Chenders!

[chenders01]

True.  Good point, Ruth.  Horses for sale are quite plentiful right now.
I understand why people would buy from someone they know though.&nbsp; I'm really not looking forward to having to drive around to look at horses <IMG src="smileys/smiley6.gif" border="0">&nbsp; If I felt that this little Paint filly would be The One for me, it sure would make life easier.
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[Ruth]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh I think driving around looking at horses is a lot of fun. The only problem is finding the time! What do you want to do with a horse BTW? I know when we bought Baxter last year I didn't look at any others partly because I liked her and the price was right, but also I didn't have time to haul around the province looking at a bunch of different broodmares!

[chenders01]

Wellll, my goals are pretty simple, actually.&nbsp; I want something that I can piddle around at dressage with...take lessons and work on improving myself as a rider...maybe do a show or two a season but this isn't a BIG priority for me.&nbsp; I'd likely be a nervous wreck at a show and it would end up being a bad experience for me anyway <IMG src="smileys/smiley6.gif" border="0">
Soo, I'm really just looking for something that I can enjoy at the farm, and I'd like something that doesn't HAVE to be ridden every single day in order to remain sane.&nbsp;
I'd also like to be able to go out SAFELY hacking.&nbsp; By safe, I mean a horse that is basically bombproof and won't bolt or buck the first time a leaf rustles.&nbsp; Of course, I know that sh*t happens out on the trail but something with a brain is always nice <IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">
When it comes down to it, I want another Leo (my QH...the one currently in my avatar) but with just a little bit more "oomph" in the tank than he had.&nbsp; He was an awesome trail horse...I could take him anywhere and knew that I'd be safe, but when it came to arena work, that just wasn't his thing.&nbsp; He dragged his butt to the point where trying to school him just became one BIG frustration (nothing worse than having to constantly kick your horse just to get him to go forward).&nbsp; Of course, he was 20 when I got rid of him, so I don't blame him for wanting an "easy" life after all his years of toil <IMG src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">
Oh, and this "gem" of a horse should be no taller than 16hh and preferably something of a substantial build...so, QH or Paint (but not built downhill), maybe a Morgan or a small draft-cross.&nbsp; Really, I'm not picky on breed...although no more TBs (for obvious reasons).&nbsp; Colour and sex don't matter.&nbsp; I'd prefer something over the age of&nbsp;10.
I'm really just looking for something that I can feel SAFE&nbsp;and in control on...so nothing with a huge stride like Dali has...and something that I can just get on and ENJOY without having to deal with tons of training issues.&nbsp; My goal is to have fun and I'm really looking for a horse that I can rediscover the joy of riding and horses with.
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[goldendryad]

<font color="magenta">I think you've answered your own questions about Dali. It's just too bad it didn't work out. He sounds like a nice horse. Another option is getting a coach or going to some clinics with him...of the natural horsemanship variety. Some Pat Parelli or Richard Thompson or something along those lines might do you both a lot of good. Maybe not Parelli, he's a tad pricey. <br /> <br />I don't think it will be too hard to find what you need if you decide to move on...I guess Dali has helped you figure out what you really need. You can also get a decent price for him...or even check out a trade...there might be somebody needing to move up to a horse that needs work, while you need to move down a notch. <br /> <br />I'm sure it won't be too hard to find a quiet pleasure mount with a bit more vroom than your old guy, but not as much vroom as Dali. I suggest calling your local Morgan chapter. Morgans are very nice, have calm, extremely smooth gaits and are just a joy! They're also a bit smaller as a rule. <br /> <br />You could always consider an older horse ready for retirement from show life, but one that still has miles left and would make a good pleasure mount. <br /> <br />There's also the option of finding a western horse and converting him/her to English....like I am. It's not that hard. <br /> <br /> <br />One thing I do suggest, before you do anything with Dali, is to get back on and ride him a bit, even just a little. Leave it with you feeling confident or on a good note.

[LucasL]

chenders - have you considered a Canadien?
My gelding has almost all of the qualities that you are looking for. He is totally bombproof on trails, but is very forward (but stoppable) in the arena. He has a talent for dressage (my coach thinks we will be at third level by the end of next year, and that he can go even further). He has never bucked in his life. All around, a very smart and reliable horse.
I know a few other Canadiens and most of them have similar traits (they are a very pure breed without a lot of variation). There are quite a few breeders out there.
I paid $4500 for my guy - he didn't have a lot of training but, if you have a good coach to help you, I think that you would be fine.
I have gotten so much confidence from this horse that he has earned his&nbsp;keep for the rest of his life.

