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Horse Selection for the Young Rider By Christine Skelly, Ph.D.By Christine Skelly, Ph.D.

Horse Selection for the Young Rider

Christine Skelly, Ph.D.

Equine Extension Specialist

Department of Animal Science

Youth and Horses

• Live the dream

• Build life skills– Responsibility– Team work– Patience– Conflict resolution

• Build confidence

• Make friends

The Rider

• Age• Size• Experience level• Goals and

expectations• Resources – expert

help, facilities, finances

• Social needs?

The Horse

• Age– 5 years plus, older is usually

better

• Sex– Geldings or mares

• Size– Appropriate for child’s height

when possible

• Breed & Gaits– Depends on interest,

opportunity

• Color – Don’t prioritize color!

Age

• At least 5 years of age• Much older for very

young or inexperienced riders

• Old age doesn’t necessarily equate good training and disposition

• Don’t expect child and horse to “learn together”!

Sex

• Stallions cannot be ridden by youth in most associations or 4-H activities– Display stallion

behavior– Concerned with

mare’s reaction

• Mares – sexual behavior during heat

• Geldings

Size May Matter

• Pony VS small horse• Youth more

engaged when they can do their own grooming and tacking up

• Safety when mounting and dismounting

Breed & Gaits

• Stock Breeds– Temperament

• Calm demeanor• Flat/low moving

– Events• Timed events• Cattle events• Western pleasure• Hunter

Breed & Gaits

• Saddle Type• Arabians

• Morgans

• American Saddlebreds

• American Show Horse

– Temperament• Known for more “spirit”

– Gaits• Animated

– Events• English pleasure

• Stock events

• Hunter events

Breed & Gaits

• Gaited Horses– Tennessee Walking

Horse– Missouri Fox Trotter

• Pony breeds• Draft breeds• Donkeys and Mules

The Prospect

• Soundness– Healthy and serviceable

sound– Some arthritis may be OK

• Conformation– As good as possible.

Doesn’t have to be perfect.

• Manners & Disposition– Most important factor!!!!

Manners and Disposition

• Calm and pleasant• Reject bad habits

– Rear, buck, kick, bite– High strung/overly

sensitive/shying– Annoying habits

(frustrating)• Hard mouth, sour, herd

bound, stiff

• Don’t buy thinking you can “change” him!

Sources

• Riding instructor• Trainer• 4-H/Pony Club Leader• Classifieds – horse

publications, internet, newspapers

• Horse Traider• Horse Rescues• Horse Sales – Weekly

auction VS Annual sale

Tricks of the Trade

• Riding down horse before showing for sale

• Drugs – attitude, mask lameness

• File teeth• Dye hair• False registration

papers

Expert Opinion

• Need expert in your field of interest

• Should have a good understanding of your ability and resources

• Should be unbiased and unemotional

• Will ride horse prior to youth riding horse

• May require fee

First Visit

1. Watch horse with other horses

2. Watch owner handle horse

3. Watch owner ride horse

4. Watch expert ride horse

5. Buyer rides (only if all of the above goes well)

6. Ask LOTS of questions

Safety

• Wear riding helmet• Ride in an enclosed area

free of “obstacles”• Bring own saddle in case

available saddles are too big

• Don’t ride if there is any speculation that the horse is “too much”

Questions to Ask

• Health history – colic, founder, lameness, respiratory, surgeries, etc.

• Horse Shoeing – frequency, special shoes, behavior

• Behavior – history of biting, kicking, rearing, bucking

• Other – feeding, turnout, trail riding, show experience, past owners, tack preference

Second Visit

• Unannounced• Ensure that “tricks”

aren’t being used to sell horse

• “Just passing by and thought we’d stop in!”

Pre-purchase exam

• Unbiased veterinarian – buyer’s choice

• X-Rays may be necessary• Few horses pass a pre-

purchase exam!• May discuss management of

special problems – i.e. arthritis• Discuss health records• Negative Coggins required

Veterinarian performing a flexion test

Warning Signs

• Tail wringing • Ear pinning• Diving to the center of the

ring• Resistant (lugs on the bit,

ignores aids)• Back sore• Lameness• Weight

– Looking for a Body Condition score 5.

Estimated Cost

• Price of horse is just the beginning!

• Grade horse for trail riding, pleasure ~ $1,000 & up

• Entry level show horse ~$2,000 & up

• Intermediate show horse ~ $3,500 & up

• Advanced show horse ~ $5,000 & up

• Price may not determine suitability!

2003 Congress GMC 2-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Futurity - Open Division

Winner - Hope By Invitation

Finalizing the deal

• If you feel pressured – LEAVE!

• Always take time to think about your purchase

• Sign a purchase contract

• If registered, get signed transfer papers

Problems?

• Work with an instructor/trainer

• Never jeopardize safety of child!

• Sometimes it is best to cut your losses

• Even the experts make wrong horse purchases

When it works!

Grade mare “Bluebonnet” Presenter’s first horse

Lived to be 28 years old

Mark your calendars!

Please join us for our next web presentation:

Topic: What is the 4-H Horse Project all About?

Speaker: Karen Waite, Michigan State University

Date: May 22, 2007 at 7:00 PM EDT

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for attending MHU’s Live Web Presentation.for attending MHU’s Live Web Presentation.

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