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 Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:51 pm
I am looking to buy a registered 11-year-old TWH gelding.
I'm pretty advanced rider, and I just want a horse to hang out with and go on trail rides with. This horse is sweet, responded well to my temperament testing, has smooth gaits, and we worked together well.
Here are the problems:
1) Nobody has really ridden him in two months, so he's out of condition. His training is pretty decent, but could use MAJOR polishing, which I think isn't going to be that huge a deal since he likes to move and work (I had trouble keeping him still).
2) I tested him out in the owner's driveway — literally. It was drizzling, so the fields were muddy, and there was no ring anywhere of any kind (the owner does nothing but trail riding). So I really couldn't do a whole lot with him but get a rough idea.
3) I didn't canter him myself. The owner had him canter for us, and it looked pretty smooth. Reason why I didn't canter him was that I didn't trust the footing we were on (the driveway hadn't been paved in ages).
I know a trainer who would be willing to help me polish him up.
The owner is selling him because she wants to move on to another horse, and she wants $4000 for him (pretty much all the horses in my area seem to be that price). His temperament level is 2/10, but I would have thought he was more like a 3/10.
Opinions? Suggestions? Would you get this horse?
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:46 pm
Personally I wouldn;t because I have no use for a gaited horse razz but that obviously isn't relevant. From what you've said from his temperment and personality, he sounds like a pretty decent horse. I'd suggest trailering him some where (with the owner present) and try in him in the ring or on trails if that's what you're looking at doing. You should test out all aspects of his training before buying, especially if you're going to invest that much. Would be different if you were looking at a $1000 horse. So if you like him, and he's what you're looking for in a horse, go for it. I'd just recommend a bit longer of a trail period.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:02 am
I would like to see him at a trail ride myself. Problem is, the weather in this area has been horrid lately, and it's not going to be letting up for a while.
Thanks for your input.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:59 am
I agree with Brat about gaited horses, but as she said, it isn't really relevant. I know several people that love TWH, though I personally don't care for them. But what I have heard about them is that they make excellent trail horses. From what you described, he sounds fine. Although, I don't think he sounds worth $3k. Trail horses around here go for about $1500.
The thing that I would be most careful about is MAKE SURE YOU GET A VET CHECK! No matter how much they cost, it will be more money, time and pain if you get the horse and he turns out to be totally lame. Don't put it past people to drug horses.
Other than that, good luck! I hope that things work out!
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:01 am
Actually, I just finished scheduling a pre-purchase exam.
I'm not overly clear what makes him worth $4,000 either, but since I did enjoy him very much, and TWH seem to run to that in this area...
Thanks for your input!
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:33 pm
$4k seems like a lot for a trail horse... do you mind my asking what region you live in?
You might ask the owner if you can take him on a week trial or so. Take him somewhere with a ring and give him a little bit of consistent work, see how he responds to it. If the weather is nasty and there aren't any trails in your area that you can safely ride on right now, then you'll just have to take her word for it that he'll be good on trails, I suppose. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so I understand that sometimes, trails just don't work. Everything out here is absolute slop right now.
Are you set on a TWH? You can find some QHs that are very smooth on trails usually fairly cheap, or a TWH cross. He sounds like a nice horse, but for the price they're asking, I'd make very sure he's what you're looking for. I've paid less than that for performance horses, personally.
And like Brat and Kaitlyn said, I personally wouldn't buy him because I have no use for a gaited horse xd But he sounds like a nice guy. I'd certainly try to talk her down in price if nothing else.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:57 pm
Right, like Aria said, you might want to consider other horses.
Even if this is a GREAT horse, $4k is alot for something that is just a trail horse. You said that TWH go for about that much in your area. But what are they using them for? Trails or going to TWH breed shows/gaited horse shows?
If a horse has the potential for showing, then yes it is worth more. However, even if this horse has saddleseat show potential and that isn't something that you want to do, then it isn't worth it to you.
It might even be worthwhile to look a bit further away and have to deal with slightly more in shipping, but buy a much more affordable horse.
Now if you are going to spend that kind of money on a horse, look at these. I really like this farms horses, they specialize in well broke, well exposed horses. They work them really well, and make sure that they see things like bridges, water, dogs, etc. And most of these horses have some amount of show potential as well. Now these horses are worth that $3-$7k range.
So basically, what do YOU want to do? Just trails? Or maybe a few local shows? Or more?
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:24 pm
I'm located in southern New England. Everything here is probably more expensive than in the Midwest and West. How much does it cost to board a horse in your areas?
I looked at the horses in Kaitlyn's link. Actually, the prices of those horses make this one's price look fairly reasonable: to get a show-quality specimen, the farm charges $5,000 and up.
