Quote:
Originally Posted by Esroh
This made me smile. I was told a longtime ago .
You can Tell a Gelding
You Work with a Stallion
But You can only Ask a Mare, but if she says Yes you will never get better.
I have found it to be so true.
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Love this Esroh!! Its so true, I have a mare and a gelding at the moment, have had the mare since long before I bought the gelding and if she hadnt taught me to ask, I'd never have been able to tell the gelding!!!
Just skimmed through this thread, definitely BEWARE someone who advises against a vetting; the horse may be cheap but the vet bills wont.
I personally am not a fan of TBs, I had an exracer myself who was too small to race and she was a NIGHTMARE. Lovely to handle on the ground, but utterly unpredictable when ridden. Back tack teeth etc were fine, it was simply her mentality. I gave up on her when after a week of her going fantastically schooling wise she suddenly took off in canter at top speed and there was NO stopping her; had to do an "emergency dismount" in the corner of the arena at high speed. She had been out hacking and for a few good canters outside so it wasnt high spirits, it was like something from her past training suddenly kicked in - she lengthened out and it was like sitting on top of a rocket train.
Also past experience from friends who have had TBs has shown me firsthand how many injuries they are susceptible to; I suppose the fact that they are worked from such a young age is going to have an effect on their development/robustness in later years.
Personally I prefer something with a bit of thoroughbred in them; my mare is a sport horse and out of a racing mare but the bit of draft means she has the stamina/energy/eagerness of a TB but with a level head on her. That said, a friend's mare (TB) is one of the most laid back animals I have ever had the pleasure to meet. She is 3/4 bred and was most likely point to pointed but she has been suffering from various problems for the last few years and is constantly in and out of work. Endless vet bills, physios, chiropractors and heartache.
Also for XC/hunting Id be inclined to look for something a bit sturdier. Ive seen TBs out competing when Ive been doing XC etc and my stomach flips when I see those little legs going into deep mud/over solid obstacles.. I feel more confident on something with a bit of bone. As for stamina, both my mare and my gelding (who is a Dutch Warmblood Connemara X) are both very forward and will have you hurtling through a course from start to finish.
Good to see people's positive views on TBs, I dont want to be one of these "no TBs ever" people, but I'm just grounding it on what I've experienced myself!! Best of luck in finding the right horse for you