How do you know?

mpprincess · 03-07-2009, 05:55 PM

If a younger unbroken horse will make a sensible mount? Can you judge off their ground manners alone? I understand movement and confirmation can tell you what he may feel like under saddle.

Is there any way to know before you actually get on?

Zanerkin177 · 03-07-2009, 05:59 PM

you can see if a horse is ready.

if you can see the whites in their eyes (fear). head held high(nervous). not resting any legs(not relaxed). tense(ready to react) ect

mpprincess · 03-07-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanerkin177

you can see if a horse is ready.

if you can see the whites in their eyes (fear). head held high(nervous). not resting any legs(not relaxed). tense(ready to react) ect

I don't necessarily mean when they are ready to be ridden. I mean if you are looking at several young unbroke horses that are all compairable in confirmation and movement, how would you know which would be a better mount.
Like easier to work with, level headed? Would it just be spending time around them and observing how they react to their surroundings? Are their particular things you can look for? Are they more moldable than an already started horse?

The propect of getting a horse that is say 2 and can be broke in a year is a bit daunting to me. What is it about a yearling or even weanling that make a person confident in purchasing them? How can they know what their personality will be?

cowgirl up 2 · 03-08-2009, 12:06 AM

I think buying them young is good because you can teach them,how you want them to be taught,don't have the someone messed them up problem.but like everything else there is no sure way to know the horse you picked will be good.I always like a colt that likes people,and if you are around him,dosn't seem to spook easily,and seems to accept new things easily,picking up feet,grooming,just little things.I also like to kinda know the bloodlines,some are known for being harder to train.

Circle C · 03-08-2009, 12:13 AM

Throw them on a lunge line.... see how long it takes them to learn how to lunge. If it takes more than a couple times for them to realize what you want, then they aren't the sharpest tool in the shed. Also, when their on the line, see how much they are willing to move forward and how well they pick up their shoulders. You don't want something doggy and lazy. They are much harder to train than a horse who is willing to move. Desensitize them to a whip, or send them over a tarp..... anything to get them thinking. See how nervous they get and how willing they are to do what is asked of them. Being nervous at first is completely normal, but if they stay that nervous throughout the whole lesson and never seem to really relax and figure things out, I'd pass. Though you want a horse that is willing to move out, learns quickly, holds their composure and is sensitive to pressure, you dont want a horse who can't handle pressure or gets mentally unstable when things are thrown at them (and I don't mean actually physically throwing something at them lol)

jedy · 03-08-2009, 01:37 AM

I would have to say no to that question. I think you can surely say if the beginning of the work will be easy or hard, but what sort of mount they'll turn out to be- not really. I had some youngsters that were never, ever handled and you couldn't lay a hand on them, turned out beautifully. I had horses very average in ground work and ones backed totally transformed into the best pleasure horses ever, honest and with plenty of personality. And the opposite of course.
That's just my opinion

JuliaNeigh · 03-08-2009, 11:28 AM

i judge based on their parents confirmation and personalities. we used to have this one broodmare that had great confirmation but she was a brat of a horse that just hated anyone despite the time and effort people put into trying to get her out of her sour moods some horses are just grouchy by nature. and seeing as she was a brood mare her foals would have similar tempermants after a few foals that we tried working with and couldnt get it out of them even from this early age she was sold.

not having the parents as a reference is alot harder to judge, you can look at basic confirmation, shoulder angle, straightness of the legs, movement, their heads and base alot on their personality are they a curious horse or one that just stands back do they interact well with other horses or are they outcast at all. i love sitting and watching young horses interact its easy to tell the type of personality they have

EVOO · 03-08-2009, 11:32 AM

I agree with Circle C and just wanted to add also to watch the horse when it spooks. What is the horse's first instinct? How long is his/her recovery time? Etc. First instinct at a spook can tell you a lot about a horse, imo.

prairiegirl · 03-08-2009, 11:35 AM

I hope and pray that the way our nine month old acts is NO indication of how she'll go under saddle! LOL Oh my goodness. I hope this is just baby sass and lack of training (which will start up again when the snow is gone) but holy doodles, she's a handful.

Circle C · 03-08-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVOO

I agree with Circle C and just wanted to add also to watch the horse when it spooks. What is the horse's first instinct? How long is his/her recovery time? Etc. First instinct at a spook can tell you a lot about a horse, imo.

I forgot about that one.... I agree! Every horse is going to spook, but I;d rather have one that will jump and stand than one that will bolt off.

