New Horse Owner Questions.. plz help !!?

Question

I have many many questions and if you could give me your opinion that would be great! I have worked with horses for a few years and have decided to get one of my own. I'm searching for an older horse that does not need any (or much) further training. I really don't care what breed of horse it is. I just want one for companionship, one to spend time with, ride around the ring, trail ride, bathe, brush, and spoil. Please tell me what you think about this following horse....

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1208684

Like should I worry about the leg with what I want him for? Is 5 considered a pretty spirited horse or a pretty mellow horse, I don't really know how to read a 5. Please give me opinion about anything and everything. Thank you so much!

Answer 1

no dont worry about the leg. have a vet check it out first. 5 is around what you would prob be looking for. you dont want something too mellow. that is a good number.

Answer 2

If I were you, I'd pass on this one. It clearly states that you need experience to ride him.  And being a new and clueless owner, you want something sound, not injured.  Good luck, hope you find a good horse soon.

Answer 3

Navicular is a bad deal.  That is the reason that horse is being sold for only $500.  If he can't be kept sound, you will always have problems with him.  Navicular, unfortunately, never goes away.  A horse with that much experience should be worth more than $500...even in today's market.

Also, I would look for something a little more laid back.  Thoroughbreds tend to be high energy, and need lots of exercise.  And this horse can't be given that exercise due to the navicular.  So he will probably give you problems.  Look for something that has a lower number on that scale, maybe around a 3.  I think that would suit your needs better.

Good luck in your search!

Answer 4

I'd pass on this one myself.

Just too iffy and being a first horse, if you are like me you want to keep it with you til the end.  If he gets sick you will go bankrupt to help and I can bet you he will.

You should find one with zero health issues.

But that is me.

I also see where they state it takes a confident rider.  Are you?  If not you may want something that is in the 2-3 range in temperament. :)

To me a 5 has a good 'spook' in him and maybe get jiggy at times.  But that's how I call it.  I'm probably wrong. :)

BUT..he's only $500 and seems to have alot of training.  How will you be getting him and then 3 months later discover he shouldn't be ridden?

Hmmm..I still think I'd pass if it were me looking to buy.

He's purdy though aint he!?

Answer 5

No, that horse has been in showing so it might be a little to high spirited to just have a owner that is brushing it and riding it just for fun but i dont know how much you are willing to pay but i would buy a horse that is very gentle and not high spirited and used to just riding and it wasnt in any events  if i were you but i am not telling you that you are bad at riding becasue i am sure you are a really good rider this looks like a really good horse but again i dont know how much you will pay for one -                            http://www.horseville.com/php/view.php?i...

Answer 6

I think you should not buy this horse.  Mostly, it's the navicular issue.  That's a big one.  It wouldn't be too bad if you already had the horse, then you could learn to manage for as long as possible.  But, to buy one like this?  You're only asking for trouble.  

Second, I think a "5" is probably a pretty spirited horse.  Sure, it's in the middle of the scale, but I think most sellers tend to underestimate their horse's true number.  For what you want, you should probably look for something 4 or less.

Third, there are lots and lots of horses to choose from in MD.   You will be able to find a nice, well trained, healthy horse without spending too much, going too far, or buying a horse with problems.  Keep looking.  Also, don't overlook western horses.  Thier personality might be good for what you want to do and it's no big deal to switch them to being ridden english.

Answer 7

A few things, a 5 is in the middle of the scale 0-meaning dead calm and 10-high spirited. The ad states not a beginner horse, needs an intermediate rider and confident handler. Your other issue is the navicular disease if you do not know what this is you need to study it. You will be committing yourself to life long vet bills and special farrier work and the chances of another foot foundering is high. If you want a lawn ornimant, which I have a few, these are horses that cant be ridden and Ive committed myself to taking care of them till they die. Now positive things, I like that he has lots of experience and has excelled in his show career, he has a kind face and would probably be a very nice companion...what you need to ask yourself is are you going to commit to him if he becomes not rideable and pay expensive vet bills if he founders again.

Answer 8

A 5 is in between, not to crazy not to mellow. I think that's a perfect horse.

Answer 9

First of all, navicular isn't something that gets better as Black Bunny has already stated.

First so you understand what "Navicular" is:

Chronic inflammatory changes occurring in connection with the navicular bursa, affecting variously the bursa itself, the perforans tendon, or the navicular bone, and characterized by changes in the form of the hoof and persisting lameness.

This disease is commonly noticed in thoroughbreds or in horses of the lighter breeds, and is but seldom observed in heavy cart animals. Usually it is met within one or both fore-feet. Although of extremely rare occurrence, it has been noticed in the hind.

Pathology and Point of Commencement of the Disease

The exact position in which the diseased process starts has for a long time been a subject of discussion, and even now it is doubtful whether the point has been definitely settled. To mention but a few among many: We find Mr. Broad, of Bath, strenuously insisting on the fact that the disease commences in the interior of the navicular bone. Just as strenuously we find the editor of the journal in which the matter is being discussed, the late Mr. Fleming, asserting that the disease commences in the bursa.

Others, too, hold that the disease commences primarily in the tendon. Wedded to this view was the discoverer, Mr. Turner, of Croydon; while Percival commits himself to the statement that it is either the central ridge or the postero-inferior surface of the navicular bone, or the opposed concavity in the perforans tendon, that shows the earliest signs of the disease.

The observations made by Dr. Brauell, the first Continental writer to fully describe the disease, led him to the statement that neither the bone nor the bursa was the invariable starting-point of the trouble, but that usually it commenced in inflammation of the bursa itself.

