(How) Can a three year old be bombproof?

[kookicat]

Sat filicking through a horsey mag and came across an advert selling a three year old warmblood. Advertised as 'bombproof and safe for the novice rider.'

Well, that made me think. I've never come across a three year old who I would describe as bombproof, let alone one who was safe for a novice rider. Am I just being too suspicious? Have you ever come across a three year old who really was bombproof/safe for a novice to ride/own?

[Laytian]

Sure! **IF** they were writing the age numerically and just dropped the *zero* that should follow that *three*....:rolleyes::eek::eek::eek:

[dogontired]

we had a 3 year old TB who was off the track only a month come into our barn, and I was amazed at how settled he was, rode him around the indoor bareback w/ a halter and 2 lead shanks, and he just plodded around. He's been here 5 months now and is still the same. I think he's a quarter horse w/ a tattoo!

[wolfatbay2002]

A guy who I trained with on Poles and Barrels for a brief time had 3 yr olds that you could say were bombproof. He would start at a early age with loud noises and other "scarey" things. When they were broke to ride most you could get on and had no buck. After 2 maybe 3 weeks, they were so well behaved that you could put a novice on them.

[5]

There are some horses that seem to be 'born' broke. Usually ranch horses with kids running amuck.

[CB/TB]

We had a horse trader in the area years ago. Only description I can think of to describe him. He had a big rig and would go to all the auctions in NY, PA and come home with the QH ( proverbial chestnut mare - or gelding) BROKE TO DEATH. These were ranch horses and they were all really nice animals and were bombproof. Usually between 4 and 10 yo and well mannered. He'd also find abandoned dogs all over the place and keep them. Had a tack/feed/bunnies, goats, llamas, as well as the horses place that was really fun to go to. He had some pretty nice warmbloods at times, too.

[classicsporthorses]

really there is no such thing as a bombproof horse. We have to NYPD horses, retired to us, they still spook on ocassion. Granted in place but they still spook.

[Jleegriffith]

I had a 3 yr unraced tb come in for me to sell for CANTER MA. He didn't race because he paddled enough he was not going to hold up at fast speeds but that horse was dead broke put a kid on them and let them go. I had never come across a 3yr that was so broke and quiet. He had been at the track and ridden at the farm I heard a figure of $10k just for his training bills:eek: I actually sold him when someone came to look for a client at another horse I had. She was looking for a family horse that she could also hunt and trail ride. I convinced her to get on him but she promised me a 3yr was not something she was even remotely interested in looking at. She w/t/c and clocked around some jump courses and then took him out on a solo trail ride. She came back smiling and told me she would be taking him home:D He has been the perfect family horse and she fox hunts him on the weekends.

I have also run across some lovely Qh's in my area that are very broke and quiet as 3yrs just due to their training and bloodlines.

[horsepix76]

FFI just adopted out one of the only horses I have ever met that I would call a bombproof 3 year old. Okay, he's actually 4 and he's an OTTB. But his personality and temperament are just so laid back, that NOTHING bothers him. Four days after he came off the track, I hauled him to a dressage clinic with 2 other horses. I rode him in the clinic. No problem. He trail rides alone or with other horses. He was tried out by an 11 year old rider -- no problem. He will go from cantering along at a good clip to walking on the buckle without a fuss. His adopter has a 13 year old daughter who rides him and does very well. He's very conscious of his surroundings, but he's just simply not reactive. As far as I'm concerned, his temperament and brain make him priceless along with bombproof. :) He's just an all around good guy.

[birdsong]

Yes..have seen them for sure. My friend has one. real dead head.

[WorthTheWait95]

Sure they can. I've had the good fortune to own three.

My very first horse was 3 when we bought her. Not once in the 5 years I owned her did she spook at anything with me on her. She calmly did everything I asked of her and politely refused when I asked her to do something she was certain was not right. Being 5.5 years old when I first got her my trainer and parents appreciated her common sense :lol:.

