Listen to Your Inner Voice
I had been looking for a sound, safe, small, older (15+ years) trail horse. I ran ads on horse sites and the local Craigslist. I was willing to travel and didn't mind a little “older horse maintenance” for a safe ride. I wanted something that I could sit back and enjoy without worrying about training.
I thought I was being strict in my ad requirements. I needed a flat out price, photos, and essentially, a list of detailed information. I stated in the ad that if any of this information were missing, I simply wouldn’t respond. I felt that if the seller couldn’t assure me that a horse was sound, give me the age of the horse, or explain why the horse was suitable for what I wanted... the seller would be hiding something. I've been riding and working with horses for near 20 years, so I felt pretty confident about knowing what I wanted.
I got a contact from a man, Charlie, telling me about a Haflinger gelding called Monty. Monty was maybe 5 miles from my farm. I hadn't ridden many Haflingers but liked them just fine for trail horses so long as they were calm and willing.
Right off the bat I should've known something was up but I was so excited about seeing Monty that I ignored my gut. Why did Charlie contact me and not the horse’s owner? From his description, the horse seemed nice and "fit" everything I'd asked, except that he was a little younger (12 years) than I had hoped. Charlie said the owner, Debra, was hard to get hold of. Later, I was told it was because she couldn’t afford a phone or computer (so how does she own horses?). I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to a person who might have gotten into a bad situation and that was the reason for selling.
So I did a search of the horse. He was registered, checked out as a match, and I even saw photos of him online doing some of the work the owner said he did. Good sign. Bad sign was that one of the older ads stated, "Hasn't been ridden in months." Before me was a photo of a wonderfully fit, working, light sorrel Haflinger gelding. Next red flag was the fact the horse was listed for $2,500 but Debra was asking $1,500. Why come down so drastically for a horse that was bred extremely well? He had every bloodline you’d want in a Haflinger.
Charlie didn't mention that Monty hadn’t been ridden in months; instead he said that the horse was ridden 'last week'. “Fine,” I thought. "He is only 5 miles away. I can get a good sense of the horse and if I feel uncomfortable I can dismount." I was expecting Debra to ride the horse first, anyway. Charlie went on about how Haflingers are perfect for back and knee issues because their gaits are so smooth.
I showed up but didn't bring a saddle. Charlie had said on the phone that Debra was very short, like me, and had a saddle that should fit my seat, height, and the horse. “Wonderful,” I told myself, “If this horse is everything they say, maybe I could purchase the saddle and head gear too.” I told Charlie that I knew technical information on Haflingers but had not ridden one in about 8 years. I was only looking for a pleasure trail horse, not a performance horse or a show horse. Charlie said that’s why Debra had bought him.
Monty was obese. He had a fat neck and crest, his belly was pregnant with fat and he had no muscle. He certainly didn't look much like the horse in the photo. He was in with a mare that was unruly, dreadlocked, and thin. I asked Debra about the Haflinger’s history. She told me that Charlie took care of the horses and she knew nothing.
Right there, I should've left. A horse whose owner knows nothing is going to simply ruin a good horse and make a hard-to-handle one worse. Not sure why, but I kept going. Debra said Monty was a great horse; not hot, down-to-earth, and could do shows or trail. I asked her why she was selling Monty and she said she had a knee injury. She said she had tried “the horse thing” and was done, she had accomplished what she wanted and had no need anymore for Monty. "He's too good to just sit and waste."
I thought it odd. If Monty’s gaits were so smooth, why couldn’t she still ride the horse? This woman had no issue moving around. She was lifting heavy boxes, bales, etc. When I asked if she would ride him, she said no, she couldn't; her knee was bad.
We tacked him up and to his credit, Monty had okay manners. He was slow, unwilling, but didn't do anything bad. Debra put his bridle on as if she was a toddler trying to hang up a coat. She asked what headpiece I wanted on him and I responded with "whatever he normally rides in". I didn't want to just select from a wall of unfamiliar bits and bridles. She placed what was essentially a pseudo hackamore on him. This was fine by me as I had all my animals trained in the hackamore.
