Which horse would you rather buy?

Question

Why? Which horse do you think is the worst?

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Answer 1

First, let me just give you my reaction to each horse.

Wayward Wind: It's hard to tell much about him from the pictures. His jumping form looks questionable, though. Over a fence that height I like to see my horses with their knees up and together, and a little more tucked. He seems to be trailing his foreleg a little, which can knock rails and even get dangerous. His bio also mentions that he's a bit spirited. Translate that to mean he's probably hard to control, gets a bit fast. Sounds like a horse for a more advanced rider, and even then he may not go far if his jump can't be improved.

Sage aka Maurice Jolie: This one I like. The picture of him doing the dressage work is absolutely gorgeous. This is a horse that can work in a frame. He looks like he has a really nice build for a hunter or jumper. The jumping picture is hard to judge because of the poor quality, but it looks like he's got a powerful jump with a lot of thrust. His knees are up and together and he's clearing that natural obstacle by a wide margin. He looks like a scopey horse, which I always like to see. He sounds like he's got quite a bit of training behind him already, too, and he's young enough that you'll be able to hold onto him for a long time.

Absolootely A Delight: I have to admit, she has a cute jump when free-jumping. She tucks those legs and she looks to have a lot of thrust behind her. My concern is that her back looks a bit hollow over the fence, especially with the tack thrown on. I can't tell if it's just the quality of the photo, though. When I look at her conformation, though, I see more of a stock type horse than the traditional hunter. That might work fine in schooling and open shows, but her body type's not going to get many awards in the upper levels. Her color might get you noticed, but at the end of the day I'm just not sure about her. She might be one to see in person. Maybe her movement's really awesome or she does round herself over jumps. She might be one to look at, at least.

McClelland: Very little annoys me more than draft horses billed as hunters. Drafts have a distinct, high knee action that just doesn't win ribbons in the hunter classes. Sometimes, with enough Thoroughbred blood mixed in, they have more of that flat-kneed hunter movement, but very rarely. Most of them have awkward jumping form, too. I can't evaluate this horse over fences because there's no jumping picture, but from his conformation type I'd have to say he's not suitable for the discipline.

Valentino: This horse is an example of the cumbersome jumping form many drafts and draft crosses exhibit. This horse is jumping an oxer, which encourages a horse to round and tuck over the fence. Instead, he's hollowed out with hanging knees and loose forelegs. This is definitely not a hunter. He looks alright on the flat, so maybe he'd fly as a lower level dressage horse, but that's not my area of expertise. I CAN tell you that if that jump is indicative to how he always performs over fences, he's not going to win ribbons in the hunters.

So, I would say that if you're looking for a hunter/jumper prospect, the two draft crosses would be the ones I'd stay away from. They're just not designed for hunter classes. My pick would probably be the second horse. His price is much higher than the others, but for good reason. He's young, seems to exhibit good form, and has a wealth of experience already behind him. The paint and the other TB might be worth looking at in person, but I don't think they're quite cut out for the upper levels.

My recommendation is to take a trainer with you whenever you go look at a horse. They can help evaluate its temperament, conformation, form, and suitability for your needs. Also remember to have anything you want to buy vet checked first, as this can save you lots of money later on down the road.

Answer 2

They all look like nice horses, but for myself, I would probably go to see the first two and possibly the third. I enjoy eventing particularly and the last two choices wouldn't be fast enough at the higher levels. I tend to buy youngsters and educate them myself. A good youngster costs less than an established horse, and comes with far fewer hang ups. It's a good option if you have the time, and knowledge, to do a good job.

I cannot advise you which horse would suit you though, without seeing all the horses in person, and knowing what you want to do with your prospective purchase.

I do have to admit that I am quite shocked at how much all the horses are priced. I live in England, and for horses of a similar standard here, we would pay half as much!

Answer 3

What do you want them for? Dressage, jumping or pleasure?
I am big on personality and conformation when buying horses, so it is hard to tell anything from the pics.
For dressage, the one that is built the best (without seeing actual movement) would be Sage (#2). I ride a Gypsy horse, so I am partial to drafts, but your paint/perch cross looks too heavy to do any serious jumping. He also does not have a real good legs for dressage. A video could prove that wrong though.
Valentino I think would be ok- but he needs to pick himself up more- that trot picture looks a bit on the forehand and strung out. Can't tell if he is downhill or not from that pic. The first one's pics are too hard to see any conformation on, though it looks good from the pic's angles.

Best: Sage, Wind or Valentino (in that order).
The heavy draft would be good for a quiet trail horse, but doesn't look very good conformationally for dressage, and I wouldn't jump a draft often since their legs get stressed so much easier (I do not jump my mare heavily more than 2-3 times a month)
The least favorite would be Absolootely A Delight. Conformationally funny-looking.


And by the way- drafts and draftcrosses can be a smooth ride. My 17.2h pinto draft mare (7/8ths draft for sure, maybe more) does dressage and has great suspension. (not as much as a typical bred-for-dressage horse, but excellent for an average horse). I am currently showing and winning ribbons in first level (scores in the mid sixties). She can do lead changes and would probably be farther, except for the fact that I do not know how to ride past 1st level :)

Answer 4

It's hard to say because only one of the horses is standing square, which is how you should decide wether or not to buy horse. I like'd the second one, it looked like it had a pretty even stride and i couldn't see any problems with the knees or anything like that. I wouldn't buy any of the horses based on the pictures anyway but i especially wouldn't buy the horse based on pictures of it jumping. If your going to look into buying a horse you need to go and see the horse for yourself, view it from all angles standing squarely and have the owner walk, trot and canter it around for you. I wouldn't buy the paint x percheron, he looks a bit back at his front knees. If i absolutely had to choose one i'd go for the second one because the photo of it is the most informative.
I wouls still go and look at the horses though, there could be some problems the photo's conceal.

Answer 5

I would buy the 9 year old thoroughbred gelding. He is an older and more experienced horse, I read that he would be better for a intermediate rider, but with a trainer I believe he would be wonderful with a begginer. Not only that, but you seem to be into the jumping scene, take a look at his jump, it's amazing. I would stay away from the draft horse just because you seem to be more interested in jumping and showing than riding around for pleasure.

Answer 6

If money was no problem then I would go with the 2nd one. It looks the best and is the youngest yet still has the skills. The last one would be my 2nd choice. It has the best price for the bang. I think that 1st one would be the worst to buy because of its temperment.

Answer 7

Well it appears you want a jumping horse. The first horse has the best form over the jumps and awsome conformation. My last choice would be the last horse as he has bad form over the jumps.

Answer 8

I would probably go with the Paint mare....she looks sound, shes young, seems like a fast learner according to pics. Very calm. Seems like the same horse but for cheaper....nice looking mare.

Answer 9

I would stay away from the draft only because there not a smooth ride.If I was showing like jumping I would get a thorobred but if it was for trail & I wasnt going to ride it every day I would get a cross breed.Thorbred are usually hotanimals very quick thats why they use them for racing.

Answer 10

I liked them all except for the draft, I don't like riding drafts or draft crosses, just personal preference.

If I was looking to buy one, I usually look at temperament first then experience. The more experienced the horse is, the higher I rate it.