Young Horses and Personality

Question
I have been looking at a young horse that is a registered quarter horse, sorrel in colour, and 40% of her face is white.

We contacted a young lady who has known this horse for 3 months, the horse is 2 years old, we were told that she is a registered quarter horse with a bloodline.  The young lady is an experienced horse trainer, who has trained the horse to halter, stand still, saddle, and ride.  On the ground she seems very obedient, when the lady rode her she seemed pretty obedient also, although at times she needed a little slap on the butt to move forward.  When I tried to ride her she stood still and didn't want to move forward, at times she moved a few feet and stopped.  My husband rode her also and walked a few feet and stopped, she seemed young and inexperienced.  However on the ground she seems very polite and predisposed.  The horse is 2 years of age and I would like to know under the above behaviour, can horses change to a completely different personality, if I buy the horse do I have to be concerned only about extra training or is it possible as some people mentioned, that young horses can change personalities.  As of now she does not buck or kick she responds comfortably to a ferrier, and lifts her feet on command.

Thanks in advance

Answer
Hi Nora:
It's very good, that you are asking questions before purchasing. Yes horses can change personality's. Especially with inexperienced riders, now I'm not sure on your experience level of riding. If you did purchase her I would recommend more training, than I would recommend lessons with you or your husband riding her. Just so you are un-doing any of her training. Now for the most part she does seem like a very willing mare, which is a good sign. But like I was mentioning before with an in-experienced rider/trainer it can and most likely will make things worse, with a young horse especially only 2 years old, you will need someone who can be in charge and tell her what to do, since she is a in-experienced horse, she will get scared and timid at times. Now if you and your husband are an experienced rider, than I would say you will only need to worry about more training. There is always the possibly of a horse changing personality's, but with an experienced rider and trainer this shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure you've heard the expression, "Green Horses, and Green riders don't go together" that's my only concern for you and your husband getting hurt and all the training on this young filly being un-done. Also only being two years old, I personally don't think she should be broke until at least 3 years old, she is still growing. Riding her at this age can cause future problems, such as back problems, or becoming violent when being saddled or ridden.

Shaunna.
Anymore questions feel free to ask.