One of my current horses is also a born broke type. He was also three when I got him. He'll be seven in april and he has yet to act stupid or babyish about anything. I took him on a trail ride complete with W/T/C in BIG open fields and a quick jump over a downed log (all of 8") in the way the first week I had him and he never batted an eye even when his 15 year old 'escort' was throwing a fit over some deer in the woods.

The other horse was a young warmblood that I only owned for a few months. He was a project and was sold almost immediately when a trainer watched him stand like a rock, without even twitching an ear when the industrial sprinkler system went off in the schooling ring of a horse show. Almost every other horse/rider pair in the ring parted ways when that happened. He flinched a little when the loose horses whizzed past before I could hop off but that was it.

[LostFarmer]

he is dead. No spook in him. :D

[War Admiral]

There are some horses that seem to be 'born' broke. Usually ranch horses with kids running amuck.

There was a paint stallion at my old redneck barn who not only was like that, but bred it into his offspring, too. Being a TB and ASB person, I had NEVER seen the like of it in 45 years of horses, NEVER. :lol: ISTR there were 3 or 4 of his get at that barn, varying in age from weanlings to 4 y/os, and I never once saw a spook, a buck, or even an argument from ANY of them. Quite remarkable in my experience! They even used the 2 y/o for the occasional up-down lesson! On a longe line and in a round pen, mind, and only when nothing else was available - but I sure never saw him even *contemplate* spooking or hurting a kid. They were amazing heese, the whole lot.

[Freebird!]

There was a paint stallion at my old redneck barn who not only was like that, but bred it into his offspring, too. Being a TB and ASB person, I had NEVER seen the like of it in 45 years of horses, NEVER. :lol: ISTR there were 3 or 4 of his get at that barn, varying in age from weanlings to 4 y/os, and I never once saw a spook, a buck, or even an argument from ANY of them. Quite remarkable in my experience! They even used the 2 y/o for the occasional up-down lesson! On a longe line and in a round pen, mind, and only when nothing else was available - but I sure never saw him even *contemplate* spooking or hurting a kid. They were amazing heese, the whole lot.

Wonder if the stallion was related to my current training horse: Cinco's very first ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZILXsFSRy4) Today for his 4th ride we rode in the arena, and he trotted around both directions. He'll be 4 in May, and has one of the best minds I've ever seen on a horse.

[SarahandSam]

As much as any horse can be "bombproof"... I think there are some that are "born broke." When I got Sam, I was looking for an older, been-there-done-that horse, because I was a green rider. When I tried him, I rode him on the trail and in the round pen--he seemed to be confused about steering and leg aids, but he didn't spook at anything, from crossing streams to deer jumping out to dogs bursting out of the bushes barking. When something confused or frightened him, he just stopped. Turned out he never really was "trained" before I got him--someone just took him out of the auction, slapped a saddle on him and rode him a few times. But he just had good sense and wanted to please.

Doesn't mean he's "bombproof"--now he's a lot more sensitive and responsive, and he's bucked me off twice when he felt really good--but he's still smart and sane and learns new things really quickly.

[katarine]

I own one.

Met him as a late 2 YO turning 3, toting his trail riding owner while she shot tequila all day. he went where the others went, stopped when they stopped, etc. I bookmarked him in my head.

After a while, a friend bought him, rode him 2-3 years more or less, then switched to gaited horses. Meanwhile I'd met my to-be-husband. He wanted a horse, JJ was available. Sign here. We bought him as a 7 YO.

He's 15 now. Never, not once, has he taken advantage of my SO, who was totally new to horses. He'd stand for as long as it took for the SO to learn how to sort out his halter and catch him, LOL. He's fallen off twice, once, the saddle slipped, the second time, deep mud at a canter caught JJ off guard and he stumbled, Drake went over his shoulder. Horse waited, he remounted, all was well. This horse has been to countless trail heads and carried him through some tough trails, he's done team pennings, horse shows, done panty races at fun shows, helped me teach lessons, etc. He's an angel. If he could he'd come inside, drink beer, sit on the couch, and watch Seinfeld reruns.

He's mostly retired, and honestly, he needs a new home. We don't use him. I don't know that I can really sell him, but yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and yes, there are deadhead, bombproof, 3YOs.

