“When it comes to picking your partner……..choose wisely. It is important in life to know what your goals are. If you are the kind of person that likes to cuddle up on the couch and talk and watch movies with someone then you probably shouldn’t choose to marry someone that can’t sit still till it’s time to go to sleep. Likewise when choosing a horse to buy if you want to take a nice leisurely stroll down the trail you wouldn’t want a horse that is so hyper you can barely keep him at a walk.
When people come to me and ask how they can get their horse to slow down and relax for a trail ride and then they explain that it is an ex-contest horse, inside I shake my head and wonder why they chose this type of horse for leisurely trail riding. It’s not fair to a horse or a person to be put in a situation that they are more than likely going to fail. You wouldn’t want to buy a draft horse and then be frustrated that he can’t catch the cow running down the fence or a pony that can’t jump 5′ jumps, it’s not fair.
Make sure you know what it is you want to accomplish in life and pick your partner wisely, everyone will be happier in the end.” -Jesse Westfall
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Very good article Stacy. What you Want and Need are sometimes very very different than what you Think you want and need.
Try before you buy. Mutual admiration!
I’ve owned many horses through the years…..the best horses that I’ve gotten were always the ‘free horses’ needing someone to love them…I’m at the point of my life that my 2 are perfect for me
People spend more time and effort into buying a car than when buying a living, breathing animal that could injure or cause them death. Amazing isn’t it?
you are correct..many people buy horses just because they look good but forgetting about the goals they want to accomplish therefore becoming frustrated when the horse does not behave.
Educate yourself before you buy a horse. It is a lifetime commitment for me. Just went through a situation with a “free horse” . Beautiful Arabian bounced on Craiglist many times. A senior lady wanted him, because he was free and beautiful. Not a good match!! I was riding him at the time for his owner (who also had no business owning him) and said I’d take him myself to prevent him being bounced anymore. He’s mine now, and I do not need three horses.
People see cheap, free, and/or pretty and they get that new car look on their face. A horse that will take care of you is worth its weight in gold. Above mentioned senior lady would have gone to the tack store, got a curb bit, grabbed the horses’ mouth a few times, and when he unloaded her, bazinga, he’s back on Craigslist.
Great topic!!
There is still a lot of doping going on as well. Not everyone plays fair in this game of life.
Perfect Jesse, but there is just one problem. Most of the time the person that chooses the wrong horse for the job doesn’t recognize the pro’s and con’s when looking at a horse. It’s sad to see innocent people being fooled into buying the wrong horse off careless people. The sellers need to take more responsibility not just take the money and run.
Words of wisdom, indeed!
That is so true. I never really thought of it like that.