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Ideas for a trail horse

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  • #21
    I do not believe we were lucky in the Morgans we found, they are just average horses that didn't cost much but were very successful in several disciplines including NATRC.... I so not feel we just lucked out finding smart disciplined horses... you could put a ten year old on them or a 25 year old who had ridden forever.

    I have watched ours being used for nearly everything and never have they attempted to exceed the abilities of the rider... ours at least would switch gears to the ability of the rider.

    None were purchased with the intent to do competitive trail, but all have done very well in the competition

    Comment


    • #22
      I have a gaited morgan, though I love her to pieces she was a basket case when I got her, she is much, much better, she is still a hand full. At least we can go out alone now and with others I can lead now without her feeling like she's riding her emergency brakes and about to blow up any second.

      95-98% of the time she is an awesome ride, and I wouldn't trade her for the world, but that 3-5% of the time she's a bad, stubborn, opinionated ride I would sell her to the first person with 5 bucks.

      I love her, but sometimes it's a chore to ride (as I don't know which horse I'm bringing out of the pasture) so I take out my 4 year old TWH gelding when I want a sane peaceful, no nonsense ride.
      I want a signature but I have nothing original to say except: "STHU and RIDE!!!

      Wonderful COTHER's I've met: belleellis, stefffic, snkstacres and janedoe726.

      Comment


      • #23
        Nylonalter - My current and lifetime horse is a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse - absolutely love him and I'm so lucky to have had the chance to ride him often and ultimately buy him from a friend.
        However as a former QH owner (RIP Smokey Mist and Showdown) and former resident of East Texas cattle ranch country with lots of exposure to QHs and other stock breeds, I really have to object to your characterization of QHs. In my experience - and apparently that of many others on COTH boards - QHs in general are kind, smart, willing, honest and have about the best work ethic you're going to find. They may not always have the showiest movement - like say a saddlebred - but the ones I've known have been "usin' horses" and I mean that as a high compliment. Once trained they tend to remember their job and do it well.
        "Speed up to come to a stop indeed..." Tell that to the reiners, cutters, ropers, pro rodeo rider - especially the pick up men! Watching all of those horses work just swells my heart with pride... Your loss if you don't consider them.
        It's just grass and water till it hits the ground.

        Comment


        • #24
          Originally posted by GotMyPony View Post
          In my experience - and apparently that of many others on COTH boards - QHs in general are kind, smart, willing, honest and have about the best work ethic you're going to find. They may not always have the showiest movement - like say a saddlebred - but the ones I've known have been "usin' horses" and I mean that as a high compliment. Once trained they tend to remember their job and do it well.
          "Speed up to come to a stop indeed..." Tell that to the reiners, cutters, ropers, pro rodeo rider - especially the pick up men! Watching all of those horses work just swells my heart with pride... Your loss if you don't consider them.
          Could not agree more. Also love connemaras and fjords! But the QHs, in general, have such a great temperament, wonderful for trails, and as you say, great for rodeo work. No one who has seen barrel competition thinks they speed up to stop! And trail horses are not peanut rollers with their heads down around their knees!! One of mine is an appendix; probably wouldn't win any halter competitions but he is steady as a rock. Deer, elk, carcasses, logs, grouse, he's like, "whatever". He has packed my husband around, and my mom. I leased him from Mt Horses, wanting a steady eddie for trails for my husband and he is exactly that. And still fun, great walk, attentive. Most people don't consider a reliable trail horse "dead" and if you have experienced major action on the trail, you'll appreciate a calm, smart horse!! "Using" horses move right off the leg, know how to get a job done and not waste energy fussing about it!! If you enjoy the jumping-around, OMG-the-wind-changed-directions kind of mount, then probably the QH and related breeds are not for you. But mile after mile that can get (for me anyway ) really really tiring!!

          And on the price thing, the one moment on a trail when things are heading south and everyone's horses are jumping, and yours is standing, quietly wondering "WTH are those stupid horses doing?" you will NOT think, "Jeez I'm sorry I paid an extra $1000 for him"! You will not regret one dime (my horse managed to walk into a coil of wire hidden in the grass (!) and was NOT happy. Husband's horse watched and yawned. Sure, plan to spend more because you are paying for someone else to ride the sillies out of him!! And you will not regret it!!

