Four Corners Trails

dreamhorse · Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 29

Thank you all for your advice. It's a really tough choice for me. I trained search dogs for 10 years in CA and helped many people with problem dogs, so the idea of giving up on an animal is hard for me. However, this is a large animal that could potentially cause great harm. That being said, he was going along well until that day and has been going along well with my current trainer. He's very sweet, curious and likes people, gets along with other horses. His ground manners are fine. He's learned quickly when introduced to new situations. He is a bit dominant, but not aggressive.

We thought about the saddle issue, but he had the same saddle before, (while I was riding on the trails with him), during, and after the incident. His current trainer thinks he's just fine, that his training was rushed and a bit harsh (we talked with his previous trainer, and some methods used on him were old school and bit harsh) and that there are holes in his foundation and once that is addressed, he'll be great.

I will talk with his current trainer today and then maybe make some phone calls based on your advice and suggestions. It may still be that he is not the right horse for me Crying or Very sad

Just to put it out there, should I head that direction, anyone have any interest in purchasing a 4 year old quarter horse (not papered) He's about 15'2 now and is a blue roan buckskin.....

SarahR · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject:

Here's the type of horse I think would be very enjoyable for a new horse owner:

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1373904&share_this=Y

She's a nice size, not too big, not too small, she's a 'been there done that' experienced safe trail horse that still has many years ahead of her. The owner sounds like a real horseperson not trying to dump a problem horse on someone. And, she's reasonably priced, and pretty too! And gaited! What more could someone want? I'll be she gets snapped up quick.
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Sarah Rose
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SarahR · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject:

Cindy told me she would come to your place an evaluate your horse for you, and give you her opinion if she thinks he's worth putting more time and money into. I totally trust Cindy's advice on horses, she really knows her stuff. We'd hate for you to get hurt. Just last summer a very experience horse person in this area bought a young QH from a ranch sale. Same MO, he was sweet, got along with other horses, etc. Got him home, did some round pen stuff, then went on her first ride. He had an explosive bucking fit that landed her in the hospital with a broken pelvis and neck. The ranch took the horse back, but she's only now getting healed up enough to begin to (tenatively) ride again. And these were lifelong experienced horse people. Horses that have these types of explosive bucking episodes are very dangerous and totally unpredictable. I don't doubt that he's a real sweety on the ground. But, like you said, a horse is totally different that a dog. A horse can kill or seriously injure you Sad

I know it sucks, but put you and your family's safety first.
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Sarah Rose
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dreamhorse · Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 29

I think I may take her up on that, because I am tormented about all this.

Cindy,

Just wondering what would you do during an evaluation? What are you looking for that would help make a decision?

Thx.

dreamhorse · Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 29

One problem I will have is that I cannot have 3 horses...I do not have the space, so I would need to place my current horse prior to purchasing another one. I do currently have a little 4 year old mare who has been handled really well from the get-go, and she's been really great. She is really supposed to be my daughter's horse, but I ride her now when going out with friends, as I am obviously not on the bit guy.

So..just a question, any consideration for tooth issues when the bucking episode occurred, or should well broke horses not respond so explosively when in pain?

SarahR · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

Cindy's out right now, I'll ask her to get back with you when she's in.

That's fantastic that your mare is working out well for you Smile

So, it's not like you don't have another horse to ride while you decide what to do with this other one.
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Sarah Rose
www.fourcornerstrails.com
www.rosehorse.com
Sarah@rosehorse.com

dreamhorse · Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 29

Sorry, another question...what do people feel about sending the horse away to someplace like Brazeal training in Albuquerque for 60 days? You can look up their website...http://www.brazealhorsemanship.com/Home.html. I know someone in Durango who swears by the training there. Would you trust a horse after it has been through a program such as this? Maybe the answer is to have Cindy evaluate whether I should invest the money in such a program and go from there....

SarahR · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:

I would think a program like that would be good for putting a foundation on a horse, but you would also need training to be able to keep up with his training when you get him back. He would still be a young horse, and with his recent episodes he might still be unpredictable when taken out of the structured arena enviorment. I'm sure Cindy could help you decide if it's worth it or not.
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Sarah Rose
www.fourcornerstrails.com
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jcmwilson · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Bayfield, Colorado

First, if you have him with a trainer now why not leave him there? Everthing that I have been told is enough to evlauate him. Horses with strong personalities are a lot harder to predict. The only way to evaluate is to spend a lot of time with him. A horse like that could be nice for days and then all of sudden decide he doesnt; like the status quo. I used to have one like that. My husband rode her fine but she could buck and get anger and we had been riding her hard for three years. A horse like this needs work ever day even after the trainer has him to keep him moving in the right direction. Are you willing to do that even when the weather is bad and in the winter? Getting bucked off a time or two will also make you more aware of when he is going to do something like that and be able to stop it before it starts. Also horses have a tendency to go through what I call teen age years. First year their soft clay but if you put them up for the winter the next year there's more rebellion. I'm sure you have a lot more knowledge of dogs but would you recommend a husky for an indoor pet? Cindy

jcmwilson · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Bayfield, Colorado

