cinching

Question

Please send me a list of buying a horse without a pre vet exam that you mentioned.  I have been looking at alot of horses and could use this advise.  Thanks.   -------------------------

Followup To

Question -
I am looking to buy a 15 yr. old quarter horse mare - she only has one prob. that I can see.  When we cinched her she threw her head in the air and acted like she wanted to bite me.  She never did - but I wonder if I tried to cinch her without her being tied, she might do this as she would be able to reach me.  I really like this horse - everything else she did was OK after the saddle was in place.  She did put her ears back once in awhile, but it did not seem to be a problem.  She rode well, obeyed well and was quiet mannered.  Do you have any suggestions?  Do you think she would be able to be trained to get away from the above habits?  I dont have any background on her - the people who have her say that she used to be a schooling horse and they think it is because of all the different kids cinching her all the time.  Would you even consider buying a horse that does this?

Answer -
Hi Paulette!

Yes, I would buy a horse that does this, if I liked everything else about her.  

This has no effect on the ride in most instances.  

Can it be stopped?  Probably not, not at her age.  But, you can help make it a littler better for this mare.

Keep a few sugar lumps in your pocket and when you start to cinch her, go nice and slow and make the pull smooth and not just a big jerk.  

Don't tighten it too much and when she starts to bite the air, reach forward pat her neck, say a few reassuring words and give her a sugar lump.  Again, begin the tighening procedure, slow and steady...take another break if she starts to make faces and again, nice words and a sugar lump.

Finish the tightening where you feel it is necessary and then, more kind words and a sugar lump.

Only give her the sugar when you are tightening the cinch and remember to go slow and easy.

She simply does not like the process and you can help make it more enjoyable through a little bribe.

Also, do not try to over-tighten before you get on, she will fight you on this by "blowing up" in self-defense.

If you are mounting from the ground, you may want to use a mounting block of some kind whenever you can.  This will ease the stress and twist of your saddle.  Your mare will be happier for it and she will learn how to stand by one easily if you have a helper and more sugar lumps!

Just go tight enough for the saddle to stay on during mounting and walk around once or twice, stop and re-tighten.  I'll bet you get 2 more holeswithout such a big display from her.  The short walk around has given her time to relax and let you tighten without much resisitance.

Try to not over-tighten at the end of the process.  I have made this point before in this forum.  Some people have fear issues about their cinch/girth and really make them "crazy-tight", not really knowing their own strength.  This makes the horse miserable and causes more problems down the road.

Since you did not know this was a common problem with horses that is usually harmless, I am assuming you may be new to buying a horse.

Please feel free to write back asking for a list of good and bad things to look for when buying a horse without the benefit of a vet's pre-purchase exam.

Good Luck and Remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange  

Answer
Hi Paulette!

I would have to say the first rule for the horse buyer who is new to horses is... The horse must be doing already what you want to ride him for.

Example:  If your goal is to just trail ride - Buy a horse that has been trail riding for years and loads well and is not spooky.  

If your goal is to show - Buy a horse that has shown for years and clips right there in front of you and already rides well in the required bit for your discipline.

I know this sounds obvious but, you would not believe the huge amount of people who buy a horse because it is cheap or pretty or whatever and it has never seen the activity the new owner wants to do with it.  That's when the trouble starts!

As a newbie, you should have no interest in re-training a horse to safely do your activity.

If there is a particular horse you really like and are thinking of purchasing...make several scheduled appointments to see it and then the third time do a "Pop-In" at the barn, a surprise visit.  Usually, around their known feed time you will find people in the barn.  Now, you can see the horse as she is.  Not "prepared" for you.  By that, I mean to say, alot of horses are drugged to be shown to buyers.  Look at her, talk to her, ask to take her out of her stall or bring her in from the pasture and request to spend a few minutes with her.  Then, touch her all over and see if she is different than when you saw her before.

If the owner is angry or edgy about your surprise visit....ask yourself why?  You are seriously considering caring for this horse for maybe a decade or so...the seller should be going to great pains to make you happy!

If you are boarding at a full care facility, they will  help you find a farrier, vet, dentist and give advice on tack buying.

If you are on your own...these things should be looked into prior to the purchase.  It can take much longer than you think to line up all of these professionals to help you care for your horse.

I could go on and on....but, I won't  :-)

These are the top three on my list and should give you a good start!

Good Luck!

Solange