          Comment


          • #25
            OP, I think you need to give up the idea of looking for a breed or even a type. You need to find a trail horse. One that goes down the trail with a minimum of fuss and generally gives you a ride that is a pleasure.
            How to find it? First, network with people in your area (where?). Stick with the basics - you want a sound, sensible BTDT horse. You need it already trained. Sure, you don't want to wear yourself out to get it out of a walk, but you sure dont want another too hot horse. There are plenty of in-betweens. Be careful as "trail horse" can have many meanings ranging from "unsound but could walk a bit on flat, groomed trails" to "Needs to climb mountains daily and wont stay in a ring".

            Keep an open mind. Try a lot of horses of all types and dont get talked into one you dont enjoy NOW. And dont let your ego talk you into the beautiful horse that "could become" a trail horse. And get over the idea of a fully spookless horse - at least if it is still breathing! Just aim for a basically sensible temperment and a non-athletic spook you can learn to deal with (mostly)

            Comment


            • #26
              Originally posted by terasa View Post
              A friend of mine has a standardbred that paces. She's a wonderful trail horse and pretty smooth too. If I was on a budget I might look there because they're not worth a whole pile of money (around here at least) so if you look around and pay a little extra you can sometimes find one that's quiet and done it all at a super reasonable price.
              Standardbreds are awesome, and a slow pace is great to ride! Any horse can spook, but I would say that a STB is "generally" going to be calmer than a TB, and they tend to be very good natured and forgiving horses. There are a number of "rescues" that take OTT STBs and re-train them for recreational riding. And a STB can absolutely learn to trot and canter!

              Comment


              • #27
                Wanted to add that STBs are in general known for good "bone" and good feet. I have had a number of farriers tell me that STBs tend to have good, tough feet. I have a STB cross gelding, and have kept him barefoot since I got him. I don't do a lot of trail riding, but he never takes an "ouchy" step on gravel or rocks around the barn, and x-rays of his front legs showed a very thick hoof wall and sole.

                Comment


                • #28
                  Originally posted by MsM View Post
                  OP, I think you need to give up the idea of looking for a breed or even a type. You need to find a trail horse. One that goes down the trail with a minimum of fuss and generally gives you a ride that is a pleasure.
                  How to find it? First, network with people in your area (where?). Stick with the basics - you want a sound, sensible BTDT horse. You need it already trained. Sure, you don't want to wear yourself out to get it out of a walk, but you sure dont want another too hot horse. There are plenty of in-betweens. Be careful as "trail horse" can have many meanings ranging from "unsound but could walk a bit on flat, groomed trails" to "Needs to climb mountains daily and wont stay in a ring".

                  Keep an open mind. Try a lot of horses of all types and dont get talked into one you dont enjoy NOW. And dont let your ego talk you into the beautiful horse that "could become" a trail horse. And get over the idea of a fully spookless horse - at least if it is still breathing! Just aim for a basically sensible temperment and a non-athletic spook you can learn to deal with (mostly)
                  Couldn't agree more.
                  Courageous Weenie Eventer Wannabe
                  Incredible Invisible

                  Comment


                  • #29
                    Mainly, just good luck, OP. Take your time to find the right one. Test ride in a group and alone, and drug test.

                    Just went on trails yesterday with a draftx mare. We had to lead, through puddles, deep mud, over bridges, across many logs. She was as good as they get, willing and sure-footed.

                    Another rider was bringing up the rear on MY athletic WB mare. She was OK following, for the most part, but definitely NOT a trail horse.

                    My retired appendix was good on trails... AFTER just getting him out enough and getting him used to trails, I could take him out alone. It took awhile. I had to force him out on the trails alone until he learned to trust me. He still spooked, but he has also moved under me and propped me up before I fell off!

                    I do recommend a horse that is not super tall because you will come off! And ideally a good fit for your leg so you can have a good seat on him/her.
                    Born under a rock and owned by beasts!

