Eventing prospect, what do you think?

[ThirdCharm]

They've had him for a month and they are willing to take a $3K loss on him???

Yikes.

Jennifer

[2horseowner]

My gut instinct says run. Listen to all the other posters on this one. You can do much better than that. As far as tall horses go, I have 2; 17hh and 17.3. They are both great horses, but you will pay more for blankets, bridles, any thing OS. I keep a constant check on legs and hooves. These are big animals and are susceptible to more lameness issues than a lighter, smaller horse would be. Also, these can a lot of horse to keep together, as they have a mind of their own, the wbx especially. You must also hope that the larger horse is not a klutz, and "knows where his feet are." Keep looking, he's out there.

[Beam Me Up]

It does sound like there are more red flags turning up, in addition to the roaring.

OP, what is your timeframe? I ask because while taking something off the track and working with it will almost certainly net you the most talented horse with the most promising potential, if your PC/eventing goals are more short term, it might be better to settle for something a little less talented with a bit more mileage, if you can find it.

Are you planning to keep the horse you buy now indefinitely, or are you going to have to sell when you finish high school?

[eventingismylife]

I would not sell after high school, I need a horse that I can event on and rate up this summer- the only problem with that is that people want more over 10k for a horse that can do that.....

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Originally Posted by eventingismylife

I would not sell after high school, I need a horse that I can event on and rate up this summer- the only problem with that is that people want more over 10k for a horse that can do that.....

I think that you need to really think about what you want and need. For PC...most folks I know have borrowed horses for the ratings. Many kids do not have the right mounts to do the ratings on and people are generally pretty good about loaning a good horse for that limited purpose. For your own eventing goals...you may need to go for a green bean with talent and then take to time to bring them along. Take you time to find that one.

[ThirdCharm]

I have had several students rate as C-3s and have lent or arranged for the loan of a horse for C-3 ratings a couple of times. If you are in an active club or have a competent trainer, this should not really be a problem.

I think you should be realistic about your budget.... yes, people want $10K plus for a horse that is ready to event etc. etc. RIGHT NOW.... because someone has put in the time and money to get that horse to that point and (if the horse doesn't have a big hole in it somewheree) usually expects to be compensated accordingly. I always tell my riders who are shopping on a budget.... "You have to give on SOMETHING". Training, potential, age, soundness issues, dressage.... If you need a big packer, you may have to give on age and soundness issues, and buy an older horse that needs maintenance.... if you need a big, sound young horse with upper level potential, you'll probably be more willing to give on how much actual training the horse has..... if you want a been-there done-that horse that is sound and not too old, you may find yourself looking at ones that have average gaits and so-so dressage..... but if you want big, young, sound, fancy, athletic, AND trained.... you are going to find the prices are high, or there is a problem that you don't know about. (and those are the things that will bite you in the rear).

Jennifer

[GotSpots]

Or as a coach of mine once said, "Cheap, Sound, and Fancy - any two out of three."

[Tommy's Girl]

This ad concerns me for a few reasons. As mentioned before, a horse with that much experience would have evidence in the ad... Why, with almost 2 minutes of video, none of him under saddle? That person in the arena could just have easily popped on a saddle than have him free jump. I think he looks fine on his own, he clears the jumps well - I think his neck and hind look really weak to have been schooling the levels he's advertised as schooling.

If your budget is $5000, but you're considering buying a horse that needs a $1500 - $2500 surgery, your budget is actually up to $7500... There should be nice prospects in that price range - especially going into winter, and with the dismal sale year we've just had.

The other thing I'd like to point out is that he's listed on the pandemonium site as $1000 more than a super-looking, scopey 16.1 Holsteiner mare (her price is also neg.), jumping nicely in the photos - you could have her for a lot less. Just to put your gelding in perspective.

Good luck to you, and very sorry to hear of your current horse's situation.

[Heinz 57]

I know of TONS of horses for sale in the PNW.

However, I don't know how far you want to travel. I'm in Oregon, and there is quite a bit to be had around here. I just sold a pony to a nice family up in Bellevue.

