[bay_blnd jmpr07]

A horse forgetting steering after only a year off? And when he's 11 and having been ridden for atleast 8 or 9 of those years? My mare had 2 years under saddle and then was put in a pasture for another 2 before I got her. She didn't forget a thing, she was just out of shape. Something doesn't add up.

[0_oDallas]

I kinda have a prejiduce for off the track TBs w out a lot of training after words =/ but ya. if you rode him once and really liked him, i would totally get him w the 'if the vet check is clean' contract.

[harli36]

Granted I don't know exactly what she means by "forgot steering" but just something to take into consideration. Larger horses, while they aren't necessarily harder to ride, are a different ride. They are a lot like driving a bus. You need to make turns earlier and if you need to make them quicker the horse needs to be even more balanced and moving correctly then a horse that is half the size, especially if you want to make that turn in a nice balanced manner. They definitely take more thinking ahead when riding then does a more "normal" sized horse. It's possible his current owner just isn't good at that or doesn't know how to do that and that is why she claims he "forgot steering". Another point to consider is that if he has been off for a year he may not have the muscles necessary to make a nice balanced bending turn, something that may be tough for a horse of "normal" size never mind a giant. With the big guys everything is magnified a little buck seems like a big one an unbalanced turn can seem terrible. Just something to think about

I just find it odd that a horse with time off forgets steering??? Usually horses who have had time off forget things like going or stopping. I've never had a problem with a horse to forget steering. They may not bend that well but they will still steer. That's what makes me think the above mentioned things are probably what is really going on here.

Also keep in mind that larger horses tend to have more problems with soundness issues and they eat more. So not only will you have to pay more in feed and grain but it's not a terrible idea to put him on a preventative joint supplement program.

[LuvMy2Horses]

I personally would go for it.I bought my horses the same day I went to look at them.That's just me though.


ETA:
Just read the post all the way through and now, I don't think I'd look at him.Something doesn't sound right.

[EmazingCasper]

I bought my horse after only seeing him once, and I did no vet check. LOL. but I was too in love with him, I couldn't have turned him down.

[lilrider]

Well I have never done a vet check on my two that I personally bought and remember buying (Stormy and Dreamer) but one was $1800 and one was $400. Now on the other three I believe my parents did do vet checks especially on Cara and Leafers (saddlebred and trakehner) who were shipped to us one from Maryland and one from North Carolina.

I agree with Mary.

My horses all get the year off when I am in college and none of them forget how to steer

[Roo n Drifter]

wow... he sure is a pretty boy! hehe.
People ushally offer a trial for like a couple of days, a week or so. This gives you the chance to get to know the horse and see if you like him. So maybe before you meet up with the people you can call them and see if they will let him go on trial.

I only saw my pony once before i got him. I new that he was the one, and I couldn't stop thinking about him. The next day my mom and dad surrprised me with him! hehe.

I hope I helped some!

[Haas Horse Farm]

I forgot to answer the question at hand... I have often bought horses at sale without trying them. I have never been sorry BUT I am not buying a horse that has so many un-answered questions. I have bought many horses from across the country without a vet and just on pedigree and photos.

IMHO this ad just does not ad up... something is just not right to me and the horse looks like it is a hard keeper. Once again those are just my opinions. Given that he is "expensive" and not currently being ridden I would pass.

[naughtygirl]

When we went to look at Charlie, we brought him home the same day! It was a 6 hour drive, and when i sat on him, i knew he was perfect!
If you feel like that horse is for you, if you feel a conection. Then why not?

[Painted Girl]

Hey guys! Thanks for all the input. I just talked to the owner and got a little more info on the questiosn we had.
Apparently "forgot steering" meant that he just needs work bending and you kind of have to do some "plow reining" because he went back to his old racetrack ways. Your steering ques just have to be a little more ovbious. The more you ride though, the more subtle you ques can become.
His Pedigree is correct. Ive never heard of either of them, but apparently thye are well known...at least she seems to think so.
He hasnt been riden in exactly a year, he got done with his 6mos. training last Feb. when his owner went to college.
No health problems. He had a sore back but she changed farriers, and the new one said that his hooves were unequal by about an inch. He fixed them and he hasnt had any trouble ever since.
A little pushy on the ground, but is good with a stud chain. Just needs to be worked with. Old owners children used to lead him, so he just needs to be handled more it sounds like.
Trainin wise...his biggest "problem" is just that he needs work moving forward. He is out of shape and is a bit lazy at the moment. He stops great. Doesnt nessesarily need a trainer to fix it, just needs to be riden more and worked with consistantly. Over all, he is easy to collect, and is a nice, sweet boy...just needs more work and handling.
She is going to email me more pics and also his trainers number so I can talk to him(or her!). Wow, sorry that was so long! What do you think?