- Thread starter
- #31
WhiteMountainsRanch
Loving the herd life
Gonna go look at this guy Tuesday. 
Going to be getting a horse soon; need advise on how to pick right...
- Thread starter WhiteMountainsRanch
- Start date
promiseacres
Herd Master
Sounds like he good plan! Have fun!
michickenwrangler
Loving the herd life
So ... how'd it go?
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- #34
WhiteMountainsRanch
Loving the herd life
michickenwrangler said:
So ... how'd it go?
It went well. He hasn't been ridden in about a year so he was pretty nervous at first. I did eventually get up on him but he seemed pretty jumpy under me.
Other than that I am not experienced to tell enough about his conformation. I did notice his feet don't wear flat, and I haven't put my finger on it yet, but it seems he steps "heavy" on his front end. I don't know though, I am not familiar enough with Arabians to know.
I have a video I would like you to look at and tell me what you think. Have to figure out how to add it though. Ok I'll add it in a few minutes as soon as I figure out how to do videos.
sawfish99
Loving the herd life
If you put the video up on youtube, you can just post the link here.
Top question - why wasn't he ridden for a year?
Now that you have seen him, I will share some observations about the picture you posted. Let me know what you think based on having looked at him.
1. His body language in the photo suggests he is flighty. He is very nervous in the picture as indicated by his head so upright, ears, and the eyes.
2. Conformation looks ok. Shouders might make it difficult to fit a saddle without impinging the should movement. The saddle on him looks like it interferes with his shoulder, however, it is difficult to tell from the photo.
3. His hooves are not ideal for a barefoot horse. His heels are too long and the whole hoof is too tall.
4. Why is he being ridden with a tie down or some other device to prevent rearing? In the photo, there is a cord going from the cinch to the bridle.
Top question - why wasn't he ridden for a year?
Now that you have seen him, I will share some observations about the picture you posted. Let me know what you think based on having looked at him.
1. His body language in the photo suggests he is flighty. He is very nervous in the picture as indicated by his head so upright, ears, and the eyes.
2. Conformation looks ok. Shouders might make it difficult to fit a saddle without impinging the should movement. The saddle on him looks like it interferes with his shoulder, however, it is difficult to tell from the photo.
3. His hooves are not ideal for a barefoot horse. His heels are too long and the whole hoof is too tall.
4. Why is he being ridden with a tie down or some other device to prevent rearing? In the photo, there is a cord going from the cinch to the bridle.
michickenwrangler
Loving the herd life
2. Conformation is hard to tell, pic is at an angle and makes his hindquarters look small. I have made that photogaphy make myself
3. Some "barefoot" and "natural" trimmers trim long on purpose. This picture might also be taken just before a trim. Actually, from the photo, it looks like he has shoes on the hind and barefoot on the back.
4. A good number of endurance riders use forks or running martingales to keep a horse from getting it's head too high, although from the photo it doesnt exactly look like a running martingale, more like a gogue: lines attached to the bit and cinch. Used for training, but they really should have taken them off for the picture.
How much actual endurance experience does he have? It will usually be given in "miles" ie "He did 200 miles last year and 300 the year before." Ask if he has ever been pulled and why, THEN double check that against AERC's web results. It will usually have reason for pull with a code at bottom: RO = rider option, M = metabolic(gut was shutting down or other systems affected). If he is registered, get me his FULL registered name. I can check his performance record on AHA's website. I'm a member and can access performance records of horses and riders in the US and Canada.
If you weren't 100% comfortable or have any misgivings. Pass.
3. Some "barefoot" and "natural" trimmers trim long on purpose. This picture might also be taken just before a trim. Actually, from the photo, it looks like he has shoes on the hind and barefoot on the back.
4. A good number of endurance riders use forks or running martingales to keep a horse from getting it's head too high, although from the photo it doesnt exactly look like a running martingale, more like a gogue: lines attached to the bit and cinch. Used for training, but they really should have taken them off for the picture.
How much actual endurance experience does he have? It will usually be given in "miles" ie "He did 200 miles last year and 300 the year before." Ask if he has ever been pulled and why, THEN double check that against AERC's web results. It will usually have reason for pull with a code at bottom: RO = rider option, M = metabolic(gut was shutting down or other systems affected). If he is registered, get me his FULL registered name. I can check his performance record on AHA's website. I'm a member and can access performance records of horses and riders in the US and Canada.
If you weren't 100% comfortable or have any misgivings. Pass.
- Thread starter
- #37
WhiteMountainsRanch
Loving the herd life
Thanks guys! I HIGHLY appreciate the feedback! 
So come to find out, this picture (and his endurance training) was taken when he was 6 years old. He is now 11.
The owner can't ride anymore, she is older and retired and so most all of the horses have just been sitting.
This picture was taken when he was in training. And his endurance training consisted of the trainer (pictured) about 6 months worth of training, she said 15 miles a day.
She said he is not good barefoot, (because of the uneven wear) but fine with shoes.