[War Admiral]

Freebird - Could very well be... Confo is certainly similar and so is the movement! It *was* a black and white stallion who sired a lot of black and white paints. I'm racking my brains for his registered name but drawing a blank. I'll PM you the breeder's name though.

Did this young horse come from TN? That's where the owners/breeders moved to when they left GA.

[LaurieB]

I had one. She was a Welsh Pony who didn't know how to buck or spook, and had a tremendous desire to please. She was without a doubt the most fun equine I've ever owned. :)

[EventerAJ]

It all depends on the individual horse. Of course ANY horse, especially a youngster, is capable of having "one of those moments". But I've worked with several who seemed to be "born broke" and would have packed around a one-legged monkey. ;)

One track-bound TB yearling I started was just quiet as could be. I hacked him alone on some cold, very windy days and he never put a foot wrong. Plastic bags flying, tarps flapping, horses in the field running, it didn't matter. He loves to investigate "scary" things... he'll wrap his whole head in a tarp if you let him. Not all TBs are crazy. ;)

[Bayou Roux]

I'll concede that I may have a bombproof 3 year old when he gets there. Actually, he's likely to be the bomb squad diffuser; he's got that sort of "you can't scare me" insatiable curiosity.

That said, I'd be more concerned with the idea that the advertised horse is rideable, for anyone, at 3. I don't care about his temperament; that's too early.

[JohnDeere]

Like others say some horses are born broke. Takes about 5 min. to saddletrain, ready for kids in about 20 min.

Ive owned 1 fer sure, 1 more that seems to be like that. Never seen him do anything but go forward. Never seen him hop around. Put kids on him--fine & dandy.

No horse is bomproof. Truly bombproof. But some are quiet enough for novice riders. Proceed with caution.

[horsetales]

I had a 4 yr old (put under saddle at 4) that I never saw flinch at anything. First time she schooled cross country she plodded around like a schoolmaster. She was the only green horse I ever put with a teenager. Most of my Irish are pretty low on the spook scale, but I never market anything as bombproof.

[saddleup]

We bought a three year old Paint gelding for my then twelve year old son. A month later he cantered him into the main arena at the California state fair carrying the American flag to present the colors. That horse was one of those that was born broke.

[lovemyrobin]

We had a 3 yr Conn/Arabian mare that was bomb proof. She never spooked, she would go in full alert, puff up and face the "scary" object. But no spooking, bucking, bolting, no nothing. We could take her anywhere and never worry about her behavior. When we sold her, she was being ridden in the outdoor arena and some neighborhood kids set off some firecrackers. No reaction from her, and the trainer looking at her basically bought her on the spot for her beginner rider. I do miss that sweet pony girl! Now that she's gone, I realize she was one in a million.

[tkhawk]

Yeah some are just born with a different personality. granted exposure and rider skill will do a lot, but some are just quieter..

[Bluey]

We had a stallion that produced 80% bombproof horses.
Honestly, they would be born and follow you around all the time up to when you weaned them, even leaving their mothers and other horses in the pasture.
You just put a halter and they followed you, got on and rode off.
I started a three year old filly and on 30 days took her to a small local show to see the sights.
They were short one rider for their western pleasure class, so they found a western saddle, the stirrups could not be adjusted short enough, so there I went in, touching the top of the stirrups with my toes, to keep them from flopping around.

Guess what, we won that class, against some older, experienced real show, WP horses.:lol:
We sold her to someone that made her the state cutting champion, so she was not a dead head filly.

Another colt we sold to a dentist for his preteen girl, that wanted a horse for their ranch.
They came to look at an older horse and they fell for this super love sponge big gangly colt I had just been starting, but that was dead gentle from the start.

They left him with us for a few more weeks and then took him home and he was a perfect gentleman for all, even once someone dropped a barrel behind him while a friend of the family was on him bareback, it rolled against his hind legs and he just stood there, looking back like "what is that?"

Moral of this long story, yes, there are such as a few bombproof horses, that are born like that, so they would be as a three year old the same as at any age you meet them.

