Morgans for novices like me?

[Debutante]

Since there are so many knowledgeable ‘horse people’ on the NR forums, I’d like to ask your opinions on the Morgan Horse . I have absolutely fallen in love with the breed, particularly the calm, gentle temperament it’s known for and its old-world appearance. I’m currently in the market for my first horse and of course, would adore a Morgan gelding or mare…I think. :(
Problem is, all the breeders I talk to (and the Morgan books I read) are extremely biased to the point of giving the breed God-like qualities, which is normal I guess. ;)
What I really need are brutally honest opinions on the Morgan, and whether you think one would be suitable for a novice rider/owner like me. By the way, I’m well aware that there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ individuals in EVERY breed – (by that I mean ‘suitable’), but I’m looking for some generalizations here, if possible. Also, I would be boarding him/her at a reputable yard where he/she would have the best of love and care. :)

All opinions/comments/advice/questions are most welcome.

Thanks,
Debutante

[cvb]

hi debutante - I was not sure which thread to reply to....

I don't know about morgans in Canada, but I have seen some in UK. Most are very gorgeous, but I think they have their moments !

One owner had one that had no brakes. An american trainer rode it and got it listening so it wasn't "bad" just poorly educated. (interestingly it did not look like a morgan until the trainer got it going well - just like a boring old arab type cross)

I get the impression that all that 'spark' and pizazz comes from somewhere, and they can be quite a handful.

Having said that, so can any horse - so if it was me, I would go and see some at shows - and see if I can wonder around the stables and warm up areas to get a better view. Go and see a few with an experienced 'second opinion'. I think if you 'click' with a particular horse and have a good support system, then you are more likely to cope with any new horse - whether morgan or not.

[KarinUS]

Even within the breed horses can be such individuals!
Quarter Horses are supposed to be good for beginners and calm and I've met some pretty 'evil' Quarter Beasts...
Thoroughbreds are supposed to be overly sensitive and hot and mine is extremely sensible.
I don't know of any Morgans, but I bet you can find a suitable one in that breed as well, if you know what you want and look around long enough to find it!
:)
When you go looking take your camera and post the pics, so we can enjoy your 'journey' as well!

[Shmon]

Morgans in general are a good breed (from what I've read - I'm no expert!)

But of course, as Karin said, there's always discrepancies in personality within the breeds. Like her, I've known wonderful, calm, bomb-proof TB's while the supposedly level-headed QH is scared of a leaf blowing down the driveway.

If you're looking for a Morgan, I wouldn't stop you, but make SURE when you're looking that the temperament of the horse is right for you. Don't get the hot-headed Morgan over a sane horse of different breed just b/c you want a Morgan! Temperament is always the most important thing when finding a horse. And, make sure you're patient. Horse shopping takes a long time.

Good Luck! (I'm jealous you're horse-shopping!) :)

[kedwards]

I love morgans, they're adorable. They do have a reputation as being very willing horses.

As you are well aware, individual training and temperament is the key to finding a nice horse for a novice rider/owner. If there are plenty of Morgans around your area, then you should be able to find one that suits you well.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

you should judge the individual horse, not the breed i have only had two experiances with morgans

Yogi --- nutty, crazy NOT a novice horse, would bolt on a dime.
Lydia--schoolmaster, could be ridden and worked with by the most nervous beginner!

its the individual horse that counts...as you see by my two examples of morgans i have known, temperment and such depends on the horse

[TNT]

My Jasmine is Morgan/QuarterHorse. She's been a very good horse for me (a beginner). The only time she's ever been real difficult is when she's in heat. She has a wonderful trot that is very comfortable to sit. I always wanted a Morgan and she just kinda fell into my lap. I hope you're lucky enough to find a Morgan I think they're great!