She couldn't get his saddle on, though, and tie it right. I had to untie it several times and redo her cinch knot. The saddle, as it turns out, was far too large for me and far too long in the stirrups. She couldn't adjust them and said it was something "I'd have to live with". This woman was my size at 5'3" and far heavier than I. This could not have been a good saddle for her, unless she believed having your stirrups below your foot was how you rode.
I strapped my helmet on and mounted.
Monty started out energetic and forward. He went great counter-clockwise, and in fact, was a little too headstrong. He balked at certain points in the arena. Debra said, "Don't kick him, rub him instead.” Okay, I did so, but rubbing had no effect. I continued to squeeze, but without a crop or kick as a little bit of discipline, I was quickly figured out by Monty. Now he knew that I, like Debra, couldn't discipline him. I turned in the other direction and he was very stiff. He tripped both ways, but clockwise he was completely balking. I tried to supple him but he was having no part of moving forward.
I needed to show this horse he was required to do what I asked. I called out to his owner, who had fled to the truck, "What happens if I give him a little kick?" Now, I hate to kick a horse. I don't think it’s always needed. However, a good slap against the side of the ribs is often plenty of discipline. She responded with, "Uh, I think I might have said that because a friend rode him, kicked him, and he bolted."
It was out. The horse had his owner's number. He would bolt if forced forward, and would balk when he wanted to stop. Now that someone was on him making him work, he was unhappy, and unwilling. He challenged every step that I asked him to be straight and consistent. Apparently, Debra knew nothing and the horse knew everything.
I rode him around a bit more but was very convinced this wasn't the horse for me. I encouraged him forward one last time, firmly, and Monty obeyed... too much. He bolted off, as promised. I walked him out after that, dismounted, and handed the horse back to Debra.
She tried to blame me, as if it were my inability that caused our unsuccessful ride. Now, I will mention the fact that since my Thoroughbred died, I hadn’t been in the saddle much at all. That doesn't exclude 20 years of riding for some of the biggest names in Germany. Debra said I needed lessons. Well, of course, I've been out of commission. I reminded Debra that I had specifically mentioned in my email that I was looking for a forgiving horse that could handle my minor balance issues until I was fit again. Debra had promised Monty would be perfect for me. Monty needed someone far more firm than I, more fit than I, and he was certainly not forgiving of even the most minor of mistakes. Everything was a misstep, a disgruntled look, a bolt, or a balk. I would describe riding him much like stomping back and forth between a gas pedal and the brake pedal.
I was so very disappointed, and probably continued to hope that the horse really was as described. I allowed Debra to show me how well Monty bathed and stood tied. He pulled back against the rope immediately. She tried to show me how he backed up. He barely took a half step backwards. I knew this horse wasn't it and I tried to slip away. Somehow, I got roped into helping her a bit as she explained more about the horse as she "worked". I wound up doing most of the work. As a last resort, she tried to hand off the skinny, dreadlocked, nervous mare to us. I thanked her for her time and left.
It isn't the worse story I've had, but it outlines a few points. Horses from inexperienced owners come with issues. Always request the horse be ridden before you get on. One thing I've learned is to be suspicious of anyone who lists horses for sale online but won’t communicate via email. I’ve found them to be the most shady. Even a description in the Bill-of-Sale is worth a ton. Often, I found 'trial period required' would weed out many sellers looking to just dump a horse from those who actually want a good match. A buyer must be responsible for a trial, though.
I am still looking and Monty is still for sale. I've found a few potential nice, older horses from reputable breeders that need good homes. Hopefully, I will find my old man/old lady soon. Hopefully, Monty will end up with an experienced trainer, or an owner who knows how to handle horses. I wish the best for the horse. He is very intelligent, and deserving of a good home, but also, I am very thankful I'm not the one holding those bolting reins anymore. It was a good illustration of hoping the horse you’re looking at will work out, even when evidence tells you otherwise.
