Which Horse Should I Look At To Lease? [[ Videos Included ! ]] ?

Question

Ok, so I''ve been riding most of my life. I've trained horses before including my OTTB. [[ off track thoroughbred ]] I mainly compete in Jumpers, Dressage, Combined Training, Eventing, and I may start hunters. I currently own one OTTB and I've also been looking for a horse to lease, and I have two favorites. I know the barns that their both kept at but I need some help before I go look at them...

The first horse is Diesel. He's a 4 year old 17.2hh Percheron X Standardbred gelding. I'm in love with his gaits but do you think he could be an ok jumper? [[ I'd wait until he was a little older to start that ]] I've seen the heaver breeds such as Friesians, Draft Corsses, etc being amazing jumpers! I would also be doing dressage...which I'm sure he would be great at! Though is it just me or does he seam to have a little bit of a long back? How is the rest of his conformation? Other thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtRl3y2nULA

The second horse is Shyanne. She's an 8 year old 16.3hh Draft Cross [[ Paint X Belgian ]] How is her movement to you? Any obvious conformation faults that I'm missing? Does she have the build to possibly be a jumper, eventer, etc? Any other thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPEvDOmKJfI

Answer 1

Number one is my pic, the back I wouldn't worry about, Number 2 she's was continuously chew her bit, tossing her head a bit, and didn't seem to be a enjoy her work, she minded were the other guy didn't so much:).  Is number 1 broke?  

I would say number 1:)

Answer 2

the first horse is amazingly pretty, he looked a little goofy though when she was lounging him (like he could possibly act up when riding) maybe he's still a little green? I would have liked to see him being ridden instead of just lounged..but overall i think he would make a great dressage horse, he has beautiful movement

the mare seems ok too but i think if i was gonna chose one, i would go with the gelding  

Answer 3

if your thinking hunters both of them have way to much knee action to do well in the hunter ring. But if your thinking of Jumpers or eventing then I really like th 2ed one.

Answer 4

I like #1 the horse is very eye catching and nice to look at!

I think the long back of Diesel is because of the Standardbred in him, It isn't that big of a deal though. I also noticed that he enjoyed working and listening to ques. Then when they put the saddle on him he doesn't even care or notice and is still willing to work happily plus he has some get up and go to him too which will be good for jumpers.

The #2 horse would make a good jumper but it seems that the rider needs to push her a bit more with her feet. I can't see any major faults because the video isn't too great. The horse looks well trained though and fully broke in too.

Edit: I noticed that they both say for sale... Are you leasing then buying? Or do you have an agreement where you are just leasing?

Answer 5

Well, I think that horse #1 is GORGEOUS.  He's lovely to look at - both standing still and when working.  He's one that you just can't look away from and is a real attention getter.  Is he broke though?  I only saw him lunge.  I don't think it'd be much fun to lease a horse and pay someone to break them.  If you're capable of training - consider going that route to get nice horses to ride (then the owners will pay you for your time AND pay your fees to enter shows!).  If he is broke - I definately say go for this one!

This horse is a nice mover - but not as nice as #1.  It is broke - but doesn't have a consistant head set at the trot and really doesn't look like he loves his job.  I think he looks a little more able to be a jumper than horse #1.  He's nice, but I'm not in love like I would be with horse #1 if he was broke.

I think that horse #1 does have a bit of a long back - but nothing I'd be too concerned about.  Horse #2 - I never really saw standing still long enough to see a profile to evaluate very well.

Have fun!

Answer 6

Personally, I would say the first horse is not a Show Jumping type, from experience I would expect him to fill out and become heavier as he is very young yet. When he is seven he will be a huge horse, suitable as a Gentleman's heavy hunter (in the UK, he'd be out in the field with a large man hunting on him). He is stunning and I think he will fill up that long back as he matures. I base these opinions on my experience of a friend who breeds Spanish Normans, which are Andalusian X Percheron and are used mainly for Medieval Jousting, Dressage and on film sets. he is a stunning animal and will excel in the right sphere.

The second horse would be my choice if I wanted to compete in SJ. She is the right stamp of a horse and looks like a real prospect, a sporty type who will do well either across the country or in the SJ ring. She is also a very good age to begin a career in jumping as she'll be both mentally and physically mature.

My experience comes from years of breeding, breaking and bringing on young horses, specialising in TBs and WBs as well as Irish hunter types, though I prefer the former.