[lisae]

I had a Morgan gelding for two years. Sold him last November. My situation is that the horse is kept at my house, and I primarily trail ride alone. Without a support system, he proved too much for me, because I am a tentative handler/rider and he had a personality that was at once both dominating and fearful. (He had tendencies to return to the barn, or balk out on the trail- don't ask him to go past cattle!) He would try everything and what he really needed was someone who could say 'stop that, I'm the leader, we're doing it this way." To his credit he never did anything dangerous (no bucks, no rearing, just a lot of hopping was enough for me) But when he was handled by experienced riders, he was a different horse and extremely willing. Very upheaded and dramatic in his movement always, though. Other Morgan owners I had met always believed that Morgans of his lineage were "opinionated". So as said above, it's the individual horse you have to evaluate.

[Laetitia]

Just don't get yourself a green horse.Novice with novice is not a good combination.Have an open mind and you'll find the horse for you, Morgan or not.Don't get talked into having something you're not that keen on.Spend time,is there a mad rush?I've been there and regretted it.Good luck.L

[Debutante]

To everyone who replied to my Morgan Horse query: Thank you! All of your opinions are very helpful.
I’m definitely not in a huge rush to find "my" horse. In fact, I’ve given myself at least 2 years to look around and find the "perfect" match (ha).:D Fortunately there are lots of all-Morgan shows and events near where I live so I will continue to do my 'homework'. I want an older, safe and sane schoolmaster -- gelding or mare -- who is NOT green and is NOT more than I can handle. He/she will be a constant daily companion and have the love & attention of my entire family so he/she really needs to like people. They say that "good things come to those who wait" so, hopefully it'll all work out in the end.

Thanks again! :)


Debutante

[kedwards]

Good for your Debutante. That's wonderful, and very wise, that you're giving yourself the luxury of time to wait for the right horse. I'm starting a horse search and I hope I can be equally patient.

[KarinUS]

although I can't wait to hear the update on that one! LOL!!!

My plan was to find a horse by December 2002. My instructor told me to count on spending several months searching, so in April we decided to start looking in June 2002.
Sounds reasonable right? Well, what can I say, I've had my horse since May 2002 ....:eek: (bad me!)

[kedwards]

In your case, Karin, it was a good thing you didn't let that wonderful horse trot on by :D We should all be so lucky to find as a good of a match as you have.

[kelsey]

Hi Debutante, if you like the look and temperament of the old-fashioned Morgans, you should look at a Canadien (now the national breed of Canada!)

Many researchers now believe that Justin Morgan was a Canadien, not a TB as previously believed. DNA testing between the breeds backs this up. Canadiens are descended from the first horses brought over to North America from the French, and have a lot of Barb (large type of Arab) and Spanish and Norman blood.

My horse is fantastic! He is a dream on trails (he never spooks, the worst he will do is a little sideways jump like a "huh?"), and incredibly easy to ride and train. I got him as a green six year old (mainly used for driving) a couple of years ago - he now goes beautifully in a frame. His trot is so easy to sit, it makes me look like a much better rider than I am.

These horses are incredibly versatile, I know people are showing dressage in Eastern Ontario and beating all the warmbloods in the lower and middle levels, the provincial jumper champion in Quebec last year was a Canadien, and they are winning shorter-distance trail rides, and cleaning up in driving competitions. I know several people who operate riding schools who are planning to replace all their horses with Canadiens because of this versatility and the fact that they are so bombproof, easy to ride and can carry weight.

He doesn't have shoes (great legs and feet), and is such an easy keeper that he needs less than half the grain of any horse in the barn (including ponies). Great turned out with any horses, he sticks up for himself but never gets aggressive. No vices, has never bucked, napped, reared, kicked, bit, cribbed......pops into the trailer first time and pops right out again. No issues with strange places or new things at all.

I haven't needed the vet once, aside from shots and floating teeth. (The breed's nickname is the Little Iron Horse.)

I have ridden all sorts of horses, and I wouldn't trade this one for anything. He is a "what you see is what you get" kind of horse who never seems to have a bad day and is always ready to try his heart out at anything.