I thought I was being strict in my ad requirements. I needed a flat out price, photos, and essentially, a list of detailed information. I stated in the ad that if any of this information were missing, I simply wouldn’t respond. I felt that if the seller couldn’t assure me that a horse was sound, give me the age of the horse, or explain why the horse was suitable for what I wanted... the seller would be hiding something. I've been riding and working with horses for near 20 years, so I felt pretty confident about knowing what I wanted.
I got a contact from a man, Charlie, telling me about a Haflinger gelding called Monty. Monty was maybe 5 miles from my farm. I hadn't ridden many Haflingers but liked them just fine for trail horses so long as they were calm and willing.
Right off the bat I should've known something was up but I was so excited about seeing Monty that I ignored my gut. Why did Charlie contact me and not the horse’s owner? From his description, the horse seemed nice and "fit" everything I'd asked, except that he was a little younger (12 years) than I had hoped. Charlie said the owner, Debra, was hard to get hold of. Later, I was told it was because she couldn’t afford a phone or computer (so how does she own horses?). I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to a person who might have gotten into a bad situation and that was the reason for selling.
So I did a search of the horse. He was registered, checked out as a match, and I even saw photos of him online doing some of the work the owner said he did. Good sign. Bad sign was that one of the older ads stated, "Hasn't been ridden in months." Before me was a photo of a wonderfully fit, working, light sorrel Haflinger gelding. Next red flag was the fact the horse was listed for $2,500 but Debra was asking $1,500. Why come down so drastically for a horse that was bred extremely well? He had every bloodline you’d want in a Haflinger.
Charlie didn't mention that Monty hadn’t been ridden in months; instead he said that the horse was ridden 'last week'. “Fine,” I thought. "He is only 5 miles away. I can get a good sense of the horse and if I feel uncomfortable I can dismount." I was expecting Debra to ride the horse first, anyway. Charlie went on about how Haflingers are perfect for back and knee issues because their gaits are so smooth.
I showed up but didn't bring a saddle. Charlie had said on the phone that Debra was very short, like me, and had a saddle that should fit my seat, height, and the horse. “Wonderful,” I told myself, “If this horse is everything they say, maybe I could purchase the saddle and head gear too.” I told Charlie that I knew technical information on Haflingers but had not ridden one in about 8 years. I was only looking for a pleasure trail horse, not a performance horse or a show horse. Charlie said that’s why Debra had bought him.
Monty was obese. He had a fat neck and crest, his belly was pregnant with fat and he had no muscle. He certainly didn't look much like the horse in the photo. He was in with a mare that was unruly, dreadlocked, and thin. I asked Debra about the Haflinger’s history. She told me that Charlie took care of the horses and she knew nothing.
Right there, I should've left. A horse whose owner knows nothing is going to simply ruin a good horse and make a hard-to-handle one worse. Not sure why, but I kept going. Debra said Monty was a great horse; not hot, down-to-earth, and could do shows or trail. I asked her why she was selling Monty and she said she had a knee injury. She said she had tried “the horse thing” and was done, she had accomplished what she wanted and had no need anymore for Monty. "He's too good to just sit and waste."
I thought it odd. If Monty’s gaits were so smooth, why couldn’t she still ride the horse? This woman had no issue moving around. She was lifting heavy boxes, bales, etc. When I asked if she would ride him, she said no, she couldn't; her knee was bad.
We tacked him up and to his credit, Monty had okay manners. He was slow, unwilling, but didn't do anything bad. Debra put his bridle on as if she was a toddler trying to hang up a coat. She asked what headpiece I wanted on him and I responded with "whatever he normally rides in". I didn't want to just select from a wall of unfamiliar bits and bridles. She placed what was essentially a pseudo hackamore on him. This was fine by me as I had all my animals trained in the hackamore.