[gold2012]

I didn't read everything in between so this might be redundant:

1. We have a roarer. My Vet has a roarer. My mare has competed at TR3D and almost won a fitness award...never bother's her, and we had her scoped, she is as bad as it can be. My vet's stallion went to Radnor roaring....so...it can be managed. Fitness is the first key...the more fit, and the better you keep them fit the better. There is two surgery's. One fixing roaring and noise, the other fixes the breathing issue, however, doesn't get rid of the noise. So that ALONE wouldn't sway me against this horse.
2. This horse is EXTREMELY weak in the back end. It's more impressive to me that he actually jumped and went clean on those videos for it, but you won't be able to keep him sound even if you could get him up there.
3. Why didn't they have a rider? That just seems odd. If I had a horse that I was saying could do all this showing, they should be able to climb aboard and get some under saddle pics. His neck is upside down....
4. Why is he 5K? and that tall, that color....hmmm, I suspect something is up.

I feel for your plight. My daughter is an amazing rider, but we haven't got the horseflesh to get to those upper levels...just keep plugging along. Have you thought about some of the rescue organizations that take on OTTB's, or even some of the sites that sale them?

[FolsomBlues]

Originally Posted by ThirdCharm

They've had him for a month and they are willing to take a $3K loss on him???

Yikes.

THIS! Holy Cow! Usually, when you buy one and sell it quick it is to make a profit, I would be VERY worried if they were willing to take that kind of loss.

My husband works at a surgical veterinary clinic, they just had a roarer come back in who had the tie back surgery, he was there to get the flap removed because the tie back surgery didn't work. Lot's more $$$ being spent.

I'm with everyone else. Try to lease something or try to set up a buying trip over the holidays to the west coast to pick up something. If you don't mind a green bean with lots of promise, contact this guy: www.tbfriends.com He knows tons of farms that are going out of business with sound, talented horses that just need homes. Tell him what you want, he'll find it for you. He runs a rescue, but has become so well know that people contact him all the time asking for his help in rehoming their horses.

[eventingismylife]

I don't want or need a packer or a fancy horse, just something that has potential, the height, and soundness. Thats it, nothing special.
More than likely I am just going to look for a younger horse that needs some more training, and I may have found one. I just really wanted to be able to qualify for NAYRC before I am 21, and for USPC Western Champs in at least eventing this year- and I am not sure that a young horse would be ready for even BN champs this summer.
The only thing with PC in MT is that no one wants to let you use their horse.....for anything. If you don't have money you are looked down upon, waaaaaay down.... Who knows maybe I will be able to use one my trainer's horse for ratings. But that is tough too being that we are 3hrs apart, haha. I'll have to figure something out .

[FolsomBlues]

Saw this on the giveaways thread and thought he might be a prospect for you...he's kind of in your neck of the woods:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=231565

[FolsomBlues]

Or this one: http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=231316 You don't have to pay to buy, but she could move you up the levels.

[scubed]

That Moses horse on the giveaways is quite a looker IMHO. I'd go for him in a second (if I didn't already own two horses that I don't have time or $ for ).

[jenarby]

Did anyone else happen to notice this horse's big ankles or the knot on his right knee? If I were looking for an upper level prospect that in itself would be a red flg.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Originally Posted by eventingismylife

I just really wanted to be able to qualify for NAYRC before I am 21, and for USPC Western Champs in at least eventing this year- and I am not sure that a young horse would be ready for even BN champs this summer.
.

Please....you are kidding right?

If you get the right young horse...they can easily be doing novice or even training by this summer.

My current OTTB did a dressage show with an R judge (and a tough judge) with just 30 days re-training from the track...scoring a 31 on Novice B...and did his first BN HT with 60 days (clear xc with ease). And I'm not a fantastic rider by any means. (and he isn't a lightly raced OTTB either...over 20 starts). We have another OTTB in the barn who is very similar if not nicer....it isn't all that unusual. Both these boys will most likely be going training next spring after a couple of outs at novice.

It is all about getting one with the right brain as well as athletic ability. Then you do what they are ready for. But If you got a nice green bean right now....have access to good facilities (i.e. indoor, good footing, good training)....and if you don't have any set backs with injuries (a BIG "if")...a goal of being competitive at novice by spring isn't out of the question at all....and I would say is actually very VERY typical.

[eventingismylife]

Thanks, I havent trained a young horse in over 3 years now, and boy she was a little b*tch and it took forever just to get her leads down. Haha. Anyways, thank you for your advise!