[LuvMyNSH]

I have had 3yos that I would call bombproof. I used my last appy for ponying when he was three - he'd just walk down the trail, no matter what. I had one yearling end up in my lap when a dog hit the fence - that app just kept walking. I owned his dam too, and she was the same way. At 2 I put 30 days on her, then she was bred and did nothing for a full 15months. The day I weaned the baby I hopped on her bareback and rode her down to the Drive-Thru dairy. She walked down the trail nice as you please.

I've also had a couple 4yos that were able to go through training to be mounted patrol horses. They were all 'born broke', very laid back, unreactive personalities. Never going to be any sort of high performance horse, but if you wanted them to stand or walk and ignore the world, they would happily rise to the challenge. Provided there was food involved. :lol:

[FancyFree]

They were all 'born broke'

There are actually horses out there like that. My first horse, a four year old, was completely bombproof. He was a TB/QH who stood almost 17hands. Not such a good choice for an eight year old. But he also could be a serious contender for the laziest horse in the world title. He was simply too lazy to spook at anything or ever take off. I now have another four year old who is worlds away from my first one. Bombproof she is not.

Sigh.

[Beverley]

Yes, I've had several that were 'born broke.' A mare I acquired at 2 (when I was 14)- all her life, to age 31, she had a tendency to really try hard to stay under the rider- rider loses balance, she shifts underneath them to try to get them back to center. Rider falls off (through no fault of or action of horse!), she stops and stands like a rock til they get back on. Her son- I just swung up on him bareback, with a halter, when he was two (let me make you cringe- jeans, tennis shoes, no helmet:)) and started riding him around the pasture. He thought that was way cool. Among many other things, he was the chosen horse to take a never-ever ridden journalist out foxhunting. If I could have cloned and marketed either one of those two, I sure wouldn't be deskbound today! Of course for both of them I was offered, and turned down, megabucks, considering the mare was a $200 horse and her son was the result of a free breeding (nice qh sire back in the day, but I am probably still sworn to secrecy!).

[JoZ]

One of my homebreds was resold by the person to whom I sold him. I later connected with the new owner. He was purchased for a young girl to show -- he was 3 at the time. The trainer told me she tried everything she could think of to push his buttons, get him antsy, rebellious, uncomfortable, whatever. But he was a shining star through all of it.

I had his elder full sister and I still have his younger half-brother. They are all the same way. It's the mare I'm sure. She just turns them out safe and sane. Which is why I am watching her on the foalcam as we speak (type?)!!

[goeslikestink]

Sat filicking through a horsey mag and came across an advert selling a three year old warmblood. Advertised as 'bombproof and safe for the novice rider.'

Well, that made me think. I've never come across a three year old who I would describe as bombproof, let alone one who was safe for a novice rider. Am I just being too suspicious? Have you ever come across a three year old who really was bombproof/safe for a novice to ride/own?

a few can yes depends on there temprement so not unheard off as a rough rider i have had some really nice youngsters and i would say during some can as in acception to the rule of the thumb

[mandalea]

My old horse dealer had a 3 year old, green broke QH that my mum rode when I tried out my OTTB.

She may her point clear that she never wanted to ride young horses again (Her uncle was a NZ race horse trainer, his son a jockey) and he didn't tell her the horses age until after the ride, and she was going to buy him right on the spot! :D

He was the best horse I've ever ridden. He sold him on to some woman who only rode him once a month, so he bought him back off her, and now lives on the coast, getting fat (the horse :D)and being ridden by his nieces and nephews.

[zippandrich]

it depends on the horse. My soon to be 5 year old has only gotten dumb a couple of times :) and then its because he's friend has flipped out then its dumb for a couple of seconds and then back to george. I had a little girl show him last-year who had never rode him show him after riding him in the rain at a friends house last-year. He went in there and packed her around like it was his job. I've had little 6 years old on him in a halter and lead rope with his blanket on riding him around when it was 10 degress out and he packed him. we ride this horse double, we tie sleds to him and go sledding in the snow :) But when i brought him a had 2 years to do dumb things with him so he's just chill with everything :) But saying that his sire throws very sane horses i've never meet one that was really dumb acting. I think too it depends on the realationship the horse gets from the young age if you throw it out in a field its going to have a little more up and go then if you mess with it from the get go.

