Going to be getting a horse soon; need advise on how to pick right...

[michickenwrangler]

I think there are some Shagya breeders in California and Nevada. I remember seeing something about some in the Western States Endurance Ride aka Tevis Cup and some are advertised at stud in Arabian publications.

However, a Shagya is not a purebred Arabian and cannot be registered with AHA. Bred to a purebred, offspring are eligible for half-Arab. Again, the main disadvantage is rarity and cost. Even if one ended up in someone's backyard via auction, rescue or giveaway, it would probably just be called an Arab or part-Arab.

But good luck with your search

 

[boothcreek]

Shagya is purebred, they are not an arab in the sense of egyptian or russian, they are their own breed. The clubs are looking to drop the arab part of their name cause that just seems to confuse people. They are not like an anglo arab which is a f1 cross(at least in europe anglos are that).

They have been pure for hundreds of years. Started from arabs, like so many other breeds, just never dropped the arab part of their name.

You can cross them with regular arabs and register them with NASS, ASAV, PShR, ISG etc as partbred Shagyas or Sportlos. I honestly am not for it being allowed to register mixed breeds like that because it doesnt help the breed but that just my opinion..... but everyone is whining there are no pure shagya mares to breed to since everyone is always only importing stallions from europe, not mares (we brought four 100% pure mares with us, was less hassle then the stud was with the regulations ).

PS: the last 3 world endurance championships(in dubai i think they were) have been won by shagyas- fyi .

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I did find a breeder in Nor Cal, but it looks like they are between 8-10,000 dollars each.... wayyyyyyy out of my budget... I think I will probably end up rescuing a horse or finding an arab cheap.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Ooh look what I found, what do you guys think of this one? http://www.horseclicks.com/handsome_10_yr_old_gelding_ready_to_go/horses/275965

 

[michickenwrangler]

Looks like a nice boy. Go check him out.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

YES! I have been talking with the owner and it sounds like he is really nice. I think we'll go look at him early next week!

 

[sawfish99]

Here is another important consideration. Do you plan to keep him barefoot or shod? Horses that are barefoot with boots when needed have started to dominate the endurance circuit. If the one you are going to look at is already barefoot, that is a plus.

I second the idea of linking up with some other endurance riders in your area. Word of mouth about available horses can be vital to finding the right horse or wrong horse (like the halter arabs...).

If you are going to stay barefoot, you should look for a reputable barefoot trimmer. They may know of horses for sale too.

 

[sawfish99]

I also highly recommend a 30 day trail period on the new horse. An owner that won't agree to a trial may be hiding something. I have returned a number of horses I thought were perfect when 2 weeks of trial revealed we didn't really fit together.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Here is another important consideration. Do you plan to keep him barefoot or shod? Horses that are barefoot with boots when needed have started to dominate the endurance circuit. If the one you are going to look at is already barefoot, that is a plus.

I second the idea of linking up with some other endurance riders in your area. Word of mouth about available horses can be vital to finding the right horse or wrong horse (like the halter arabs...).

If you are going to stay barefoot, you should look for a reputable barefoot trimmer. They may know of horses for sale too.

Thanks sawfish! This is good to know!

The one I am currently looking at is barefoot, as are all the horses here where I live. We do have a good barefoot farrier.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I also highly recommend a 30 day trail period on the new horse. An owner that won't agree to a trial may be hiding something. I have returned a number of horses I thought were perfect when 2 weeks of trial revealed we didn't really fit together.

Yes, she has offered me a 30 day trial on him.