By the way, someone from England came into my barn and said, "Hey, you have a Welsh Cob" (I think they probably have a similar heritage?)

Anyway, enough raving for now. Did I already say that I LOVE MY HORSE?!?!?

[Debutante]

Hi Kelsey,

It is really interesting that you should bring up the subject of Canadiens because I’ve always said that the Canadien is the other breed (besides the Morgan) that I would absolutely LOVE to own. In fact, I had mentioned them again to my husband just this morning. :eek: Almost everyone who has one adores him/her and everything you read on Canadiens supports all the great things you said about your fellow. (Yours sounds so fabulous if he were human I’d marry him ASAP.) :D
I have a terrific book by Lawrence Scanlan called ‘Le Petit Cheval de Fer’ (Little Horse of Iron) which is all about the resurgence of this wonderful breed.
Where are you located, if you don’t mind my asking? I am about one hour north of Toronto. Did you get yours from a local breeding farm? Would you have any recommendations for me?

Thanks so much!

Debutante
The Canadian Canadien Fan

[kelsey]

Hi Debutante! Your post made me laugh because I always tell my husband that I am going to divorce him and marry the horse.

I am just west of Toronto so we are (almost) neighbours!

Actually there are more Canadiens around than you might think. I got mine from a breeder outside Ottawa, he dropped him off for me to try out for a month (I was sold on him after the first day!)

Since then I have heard a few not so great things about this particular breeder (and noticed a few things about him in my own situation), so I don't know if I would recommend him.

There are a couple of breeders around here that are supposed to be good - I think there is one in Erin and a few out towards Niagara. There was a beautiful Canadien stallion at the place in Waterdown where my sister-in-law kept her horse. And of course there are a lot in Eastern Ontario and Quebec. Some of them have websites if you do a search for "Canadien horse breeders". You will probably also find some breed associations, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

I think that if you met a few Canadiens, you would see why everybody loves them!

Happy Riding!

[mikka]

There's a school near us (Ottawa) that has some Canadiens for sale - maybe it's one of the places that Kelsey has visited? They're a wonderful breed, so hardy and kind natured, if a little strong at times! Their site is www.centaurridingschool.com
It shows several pictures. My 13 year old daughter has ridden both Flick and Duke and they're lovely, though Flick is still learning and can be a bit heavy on the hand. I've watched Harley in action and he goes very, very nicely. Don't know anything about Haysom, but I can find out more if you're interested.

[kelsey]

I like the Centaur site! Don't tempt me with more Canadiens for sale. How is the instructor? I ask because I am about to move to a barn owned by a woman who moved here from Germany and is also a certified instructor. We are going to work mainly on dressage.

You are right about Canadiens being strong - mine dislikes having his mouth pulled on and he will just lean down and
chug along like a freight train if you do. Not bolting or anything, just saying, "I don't like the way you're riding so I'm taking over." (Fortunately, he also stops immediately on hearing "Whoa")

[TNT]

This is so strange! I had never heard of the Canadian breed until I read the posts in here. At work today a woman I work with gave me an article in todays newspaper it was about a man in Kalispell Montana who is trying to breed the ideal Montana horse. He is crossing Canadians with Fox Trotters. There's a picture of him with his stud Canadian and dang if it doesn't look just like my mare. I bought Jasmine from a woman who got her as a foal from a slaughter house . Her mom went to slaughter and the woman rescued Jasmine who was only 2 months old. She was told that she was Morgan/Quarter Horse. Everyone including my trainer says she looks very Morgan but after seeing and reading this article we're both wondering if she may be Canadian. Shes black with the kinky kind of mane and long thick tail arched neck, sturdy legs with big black strong hoofs that my farrier said were so strong he didn't think she needed shoes. She's built very thick and has a large chest and heavey boned. I'm really wondering if she just might be Canadian. No way to really prove it but I really thought it was strange that I'd never even heard of the breed and now all of sudden it's here and in the local paper today!

