your opinion

Question
ok i guess ill start by saying my dream is about to come true im 29 and ive wanted a horse as long as i can remember finally im getting a house that will allow for one.  My ? is what kind of horse would you suggest would be best ive ridin quite a bit but as far as training im willing to learn i want the horse to be mine not have to take care of it or ride it like someone else has but is a yearling to much to handle as a beginner?  Also i wonder if it would be a bad idea to have a older horse with it so my kids will be able to ride now not having to wait another year or longer if so would a gilding be best for a colt?  im very eager to learn but i dont know much except to ride thank you so much for as much info as you can suggest.

Answer
Sorry I took so long to respond.  My computer acts up and sometimes I don't see I have a question right away.


I have 50+ years now in horses, and the advice I am going to give here is based on both owning/working/training and riding horses of many different breeds, uses and temperaments.

There is a saying among horsepeople.

Green + Green = Black and Blue.

That is a simple way of saying that a green owner/rider does not need a green, or unbroke horse.  There is too much potential for things to go badly wrong.  Horses are thinking creatures, who will quickly figure out who is in charge, and if you don't know what you are doing?  They will be running the show.

You do not have the knowledge or skills to train a horse.  Riding is a whole different ball game, and if your riding has been done on lesson horses, or just riding a friends?  Far different from trying to train one.  And I don't really understand what you mean about riding like someone else.  Are you meaning that if you buy a horse already trained, you can't ride it as well?  And the care of a horse is pretty much the same.

All horses, no matter who has trained them, or ridden them, will have the same basic set of knowledge, in that they will stop, start, turn, back and be easy to handle from the ground.  The differences among them will be due to the discipline they are used in.  Western Pleasure Horses, will differ from an American Saddlebred, in the cues used to some degree for instance.


A yearling is not what you need, nor do you need a horse that is not already broken to ride, and a gelding is best in my opinion.  Mares can be moody during the heat cycle, which is monthly, and the moodiness can range from being more prone to kick, or really acting up.  We have a couple in the barn that will kick down the stall boards, and let fly at us, if they think they can get by with it, and we aren't watching them.  Happens every month too.

A colt is an uncastrated male horse, although you will hear people talk about "my horse had a colt", but a gelding has been castrated.  You do not need a horse that is a full stallion, or one that has not been gelded.  A stallion is dangerous even in experienced hands most of the time.  Someone who has not got much experience with them can get killed very easily.

Honestly, I would advise you to look for an older gelding, well trained, with a laid back attitude and that is sound.  Depending on what type of riding you are wanting to do, I would suggest a Quarter Horse I think.  I would stay away from anything that has just been broke to ride as they may still be needing fine tuning.

I would also stay away from "hotter" horses, such as Saddlebreds, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds completely, while there are laid back horses in those breeds, they can be different to deal with.

Keep in mind, that even a well trained, gentle horse can be ruined by incorrect handling, by an owner who babies horse, or does not know enough about what they are doing when handling them, to realize when problems are starting, such as horse getting pushy, becoming aggressive at feeding time, or shoving owner around.  Problems can also develop from too hot a feed/hay, or feeding treats for instance.

Since you are wanting something for kids to ride possibly?  Look for two nicely trained geldings, laid back, that are kind eyed, and sensible.  It is a good idea, in fact I would say it is imperative to take a knowledgeable horse person with you when you go looking, and a PPE is a good idea too.

I cannot stress enough to you, that an unbroken horse, or yearling is the absolute worse thing you could buy.  Horses can hurt you badly, and kill you.  You need something ready to ride.

Depending on the area you are in, I am sure there are many nice horses, as right now hay is out of sight for many.  I'm in the Midwest, and I am seeing many of my friends selling excess horses, or getting out of horses altogether.  

But again, please do not buy a yearling or anything not already trained and gentle.  You will regret it if you do.