[Miss-O]

"bombproof" to me means that the horse for the most part won't spook at anything. I bought my mare when she was 4. She is pretty much what I would call "bombproof". However, at the time I got her I wouldn't say she was suitable for a novice or beginning rider. She still had some training issues that needed to be taught to her. But if a tractor trailer with an ax wielding mass murderer standing on the hood came barreling at her at 70 miles per hour she wouldn't go anywhere.

[Bluey]

---"But if a tractor trailer with an ax wielding mass murderer standing on the hood came barreling at her at 70 miles per hour she wouldn't go anywhere."---

WOW! What an image!:eek: :lol:

[BelladonnaLily]

Inasmuch as ANY horse can be bombproof, sure.

I've got a QH/Welsh cross who was pretty darn quiet as a baby.

And we have a warmblood gelding, who will be 2 next week, and I think he has the QH/Welsh beat. He is as dead quiet as I've ever seen. My daughter did manage to startle him when she ran around the barn the other night. It was a first. He "jumped" in place...it was the first spook we've ever seen and she was absolutely giddy! It was like "Mom, Bristol SPOOKED! Yay!". :lol: Crazy, huh? The dogs can run under him, through the leaves in the woods and do things that make even the QHs look. Nothing Nadda. So, I think if we keep exposing him to things this year and he keeps this temperament, I'd probably call him a bombproof 3yo next year.

[Equilibrium]

I think an odd horse will be born broke. Our very first homebred, a full TB would fit this description. In the winter of her 2yo year, my husband would hop on her bareback with a halter and one lead and ride in from the field. She wasn't broke yet, he just decided he didn't want to walk through the mud anymore so he hopped on Heidi. We went through all the formalitites of driving, ect when she was 3, but we didn't have to worry about her doing anything strange. She really is a diamond. She isn't the most beautiful horse in the world, but well worth her weight in gold as you can do anything with her - and she's chestnut! Heidi would do anything for you.

Terri

[EqTrainer]

I have seen three year olds that are bombproof. Since I don't personally want a horse who is that naturally laid back, I pass on them. If I were looking for a resale project, that would be different.

I have also seen three year old who seemed to be bombproof - until they woke up :winkgrin: and it was not pretty when they did. Seems they had some catching up to do in the silly department.

I have also seen three year olds who were fabulous until they were five - horsie adolescence.

The bottom line is, I have seen them but I don't trust it, the way I trust my daughters bomb proof pony who is 16 or so. She's got the years and experience to back up her claim to bombproof-edness!

[amdfarm]

My Percheron stallion and APHA mare fall into that category easily. I've known my stallion since birth and raised him from a weaning. He was broke to drive multiples as a 2yo and I started riding him at 3yo. He'd been shown since he was a yearling so was used to odd things. He was giving pony rides to my trainer's 4yo daughter as a 3yo. She looked so cute on that giant black horse. :) I also broke him to drive single that same year. He was a busy boy, but loved to learn new things and always aims to please. He's never bucked or bolted on me and neither has the paint mare. I raised the paint mare from a yearling and started her at 2yo. She was pretty bombproof even then. Rode her down the road, traffic never phased her, had a GSD puppy come barreling down a driveway barking it's head off. I turned her to face the puppy as the owner was chasing it down and apologizing non-stop. She did nothing. I started her in a halter/lead ropes. As a 3yo she went to her first overnight camping/trail riding trip. She did great on the trail and in the arena, went over a bridge, kids on bikes, porta potties, dumpsters, etc. Also took her down the road again during harvest w/ combines, tractors and wagons going at full bore and had a ditch parrot fly up at the ditch and right in front of her. She did nothing, just kept on walking. I think I jumped, but she didn't read off me at all.

My stallion passes his calmness onto his offspring, as the ones going u/s were very easy to start and no real spook in 'em. I'll see for myself first hand when I start one of his 3yo's this spring.