03-07-2009, 05:55 PM	#1
mpprincess Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas the great state Posts: 1,203 Images: 86	How do you know? If a younger unbroken horse will make a sensible mount? Can you judge off their ground manners alone? I understand movement and confirmation can tell you what he may feel like under saddle. Is there any way to know before you actually get on? __________________ My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder He carries me away from all my fears And when the world threatens to fall asunder His mane is there to wipe away my tears. ~Bonnie Lewis

03-07-2009, 05:59 PM	#2
Zanerkin177 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Army :D Posts: 1,293 Images: 7	you can see if a horse is ready. if you can see the whites in their eyes (fear). head held high(nervous). not resting any legs(not relaxed). tense(ready to react) ect __________________ A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.

03-08-2009, 12:13 AM	#5
Circle C Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Erie, Pennsylvania Posts: 4,429 Images: 51	Throw them on a lunge line.... see how long it takes them to learn how to lunge. If it takes more than a couple times for them to realize what you want, then they aren't the sharpest tool in the shed. Also, when their on the line, see how much they are willing to move forward and how well they pick up their shoulders. You don't want something doggy and lazy. They are much harder to train than a horse who is willing to move. Desensitize them to a whip, or send them over a tarp..... anything to get them thinking. See how nervous they get and how willing they are to do what is asked of them. Being nervous at first is completely normal, but if they stay that nervous throughout the whole lesson and never seem to really relax and figure things out, I'd pass. Though you want a horse that is willing to move out, learns quickly, holds their composure and is sensitive to pressure, you dont want a horse who can't handle pressure or gets mentally unstable when things are thrown at them (and I don't mean actually physically throwing something at them lol) __________________ I'm just a crazy barrel racer who happens to have a Quarter Horse.....don't listen to me.

03-08-2009, 11:28 AM	#7
JuliaNeigh Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 96 Images: 2	i judge based on their parents confirmation and personalities. we used to have this one broodmare that had great confirmation but she was a brat of a horse that just hated anyone despite the time and effort people put into trying to get her out of her sour moods some horses are just grouchy by nature. and seeing as she was a brood mare her foals would have similar tempermants after a few foals that we tried working with and couldnt get it out of them even from this early age she was sold. not having the parents as a reference is alot harder to judge, you can look at basic confirmation, shoulder angle, straightness of the legs, movement, their heads and base alot on their personality are they a curious horse or one that just stands back do they interact well with other horses or are they outcast at all. i love sitting and watching young horses interact its easy to tell the type of personality they have __________________ Julia + Murphy one in a million;

03-08-2009, 11:32 AM	#8
EVOO Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,603 Images: 8	I agree with Circle C and just wanted to add also to watch the horse when it spooks. What is the horse's first instinct? How long is his/her recovery time? Etc. First instinct at a spook can tell you a lot about a horse, imo. __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Start: Sz 14 / Current: Sz 14 / Goal: Sz 10 / lbs Lost: 5.0 ___________________ I was Gobbled by a Turkey And "Blessed" by a Snow Fairy ___________________ Note to Self: It is illegal to stab people for being stupid.

03-08-2009, 12:06 AM	#4
cowgirl up 2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: minnesota Posts: 844 Images: 45	I think buying them young is good because you can teach them,how you want them to be taught,don't have the someone messed them up problem.but like everything else there is no sure way to know the horse you picked will be good.I always like a colt that likes people,and if you are around him,dosn't seem to spook easily,and seems to accept new things easily,picking up feet,grooming,just little things.I also like to kinda know the bloodlines,some are known for being harder to train.

03-08-2009, 01:37 AM	#6
jedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,532 Images: 48	I would have to say no to that question. I think you can surely say if the beginning of the work will be easy or hard, but what sort of mount they'll turn out to be- not really. I had some youngsters that were never, ever handled and you couldn't lay a hand on them, turned out beautifully. I had horses very average in ground work and ones backed totally transformed into the best pleasure horses ever, honest and with plenty of personality. And the opposite of course. That's just my opinion

03-08-2009, 11:35 AM	#9
prairiegirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: AL-BRRR-TA Posts: 1,559 Images: 13	I hope and pray that the way our nine month old acts is NO indication of how she'll go under saddle! LOL Oh my goodness. I hope this is just baby sass and lack of training (which will start up again when the snow is gone) but holy doodles, she's a handful. __________________ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."