What is meant by a horse being green?

Question

I am looking at a horse that I am very instrested in buying but the present owner has told me that he is somtimes 'green'. What does this mean?? Serious answers please! Thanks

Answer 1

as just about every one who answered has said,green means the horse's level of training,totally green or green sometimes doesn't matter green is green is green what the woman is trying to tell you is that the horse you are looking at still needs training in some areas
don't let people on here make you feel dumb for asking this question horse people aren't born knowing all the horse terms and slang you have to learn it,just because you didn't know the term doesn't mean you aren't capable of training the horse in the areas he needs to learn

Answer 2

A green horse refers to an inexperienced horse. It can refer to his training/his mentality/his ability.
A green horse required lots of training and time put into them.
Without meaning to sound harsh, I think that this horse may not be for you due to the fact that you have to ask the meaning of green.
I think that you may be better suited to a slightly more experienced sensible horse - something you can take out safely without having to worry about how he'll react - also something you can tack up and head off on without a bother.
On a more serious level - some unruly horse sellers use the phrase "green" as a misconception for "bad mannered" or a "problem" horse. This is quite literally covering up the fact that the horse could have problems, but making out that they are just inexperienced. If you do decide to go ahead and buy this horse make sure you get him vetted first, id also bring along an experienced horseperson to have a look .
Good luck

Answer 3

If you don't know what green means then you should definitely not get this horse. Green means not well trained. A horse that is green could have a tendency to act up. Whether this means bucking and running off or just being skittish around things a seasoned horse wouldn't care about just depends. I'm not sure about your experience with horses, but I would strongly recommend that anyone considering buying as horse take lessons for at least a year. They are a lot of responsibility, and you could easily get hurt if you don't know what you are doing.

Answer 4

Like the intelligent people said above green=inexperienced, not fully trained.

If you don't know what "green" means, you should not buy this horse. Additionally, when you do buy a horse take some lessons. Inexperienced people should not own horses. It hurts horses and people because silly, dangerous accidents can and will occur due to a lack of education. You should take lessons first, then have your trainer find the right horse for you. More often than not, an inexperience buyer will end up with a sedated horse that's lame and is a basket case once they get it home. Buyer BEWARE!

Answer 5

It doesn't mean that he spooks easily at things. it means that he hasn't had that many people ride him and he's young. In a way you could say he spooks easily but thats just because he's young. People call new riders green too. Like if you just started riding and don't know that much yet. It apply's the same way to the horse. If you are just a beginning rider you would want a horse with much more exsperience. Older more wiser about saddles, car, and anything else a young horse wouldn't be propared for like a older horse would. You never know when a green horse will do something really stupid just because they don't know any better.

Answer 6

My girlfriend has a horse and although she's the expert really I believe if a horse is green it's basically not 100% trained and will need some schooling and work to make it good for hacking or jumping or whatever, I will update this answer better once I have consulted the expert but it's basically something like that. The word green is in the dictonary as meaning Innoccent/immature/Novice

Answer 7

Everybody is on the right track here. Green means not fully trained, but has had some (usually basic) training. Green usually does refer to young horses although my aunt had a green broke 23 year old. Long story, not enough time, she was trainer traumatized, never had him finished. LOL

I have never heard of a horse "sometimes" being green. Just like others have said they either ARE green broke, or they're not.

Answer 8

Green tends to mean the horse is a novice probably fairly young, but beware some sellers will use this term to pass of a problem horse onto some poor unsuspecting sod... It happened to me many years ago when I was pretty green myself! But i would never give my mare up, after lots of work she became a phenomenal event horse and we have spent 12 wonderful years together so far, she recently became a mum too! Be wise and choose carefully, you're going to be together a long time!
ttfn ;o)

Answer 9

Green describes a horse that has not been fully trained,
Needs more saddle time and more ground work,
I to agree that a horse is ether green or is trained. sounds to me like the present owner aether is trying to sell you a horse that is spooky(spooks easy) or it is a green horse.
Ether way, find yourself a horse person you can trust to check the horse out, have a vet check the horse also to make sure he/she is sound.(in good health.) and then spend time with the horse to see how diff rent things affect him/her. try tieing plastic bags around here pen in a breeze. you will know if the horse is spooky.
However I also have to agree with those who said maybe this horse was not for you, From the tone of your question I would have to presume that you are a green rider and a green or spooky horse can get the best of us from time to time. but a green rider will get them self or worse the horse hurt. look for a calmer better trained horse(bomb proof.)

Answer 10

I agree with Vik there is no such thing as a horse being sometimes green. Just wanted to add that the person you are thinking of buying the horse from doesn't sound very honest if he is telling you that. I wouldn't trust him to buy a horse from. If you are a beginner you need to find a horse that is dead broke or husband safe. Make sure you ride it yourself and sneak back unannounced and ride it again. Some dealers will drug their horses when they know you are coming to ride them and if you arrive unannounced they can't do that. Good Luck with finding a horse.