Going to be getting a horse soon; need advise on how to pick right...

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I had a Morgan that I loved as a teen/ young adult. I used to ride him 50-60 miles a week and was training to do endurance riding. I eventually had to sell him (out of my control) but he went to a great home.

Fast forward 13 years; I was fortunate enough to find a riding buddy who has taken me out for the last year and a half roughly two times a week, I have also got to take some lessons at her place.

Fast forward another year and we are now living on the same property as said horse friend! She has 4 horses but they are older and hers.

I think I am ready to get another horse! I have been dreaming about the day when I could finally get another one.

So I have been looking on craigslist and on some local ads and also the equine rescue.

I want to be very particular about the horse I acquire as I really want it to be the right one for me. I plan on keeping this horse until it dies of old age!

I am a very confident intermediate+ rider and I REALLY want to do some of the local endurance races. There are quite a few 15 and 20 milers around here.

So I am POSITIVE that I want an arab or arab cross. But I am running across a couple problems (maybe you folks could help me out)...

1. I am a big girl, 5'9 and 180 pounds (trying to lose), which is pretty big for an arab, and especially because they say the weight with you and tack should not exceed 20% of the horses weight, so I would need at least a 1000 pound arab?

2. I have inquired about a lot of arab ads, but EVERY single one has said "yes it's an arab, it'll be good for endurance"... I get it, but how do I REALLY know that that one is a good one and not just another arab...

I would love any help/ suggestions/ advise or anything else!

Thanks in advance!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Here is a nice one I've seen; I really like this guy!

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/grd/3515558522.html

 

[Mamaboid]

I am puzzled, may I ask a question? You said you grew up riding a Morgan, right, so what makes you want an Arab now? The reason I ask is, I had 7 horses, quarters, mustang crosses, tenn walker, and the most comfortable, dependable easily trained of all of them was a "Park" Morgan. She would go forever, do whatever she was asked, and never met a test she couldn't pass. Plus, she made beautiful babies. Just curious as to why you wouldn't want to go back to another Morgan, not being nasty or mean in any way, just curious.

 

[PendergrassRanch]

I'm not sure exactly what the percentage is for endurance but going by your 20%, then you would also need to include tack weight. Finding a 1000 lb Arab isn't difficult. They come in many sizes. Perhaps you can find a Morab, so some other cross. Don't limit yourself to pure Arabs.

My main advice is GET A PPE if you are serious about buying a horse and keeping it for life. You can also do a 30 day trial to see if its a good fit.

If you want to do endurance, I would hook up with local endurance peeps and network through them to find the perfect horse.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I am puzzled, may I ask a question? You said you grew up riding a Morgan, right, so what makes you want an Arab now? The reason I ask is, I had 7 horses, quarters, mustang crosses, tenn walker, and the most comfortable, dependable easily trained of all of them was a "Park" Morgan. She would go forever, do whatever she was asked, and never met a test she couldn't pass. Plus, she made beautiful babies. Just curious as to why you wouldn't want to go back to another Morgan, not being nasty or mean in any way, just curious.

I'm open to Morgans again, it's just that everyone around here says arab arab arab when they hear endurance....

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I'm not sure exactly what the percentage is for endurance but going by your 20%, then you would also need to include tack weight. Finding a 1000 lb Arab isn't difficult. They come in many sizes. Perhaps you can find a Morab, so some other cross. Don't limit yourself to pure Arabs.

My main advice is GET A PPE if you are serious about buying a horse and keeping it for life. You can also do a 30 day trial to see if its a good fit.

If you want to do endurance, I would hook up with local endurance peeps and network through them to find the perfect horse.

Most of the Arabs I have seen have been much smaller than that... I will keep looking of course!


Sorry I am not familiar with the acronym PPE, can you please tell me more?


Great idea about the endurance club! I will check into that!

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I have a Belgian and a Percheron. Love them. I will never have anything but a draft....

I say find a horse person you can trust to be your guide, mentor, sounding board to discuss.

 

[pridegoethb4thefall]

Absolute BEST advice I can give is GET A VET CHECK!! It is worth every single penny and then some. It is just too easy (especially in this economy of free horses everywhere) for someone to bute up a lame horse (or an high spirited horse or an untrained horse, etc).

I lost 2500 on just such a situation... It was a first time purchase for me, the lady seemed SO nice and had other horses, was very friendly, etc. Well, that mare had such severe ringbone issues, we had to put her to sleep. I could never have ridden her, and I couldn't afford a boarding fee for an un-usable horse and there was no market for a lame horse. The vet that checked her after I bought her (a few days after purchase when I noticed a limp) told me the mare HAD to have been sedated, NO way could I have ridden her when I went to see her without noticing a severe limp. (which I didn't notice and I did ride her that day.

Next horse got a thorough vet check before purchase and we still have her 8 years later.

Other bit of advice is to try to buy from someone with a good reputation, someone that has sold a horse or two to someone you know.

Wish you the best of luck! The right horse is PRICELESS.... an amazing being to be loved and respected and enjoyed for many many years.

I think PPE = Pre Purchase Exam (same thing as vet check)

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Vet Check - Very good advice.

And remember, Free is Free for a reason. Be careful of Free.

 

[PendergrassRanch]

Yep, PPE is Pre Purchase Exam. Many people do not get one but for a sport horse, it is essential.