Aslo if you want to send him off to Albuquerque, great but it won't make up for your fear and fear makes the horse uncertain when their rider is uncertain.

jcmwilson · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Bayfield, Colorado

Another thing is he could possibly be getting is wolfs teeth in and some horses are extra sensitive have a vet check him out throughly lookly for any kind of pain any where. Cindy

jcmwilson · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Bayfield, Colorado

Another after thought is that if he was fine with you. that maybe the trainers saddle doesn't fit. Possible ride him with a bosal for a while see if that changes him.

FtValleyPS · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 99 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

.... and then some horses just have a black spot on their brain and they never get over it. It's kind of like people, I think. There are too many good horses available that don't have such bad problems to very literally risk your life and limb.

About ten years ago we bought a nice ten-year old grade horse, brought him home, he was an absolute sweetheart. We'd ride him, he'd do great, then out of nowhere he'd bolt, take off, and it took Arnold Schwartzneger to get his head around to turn him. A trainer we know who competes nationally in dressage said it was not the horse, it was the rider(s), so she began training him, to help recover the horse from the bad treatment he'd received from humans (which may be true, but ....). The second time out she took him off-property like we do and he bolted on her, ran nearly a mile, they crossed a busy road, and she did not come back for a third training session. An 80-year old cowboy friend who's ridden rank horses his entire life snorted about all this hoo ha and said it was the trainer, that she didn't know what she was doin', gimme' that horse, which we did - he actually bought it, saying it was a nice horse that only he understood. The second ride out in the mountains the horse dumped him, and he ended up dumping the horse on someone else. Two weeks ago, that same cowboy friend, now 83, a really good rider, nice guy but hard-headed, and in a similar situation where he took someone's problem blow-up horse, - on the second ride out the horse bucked him off and accidentally stomped him, broke all his ribs on one side, collapsed a lung, severely damaged an arm, and caused his spleen to be removed.

There are too many good horses available for you to spend your money and health on a poor one. And horseback (and mule) riding should be safe and enjoyable, in my humble opinion. I certainly don't mean to sound harsh with any of this, or to imply that I don't care about all horses. It's just that safety has to be number one.
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John

Lady Luck · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 430 Location: Mo

I agree with John and Sarah. THere are too many good horses out there to share your love of riding with. My first horse was a beautiful, sorrel, four white socks, and blaze. Supposedly ridden by kids, old people, etc etc. She just happened to have a tie down in her tack. Guy said since it was there go ahead and keep it. Ok remember first time horse owner, A dream i had forever and now I had a horse! She did ok in the field and rode her awhile. She bucked me off once. Ok Must have been my fault?! She would spook at the same stuff no matter how many times you passed it. Ok. My son says I will take care of it mom. So he rode her hard and she behaved and did everything just perfect. He rode up to me and stopped and said , See? This is when she promptly bucked him off from a standstill. OF course Im laughing and he still swears I did something to make her do it. OK> I dont want to give up or admit this horse may not be for me. Then she spooked at a pony in the next field and rared up on me. I stayed on so I think I am Annie Oakley. Second time, she fell over backward on top of me.When I got my air back and checked to see if I was alive, I got back on and rode home. Told my daughter dont tell your dad as he doesnt like horses anyway. Next day I could not get out of bed and had to tell. Ha. Really was fortunate as I had only a big bruise on my inner thigh and shoulder and tore the liga ments in my knee. This is the point self preservation kicked in and sold her.Turns out she loved to rare at first spook and I think had chronic pms. She was sure pretty. Wink

My next horse and others after that pretty didnt count when I went to look. So think long and hard. I have seen so many just give up and not ride. Cant imagine what else I would possibly do If i couldnt ride. Good luck and be careful!!
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Sharon
Have horses, will trail ride!

osue077 · Joined: 30 Jan 2008 Posts: 40 Location: Brighton

Since you are somewhat near Wilderness Trails, you might try to strike a deal with an owner at a dude ranch. Miles will probably be the only thing that helps your horse out. As a matter of fact, there are a couple dude ranches that you could talk to. The wranglers at a dude ranch would probably get the horse worked into shape and most are pretty go horseman/women. If you don't want to get rid of the horse, this might be a good option. I would have to agree that there are a TON of horses that need a home out there that you'd never have a problem with. But if you are stuck on this one, here is an option.

www.wildernesstrails.com
www.coloradoranch.com
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