thinking about buying standardbred. opinions?

Question

Well, her name is Poko. She is a 14 year old mare and is saddlebroke. However, she is skittish on the trails and would need about 2 weeks at the trainers. she used to be a racehorse, but she was bought from a complete moron by the woman who runs the stable that i plan to board at.

What else? oh yeah, this would be my first horse and she is really patient with me. I have seen a lot of horses that i want to buy, but none like her. I really am considerring to buy her. Any opinions?

and yes, i know who the trainer is, he broke another horse i ride, he is good!

Answer 1

It seems like she is a little sensitive due to her background but i think that you should get her if you think you have something in between you guys. See how she is after she's trained and maybe try some monty robert's or pat parelli methods to makes sure the bond inbewteen you guys are nice and secure and that she feels like she can actually trust you. If you think that there is no other like her, then there is NEVER ever going to be another horse that's going to be like her. Skittish on the trail isn't very un common, it can be fixed with some trail training, no problemo!

Answer 2

Buying your first horse is a big step. Make sure you have seriously evaluated your finances, as ownership is a big drain on your wallet. You need to consider board, the training you already mentioned, worming, vet costs, insurance (not necessary, but highly recommended), shoeing, equipment, supplements, and more. This horse, at 14, is also starting to reach that age where most horses slow down. In a few years, she won't be capable of intense work anymore, and may require additional upkeep and care to keep her healthy and sound. The standardbreds I've worked with can be flighty and nervous, it comes from the years they've spent on the track. Depending on how long she's been off the track, she'll need lots of patience and consistent handling to convince her the world is not as scary or intimidating as she might think. Some of them, though, never settle down. I worked with a couple that even into their late twenties were just as high-strung and nervous as ever. They'd been retired for years, had been in the same routine for almost a decade, but every day they seem surprised by norm. If you have the time, money, and patience to work with an older, nervous horse, than good for you. Horses like this often are overlooked by many potential owners as needing too much work and reaching an age where their usefulness may be in decline. But with good vet care and a lot of love, sometimes these older horses can make great partners. So really it depends on your needs and wants and your resources. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Answer 3

It depends on what type of riding your wanting to do. Standardbreds are built for real hard riding, such as mountain riding. If your going to be riding in the arena or light trails mostly, it should be fine. With a racing background it could take a while for her to get over being skiddish. Also, be sure to check her feet!! There is nothing worse than having a horse that has bad feet. But if you like her and she likes you, go for it. When you send her to the trainers, have the trainer work with you as well so you know what cues she is being taught and you will have a better idea how to work with her.

Answer 4

I have adopted and broken in two Standardbreds (a mare and a gelding) over the last few years, and one only very recently, so I think I can answer a lot of your questions.

Firstly, yes, Standardbreds are well known for their patience, calmness, temperament and tractability. Even though they aren't always the best looking animals, they can make perfect pleasure horses, and top standard dressage horses.

Secondly, a horse that has been trained for harness can sometimes be difficult or spooky (skittish) under saddle for the first few years after it is saddle broken. It has always been taught NOT to canter, and a lot of them get roused on when they do canter, so cantering is always very scary to start with. Both my Standardbreds were a dream to ride at a walk and trot, but as soon as they were asked to canter, they panicked. The mare used to bolt in fear, and the gelding just gets into a "power trot" which was almost as fast as a gallop, but a lot, LOT, more awkward to ride! Two weeks at a trainer will not correct this, it takes years of practice and patience with an experienced and confident rider. Two weeks at a trainer also won't get rid of her skittishness, there will always be new and exciting things to encounter on the trails, and it will take years until she is accustomed to it all. A 14 yr old horse will be quite set in her ways and be very difficult to train the skittishness out of her at such a late age. It is more likely to be in her nature, whereas with a young horse you could put it down to nerves and inexperience.

Needless to say, I do NOT recommend a green Standardbred as a first horse. If you can find an older, more experienced Standardbred, that has had a lot more time under saddle, then you will be better off in the long run.

When buying a horse it is too easy to listen to your heart and not to reason. I have done that many times. I see a horse that is cheap and that I adore, I buy it, and then I hate riding it because it is too much hassle or too difficult. It takes all the fun out of horse riding. It becomes a chore or a regret.

The only suggestions I have for you are these:

1) Ask about a two week trial period before you buy. Ride the horse EVERYDAY doing the normal activities which you intend to do with her. If she hasn't settled down to them by the end of the first week, she is probably going to take a lot of work.

2) Get an unbiased, experienced rider who knows your riding ability to ride the horse, and then watch you ride the horse. Ask them for their opinion as to whether she would be suitable. When I say get an unbiased rider, I mean don't get the person who owns her or whose place you will be boarding her at, or the person who you will pay to train her. All these people WANT you to buy her so they can get money out of you. They have a vested interest in you buying her, so are NOT unbiased in the situation. Get a relative or friend.

3) Before you make a decision, look at as many other horses as possible. Once you start looking at other horses, you might realise that she is unsuitable and that there are many other better horses out there that are going to be less work and more fun because they have had more experience under saddle and on the trails.

4) I don't know how much you are paying, but don't just convince yourself that she is "the one" just because she is cheaper. Remember that a cheaper horse is usually cheap for a reason.

Whatever you decide, have fun and take care!
Just remember that riding should be fun!

Answer 5

In the 1960's, a woman set a world record jump over fences with a 15h 2" standardbred.. However if this is your first horse,, ask the trainer to evaluate the animal before purchase,, also. get a pre-purchase exam from a vet.. These steps could save a lot of heartache.

Answer 6

Get a pre-purchase exam with xrays for any ex-racehorse. We were looking at a 4 year old TB our vet loved but as a precaution we had a different vet do the exam. Everything was fine until the xray. Bone chip in the ankle, could have cost us thousands more or left us with a completely lame horse for a lawn ornament. Cost us $500. but saved us thousands and a lot of heart break.

Answer 7

standardbreds are known for being better trained than other race horses and are taught to be calmer, so i say go ahead. If she was a pacer then she may do a rack or running walk for you which is a really smooth gait. If she was a trotter then be sure she knows what a canter undersaddle. So before you get he see how she goes undersaddle and if she the right price get her, skittish is ok since she was arace horse and most likely not all that use to woods she'll get over it will time

Answer 8

Do you have a trainer in mind? You might ask them to come along and check her out and get their professional opinion. A spooky horse can be concerning because of the potential injury they can cause if they spook, granted no horse is bomb proof.

Answer 9

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