Also have a pretty darn bombproof pony, too. Got her as a 2yo and she's 7. Nothing phases her either.

[Freebird!]

OK, this is just crazy. So, you know the horse I posted about earlier on this thread? You know, the one who I trotted the very first time I got on him? I swear this horse is a freak of nature! Today - for his 5th ride under saddle. I trot him around the arena, by himself. We do circles, serpentines, transitions. He wears a bridle, but I use a neck rope with him as well. To stop him all I have to do is barely apply pressure on the neck rope. He was so good that I closed my legs and said canter. If he freaked, or balked, I was not going to force him. But no, he instead loped off, nice and relaxed. By the third canter transition, he was loping off on the correct lead, both directions, with only a cluck and and easy leg pressure. I close my hands and he comes down to a soft trot.

Then after his ride, I open the gate - while I am on him - and ride him around the barn area, and down in between the pastures. While he does get a bit looky, all it takes is for me to close my legs, and talk to him and he is fine.

Now, while I am THRILLED with this horse, I am also blown away. It makes me wonder, is this it? Is he going to suddenly explode one day?? Did his first owner break him and just not tell anyone? ?? I just don't get it. While not much scares me, I am not one to push horses, however I do like to see what it takes to "push their buttons." So, far, I have no idea how to push this guys buttons (except for his ears)

When I called his owner to tell her that her horse now canters, she was literally in tears!

[War Admiral]

Did you get my PM? Because this stallion's get were ALL like that. I was like you, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop... and waiting... and waiting... And AFAIK it *never* happened. Mind you, I never saw any of his get past their 4 y/o year, so I don't know if they kept on going the same way...

[Bluey]

OK, this is just crazy. So, you know the horse I posted about earlier on this thread? You know, the one who I trotted the very first time I got on him? I swear this horse is a freak of nature! Today - for his 5th ride under saddle. I trot him around the arena, by himself. We do circles, serpentines, transitions. He wears a bridle, but I use a neck rope with him as well. To stop him all I have to do is barely apply pressure on the neck rope. He was so good that I closed my legs and said canter. If he freaked, or balked, I was not going to force him. But no, he instead loped off, nice and relaxed. By the third canter transition, he was loping off on the correct lead, both directions, with only a cluck and and easy leg pressure. I close my hands and he comes down to a soft trot.

Then after his ride, I open the gate - while I am on him - and ride him around the barn area, and down in between the pastures. While he does get a bit looky, all it takes is for me to close my legs, and talk to him and he is fine.

Now, while I am THRILLED with this horse, I am also blown away. It makes me wonder, is this it? Is he going to suddenly explode one day?? Did his first owner break him and just not tell anyone? ?? I just don't get it. While not much scares me, I am not one to push horses, however I do like to see what it takes to "push their buttons." So, far, I have no idea how to push this guys buttons (except for his ears)

When I called his owner to tell her that her horse now canters, she was literally in tears!

Those horses are a gift.
Enjoy!:cool:

[Freebird!]

WA - here is is pedigree: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/cnf+cinco+de+mayo

Bluey - This horse is once in a lifetime horse, and I consider it a true blessing to have him for the few months he will be with me. I already dreading the day when he goes back.

[4whitefeet]

I volunteered to haul a horse home for a friend about 6yrs ago. He was a 3yr old 15h paint, that had only had 30 days under saddle, and I was very skeptical.:no: The trainer loped, backed, did flying lead changes, the whole bit with only a piece of baling twine around his neck and I kept thinking, "Boy, what's he gonna be like when the drugs wear off." It's 6 yrs later and the "drugs" still haven't worn off, and he is still as calm and quite as he was that first day. He loaded on the trailer like he invented loading, and I stopped 3 times to check to make sure he was still in the trailer, because I don't think he ever moved once for the 5 hour trip back. :eek:

[Sugarbrook]

My lovely brood mare Sugarbrook Chocolate Rose, dam of 9 is bombproof. I rode her as a two year old from one pasture to another with a halter and lead rope. Her first show I have pictures of her, then, new owners little child and Rose is asleep at the ingate with ribbons pinned all over her bridle.
All of her kids are the same way. It is just amazing. I love love love her. What a good mom and what a good mare to us. So, to answer the question, YES, they can be bombproof at 3 (or 2 or 1, if you are like my welsh mare).