                    Comment

                    • Original Poster

                      #30
                      Originally posted by GotMyPony View Post
                      Nylonalter - My current and lifetime horse is a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse - absolutely love him and I'm so lucky to have had the chance to ride him often and ultimately buy him from a friend.
                      However as a former QH owner (RIP Smokey Mist and Showdown) and former resident of East Texas cattle ranch country with lots of exposure to QHs and other stock breeds, I really have to object to your characterization of QHs. In my experience - and apparently that of many others on COTH boards - QHs in general are kind, smart, willing, honest and have about the best work ethic you're going to find. They may not always have the showiest movement - like say a saddlebred - but the ones I've known have been "usin' horses" and I mean that as a high compliment. Once trained they tend to remember their job and do it well.
                      "Speed up to come to a stop indeed..." Tell that to the reiners, cutters, ropers, pro rodeo rider - especially the pick up men! Watching all of those horses work just swells my heart with pride... Your loss if you don't consider them.
                      The local QH riders have slow western horses. My barnmate has a slow QH. I have not seen others. What are pick up men? I am very curious. I do not think they are what I think they are.

                      I am going tomorrow to look at a horse. Would you like to guess what it is?

                      Comment


                      • #31
                        Pick up men are the guys at the rodeo who get those bronc riders down when they hit 8 seconds! They are on awesome horses,who have to get up to the bucking horse, then the men release that buck strap and get those guys safe! Their horses are certainly not "slow" by ANY means! watch a rodeo sometime! you'll see some kick a$$ horses!! (mostly "non-slow" QHs!!)

                        Comment

                        • Original Poster

                          #32
                          That is not what I thought a pick up man was.

                          A rodeo is the Red Lobster on Mother's Day. We do not have them. Are there good ones on UTube?

                          Comment


                          • #33
                            Many Western Pleasure QH's are slow because they are trained to be slow. Most can and do learn to go when asked-and believe me, when asked, they can have serious go! My QH (ranch bred) is one of the most trustworth trail horses I've known, but even he can be reactive if something startles him.

                            If I were you, I'd look at a draft or draft cross. They are generally willing to go but happy to stop, and generally quiet. My friend had a deer run INTO her Belgian one time and he never even flinched. However, like others have said, if you can't handle a spook/spin/WTF on the trail, you should find a quiet horse to borrow or lease until you gain more confidence and stick to riding close to home with a group.

                            If there are trail riding places near you, go check out their string and if you like them, ask where they buy or lease and look there. A horse used to a trail string may take a little work on going out alone, but it's generally not difficult. When I worked at a trail barn, my coworkers bought like six horses off our string over the years for trail mounts and were glad they did!

                            I'd recommend something in the 12-17 age range, old enough to have seen it all but young enough to have plenty in the tank for several more years.

                            Comment


                            • #34
                              Mule.

                              Tough animals, noted for being safe (they use em' in the Grand Canyon with beginners) are dirt easy keepers and most don't require shoeing, just trims. Limited saddle choices though.

                              Lots of them out there crossed with all sorts of things, TBs, Saddlebreds, Tenn Walkers (I have one of these), Fjords (really really cute mules), Perchies etc....
                              "Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc"

                              Comment


                              • #35
                                My SO and I have Walking Horses. His two are taller (16h and 17h) while mine is about 15h.

                                There isn't a spooky, mean or rank bone in any of them. One started out in a BL barn and, ten years later, still has some bizarre little "quirks" when he gets overwhelmed. He's doing better now, but he used to sweat himself into a lather just standing at the trail head and he still has "moments" out on trail. He'd be fine for an experienced, patient rider. He'd be a nightmare for a nervous or beginning rider, or someone who thinks they can fight or manhandle a horse into doing something.

                                My "little" horse will attempt anything you ask of him and will just stand and look at things that other horses find terrifying.

                                But a dead-head? Not at all. There is no such thing as "plodding along" on that horse. He is not a horse for a novice or nervous rider, because he will test you to see what he can get away with.

                                He is very aware of his surroundings, if there is a hiker or horse coming up the trail or some kind of wildlife, hunter, or mushroom-picker off in the woods nearby. We've had jerk motorists honk and yell and try to get him to react, and he just doesn't care.

                                While he may not spook, he lets me know when he sees something.

                                He's fun to ride - perky and forward-moving when the footing allows, nimble and cautious when you have to scramble over roots and rocks or slide down greasy, muddy hillsides.

                                He's not perfect, but he's the perfect horse - for me.