[mikka]

Hi Kelsey,

The instructors are excellent. The woman who owns the place is a level III dressage instructor and is well-respected in competition circles. I understand there's a new dressage teacher who's from, I think, Germany. She certainly knows her stuff, but I've heard some of the riders comment that she uses different terms for some things. I don't get the feeling it's a big issue. The other instructors all have, I believe, at least level II. I've also heard that the owner keeps up the schooling of the horses herself. I've ridden one of her Canadiens and found him to be not only a perfect gentleman, but unusually responsive to aids for a schoolie. And for a smallish chap he's definitely a big mover, which I really like.

Come to think of it, I've never ridden a Canadien I didn't like. I'm especially taken with their gentleness and incredible common sense.

If you ever head this way, I'd be happy to introduce you - and, of course, put you up!

Mikka

[kelsey]

Hi Mikka, that is certainly kind of you! I may take you up on that introduction as my sister lives in Ottawa and I am going to try to get up to visit her more often. Always ready to see more Canadiens, and maybe I can have a lesson while I'm there. (I'd love to ride a well-schooled one, so I can have something to aim at with my guy.)

[mikka]

I'll look forward to your visit, Kelsey!

[mikka]

Debutante and Kelsey, (pls see earlier post about riding school).

If either of you is interested in finding an exceptional horse, I watched the aforementioned Canadien, Harley, during two lessons yesterday and was blown away by him. He's only four, still growing, but is lighter than most of the Cdn's I've seen (maybe 'cause he's still growing? don't know about this stuff). You can fairly see the intelligence and focus in his eyes when he's schooling - he's incredibly connected to his riders. In addition to being drop-dead handsome, this guy goes into a frame the very minute a rider mounts, and carries himself with elegant perfection
right through to dismount. His canter is incredibly balanced for such a young man - going large or on 10m., he carries himself beautifully.

My 13 yr old daughter rode him last night and without an ounce of training (daughter-training, that is) she had him doing an almost perfectly tracked renvers. This horse has SO much potential.

As much as I love horses, I've never been tempted to get out my cheque-book until I saw him yesterday. Now, I'm doing mental math on how we might manage his costs....

What an awesome horse!

Mikka

If either of you beats me to him, you must promise to let me ride him whenever I'm in your areas!

[kelsey]

Hi Mikka - you are really tempting me but unfortunately I think it would mean divorce court.

I think that you should buy him and then I can come and ride him when I am in Ottawa! (Of course, you can ride mine if you come to Toronto!) Or else Debutante can buy him (she's closer to me, I believe?)

TNT - from your description your mare certainly sounds like she could be a Canadian. (Especially with the wavy mane and tail, and tough feet!) I think there are some breeders in western Canada so its possible that one ended up in your area. What kind of riding do you do with her?

[mikka]

Hi Kelsey,

I was SO taken with the Cdn mentioned above that I visited the stable next day to enquire about pricing, etc. Cough, splutter....$16K. That may not be a lot to those in the know, but, like you, it would take me straight to divorce court!

Oh, well.....

[Martagon]

Hi Kelsey, Debutante, Mikka:
Wow, I go to a British web-site to meet some of my neighbours. We're 1 1/4 hrs west of Toronto. We've been up to the Canadian breeder in Erin - one of her horses was at the Metro Trade Centre for the Queen's visit yesterday. There's a Canadian horse at the stable where my daughters ride. He's a beauty, and so gentle. There's also another Cndn breeder just about a mile away from the stable, and I'm hoping that we can get there this weekend. Thereare 3 colours on the Canadian, most are black, but there's a beautiful ?liver chestnut (reddish brown) and I can't remember the other
$16K for a Cndn seems rather high, I've seen some around 5-6K. But we're only just begining to look, so I'm not a good source. Do you get 'Horse Trader'? Pick it up at the local TSC, or tack store. There are a couple other horse trader type mags around
Kelsey, there's a stable around Burlington/Waterdown - I think it's called Deerfield, that has Cndns and Newfoundlands. We're just dying to get up there one day. My daughter rides a Nfld at the stable, and just absolutely adores him. He's a little bigger than, say a Welsh, and his ride is a bit more like a horse than a pony, but he still has pony attitude.

