Looking at several eventing prospects--which one would you choose?

Question

I've recently started horse shopping in the past couple weeks--looking for a horse that has potential to go to Prelim (and maybe intermediate). So far, I am considering 3 horses: 1. 16.1 8yo TB gelding; POSITIVES:experienced 4'6" jumper (competed pretty successfully); very powerful and atheletic; great conformation; no soundness problems; brave jumper NEGATIVES: cribs (but cribbing collar stops him); tends to be impatient when being tacked up (tosses head in cross ties); not much eventing experience; can be a little too bold to fences at times 2. 17h 7 yo Holsteiner gelding POSITIVES: gorgeous horse; has some eventing experience (but only at novice level); big jump NEGATIVES: slight pigeon-toe in left foot (right foot appears straight) 3. 16.1h 4yo paint/TB gelding POSITIVES: Nice markings; seems to have willing attitude; good conformation NEGATIVES: young and lacking experience; no registration papers Buy a cribber, pigeon-toed horse, or inexperienced younster?

Answer 1

The cribbing would not bother me at all. This is very manageable and is not an issue. Hes bored and does this when stalled. The pigeoned toed one might not make big competition for the footing and balance he may lack. Alot of horse do well w/deformities but can you take that chance. The paint/tb has great potential if your willing to work at it and be patient. But there again your taking a chance. Plus no papers on him. The 1st one is anxious to work wants to get out there to do his thing..hence the reason for the head tossing in cross ties and you can stop this as well w/time. I can not tell you which one..this is out of my league since I do western pleasure but you need to do the choosing ultimately. Good luck and Congradulations on your new horse. Have fun and Best wishes.

Answer 2

I would definately say choice one. I own a 9 yr. old throughbred that is going prelim next year. We have been competing training level successfully for about 2 years. I think this young TB horse that you are looking at seems to have great potential. He is bold and that is the key to an awesome eventer. For the other two, you shouldn't get a pigeon-toed horse (but holstieners are BEAUTIFUL!!!), that could lead to major long term problems, especially if you want to go the higher levels. 4 year old paint might not have the strength and agility to move up the levels with you. I'm not sure though. I would definately say the throughbred because he is impatient but that will hopefully go with time, you could try tacking him up in a stall or just try alot of different things if his impatientness bothers you.
Well I hope that helped!
Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

I'd say one of the first two. Cribbing can lessen when the horse is worked more and a slight conformation default can be improved with a farrier. The 4 y/o is nice except for the fact that he's barely old enough to jump and it will probably take even longer to get him eventing in higher levels. Go and test ride all three of these, that will help you decide. If none of them seem right there are always more horses out there. Hope you find a good horse.

Answer 4

You've got to live with the choice you make but If it were me I'd not touch the pigeon toed biggie - IME this can make dressage more difficut & is always going to be a shoeing issue.
The TB sounds like it may be a bit of a charger? Is this what you want in a tricky combination? I hate cribbers & some yards won't accept them.
The baby would be the one I'd choose - inexperience can be corrected, the other horses' issues are there to stay.

It took me 8 months to find my last horse....... two weeks is nothing but the baby is the one I'd pick so far. In a gelding the registration papers are not so important. Does he have any history?

Answer 5

Depends on your level of ability to work with a young horse.
If you can and are willing the young paint would be my first choice. He is young and training will help that.
A cribber is not a huge thing to me but it can cause health problems in thefuture as his teeth will wear. It may also be a sing that he has ulcers. Horses crib as a response to pain sometimes. Have him scoped. The head tossing in cross ties and impatience can be a TB things they are more reactive to things and tend to be more tempermental thatn some thoner breeds.
The Holsteiner with the pigeon toe I would have a vet eveulate if you are interesed in him. It may be midl enough not to cause problems and corrective shoes or trimming could take care of it.
Once again some more experience would take him to higher levels most likely.
Good luck in your search. You have your work cut out for you on choosing.
I ride an ex-race TB and I like them and their tempermant. But they are to goey for some peoples tastes.

Answer 6

The inexperienced paint if you already have eventing experience yourself.

2nd choice is the 17h warmblood. One pigeon toe isn't going to cause him any serious problems.

3rd and I wouldn't even consider him is the cribbing TB. #1 he's a cribber. #2 He can sometimes be bold to fences. Between the cribbing, the attitude during saddling and boldness over fences, this horse sounds hot.

Answer 7

you didnt say the prices....
a cribber will teach other horses in the barn to crib so I would say no to that one
pigeon toed horse - a good farrier can help correct this..
the young horse would be my pick but only becuase I am experienced.. if you are NOT I wouldnt take the young one..the fact he has no registration papers is unimportant unless you were only interested in showing in breed shows which I assume you are not..

Answer 8

Willingness. Impulsion. Athleticism. those are features you basically can't prepare right into a horse, they basically have "it" or do not. in the adventure that they do no longer have all 3, opportunities are severe you'd be dumping money right into a horse which will purely be mediocre at proper. The down area is that purely thanks to understand in the adventure that they have got the tri-fecta of overall performance is purely obtrusive after the first ninety-100 and twenty days of educating, with constrained signals from the sire and dam. good success.

Answer 9

I would def pick the young one, has no issues with health or temperament & you can teach it lots may take a little more work but will probably be the best in the long run. That one IMO is the best of the 3.

Answer 10

i would buy the holsteiner gelding because they have great confermation and they go great jumping and dressage. i would also choose him because you could treain him up and bulk him out with mucles and you could create his buttons.