[Bluey]

I volunteered to haul a horse home for a friend about 6yrs ago. He was a 3yr old 15h paint, that had only had 30 days under saddle, and I was very skeptical.:no: The trainer loped, backed, did flying lead changes, the whole bit with only a piece of baling twine around his neck and I kept thinking, "Boy, what's he gonna be like when the drugs wear off." It's 6 yrs later and the "drugs" still haven't worn off, and he is still as calm and quite as he was that first day. He loaded on the trailer like he invented loading, and I stopped 3 times to check to make sure he was still in the trailer, because I don't think he ever moved once for the 5 hour trip back. :eek:

A good number of today's well bred reining horses you can get on and ride and they already move, if you ask right, better than many horses months under saddle.
People think it takes much pounding training to get them ready for a futurity as threes, but all it takes is a year of light riding, if done well and they will perform like the stars they are.
Not all are bombproof, but boy, the good ones sure have the right kind of "handle" from the time you first get on them.

To ride them makes the rest of the colts you may start look like bumpkins, when it comes to moving out and doing it right.;)

[Whisper]

Not a 3 y/o, but I rode a 4 y/o Welsh (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2082959264_770f7f5864.jpg) pony (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2129474461_1e9d7a17bc.jpg) gelding who was practically bombproof in personality, but still rather green in terms of controlling his body still. When I started riding him, I could only W/T, after a few months, his owner let me canter him as well. We went out on the trails regularly, and he was fine with dogs, strollers, kids, bikes (including ones coming at us pretty darned fast), wildlife, cars, etc. At the same barn, there were cows, pigs, and other livestock, and he didn't bat an eye at them. His version of the spook was the "stop and stare." Of course, I wouldn't necessarily think he'd be suited to a beginner rider, even though he was so quiet, because he still needed a little help from his rider to get balanced/etc.

[BlueEyedSorrel]

My family had one, a Leo/Impressive QH. We bought him as a 4 year old for my sister, who was 12 at the time. I know, most of the time 4 year old + 12 year old kid equals disaster, but Whiskers was like a 20 year old, completely unflappable. Gorgeous horse too, dark chestnut with a blaze and a pretty mover. Whatever you asked, his first reaction was "OK, sure, I'd be happy to oblige." At his first show, my sister won the kid's wp class with him, and promptly people were squawking that we must have brought in a fancy breed show horse with points to the county fair and how unfair it was. Nope, he was just a back yard horse. We lost him to a bad, unexplained case of laminitis at age 6 and I still miss him.

BES

[suz]

katerine, i'm sending you a pm...

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Have you ever come across a three year old who really was bombproof/safe for a novice to ride/own?

No, but I sure have met a whole lot of people who had one for sale.:lol:

[Guin]

There are actually horses out there like that. My first horse, a four year old, was completely bombproof. He was a TB/QH who stood almost 17hands. Not such a good choice for an eight year old. But he also could be a serious contender for the laziest horse in the world title. He was simply too lazy to spook at anything or ever take off.

I know a Welsh pony who might beat out your guy for "laziest". Met him when he was four; he's seven now and hasn't changed. He just can't be bothered to spook at anything! The only time I saw him even remotely interested in something was when my daughter was riding him bareback with a halter and they came to a metal grate over a drain. The water was making noise under the drain and he stopped, sniffed it very carefully, and moved over to the grass a few inches away so he could eat. I agree, some horses are just born that way.

[kookicat]

Thanks folks- it's really interesting to read your stories. :)

[War Admiral]

WA - here is is pedigree: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/cnf+cinco+de+mayo

Darn, nope, they're not related. It would have been hilariously cool if they had been!

[monalisa]

I own a horse that I bought at 3 and she was bombproof and we bought her for my novice husband who actually hilltopped her for 2 years. She was as good as they get at 3. We have a baby out of her and her now coming 3 she seems to be following in her mom's footsteps. Yes, they do exist, but they are rare and if you have one why would you want to part with it?