[chenders01]

Lucas, you know how much I looove your guy <IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">&nbsp; What a great guy he is.&nbsp; Definitely a confidence-builder.
Canadiens are definitely a breed I would consider.&nbsp; I'm interested in Morgans and Norwegian Fjords too.&nbsp; Gotta get Dali sold though, before I go shopping for something new...but if I decide to check out some Canadiens, I will get in touch with you <IMG src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">
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[Dee22]

LOL, Lucas beat me to it! I was also going to suggest a Canadien. There is a school horse in my barn that is awesome! He's such a sweet guy and totally honest...
The BO bought him originally for herself but decided to put him in the school when she bought her (huge 16.3) Quarter Horse. I have taken him on a few trails here and there and he was awesome, and I've heard that, that personality is the norm for the Canadien... I also thought of that breed because I saw an ad on Equine.com for a Canadien mare and she looks awesome LOL... anyhoo.... <IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">

[Ruth]

I would also recommend Canadiens. I would avoid Fjords if you want to do dressage, they are thick through the throatlatch which makes it harder for them to go round. I love Morgans, but I must tell you my particular Morgan mare is hotter than any TB I've ever ridden. I know another girl with one and let me tell you I wouldn't ride that horse for a $1,000,000. Now before anyone gets mad at me, my best friend used to work for a Morgan breeder and there were some stellar horses there. I rode one stallion who was never turned out, fed on straight corn, and hadn't stepped out of his stall in close to a week and he never put a foot wrong. He was a Park horse too, not a typical steady Eddie!

[chenders01]

I don't know a whoooole lot about Morgans...in fact, almost nothing, but aren't there two types?&nbsp; The old foundation-type and then the type they use for saddleseat showing, and look more like Arabs or Saddlebreds??&nbsp;
I'd want the foundation-type...the good, stocky type with the nice, calm temperament, versus the high-strung "show" type.&nbsp;
As for Fjords, I hear what you're saying...but I'm not interested in ever going to a high level in dressage.&nbsp; If I could make it to Training, I'd be happy <IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">
There was&nbsp;a Fjord&nbsp;competing at our local CADORA shows last summer and he was such a cutie...did pretty well too, from what I can recall.&nbsp; I mean, he wasn't showing Level 2 or 3 or anything that high, but I think he did pretty well at Training.&nbsp; At&nbsp;training, they don't really look for your horse to be "round" at all.
All things to think about when and if the time comes <IMG src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">&nbsp;
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[goldendryad]

<font color="magenta">My guy is one of the more refined morgans...and you couldn't ask for a steadier or happier hacking mount. Bulldozers and backhoes didn't spook him the other day, he's very steady. <br /> <br />You're right though, there seems to be two types: a showier, lighter morgan, and a heavier stockier, lippitt type. Both, in my experiences, have GREAT temperments more often than not. <br /> <br />But breed doesn't really matter for what you want, it's temperment/personality/training. You could find a perfectly quiet and compitent horse of any breed or cross that you could do training level dressage with and take on hacks. <br /> <br /> <br />

[Ruth]

[QUOTE=chenders01] <br /><p>As for Fjords, I hear what you're saying...but I'm not interested in ever going to a high level in dressage.  If I could make it to Training, I'd be happy <br /> <br />Ah, yes, but why choose a horse whose conformation may keep you there? Canadiens and Morgans are much nicer for dressage in MO.

[Lix]

I think if you look outside the realm of 'pedigree' you can get something really good for a decent price. Since, like you said, you are not aiming for Prix St-Georges <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">, who cares about papers, right? <br /> <br />I saw a mare on EC that sounds cute. TB/Clyde cross, black with 4 white socks and a blaze, 6 yrs old, quiet, 16hh (when they say 16hh, they mean pushing 15.3, LOL). And she was from Kitchener. For 2400$. <br /> <br />Of course, I don't know this mare and what she's like but the ad sounded cute. She may be that cheap simply cause she's not the most 'elegant' and doesn't have 'aweseome' blood lines. But for alot of people, that doesn't matter! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0"> <br /> <br />Anyway, not saying this is the type of horse for you, but just that there <em>are</em> good deals out there. And if you do go that route, have <strong>fun</strong> looking!

