My Trail Horse Quest
I'd been looking for a gelding between the ages of 9 and 14, with no spook, no buck, and that was happy to just walk down a trail for over a year. He needed to have big bone, big hooves, and a big body following a willing disposition. He needed an attitude that seemed to glow from the eyes and it all had to be wrapped in horse hide about 15 hands high and 1,100-plus pounds.
The ad on Bay Area Equestrian Network (www.bayequest.com) simply stated. "trail horse gelding, ridden everywhere. He fit my age and height requirements, and he was being sold by the folks who'd bred him. I headed out in anticipation. This would be the 87th horse I'd gone to see.
I'd always known that when I found the right horse, we'd just "click, "I "clicked" with this horse the instant he looked at me. In the warm-up arena, he inched his way beside me and nuzzled my shoulder. In my mind, the sale was final, and I didn't even know the asking price.
On the trail, the horse long-strided through ditch water, up the road, and right past a jackhammer without batting and eyelid. The price was right. I qualified as "a good home." Now, a new Paint Horse gelding I call Joe stands in the barn.
I'd searched for more than a year for Joe. During that time I learned some important lessons. For one thing, I found out that my trail-horse vocabulary and that of mort sellers were different. Here's what I mean.
- "Big". Mention "big" and people think "tall." I meant big bone, big body, big hip line - tank type big, even if the horse is only 14 hand high. <
- "Tall". I looked at one prospect just because I've never seen a 24 hand horse. He was measured from ground to ear tips rather that withers
- "Nice chrome". Color doesn't make the horse, but I found that eye-catching makings add a thousand dollars or more to the asking price. The horse might not accept the bridle, but he's still "pretty enough to turn heads."<
- "Good feet." One horse didn't have shoes, because he had "good feet," according to the seller. Finally, the seller admitted that the horse simply didn't like ferries.
- "Nervous." I can understand a horse getting nervous when he's walked up to a veterinarian. But I don't expect him to flip over backwards during the pre-purchase exam. Another no sale. <
- "Crosses water." One seller told me his horse would" cross water regardless of the wind." It turned out that the horse had never crossed real water' he crossed blue traps held down with rocks in an arena.
- "Trailers."I found I had to specify that this included actually going into the trailer. Another horse loaded just fine, but if the trailer didn't move immediately, he'd paw and kick the wall. Yet another had a problem unloading. As I drove away, the owner was standing behind the horse shaking a can of oats to lure the horse out.
On a more serious note, I also learned that you should never try to replace a memory. When I first started trail-horse shopping, I'd just put down Sig, my trail horse of 19 years. The first horses I inspected reminded me of him. One day, I realized a prospect looked a lot like Sig - but he wasn't what I really wanted. Then it hit me; I was looking for sing again.
After this revelation, Joe (registered name, Diamonds Apprecio) was the third horse I saw. Everything just seemed to fall into place. He'll be an excellent trail horse. He has the eye, disposition, attitude, and willingness to go where I point him. My year-long quest has ended.
- Horse brokers. Contact three or four brokers who offer trail horses for sale. Tell them what you're looking for in terms of age, price range, trail experience, etc. Once you find two or three horses and have viewed photos via mail or e-mail, drive to the respective ranches. Or, arrange to meet the broker to look at the horses together. This route can save you time and money.
- Horse auctions. If you know what you're doing, check out an auction. Today, there's an increasing number of "trail horse" auctions where many buyers have found success. However, such an auction doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll find a good trail horse. A ranch-horse auction isn't necessarily a trail-horse gold mine, either. I tried out two ranch horses that were great at moving cattle, working gates, and roping - but when it came to trails, they were both spooky and unsuitable. For a greater chance of success, read the horse's catalog description and watch him work. Ask the seller why he's selling the horse and whether the horse has been ridden on all types of trails.Questions to Ask
Before looking at a trail-horse prospect, make a list of your needs and wants. Then write down all the questions you want to ask the seller. Be sure to include the following: - What's the asking price? Decide in advance what you want to spend, and stick with it. Don't be surprised if you say you want to spend $5,000, and every horse you're shown is $5,000. If your budget is $5,000, keep the paying price "in the neighborhood of $4,500, maybe more,"especially at an auction, where prices - and emotions - can rise rapidly.
- How old is the horse? As mentioned, a young horse won't be as trailwise as an aged horse simply because the youngster hasn't spent as much time on the trail. Plus, an older horse will be more settled than a young horse. But if you're an experienced rider, you might prefer the vitality, challenges, and training opportunities a young horse offers.
- What's the horse's trail experience? Again, look for a horse with more trail experience than you. Note that age doesn't always dictate experience: Many aged horses from other horse occupations are sold as "trail horse" just because they've soured at their present occupation. Such horses can make excellent trail mounts, but know in advance what you're getting into.
- Who previously owned the horse? Ask about the prospect's ownership history. If the horse has changed hands frequently, he may have undesirable trail manners, or behavioral problems related to trailer-loading, shoeing, stabling, etc.
- Does the horse have good basic skills? A horse with basic skills is one with good ground manners; he'll stand quietly when tied, and for saddling, mounting, hoof cleaning, and shoeing and veterinary work. He's easy to bridle, he'll trailer without a battle, and he gets along with other horses. He'll go forward, stop, turn, and back on the lead and under saddle. Of course, you can likely work on minor problems, such as an objection to saddling or foot handling, if you feel the horse will otherwise make a good trail mount, and you're willing and able to take on the task.
- Can I take the horse for a trial run? Make sure you can take the prospect onto a trail before you buy. Plan a day for you and seller to trailer out and ride together. Saddle and bridle the horse yourself to get a feel of how the horse responds. Note how the horse trailers. If possible, pick a trail the horse has never before been on. On the trail, lead, follow, lag behind, and even split off from the other horse to see how the prospect behaves.
- What's the horse's veterinary history? Ask whether the horse has tied-up (experienced cramped muscles) on a trail ride or has colicked when camping. Such a history might mean the horse is prone to these conditions. Ask whether the horse is taking (or has taken) any prescription or over-the-counter medications. Ask about any alternative treatments and herbal potions. And ask to see all veterinary records.
- Is the horse sound? Scars and blemishes, such as old wire cuts, usually won't affect the horse's soundness. It's hard to find an older horse without a couple scars. And a blemish doesn't mean a horse is unsound. To check for soundness, have a reputable veterinarian perform a pre-purchase examination before the deal is sealed. (See "What's Up, Doc?" on page 30.) You might decide a certain degree of manageable problems is acceptable to you. But bear in mind that it's better to buy a sound horse than to try and make do with one that isn't sound.
Now, Ride!
Once you've purchased your new trail horse, ride! At first, he may hesitate when you ask him to go down a bank and into dark water. But he'll become more willing to take you where you ask once he learns that you'll keep him out of danger.
And you'll learn that when your horse stops or wants to take another route, he's not refusing. Rather, he's perceived that something isn't quite right and is looking for a way to keep you both safe. This mutual trust will grow the more you saddle up and ride the trails.
If you're looking for a new trail horse, check out Equine.com.
