Would you buy a horse that was trained with respect,or one that was trained fearfully for a quick sale?

Question

I train young horses, they know the difference between a soft but sturn hand from a sturn and rough hand.Horses that are worked within respect of age,maturity and willingness are more likely to give and are more secure.(This is a long term training).A lot of people don't understand that they do not need to hold down the horse to submission, for the horse to give you what want.The horse is trained before it's 2, ready or not.(Short term training).
My horses pick their potential new owners, and run away when it's a no-no.What is your opion on this.

Answer 1

Training any animal with fear can backfire.If not on you,the new owner.Yes you should teach a horse to respect you.If not they will run right over you.But not through fear.I would (and have)buy the horse that was trained with the soft but stern hand,and respect.

Answer 2

You and I are on the same page in this respect. What kind of discipline are you training for? I don't run into many trainers that have 2 year olds ready to go in but there are some 3 and 4 yr olds out there that are started and finished pretty quick. A few of them can handle it but a lot bring baggage with them - emotional and physical. Many end up in the hands of riders expecting a horse ready for the ring where what they really have is a horse ready to start the work needed to hit the show ring in a year or two.
Keep up the good work - kind, patient trainers always prevail.

Answer 3

Are you talking young horses that are show ring ready or well started and ready to begin work? Or horses that will be pleasure and trail horses? I have seen horses that have been turned out quickly (never as young as 2 though) that have gone onto great things as pleasure and show horses. Some trainers have a touch that allows them to train quickly but not be rushed. And on the other side I have seen trainers that spend lots of time and effort but are inconsistent. They turn out confused, sour horses that have been overworked and over stimulated.
My horses are friendly and well mannered, they rarely run away from people. They may be stand offish or wary when they sense something about a person. The lure of a scratch on the neck and the possibility of a treat is too much for them. :-)

Answer 4

The horse that is 'fast trained' as you call it, isn't really 'trained' at all. Being the intelligent animals that they are, the horse is only 'reacting' to the bad stimulus. A horse which is given respect and love will gladly give its life for you. You've heard of race horses running so hard that their hearts explode? This wasn't out of fear, no.. out of love for the person who cared for him, who spent time with him, who had a true relationship. I've had horses for over 50 yrs. I always started by just sitting in the corral with them. and lots of touching and soft talk. You don't even need a bridle to ride when they are handled gently with respect.( very slight movements of your body, shifting weight, cues them which way to go, along with voice commands). It's a relationship that gives more pleasure than I can say. Speaking of horses that need a good and loving home, check out the plight of the wild mustangs in Nevada--you can adopt one for as little as $1-200. Please, if you can, wont you help?

Answer 5

You must be a great trainer!

I would only get a horse that was trained fearfully because then I would love to provide that horse a nice loving home. So many horses go trough rough training and mean people beating them if they do not do what the owners want. I think that is terrible! I would get a horse that was abused or neglected, because in my opinion they need extra love.

Answer 6

I want my horses to respond out of loe and respect, not out of fear. A fearful horse will hurt you sooner or later, evenif it is unintentional. I start my foals from day one by handling them. They have a light saddle on their backs for very short periods - no significant weight - around a year of age. By the time they are ready for a rider, they are familiar with being saddled and bridled and handled all around. They've been ponied on trails and are experienced with passing cars, dogs, bikes, etc. way before they are developed enough to carry a rider.
I don't have the health or skill to break horses to ride (don't like being buckedoff) but every foal I've raised never bucked under saddle when being ridden for the first time. Every foal I've raised, including a stallion, is gentle and loves people. Take the time - it's worth it.

Answer 7

In my opinion, starting horses off slowly is the best bet to have a lifelong, rideable and safe horse. It is much less tramautizing and makes for a better partner. I myself train dutch warmbloods. I start them when they are two, get them back and doing light w/t/c then do very light work until they are four. I think this is the best way because by then all of their joints have closed and they have matured enough mentally to handle more extensive training.

Answer 8

As a buyer why would I care if it takes you who knows how long to sell a horse?
As a buyer of a horse I was going to use as a riding horse I would never buy a horse who was trained before two, they are not developed yet, Legs etc. how long have you been training?? This being another question I would ask anyone who "trains" a horse I would think about buying. I would also ask around about this trainer.
Never seen a horse run away from a person, if they are trained...Mine run to me, no kidding!!

My current horses I bought the gelding when the lady could no longer feed him and he was just a baby. He is not a nice "riding" horse, but on occasion if my health is good I will get on him. He is half work horse...so he is rather uncomfy.
The other we bought off a huge ranch (over a thousand acres, several thousand), and she had been out at pasture and only around humans to load up to go to other "greener pasture". She is not "broke" to ride and is still young. I did not buy her as a rider but for a buddy for my gelding. These are my babies and doubt I will ever sell them. Who knows if my little girl will ever be ridden?

Depends who you are if you can train a horse "fast" or not. I have seen John Lyons do his thing when he came to our area, he is VERY good at what he does. I also met up with John Payne (I think the pic I took of him is on my 360 page?) who trains all sorts of critters and had a talk with him about his training style. Also had a very long talk with John Sharp (who is the original wild horse whisper) at his place here where I live about his style and looked over his horses where my gelding came from. I also worked for another trainer (who was not named john lol, but no web site to send you too). If any of these men had a rider I was interested in more then likely I would not even flinch at how long he took.I know another who if the old man (his son trains to but never talked to him about training ) had a rider for sale I would not buy from him for nothing! I have met up and talked with many trainers for I to like to know how others train critters.
I have groomed my horses who are what I want and they did not cost me a whole lot. I have groomed $30.000 (and up, shocking!)horses who I would not pay a penny for.....

So to sum this up..."Would you buy a horse that was trained with respect,or one that was trained fearfully for a quick sale? "
As a buyer I do not care how long it took you to sell your horse. As far as "how" one trains well.....many styles out there!!

Answer 9

Having had horses from both situations and having trained my own, I'd say the one that is trained with respect. I had a mare who was rushed trained, and she was sweet and all, but was VERY hard to work with her. She was affraid of everything. I've always trained my horses with love and respect.

Answer 10

I don't think I would buy horses that are trained fearfully. The reason being, these horses have lived in harsh conditions, full of abuse and thus may be violent towards their new owners. Poor animals.