[Finallyownhorse]

I would like to get a trainer to help with the new horse, but my reasons seem rather petty. And its not cheap to hire one!

I have been given tons of advice on how to catch our new horse. But its muddy...and she is big. Can I do it? Yes. Would I rather not? Yes.

So that reason for wanting a trainer is pretty lazy. Because I know I CAN do it.

The other reason isn't much better. I was told her history and she was purchased as a 3 year old from a reputable auction house in South Dakota. Had 2 owners before me. I don't think she was ever "finished" in her training. Not that I need a finished horse to go trail riding.

But I would like to have a bit in her mouth. I think someone already tried and did something very, very wrong. Her mouth is literally untouchable.

I had to cancel the vet appointment because of a funeral, so he is rescheduled for the next week. He will have to sedate her to even look in her mouth.

I don't think there is an injury because she eats just fine and never appears to be in pain. But completely freaked out with the white eyes, snorts, and rearing when I touched the tube of the wormer to her lips. It undid everything I had worked on already.

With her spooking and her size, "I" would feel more comfortable if she had a bit in her mouth. Greedy is what that is.

So now I have a lazy reason and a greedy reason.

Just wondering, what other people would do. Ultimately it will come down to what I want to do and what I can convince hubby to pay for.

[Jenje!]

Originally Posted by finallyownhorse

With her spooking and her size, "I" would feel more comfortable if she had a bit in her mouth. Greedy is what that is.

Not greed... self-preservation!

Get the trainer.

[farmeress]

Originally Posted by Jenje!

Not greed... self-preservation!

Get the trainer.

Yes, that is pretty much my take.

It is always a good idea to have someone around when retraining, rebreaking or working with a new horse.

If this person happens to be a trainer, all the better

[bebopp]

I rode lots when I was younger. Now, I'm not so 'younger'.
I JUST got my very own horse almost 3 wks ago and the day after I brought her home; she kicked me while in the pasture...ok, so I'm sure it was my fault.
Anyway...come to find out, my SOUND horse LOVES to kick!
Where I am boarding, the girl that runs the place (oh, I'm the first and only boarder right now)...she is working with the horse AND ME!
I really, REALLY need my confidence boosted and the only way is to work, work, work. My horse is actually a very nice and well trained horse. It is more ME that isn't!
So...get the trainer. Even try to work something out if it is too expensive. BUT BE THERE and DO IT too! I'm getting more confident each and every day! WOO HOO! I can now handle her when she's kicking out! Actually, now it is when she THINKS about kicking out!
Good luck, I've got a hubby too (heehee )...they just don't ALWAYS understand!

[pittmd]

I have a thought on this that may go against the grain so to speak.
I would work on the minor issues with your horse yourself. If you take your time and do it right your return is two fold. You get the horse's respect and you learn how to communicate with your horse. The things I have done myself have done wonders for both me and my horses. All the ground work and trailer loading things that I have trained have taken me LOTS of time. I have come to the conclusion that you can not have a happy relationship with a horse if your not willing to do the work with your horse.

If you have a horse with a nasty attitude or have a dangerous situation then get help or a better horse to start with.

OK, flame away....

[Finallyownhorse]

I have a thought on this that may go against the grain so to speak.
I would work on the minor issues with your horse yourself. If you take your time and do it right your return is two fold. You get the horse's respect and you learn how to communicate with your horse. The things I have done myself have done wonders for both me and my horses. All the ground work and trailer loading things that I have trained have taken me LOTS of time. I have come to the conclusion that you can not have a happy relationship with a horse if your not willing to do the work with your horse.

If you have a horse with a nasty attitude or have a dangerous situation then get help or a better horse to start with.

OK, flame away....

I think this advice is good.

I think I will take this advice and work on the catching and ground work, but send her to a trainer to be "finished". That is a bit in her mouth.

Not sure if I will actually ride her until that is done though, but I can work on all the other stuff.

One of two things will happen. I will feel more confident and willing to put more $$ into training her. Or I will figure out she is too much horse for me and sell/trade her.