Without, therefore, committing ourselves to an expression of opinion as to the precise starting-point of the affection, we shall describe the pathological changes occurring in navicular disease as noted in (1) the bursa, (2) the cartilage, (3) the tendon, and (4) the bone.

You can read more about it on:

http://horse-diseases.com/navicularhorse...

Now that you've heard all this, I'm going to state that I have a now 18 yr old QH who is navicular in the front.  I have had wonderful sucess with epona shoes!

http://www.eponashoe.com/support/contact...

I had another gelding who went navicular as a 10 yr old due to my leasing him out but went on to have a heathy life for another 15 years!  I wish the Eponas had been around back then.

Now that you are a little more knowledgeable about navicular, I hope you'll do this nice guy right.

Answer 10

5 is a nice average number.  Means the horse is not kid broke...but not usually a handful.

Personally, I don't like navicular problems.  This is an ongoing issue.  With farriers or vets.  It also says that the horse is not for a timid rider.  If you feel you can handle a horse that will 'test' you...and that's what the ad says to me...then 5 is not a bad temperment for you.

With the horse market like it is though...that $500 could get you a healthy AND sound horse.  I would pass personally...but that's just me.

Answer 11

I would buy him but have a vet look at him first

Answer 12

I personally would not purchase a horse with any degree of navicular disease.  I also would put you with a horse that is rated more toward the calm side than a 5 would be.  There are so many horses out there now, I'd keep looking for a horse that is sound, and with a calm personality as well as years of experience on trails.

Answer 13

Ugh, I love how "a good home is our only priority".  A better home than the one he's leaving, presumably, since they are dumping him because he no longer suits their purpose.  :P

I would pass on him.  The navicular isn't going to go away and if anything it will get worse.  He will be stiff and sore from it, and believe me, trying to learn dressage on a stiff horse is pretty impossible!  (IMy old dressage trainer's lesson horse was recently retired due to navicular issues...and when I rode a different horse, suddenly it was all so much easier...!)

Answer 14

You should pass on this horse.   Navicular is not easy to deal with, and it only gets worse with time.  The horse will most likely be unrideable before long, and you probably don't want a horse you can't ride as your first one.

Answer 15

Navicular can be serious but if your only doing light riding and give him a bute after wards, he should be ok.

Answer 16

I'd take a pass on this horse....unless you are used to dealing with foot/hoof issues you may find the issue of navicular more than you care to deal with.  

A companion horse is a great idea, and there are many rescue horses that may fit your needs and all it takes is just one to make you a happy owner...I'd look around at some of the equine rescue organizations and see if there wouldn't be a horse there that would suit you and be a great buddy for you and make you feel really great about rescuing a horse in dire need of a kind owner.

Answer 17

This is a RED FLAG horse.  An unsound horse for any reason should simply be given away.  Sorry but navicular issues can be EXTREMELY expensive.  Do you wnat to end up spending thousands or with a horse that can not be ridden in two years?

STAY AWAY FROM THIS HORSE!!!!!

Where are you located and what do you want to do with a horse?  If you are located in Missouri I know of a gray fox trotter with excellant breeding and several trail miles that the person is asking $600 for.  e-mail me if you are interested and I will try to find out if he still has her.  He did last week.

EDIT

One more thing.  Someone advised giving Bute after riding and the horse will be fine.  Bute hides the symptoms of pain.  It does not cure the cause.  Also bute given long term has side effects.  One is stomach problems including ulcers.  The more serious problem with bute however is simply the fact that it does hide pain.  In doing so many horses on Bute end up hurting themselves far worse than they were to start with, simply because they can not tell they are injuring themselves.  In short Bute should only be given as a last resort.  Most people who use it, use it too often.  Avoid its use where possible.

Answer 18

That horse does not seem right for you he is more of a soon to be champion than some ones companion.Try to get a horse that has a VERY good temperament and is good for a beginner.

Answer 19

Speaking as someone who has owned a navicular horse all I can tell you is that you will be very disappointed.  Navicular is a progressive disease that can be managed in it's early stages with corrective shoeing, but it continues to progress and it is very painful for the horse.  I would continue to look for a horse that does not have this type of problem as he will eventually be painful at a walk in his pasture and believe me that is almost as painful to watch.

Answer 20

a 5 is right in the middle. not too mellow but not too crazy. but just remember buying the horse is the cheapest part. you are going to be spending 10,000 dollars at first for tack and supplies.

boarding each month will be from about 300 to 900 per month depending on where you live and then after that its about another 10,000 to 14,000 a year to take care of it. and lots and lots of time.

the horse is cheap but taking care of it is not. i absolutly love horses but i dont have one because i no i cant afford it. think with your head and not your heart.

Answer 21

The word navicular would put me right off I'm afraid.

Answer 22

More then likely he requires a special corrective shoe for his Navicular issue, which could cost as much as $150.00 every time you see the farrier, which for a horse with issues should be more often then a horse without. Instead of 6-8 weeks it should be more like 4-6 weeks.

Do you know much about Navicular Disease? If not you should read up on it as much as possible. How much do really know abut riding and care? You said a few years ago...how long is that exactly? What was your riding skill then, as in the ad it plainly says not suitable for a beginner or timid rider/handler. I think the current owner has the horse's best interest at hand and it is obvious the horse has some great training, but he is older and the problems would only get worse and I'm not sure how long he would remain rideable. Lots to think about...Good Luck!

And a 5 is an Average spirited horse.

Answer 23

HE'S PRETTY!!!!!!!!