I need advise!

[Alina]

I am really green about horses. My first contact with a horse was about 3 months ago when I got a 2 years old QH. The horse was greene, green. I asked a trainer to break him for saddle. The trainer work with the horse for about 2 months now but I still cannot ride him. This horse will trot and walk but he will act crazy on canter. He will stop by himself when he thinks that he worked enough and doesn't matter what you will do to him, he will not move. Myself, I had about 10 ridding lessons.
I am paying a lot to the trainer and I am told that in about a month time I will be able to stay on the horse.
I enjoy riding and I would love to go to shows but I am affraid that will take me way too long to wait for my horse to be ready for this.
I need an advise about what kind of horse shall I look for. I love western pleasure and western riding classes.

[BlueSky]

Well, I don't pretend I know much about horses or anything, but it seems to me that it wasn't really a good idea to get a 2yo, if you've only had about 10 riding lessons.
I can't really advise you on what to do now, as I don't think it would be fair to sell the horse now. On the other hand, it would be better if he could go to a home where they understood him better.
Understand I'm not trying to flame you, this is just how I feel.

[Piaffe]

I would highly recommend selling this horse! I agree with Blue Sky totally.

I'm not being horrid - its just that for a start, a 2 year old should just be halter trained, getting used to people, noises, machinery etc and not ridden. It should not be doing too much circle work and definitely not being cantered on a circle, as it will be unbalanced and its joints and muscles will still be developing.

You shouldn't be even thinking about riding this horse until it is late into its third year - although I prefer to leave it until it is four. Having said this, obviously race horses are broken to the saddle much earlier, but quite a few end up broken down early on in their lives with leg and back problems, as well as psychological problems - so breaking a horse to saddle this early for pleasure riding is not to be recommended.

If you must have a horse, please look for something steady and older, say about 11 or 12 yrs, which has seen it all and done it all.

If you will keep this one, be prepared to wait a long time before you can ride him/her properly. Ask your trainer to show you how to show a horse in hand, until the horse matures enough to break to saddle. (although I am surprised that your trainer thinks that you will be able to ride this horse in a month or so, considering it is so young)

I would perhaps look for another trainer?!

Sorry to be so negative, but I do hope that some of this is helpful.

[myEllie]

It is perfectly fine for a horse to be saddle broken at two. It is done all of the time in the states, although people over seas want to wait another two years. I really don't think that this is the right horse for you though. You have not been riding long and do not have much experience, and it seems as though you have unrealistic expectations of breaking a horse. Two months is not a lot of time to go from completely green to show ring finished. A lot of people start a horse under saddle themselves for a few months and then send the horse off to a trainers for a month or two. I would give you trainer a few more months to work with him and see what she can do. Don't rush anything. I know this can be frustrating seeing as you probably want to start qualifying for shows, but be patient. In the meantime is there another horse you can ride and maybe show, to give yourself some more experience? Good luck. :)

[Wally]

The pair of you need to be given confidence, you are not experienced enough to give such a green horse confidence, and the horse isn't confident in himself yet to help you, I'm afraid it is a case of the blind leading the blind.

Swap him for a school master who will teach you and have the confidence to help you, all that will happen in the pair of you will end up scaring each other.

I would never allow such a green horse and rider combination to get together, it is a recipe for disaster.

I too hate to be negative, but if you truly want to compete get a horse who will know what to do.

[Alina]

Thank you for advise!
I will try to look and see what other trainer and horse I can find.
It's kind of hard in my area to find a good trainer, but I will try.

:rolleyes:

[jUmPingIsLifE]

that your horse is completly normal. though if you are not totally bonded with him you may want to sell him to get a more experianced horse! at wouldn't ride a horse untill 2 1/2 maybe two if the vet gives the go ahead, but that is awful young and if hte horse is being ridden at two it shouldn't be for more than 15 minutes sessions and VERY LITTLE... i agree with whoever said he should be mostly getting used to people, sounds.....ext... putting a saddle on and sitting on the horse is ok to, riidng probly is to if the vet says its ok but not for long periods and not to often, this is one of those matters that everyone has their own opinion on. i would probly go for the more experianced horse ...maybe if you really like this horse you should lease him out to someone untill you AND him are more experianced? in the mean time lease a shoolie type horse! goodluck

[Crazy_Jumper]

Not trying to sound negative or disappointing as this is just my opinion, but I don't think you should keep this horse. It is good that you got a trainer instead of trying to train yourself, however, you still lack what is necessary to control and teach a horse of this young age. As in the horse world green and green equals black and blue if you know what I mean. You will enjoy riding much more if you sell or possibly lease out this horse until you're ready and you should buy an experienced horse much older that will understand when you make mistakes and will really not care if you are unsure about what you're doing. Then you will be able to learn more without worrying about the horse acquiring bad habits or you falling off. Well, goodluck and I hope all goes well! :D ;)

[kedwards]

Hi Alina. Talk about trial by fire! It must be quite an experience to deal with a young horse like that right from the start. But you asked about what to look for in your new horse.

I'm not a western rider, so my experience is limited, but from what I understand the Western Pleasure horses are supposed to be calm, with smooth, slow gaits. I guess, if it were me, I would look for a horse who already had some experience in showing WP and then I'd take along a knowledgeable person when I looked at him. I definitely agree that you'd do best looking for an older horse. Look for advertisements that use words like "dead broke," "broke to death," "unflappable," "good first horse," etc.

[Alina]

Yesterday I rode first time my gelding. Was not an easy ride but was first time and he was OK. He does not know about direction, and I understand this. I spoke with the trainer to continue the training with him. He is my first horse and is kind of hard to sell him but I will try to do what is best for him.
Thank you for your advises, helped me a lot to take a decision....I need to buy a second horse, one that is well broke.
I will keep the gelding in training and I will see after 6 months how he is.