[Ruth]

Yes, there's some lovely crosses out there! I have a nice TB/QH X mare who I think is a lot nicer sport horse type than some pure TB's. Great attitude too. No, I'm not trying to sell her to Chenders.<img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0"> She's only hacking sound.

[Ellie]

Chenders, I know when we spoke last weekend you were still undecided about selling Dali, but if you have decided to go ahead, and you would consider a trade, I can give you a couple of people in our area to contact. One person in particular is good at finding the kind of horse you want (at reasonable prices)and if he took Dali in trade that would mean you could have a horse NOW that you can ride instead of paying others to ride for you. Let me know if you are interested.

[chenders01]

Ellie, I am pm'ing you!
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[chenders01]

Lix, yes, I saw that mare.&nbsp; Sounds like she could be a possibility AND she's close!&nbsp; If Dali was already sold, I'd be emailing about her.&nbsp;
And Ruth, I do see your point.&nbsp; I've already "been there" with a horse who was unable to do what I wanted to do, so I know the frustration of being limited by your horse.&nbsp; I probably wouldn't want a horse who could ONLY ever do Training Level...cuz ya never know, maybe I would want to go higher than that (doubt it, but ya never know).&nbsp;
IF I ever do get to the point of shopping for a new horse, I likely won't go for any specific breed.&nbsp; I know the breeds I'll stay AWAY from but anything quiet and trained, and that I can feel relatively safe on, should suit my needs just fine.
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[Dee22]

Good idea Chenders, that was the same with me... I knew I probably didn't want a TB but I still didn't rule anything out. I looked at ads that had&nbsp;all the qualites I was looking for and spent the time weeding through them (asking question upon question), I wasn't looking for a certain breed inparticular.

I don't have any experience with Fjords, I know that there was one boarded at my barn a long time ago, around the time I just bought Mopar, maybe even just before I bought him. I spoke witha&nbsp; girl that used to ride him sometimes and she said he was stubborn as a mule LOL. Not saying all Fjords are like that, I've just heard that about them... they ARE super cute horses though!
And Chenders..... aim high!! Maybe now you might&nbsp;&nbsp;be happy&nbsp;to get to training but teamed with the right horse and armed with some confidence your hopes and dreams will reach higher than that! <IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">&nbsp;You never know where you'll end up, don't sell yourself short girl! You never know where you'll end up in the future<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0"><edited><editID>Dee22</editID><editDate>38394.6446064815</editDate></edited>

[Sodapoppers]

Chenders, stop worrying about this silly breed height etc nonsense...just pick a color and search that way!LOL That's how i found both of my two lol<IMG src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0">...though harvey was supposed to be a palamino!! <IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0"><IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">

[chenders01]

Awww, okay, Soda &lt;slaps forehead&gt;&nbsp; So THAT's the secret to finding the perfect horse!!&nbsp; What was I *thinking* all these years&nbsp;<IMG src="smileys/smiley11.gif" border="0">&nbsp;
LOL!!&nbsp; <IMG src="smileys/smiley8.gif" border="0">&nbsp;
Seriously, if I could buy based on colour alone, I'd buy a horse like the one Abbey is gonna be working with.&nbsp; I just *loooove* steel grey horses <IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">
Really, I love ANY horse that's non-traditional...so pintos, appies, dappled greys (although I don't like when they turn white).&nbsp; Anything unique-looking is what usually catches my eye.&nbsp;
And Dee, I hear ya, but ya know what?&nbsp; When I bought Dali, I *was* aiming high!&nbsp; He was gonna be my Dressage Superstar - LOL!!&nbsp; Boy, have my aspirations been knocked down a&nbsp;notch or three since buying him <IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">&nbsp;
No, next time, I will buy based on what I'm comfortable with at the time.&nbsp; If I'm afraid to canter it when I go to try it out, then it won't be the horse for me.
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[Dee22]

[QUOTE=chenders01]
No, next time, I will buy based on what I'm comfortable with at the time.&nbsp; If I'm afraid to canter it when I go to try it out, then it won't be the horse for me.[/QUOTE]
Oh, Chenders I totally agree!! But you can still look for a horse than you can do dressage with and look for characteristics in the horse that can take you above training level! <IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">
Don't worry, you'll find the 'whole package', he/she is somewhere out there waiting for you... if you decide that Dali isn't already it <IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">