He raced a bit (I guess there are arabian races out here) when he was 5. Only 5 starts though.
It felt a bit weird when I was riding him on the front end. The horse I am used to riding steps VERY lightly though, so it could just be that. I don't know.
I felt like he was fairly flighty/ nervous, but again he hadn't been ridden in a year and I don't know what is "normal" for an Arabian.
I think I will pass on him. I need one that is "more broke" (if that's a term) and not as nervous.
I can't put the video up on Youtube because it is too big. I don't have any programs to edit it and make it smaller. :/
I can put more pictures though, but a moot point now.
I'm going to look at another one later this week that is much closer to my house. At least this way I will have something to compare. I made it a point to look at all her other horses while I was there too, just to get my eyes more "trained".
There was one there that was absolutely beautiful, I fell in love with her, but she said she is hotter than a $2 pistol, lol.
I'll get pics of the next one I look at too.
Thank you so much!!!!
So come to find out, this picture (and his endurance training) was taken when he was 6 years old. He is now 11.
The owner can't ride anymore, she is older and retired and so most all of the horses have just been sitting.
This picture was taken when he was in training. And his endurance training consisted of the trainer (pictured) about 6 months worth of training, she said 15 miles a day.
She said he is not good barefoot, (because of the uneven wear) but fine with shoes.
He raced a bit (I guess there are arabian races out here) when he was 5. Only 5 starts though.
It felt a bit weird when I was riding him on the front end. The horse I am used to riding steps VERY lightly though, so it could just be that. I don't know.
I felt like he was fairly flighty/ nervous, but again he hadn't been ridden in a year and I don't know what is "normal" for an Arabian.
I think I will pass on him. I need one that is "more broke" (if that's a term) and not as nervous.
I can't put the video up on Youtube because it is too big. I don't have any programs to edit it and make it smaller. :/
I can put more pictures though, but a moot point now.
I'm going to look at another one later this week that is much closer to my house. At least this way I will have something to compare. I made it a point to look at all her other horses while I was there too, just to get my eyes more "trained".
There was one there that was absolutely beautiful, I fell in love with her, but she said she is hotter than a $2 pistol, lol.
I'll get pics of the next one I look at too.
Thank you so much!!!!
- Thread starter
- #38
WhiteMountainsRanch
Loving the herd life
Ok I think I figured it out. It only took me 2 days, lol, sheesh!
Sorry it's a little squished looking, don't know what happened when I converted the file.
Can you guys still tell me what you think? Maybe the difference between this and his picture?
http://youtu.be/34BotB3Mj08
ETA: Ok, guess that worked, I don't know how to embed it here... :/
Sorry it's a little squished looking, don't know what happened when I converted the file.
Can you guys still tell me what you think? Maybe the difference between this and his picture?
http://youtu.be/34BotB3Mj08
ETA: Ok, guess that worked, I don't know how to embed it here... :/
sawfish99
Loving the herd life
I'll start with my bottom line: Don't get that horse.
Here is why.
That's a LOT of horse. He is definitely flighty. He is afraid of the owner and his body language signals distrust of people in general. He will not be easy to handle. However, I see physical issues that turn me off.
1. He shows no collection at all and doesn't engage his hind end when moving.
2. He doesn't "track up" meaning hind feet don't hit where front feet just left. Related to #1.
3. He has an injury or problem with his back right leg. It could be back related. He doesn't extend that leg in particular. On the video, at about 0:38, in the right canter, he stops moving his hind legs correctly and starts to hop with his hind legs together instead of moving them independently. I believe this is related to the back right leg problem.
In general I like his conformation, however, after watching that video, if I was in the market for a horse, I wouldn't bother test riding the horse.
Look elsewhere.
Here is why.
That's a LOT of horse. He is definitely flighty. He is afraid of the owner and his body language signals distrust of people in general. He will not be easy to handle. However, I see physical issues that turn me off.
1. He shows no collection at all and doesn't engage his hind end when moving.
2. He doesn't "track up" meaning hind feet don't hit where front feet just left. Related to #1.
3. He has an injury or problem with his back right leg. It could be back related. He doesn't extend that leg in particular. On the video, at about 0:38, in the right canter, he stops moving his hind legs correctly and starts to hop with his hind legs together instead of moving them independently. I believe this is related to the back right leg problem.
In general I like his conformation, however, after watching that video, if I was in the market for a horse, I wouldn't bother test riding the horse.
Look elsewhere.
- Thread starter
- #40
WhiteMountainsRanch
Loving the herd life
THANK YOU SAWFISH!!!
See this is why I love this forum!
That is exactly the type of feedback I need and was looking for!
Because I am an "untrained eye" I didn't see that about his legs, but as soon as you said something I saw it immediately!
I am going to keep looking.
See this is why I love this forum!
That is exactly the type of feedback I need and was looking for!
Because I am an "untrained eye" I didn't see that about his legs, but as soon as you said something I saw it immediately!
I am going to keep looking.
