Att: First Horse, What to do!?!?

Question

FINALLY!!! my husband has agreed to let me get my very first horse, I have been around horses 18 years of my life and train and ride horses for a living right now at Michele's farm, my husband has finally seen my hard work and craving to have my own and start my own buisness. Problem is that Michele my boss wants me to get a standardbred, because she feels they are the best horse to start out with, I ride and train three of them right now and I hate them!!! they range from 15-22 in the age rank and are just plain a PAIN in the rump. Pegasus the one I ride more has a knack to bolt before your in the saddle and just training them has made me feel bitter towards the breed, how do I tell Michele I want a different breed horse without hurting her inquire to help me?

not paying board, it will be at my new house we just got, it has an acre of land with four apple trees in it, at first I was so upset because I could picture a horse in my yard but thought m y husband would say NO quickly but he was like forget this christmas is too far away and I was like what? and he was like this spring you will have a horse, I was like what are you talking about. he was like christmad I was going to tell you to start looking and by spring we can start the fence and the barn work so if your horse has to be outside it wont freeze, I started crying and nearly passed out when he said that!

plus Michele said I wouldnt have had to pay for anything but vet and shoeing costs

Michele actually rescuses horses, so my horse will be free of charge, we rescued our morgan stallion, Pride from a owner who was going to put him asleep because he didnt want him anymore!!!

I love Arabians and Paints also, Nicholas even though he is a stallion respects me and never puts me in danger and I always wanted a gelding arabian, she had nothing against that just that later on I said I wanted a Arabian mare and she freaked and said there a pain and cant be trusted, my husband also said that once I get my own horse I cant work for her anymore because the horses and my part time job will get to be too much for me and on him to see me struggle so much on trying to find time for my horse among my hald busy life sceduale, I am great at training but my saddle skills have been slipping because the horse I ride pegasus the standardbred is 22 and has arthy in his legs and can barely run half the time, so I just have concerns also to get a horse and screw us both up in the riding area because of how micheles horses are.

Answer 1

Congrats on getting your first horse!!!

I work with horses too, and I've had a Standardbred here. He was a pain in the rump! High handed and arrogant. I'm sure there are nice ones but he just wasn't it!

I love drafts myself, the bigger the better. I ride a 19 hand, 2100 lb Percheron gelding and cannot find a better horse anywhere. He is gentle and calm, and at the same time has a lot of spirit. I'm getting a new foal next year- 1/2 Shire and 1/2 Gypsy Vanner.

What I would do is tell Michele that you want to experience more than just Standardbreds, and want to learn as much as you can about horses so you are going with a _____________ instead.

And remember that there are good and bad horses of every breed, so don't judge a breed based on just a few examples. I had to learn that with Stormy, he was a brat but I'm sure there are nice Standardbreds out there!!

And please- check into a rescue horse...

Answer 2

Your horse will act different then horses you exercise. The horses you are riding might see you as the bad person making me do things I do not want to do.
Your horse will think of you as hopefully there best friend. Depending of course if you get it young and you are the first owner. Most hoses have so many owners in there life they get like we do and bitter.
You are also riding older horses, hopefully horses that have had training already. When you get a young horse who has had no training is when your training abilities will be tested.
If you are that set against getting the horse your "mentor"(?) wants you to get (does this person have a horse for sale they want you to buy?) this could cause some friction and you may need her help some day?
Find out what is for sale in your area. If you find a horse that is not of this breed and you can afford it, tell this Michele (is this someone everyone should know??) this is your first horse and the one you could afford. It is none of this persons or anyone else's business how much you paid for this horses.
Remember if the only thing one does with a horse is ride them the horse is not going to want to see you coming in the most part. Feeding, grooming, bonding a relationship is much more rewarding then getting on and taking off. The horse business is very competitive as I am sure you no! Also see how other peoples training techniques are, then form your own technique of training.
Good luck! Hope you find a horse you are happy with.

Answer 3

After 18 years, you should know a thing or two about different horses. If you are paying for it, I suggest to get an older horse of YOUR favorite breed. You will give an old horse a new home and/or job. I found out they are easier to work with. I also found out the when a person has been around a specific breed, for any time, it's the best. Just say that you have been training the Standardbred and you just want to try something else instead.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you tell her how you're feeling. Maybe let her know that you appreciate how she's helped you, and you enjoy the time you spend with the Standardbreds that she has, however you want to make sure that you find the best fit for you. Let her know that you just want to look around and see if there's a better fit, but you'll definitely consider a Standardbred if it turns out that they are the best fit for you. If you're buying your first horse, and it sounds like your husband has been against the idea, you owe it to yourself, and your husband :) to get a horse that is going to be exactly what you want. You don't need to get a horse that you are already against before you buy it as your first horse. A true friend would understand. Best of luck, getting your first horse is always exciting, especially if you've wanted one for a while.

Answer 5

Congrats on getting your first horse....you must be super excited! Since this is your first horse, he/she should be one YOU feel you are compatible with. If you are not fond of Standardbreds, politely tell Michelle you would rather look at other horses for sale in the area. Don't be afraid to go out and shop by yourself. You say you've been training and working with horses, so I'm sure you know what you want. If you find one that you like, take someone else with you a second time to get their opinion. Personally I am partial to Arabians. I have one purebred and one Arab/Paint. I find their personalities blend well with mine, thats why I chose to buy Arabs. Find a breed or particular horse that blends well with you. It's going to be your horse, not Michelle's.

Answer 6

I work with Standardbreds for a living. These horses are made for racing and not (pleasure)riding. They are great horses as far as temper but they are certainly not bred as riding horses.
Don't just go out there and buy the first horse that crosses your path but get one that fits your needs and skills. Get someone you can trust to make the right choice and have a vet do a pre-purchase examination to make sure the horse is healthy.
Get the right housing for the animal with a paddock.
Consult on what to feed the horse.
It is not just buying but it is the care that is more important and time consuming.......good luck!

Answer 7

Congratulations on your upcoming purchase of a horse! You must be so thrilled after waiting to have your own for so many years!

I would simply tell Michele politely that you'd rather chose a different breed for your first horse. You don't have to tell her how much you have come to detest the breed, but you should in no way allow her to guilt you into spending all that money on a breed you do not want. You are a very experience horsewoman, from the sound of it, and as you are spending your own money, you are entitled to make your own educated decision on what kind of horse to buy. After all, you are the one who has to live with it! Be tactful, but firm: this is your decision, and any reasonable adult will respect that and not get offended because your opinian differs from hers.

Answer 8

I would just look around and find what I want. Then get it and tell Michele that it was a pretty horse and you got it for a good price, so it was hard to pass up. You not have to tell her what you paid, just say it was a good deal. That all I know. The woman should be experienced enough about horses it not matter. She has what she wants and you should have what you want. I have had Quarter Horses, Paints, Thoroughbred and one that loved beer. Each horse was beautiful and they definitely have their own personalities.

Answer 9

I grew up with Morgans so I understand your love of horses; I'm jealous! Are you paying board at the farm? If you are paying for the horse it's your call. Be kind about it but let her know that Standardbreds are not what you want. Perhaps you could tell her that you will continue to train her horses but you would like something else.

Answer 10

i don't particularly like standardbreds, either. anyways, is there a breed that you really like? If so, tell her that you value her opinion and ask her if she knows anything about that certain breed. It's no good getting a horse you don't like, believe me, I've gone thru 10, and I've only had horses for 8 years. Good luck in finding a wonderful horse!