[Debutante]

Hi Everyone, my search for the 'Great Canadien' is still on...

Martagon, is the breeder you mentioned near Erin called ‘Hidden Meadow Farm’? I’ve visited their website and they appear to have some lovely, traditional Canadiens. I also want to go and check out ‘Cosyland Farms’ but they are much further away – close to Ottawa.
As for Harley & Haysom, WOWWWW!!!! :eek: :D My God they’re stunning but first of all I think they’re too young for a rider with my level of experience, and secondly, $17,000. is not exactly in the ‘horse budget’. …mind you, maybe I could sell my car. ;)

If anyone has information on breeders of Canadiens who are reasonably close to Toronto, I’d really appreciate hearing all about them. The search continues…

Cheers,
Debutante :)

[mikka]

Hi Debutante,

I think there's a reputable breeder near Belleville (not that close to TO), but don't know name. I'm sure you've contacted the Canadien Horse Breeders of Ontario, but if not, here's the address:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/mapleridge/canadienhorsebreeders.html

This is a picture of the Cdn I've been riding. Nice mover, about 8 years old.

[mikka]

Oops! That would be 6 years old for the horse above and, after today's lesson, probably about 20 in normal horse years. What a trouper this guy is - he wanted to spook at a particular spot but really held himself together every time we passed it. His radar was less tuned in to the "nasty thingy" than it was to me. Lots of horses would've caved. He was quite brave.

I have to admit that I'm not a huge Canadien fan; they're just a tad to hulking for me. While I've really enjoyed every one I've ridden, I never feel that I can get my legs around them. But if I could graft the Canadien disposition onto a slightly lighter horse....well, I'd be in heaven!

Debutante, PM me if you're headed our way.

[GingerPonyz]

I started out on a lovely morgan named Tiki. My experience is a calm but quick, athletic horse, but i don't have a ton of experience with morgans

[kelsey]

Debutante - I am sure there are a couple of Canadien breeders going towards Niagara (I think one in Smithville, and maybe one in Welland?) A couple of years ago they had a Canadien (beautiful black mare) in the breed showcase at the Royal Winter Fair and I picked up quite a few pamphlets including those. Are you going to the Royal this year? Unfortunately the breed showcase was a lot smaller last year and there were NO CANADIENS at all...what a shame for our national horse not to be represented!

If I can ever find the pamphlets again, I could send them to you. Unfortunately, there is a large black hole in my house that eats paper.

I purchased mine from the Lalonde brothers in Quebec (Beckett's Creek Farm) - they actually dropped him off for me to try for a month. (They also have a website.)

Mikka - I find my Canadien rides a lot larger than his 15.2 hands, in fact he doesn't seem smaller than my trainer's 17.1 hand warmblood.

[Dressage_Luvr]

This has nothing to do with this thread (sorry)

but at the royal last year, i saw a real icelandic for the first time@ i was so happy!!

he was soooo cute!!!


k, im finished.

i think canadiens sound like great horses!! k, that was on topic :) lol

[mikka]

Hi Kesley,

So your canterer is "ironized"! Quite an experience! These guys move BIG. I love it. I rode one lad whose paces were so large that I felt I was on holiday between posts. I love their movements and temperament. Oh how I wish that they were built for my frame - smalllllll.

If someone out there ever breeds a small-ish Canadien, please let me know.... I want my "little" iron horse.

Mikka

[Martagon]

Hi Debutante:
Yes, it was Hidden Meadow that we went up to. We called Brenda ahead, told her we weren't buying, but she was happy to come and let us look at her horses. The breeder close to our stable is just west of Hamilton and a little south - if you know where Hamilton airport it, she's just a little west of it. We still haven't got there, it seems that the kids are just so busy.

