horse, yet, so she isn’t going to spend loads of money, but of course she wants a healthy horse. His color is beautiful though, but that’s not why i’m interested
My first horse was amazing (I still have him). He was a 12 year old pinto named Tucker. He’s now 23 and luckily he matched up with my jumpers.

[bunnytowne]

Sounds good to me.   What are his bad habits.   When he does spook how does he respond.  Does he run jump, sidestep,  jerk his head up or what.  

My Johnny would sidestep a couple steps n stop n look n smell at the object.  He wouldn’t run away.  I loved that about him.   He was only 3 and was a very good horse.  

But yes I agree with you    the coach the vet  coggins etc.     Being trail ridden is a good point for him.   Being started on some jumping is a good point too.  He is able to learn new stuff. 

[MMK]

He certainly sounds like he would be suitable, but you really will not know until you are there and on him!

Does she want to jump? Might be worthwhile looking at something with a bit more of that type of experience.

Although I have come a long way with my horse and she does wonderful at rated shows NOW, I wish I would have bought something more steady for my first horse. I had a year or so of confidence issues because as the saying goes “green on green equals black and blue!” Why I bought a lightly broke/lightly handled 3 year old out of a field, is beyond me for the first time. Granted 9 years later I still have a relatively fit and young competition horse, as compared to having to look for another one, but we certainly had a journey getting here!! haha

Even at $2500, I would consider doing a fairly involved vet check. At that age you are starting to get into arthritic changes in the hocks, stifles, etc. And hock injections can run $600+ depending on what/when they need to be done, so some preliminary x-rays might save some money there.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I got my first horse when I was 16….she was an off-the-track race horse. Use your imagination, lol.

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