It Takes About a Year

It takes about a year to really get to know a new horse. The new horse you get can totally change it's disposition in a year. Last year we got a new horse that was really well trained. He was very smart and could do everything, but as time went on he became skittish with some situations and bossy in other situations. These are not good qualities for trail horses especially when something as minor as a bird flying across the trail will spook him into turning around and running.

Often he showed subtle signs before misbehaving and they were signs that were easily missed by those who are less than advanced intermediate riders. Often his goal seemed to be to dip his head and try to spin you off.

He was a smart horse and he would test anyone that rode him. If the riders skill level was up to his he wouldn't resist, but anything less, watch out.

The horse market is really bad for selling horses right now. There are a lot of horses for sale out there for prices that are not in line with any reality. Hay prices are high and the economy is bad. We opted to send this horse to auction with a trusted friend and trainer. She was able to demonstrate the horse's skills and she was able to be honest with potential buyers about his disposition.

As it ended up she was able to sell him. Sadly he went for a little less than a third of what we paid for him last year, but he did sell for more than most of the papered horses at auction.

It's hard to find the perfect horse. We've had some in the past that we set as a standard. I'm very pleased with my present horse. He goes anywhere I ask him to go. He gets pissy and impatient at times, but he'll walk into a trailer or through water or over a bridge without hesitation. We seem to have an understanding where he knows I won't ask him to do anything that is unsafe, and he won't do anything to harm me. That's pretty much all I ask.