OK, so that leads me to another question. How do you know when its time to admit a horse is too much for you? Obviously it is going to be longer than 3 weeks, but what are the signs?

Being so new to horses, we haven't had to deal with this yet.

I guess this is why the the BUYER should ride the horse, not just the seller. She was very, very good at the owners house. Although, I do not know if they "worked" her prior to us getting there. The mare was seperated off from the other horses in a small pen when we arrived.

[pittmd]

Originally Posted by finallyownhorse

I think this advice is good.

I think I will take this advice and work on the catching and ground work, but send her to a trainer to be "finished". That is a bit in her mouth.

Not sure if I will actually ride her until that is done though, but I can work on all the other stuff.

One of two things will happen. I will feel more confident and willing to put more $$ into training her. Or I will figure out she is too much horse for me and sell/trade her.

OK, so that leads me to another question. How do you know when its time to admit a horse is too much for you? Obviously it is going to be longer than 3 weeks, but what are the signs?

Being so new to horses, we haven't had to deal with this yet.

I guess this is why the the BUYER should ride the horse, not just the seller. She was very, very good at the owners house. Although, I do not know if they "worked" her prior to us getting there. The mare was seperated off from the other horses in a small pen when we arrived.

My answer to your question about what the signs are would be:

If you feel your saftey is comprimised.
Your not having fun.
You find yourself not working with the horse due to fear.

Well don't feel badly about not knowing all the ins and outs when you bought her. There was a good artical in Horse and Rider or Western Horseman about 7 signs you should walk away from a seller. Wish I had read that prior to buying my wife's horse...

[doublebarr]

If you like the mare for the most part and find that some things are currently "beyond your abilities/comfort level" then money spent on a trainer is NEVER wasted. It is not an indulgence, it is a reasonable precaution. However, I would add that it should not be just money spent on HER being trained, but YOU being trained also. Trainers can OFTEN get horses to do things "owners" can't. And they'll never learn unless they are included in the training process.

The time to "give up" on her would be when you do not feel there is the potential for enjoyment with your horse. We spend all this money on them to enjoy them one way or another. It's not worth being horse poor if you can't enjoy the trip.

[Lindsayanne]

Originally Posted by doublebarr

If you like the mare for the most part and find that some things are currently "beyond your abilities/comfort level" then money spent on a trainer is NEVER wasted. It is not an indulgence, it is a reasonable precaution. However, I would add that it should not be just money spent on HER being trained, but YOU being trained also. Trainers can OFTEN get horses to do things "owners" can't. And they'll never learn unless they are included in the training process.

The time to "give up" on her would be when you do not feel there is the potential for enjoyment with your horse. We spend all this money on them to enjoy them one way or another. It's not worth being horse poor if you can't enjoy the trip.

Agreed. The only thing I have to add is that trainers are way cheaper than ER visits.

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by finallyownhorse

I guess this is why the the BUYER should ride the horse, not just the seller. She was very, very good at the owners house. Although, I do not know if they "worked" her prior to us getting there. The mare was seperated off from the other horses in a small pen when we arrived.

Don't feel bad. You live and learn, horses just have a much higher "learning curve", LOL.

One of the reasons I have NEVER had to buy a horse back once we sell them is because of HOW we sell them. I never have a horse "up" before the customer arrives. They show up and we all go out and get the horse up, brush them and saddle them so the customer KNOWS what to expect out of any of our horses. Then, either I or one of my kids will ride the horse first (never get on a "potential riding purchase" before the owner does. If they aren't willing to climb up there, do you really think it's a good idea for you to do so? LOL) We put them through all that they do, explaining how we ask for each thing, then put the customer up there. We will also let them ride out in the big open by themselves to see that the horse is not "herd bound/barn sour" and then we will saddle up another horse and ride all over with them. Put them through everything they will be expected to go through with the new owners.

That is a REAL test drive. You, as the customer, shouldn't expect anything less.

ETA: Also, this lets us know as sellers, that the horse and potential owner are a good match. We can quickly see if the customer has oversold their abilities and if the horse is going to the right home for success.