Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Help for "Un-ridable" Horse

> This past May we bought a 6 year old unregistered Arab gelding from an
auction
> for $500. He's got a nice temperment, seems affectionate and personable on
the
> ground. Sound, healthy, fairly decent conformation and great feet. I think
he
> was a "steal of a deal".

Tamara, there is a reason this horse was at the auction.  You tend to get
what you pay for.  (Yes, there are wonder stories out there about horses
bought for a song that went on to fame and success, but they are NOT the
norm.)  I'm sure many will offer good tips about how to reschool this horse,
but personally, no, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't let anyone else ride
him other than a professional trainer, nor would I trust this horse as an
endurance horse--not without A LOT of major reschooling, and even then, I'm
not sure I'd trust him when the chips are down.

Generally in buying horses, you have two choices--you can pay the price for
a horse that is a good prospect (including mentally) and well-schooled, or
you can pay the price to a trainer to do the job, unless you are a trainer
yourself, in which case, you pay the hours and the years.  Nine times out of
ten (or 99 out of 100), that "bargain basement deal" will cost you more in
the long run than if you'd bought a horse that has a known history, known
breeding, and has had someone put in some quality time.

Heidi


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