This way, to get a "low-grade" horse is $4,000. I'm not sure how low-grade he is, anyway: he seems unusually bright and responsive, and he is pretty good looking.
Actually, in all complete honestly, horses in this area are expensive in general, and if it goes below $3,000, one starts wondering if there's a problem with the horse.
Also, that farm Kaitlyn linked to is located in Arizona... TWHs are not very prevalent in this area, and when I tell people that I am considering one, they looked pleased but startled, since most people here are more jumping and Hunt saddle oriented.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:09 pm
Well, what I was saying with those horses, were those horses are TRAINED trail horses, not just horses that have done trail riding casually AND they have show potential. To me, a horse that has just been hacked around some and can't be shown in open shows(like gaited horses..for the most part), arn't worth more than $2k at most. We are located in SW PA and our board is $325 a month. That includes a stall(cleaned everyday), turnout, up to 6 lbs of grain a day(more than that they have to buy an extra sack of feed), as much hay and water as they want, blanketing/bellboots for turnout, we give medications, supplements, schedule vet/farrier/chiropractor/etc and hold the horses for their appointments as well as pay the bills and the owners reimburse us afterward. And, for instance, look at this little horse. Now he obviously has a couple undesirable conformation traits. But he looks like a fun, hardy little horse. And he is under $2k. Just to show you, they are out there.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:30 pm
ah, I've heard the New England area can be a bit... pricey.
Board around here varies... I believe at the last place I boarded when I had a horse it was $375 full care, you provided any grains or supplements, but I think it's gone up to $425 now. Not sure. To be honest, since I don't have my own horse, I haven't looked too much at board in the area I'm living in now.
A quick check on Craigslist (which would be the cheaper end of things, the nicer barns don't advertise on CL) looks like full care is between $350 and $400.
And Kaitlyn, I've told you this before, but I SO want to board at your barn!!
Anyway, if you think that this horse is worth the price, then go for it. You're the one who actually met him, you know what you're budget is and your area better than any of us, as well as exactly what it is that you're looking for. From your description, he sounds like a nice horse. If you think it's a reasonable price for him, then don't let us stand in your way! Let us know how the pre-purchase goes!
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:51 pm
Just to give you an idea, the cheapest boarding I've found in this area is about $600. I would also love be able to board at Kaitlyn's!
The Pinto is cute, but he is a bit small for my liking, and I tend to steer clear from lesson horses and kid's horses. He doesn't appear to be registered, either.
The pre-purchase is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, and then (depending on how it goes, of course) the horse will be trailered to the stable where he'll be boarded (I don't want to keep him myself unless I get another horse — he'd miss being with other horses).
Thanks a lot for your input, everyone! I'll let you know how it turns out.
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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:52 pm
AriaStarSong And Kaitlyn, I've told you this before, but I SO want to board at your barn!! Yes! Move north! We go to dressage shows too!
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:13 am
princess_kaitlyn AriaStarSong And Kaitlyn, I've told you this before, but I SO want to board at your barn!! Yes! Move north! We go to dressage shows too! Haha, mostly east now. I'm back in the Pacific Northwest. South got too hot for me xp BUT if for any reason I ever find myself in the SW PA area, you can expect me to show up on your doorstep. xd
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:55 pm
As a TWH owner myself, I would keep looking. $4000 is a very steep price, and there is many horses who are well trained and in-shape for a price like that. I don't know where you live, but up here in Oregon I know of atleast 3 TWH breeders who are selling dead broke 5 and 6 year olds who are extremely reliable and sweet (Not to mention smooth) for only 3000 or 3500. If you didn't fall in love, keep looking around and see whats out there. Economy is bad and so people are selling horses for cheap... GOOD horses. So that's what I'd do. In fact, I'd probably sell you a walker myself if I could lol.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:47 pm
Sookyy, I live in Southern New England. Everything here is probably more expensive than in other areas --- including horses. In this area, if a horse is under $3,000, one begins to wonder if it has problems.
TWHs are not very prevalent in this area, and when I tell people that I am getting one, they looked pleased but startled, since most people here are more jumping and Hunt saddle oriented.
I rode him again today, and cantered him. It was much better weather, so I actually took him around the neighborhood. It was marvelous.
I've scheduled his pre-purchase for tomorrow --- I am going to take him, depending on how the examination goes, of course.
I can't quite understand what makes him worth $4,000 either, but that seems to be the going rate for a "low-grade" horse in this area. I'm not sure how low-grade he is, anyway: he seems unusually bright and responsive, and he is pretty good looking.
Do you have any links to the TWHs you mentioned for $3,000?
Also, do you have any tips you'd like to share with a new TWH owner?
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