[lcw579]

I have seen three year olds that are bombproof. Since I don't personally want a horse who is that naturally laid back, I pass on them. If I were looking for a resale project, that would be different.

I have also seen three year old who seemed to be bombproof - until they woke up :winkgrin: and it was not pretty when they did. Seems they had some catching up to do in the silly department.

I have also seen three year olds who were fabulous until they were five - horsie adolescence.

The bottom line is, I have seen them but I don't trust it, the way I trust my daughters bomb proof pony who is 16 or so. She's got the years and experience to back up her claim to bombproof-edness!

You beat me to it! That was my first thought when I saw this thread title! I had a welsh/tb cross as a teen who couldn't wait to be put to work. He even used to hang his head over the fence into the ring to watch the "big horses" work. He was an angel when we broke him, wasn't phased by anything, not spooky at all. But one day he woke up and he was never an easy ride again. He never was spooky. He was hot, hot, hot but he was also fun, fun, fun and the love of my life!

[mrd]

I have also seen three year old who seemed to be bombproof - until they woke up :winkgrin: and it was not pretty when they did. Seems they had some catching up to do in the silly department.

I have also seen three year olds who were fabulous until they were five - horsie adolescence.

The bottom line is, I have seen them but I don't trust it, the way I trust my daughters bomb proof pony who is 16 or so. She's got the years and experience to back up her claim to bombproof-edness!

This is what I was ready to say! My first homebred was as easy-going as can be, went everywhere, did everything. no issues in crowds, at shows, other horses. Stood quietly for 1st time being saddled, backed, etc. Took to being ridden like a champ. It worried me.:winkgrin:

Halfway through his 4 yo yr he started thinking, um... independently. At 5 he was in full out silliness mode. He will be 6 soon, so we will see. He had me lulled into a very false sense of security acting like a "bombproof" 3 y.o. It's difficult at times, but I'm glad to see he is not the lazy, half-asleep thing he was as a youngster.

[bugsynskeeter]

I bought my now 5 y/o mare when she was 3. She had been hauled to shows for exposure as a 2 y/o by the trainer I got her from. I showed her for her first time in Aug of her 3 y/o year. No spook, no worries, no being scared by the new place. In fact, 1 hour after being at the show, she was laying down sleeping in her stall. For some unknown reason, the show management had this HUGE tarp hanging along one short side of the arena. I walked her by it the first time just so she could see it. Loping by it the next time, she DRUG her nose along the entire length of the tarp, without a care in the world. Exposing her to lots of different situations as a 2 y/o helped her become a damn near bombproof 3 y/o. Its all about getting them out there! Just because you aren't going to show them as a 2 or 3 y/o doesn't mean you shouldn't haul them with you to shows.

[Alagirl]

Sat filicking through a horsey mag and came across an advert selling a three year old warmblood. Advertised as 'bombproof and safe for the novice rider.'

Well, that made me think. I've never come across a three year old who I would describe as bombproof, let alone one who was safe for a novice rider. Am I just being too suspicious? Have you ever come across a three year old who really was bombproof/safe for a novice to ride/own?


We had a homebred TB, intact to top it off who was as bomb proof as can be. Rarely ever - only one girl he liked - did he act up, all other times you needed strong forward aids on this guy. If anything, he got a little more pep when gelded after a bowed tendon, but it's a relative term, you really needed spurs and whip to get him going a little bit...he made a life insurance trial horse for a young lady down the road...

We are talking tie to the starting gate at the racetrack kind of calm....:yes:

[poltroon]

I have known some horses, especially QH types, to be bombproof at 3. However, I'd be REALLY skeptical about a warmblood. I've seen a lot of quiet, steady WB at 3 and 4 who went into amateur hands and then had rocky teenage years at 6/7/8 where they felt the need to Question Authority and came to realize that they were Really Big and could scare people.

[monalisa]

My 2 bombproof horses are both full WBs. So I totally disagree with you. One is almost 17 hands.