There's a discussion group on yahoo; if you want to subscribe it's <CanadianHorse-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com> If you just want to browse, I used to type in <Canadian Horse Yahoo> on google, and it would come up as the first topic.

Mikka, one of the problems being discussed on the line is that people are trying to breed bigger and bigger Canadiens, and are straying from the heritage. Everything else gets "upsized", guess the horses aren't immune from it either. Pity.

There is a breeder somewhere around Beamsville, we've been into the Greenhawk store there, and they have the address in the horse book that they keep. If you're down around Beamsville, there is also a used tack store called the "tack Connection". She's about a mile east of Greenhawk, just up a little sideroad called 'Quarry Road'. I have two growing girls, and she will take back boots and sell them for you. She also has used tack. She also has miniature horses and donkeys, but I hear miniature horses have a real attitude.

We're going to the Royal on Nov 16 - it's the dog & pony show that day. They pair up a McCann dog (a dog trainer in this area) with a jumper, and then do a time trial. Last year Ian , Amy & Jonathan Millar, and Eric & Heather Lamaze were in it, so I guess it qualifies as more than a dog and pony show ;) We spent the WHOLE day at the Royal last year, from the opening hello to the parting good-bye. We go on a Saturday so that the kids can sleep in Sunday.

Mikka: beautiful horse!!!!

[Debutante]

Hi Everyone,
Well, I’m more IN LOVE than ever -- Canadians are the ones for me.
We spent an entire day at the Royal last Wednesday (9 am ‘til 11:30 pm) and had a wonderful time -- at least I did, and my long-suffering husband didn’t complain, bless his heart. :rolleyes:
We were able to talk to several knowledgeable and VERY helpful breeders who in turn, gave us the names of other breeders. Ray and Gerry Lalonde from Beckett's Creek Farm were very highly recommended, as were Pat and Mike Garland of Cosyland. Ron Rice from Bridle Wreath Farm was great too and spent ages chatting with us, as did Tracy and Cameron McLean from Harmony Farm (near Shelburne Ont.) In fact, in the Cavalcade of Horses area Tracy (who is a trainer as well as a breeder) showcased a magnificent and truly loveable Canadian gelding with perfect manners, nicknamed 'Braun'. It was so nice to watch a big, gorgeous Canadian excel at dressage! They were also kind enough to invite us up to Harmony to see their horses. I can’t wait!!! :D
So now, I must come to terms with whether or not to take the plunge. I have a BAD case of the ‘new horse’ jitters –choosing the right horse, am I advanced enough, all that responsibility, am I up to the challenge? Yikes. Good thing I’m still committed to looking around... but Karin, you’re so right – it’s becoming harder and harder to resist. :eek:
Mikka, do you know if the legendary ‘Harley’ is still available? (I never liked my car anyway :D ). Still, the cost of that horse with taxes, vetting and trailering etc.) IS an absolute fortune for a horse who is ‘technically’ too young for me anyway. C’mon folks…I’m counting on you to talk me out of making some CRAZZZEEEE decisions here ;).

The search continues…

Cheers,
Debutante

[mikka]

Debutante,

It sounds as though you've lots of legwork ahead of you! Have you seen kedwards' post on horse-buying nerves? Are you able to take your time about it? I imagine this is very exciting for you!

What kind of riding have you been doing and for how long? What are you comfortable with, what do you NOT want to deal with, and what are you hoping to do in the future? The nice thing about Canadiens is that they're generally sensible, willing and kind. I've only ridden one who I found very strong and who definitely didn't suit my skill level; but even he was well-meaning. All the others (maybe 12 in total?) have been lovely - even the young ones. Not at all silly. As far as I know, Harley is still for sale. He's still in training and has his moments, nothing bad, just needs to learn simple things like standing still! He's used for advanced riders at the school, but, in truth, from what I've seen, I think an intermediate or sound novice could handle him. I trust my child on him, so he must give me a sense of confidence. Why don't you head up this way and have a lesson on him?