She couldn't get his saddle on, though, and tie it right. I had to untie it several times and redo her cinch knot. The saddle, as it turns out, was far too large for me and far too long in the stirrups. She couldn't adjust them and said it was something "I'd have to live with". This woman was my size at 5'3" and far heavier than I. This could not have been a good saddle for her, unless she believed having your stirrups below your foot was how you rode.
I strapped my helmet on and mounted.
Monty started out energetic and forward. He went great counter-clockwise, and in fact, was a little too headstrong. He balked at certain points in the arena. Debra said, "Don't kick him, rub him instead.” Okay, I did so, but rubbing had no effect. I continued to squeeze, but without a crop or kick as a little bit of discipline, I was quickly figured out by Monty. Now he knew that I, like Debra, couldn't discipline him. I turned in the other direction and he was very stiff. He tripped both ways, but clockwise he was completely balking. I tried to supple him but he was having no part of moving forward.
I needed to show this horse he was required to do what I asked. I called out to his owner, who had fled to the truck, "What happens if I give him a little kick?" Now, I hate to kick a horse. I don't think it’s always needed. However, a good slap against the side of the ribs is often plenty of discipline. She responded with, "Uh, I think I might have said that because a friend rode him, kicked him, and he bolted."
It was out. The horse had his owner's number. He would bolt if forced forward, and would balk when he wanted to stop. Now that someone was on him making him work, he was unhappy, and unwilling. He challenged every step that I asked him to be straight and consistent. Apparently, Debra knew nothing and the horse knew everything.
I rode him around a bit more but was very convinced this wasn't the horse for me. I encouraged him forward one last time, firmly, and Monty obeyed... too much. He bolted off, as promised. I walked him out after that, dismounted, and handed the horse back to Debra.
She tried to blame me, as if it were my inability that caused our unsuccessful ride. Now, I will mention the fact that since my Thoroughbred died, I hadn’t been in the saddle much at all. That doesn't exclude 20 years of riding for some of the biggest names in Germany. Debra said I needed lessons. Well, of course, I've been out of commission. I reminded Debra that I had specifically mentioned in my email that I was looking for a forgiving horse that could handle my minor balance issues until I was fit again. Debra had promised Monty would be perfect for me. Monty needed someone far more firm than I, more fit than I, and he was certainly not forgiving of even the most minor of mistakes. Everything was a misstep, a disgruntled look, a bolt, or a balk. I would describe riding him much like stomping back and forth between a gas pedal and the brake pedal.
I was so very disappointed, and probably continued to hope that the horse really was as described. I allowed Debra to show me how well Monty bathed and stood tied. He pulled back against the rope immediately. She tried to show me how he backed up. He barely took a half step backwards. I knew this horse wasn't it and I tried to slip away. Somehow, I got roped into helping her a bit as she explained more about the horse as she "worked". I wound up doing most of the work. As a last resort, she tried to hand off the skinny, dreadlocked, nervous mare to us. I thanked her for her time and left.
It isn't the worse story I've had, but it outlines a few points. Horses from inexperienced owners come with issues. Always request the horse be ridden before you get on. One thing I've learned is to be suspicious of anyone who lists horses for sale online but won’t communicate via email. I’ve found them to be the most shady. Even a description in the Bill-of-Sale is worth a ton. Often, I found 'trial period required' would weed out many sellers looking to just dump a horse from those who actually want a good match. A buyer must be responsible for a trial, though.
I am still looking and Monty is still for sale. I've found a few potential nice, older horses from reputable breeders that need good homes. Hopefully, I will find my old man/old lady soon. Hopefully, Monty will end up with an experienced trainer, or an owner who knows how to handle horses. I wish the best for the horse. He is very intelligent, and deserving of a good home, but also, I am very thankful I'm not the one holding those bolting reins anymore. It was a good illustration of hoping the horse you’re looking at will work out, even when evidence tells you otherwise.
For the next story, click All The Signs
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