                                I think it's impossible to say that ONE horse, or one breed of horse, will be the "perfect" trail horse for everyone. Every horse is going to come with its own history, maybe its own "training holes" you'll find out about after months (or even years) of owning him.

                                Not everyone cares for the swift movement of a gaited breed, just like not everyone wants a horse that just quietly meanders along the trail at an easy walk. Decide what it is you want, what kind of riding you want to do, and start talking to people about what kind of horse you are looking for.
                                Please copy and paste this to your signature if you know someone, or have been affected by someone who needs a smack upside the head. Lets raise awareness.

                                Comment


                                • #36
                                  I would think your trainer would be your best resource for a good trail horse, particularly since you've been working with her for the past two months and she's familiar with your riding/likes/dislikes, etc.

                                  Has she not been able to help you horse shop?

                                  There are dull QHs, which is what it sounds like you're describing. Conjure was one, until my trainer got hold of him. He was NOT deadbroke, just dull and poorly trained. Which can pass for the same thing - many of my less observant riding buddies thought Conjure was bombproof. Heck, I thought he was bombproof. For awhile.

                                  Actually, when something finally woke his dead @$$ up, or when I asked him to do something he didn't wanna - his acceleration was pretty impressive. Or would've been, had I not been observing it from the ground. Anyway, dull is not what you want. It's just as dangerous as too hot.
                                  I'm not ignoring the rules. I'm interpreting the rules. Tamal, The Great British Baking Show

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                                  • #37
                                    I was also going to suggest looking for a Standardbred. They are my absolute favorite breed and I have used many, retired from the track, as trail horses.
                                    Flickr

                                    Comment

                                    • Original Poster

                                      #38
                                      Originally posted by pAin't_Misbehavin' View Post
                                      I would think your trainer would be your best resource for a good trail horse, particularly since you've been working with her for the past two months and she's familiar with your riding/likes/dislikes, etc.

                                      Has she not been able to help you horse shop?

                                      There are dull QHs, which is what it sounds like you're describing. Conjure was one, until my trainer got hold of him. He was NOT deadbroke, just dull and poorly trained. Which can pass for the same thing - many of my less observant riding buddies thought Conjure was bombproof. Heck, I thought he was bombproof. For awhile.

                                      Actually, when something finally woke his dead @$$ up, or when I asked him to do something he didn't wanna - his acceleration was pretty impressive. Or would've been, had I not been observing it from the ground. Anyway, dull is not what you want. It's just as dangerous as too hot.
                                      Yes she is helping. She found only one. He needs more training.

                                      Comment


                                      • #39
                                        Find an endurance arabian that doesn't have the stamina for the big rides but has a few thousand miles under their belts.

                                        A friend bought a young (7) who does trails, parades, you name it. Will go when asked will stop when asked, will let horses fly by or take off without reacting. Low to the ground so when you drop your cell phone you can get back on.

                                        Should be in your price range too.

                                        The plus is that an arab can love and take care of you. My ex had three such creatures. He didn't ride that well but they took care of him.

                                        ALL dogs bite. Like someone said there really is no such thing as bombproof but you can get close.
                                        “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
                                        ? Albert Einstein

                                        Comment


                                        • #40
                                          Originally posted by nylonalter View Post
                                          Yes she is helping. She found only one. He needs more training.
                                          Seek out local ATRA chapters or members.

                                          Take a weekend and hang out at a local horseman's camp or popular trail head. Talk to the people there riding. If you've got a privately owned horseman's camp near you, give them a call and ask.

                                          Seek out local endurance riders/ competitive trail riders and their clubs/events.

                                          Ask your vet and farrier.

                                          Unless your trainer deals specifically in trail horses she's probably not looking in the right places. If she does mostly show horses expecting her to turn up a real, finished, ready-to-go trail horse is like expecting a dressage trainer to turn you on to a finished barrel horse. In the show world, "trail horses" more times than not are show horses that have been retired for whatever reason and just do light hacks down the little path through the trees behind the barn. Hence the reason they always need some training to become a tried-and-true trail horse.

                                          There is a HUGE difference between a career trail horse and a horse that has been retired to trails for whatever reason.

                                          If you are wanting a career trail horse, you need to be looking to people that actually spend most of their time riding trails to find one.

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