I'm sure you know that the horses which are used for farmwork at Upper Canada Village are almost all Canadien. If you decide to go to Williamsburg (is that the right name for Cosyland locale?), UCV is not much further along. They probably won't open again until spring, but it might be worth the visit to speak with the handlers. They breed on site so maybe they sell, too??? And they may have email open throughout the year.

Sounds like your resolve has deepened. Let me know if I can help and let me know, too, if you decide to come our way. (Do the breeders you mention have websites?)

Mikka

[Debutante]

Hi Mikka,
Yes, my ‘logical’ side tells me to wait patiently to find the right horse for me – but sometimes it’s hard to contain my enthusiasm. :D As I mentioned before, I’ve allowed myself at least 2 years to find ‘my’ horse, and you’re right, I DO have lots of legwork (and a lot of saving $$$) cut out for me. I haven’t been to UCV for many years but I think I’ll be making the trip in the Spring, since I can combine my ‘horse research’ with visiting friends in Ottawa. And yes, you’re right. Cosyland is located in Williamsburg. I sent Pat Garland an email recently but have not yet spoken with her.
My situation is this; I rode as a teenager but over the past two years I’ve resumed riding with a passion only horse lovers could understand. ;) I am getting totally fed up with learning on different lesson horses 3 x a week and not being able to develop a special trust and bond with one horse. Eventually, I want to become a low-level dressage rider but for now my main interest is simply in daily English pleasure riding. In terms of skill, I would classify myself as a low intermediate rider who is not terribly timid but certainly not adventurous either! Bottom line is, I can't deal with a horse who scares the wits out of me all the time. :eek: I work in the medical field and I've seen too many traumatic accidents in my career (NOT horse-related) and know all too well how fragile the human body can be.
What I am looking for is an older (+4 yr) horse (gelding preferably, or perhaps a mare), who is quiet and has all the ‘basics’ and ‘manners’ already, since NO WAY am I qualified to train any horse at this stage of the game. I have no illusions about my own abilities. :rolleyes: I abhor green rider/green horse combinations since I’ve seen so many that turned out horribly! I might consider is a horse that is almost finished but just needs some ‘final touches’ in his/her training, which I would get done by a professional over the course of a year or so. Even though I KNOW "a good horse is never a bad colour" and all that,…(blah, blah, blah) I must confess have a very definite preference for black Canadians. :rolleyes: O.K. you can all kill me now. :p

Most of the breeders I mentioned do have websites, except for the McLeans at Harmony Farm. The others are:

www.bridlewreathfarm.ca

www.comnet.ca/~cosyland/about.htm

http://www3.sympatico.ca/beckettscreekrl/home2.htm

Mikka, Thank you so much for your very kind offers of help. I really appreciate your comments, suggestions and advice, and if I do make it to your area in the Spring I’ll certainly let you know.

Cheers,
Debutante

[kelsey]

I was at the Royal and I missed the Cavalcade of Horses! They moved it so I assumed they didn't have it anymore (saw it just as I was leaving). Now I am really upset as I didn't know there was a Canadien there!

Debutante, as long as you have a good trainer I think you will be fine with a younger Canadien. Mine was seven when I got him, but very green. We are working with a dressage trainer now (I have two lessons a week, plus she rides him once a week) and he is doing very well. (She told me last week that if we could put his brain and attitude into a warmblood that we'd be going to the Olympics!) I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'll start showing next summer.

I think that I am becoming a much better rider through riding him, as he is very sensitive and forward, so you have to ask him for everything correctly. For example, if you pull on the reins, he just puts his head down and carts you, not exactly running off, but just saying, "I don't like what you're doing so I'm taking over."

Have fun shopping for your Canadien, maybe you will be like me and buy the first one you see!