Buying a horse

[Blacktail135]

 The wife is in the market to buy a “grandma” horse. Where’s the best place to look? Current farrier? Craigslist? Horse sites? Preferably a QH gelding. I am not a horse person but am willing to learn a little bit to help keep her from buying another like the last two!!

[Jingles]

A lot will depend on I tended use, for example a flat land horse (arena ridden) is not what you'd want if you are anticipating much backwoods wilderness riding and I don't mean the "wilderness" around places like Tahuya.

[Blacktail135]

 She would just ride around in circles in the round pen and around the property. 50ac ours and 100ac the neighbors (all flatland).

[vandeman17]

We bought a horse this spring that I found on Craigslist. There are a lot of options but I do recommend having a vet on hand for any that you are interested in to give a checkup. It will cost a little coin but well worth it. Stupid things are expensive

[Blacktail135]

 I totally agree with the vet check!! The last couple we got were because they were pretty! Ain’t gonna go that route again!

[Blacktail135]

 Would it matter whether or not I search east side or wetside? Wetside horses would be acclimated to this side?

[vandeman17]

Would it matter whether or not I search east side or wetside? Wetside horses would be acclimated to this side?

Nope. They will acclimate pretty quickly. We bought ours from a place up by lake wenatchee that still had snow and it was in the 50s down in wenatchee when we brought her home. Few days to get the winter coat loosening up and brushing was all it took. What is your budget? I can ask around here

[Blacktail135]

 She’s looking for 7-15 yo, 15h or less, $5kish, partial to palomino, no white. Not getting picky huh? 😂

[vandeman17]

She’s looking for 7-15 yo, 15h or less, $5kish, partial to palomino, no white. Not getting picky huh? 😂

Way less picky then when we were looking. 

[Mark Brenckle]

I'd highly recommend having an at-home trial period. The two horses I was smart enough to do that on went back to their previous owners...
  The horse we brought along a trainer my wife worked with so didn't bother with a trial, he turned out to be dangerous and ended up putting my wife in Harborview with 2 broken legs. He went to the Everson auction and I hope he had a short trip to Canada from there.   

[Mark Brenckle]

She’s looking for 7-15 yo, 15h or less, $5kish, partial to palomino, no white. Not getting picky huh? 😂

Way less picky then when we were looking. 

  I understand wanting a certain breed or color, but it really is all about their attitude and demeanor. Having them at your place, seeing how they interact (after a few days) with your fences, your shelter and most importantly YOU makes the decision much easier. I honestly won't consider a horse if the owner won't agree to one.

[Jingles]

Regardless of whether you get an at home trial before you ever load it throw a saddle on it and tighten the cinch like you were getting ready to get on as some are cinch and will pullbac on the lead rope, know this from experience bad times for all as horse flipped over backwards and broke the saddle tree so not only out the horse as went to slaughter house but also out a 600.00 saddle.
Along with the vet check  you'll need a Coggins test and an EIA  test, andif by some chance you decide to ride outside WA you'll need a brand inspection. Those were the 3 things I had to show at the first open weigh station I came to when entering a state on my ride from WA to MI. Yep 2278 mile horseback ride summer of 2016.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://events.lls.org/pages/wa/horseadventure16&ved=2ahUKEwjgrsbysr_1AhWbCTQIHY2fDEsQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1NYQ5_--rSWTwbPkSaoG_3

[Blacktail135]

Thanks guys! Making my list and checking it twice….before we buy! The last one we got we think the guy gave him bute before we showed up. He was ok but older than the guy said…by far. The one before was insulin resistant, had cushions and laminitis. We knew nothing about this and paid the price for lack of knowledge….for 10 years!

[Jingles]

Blacktail135 your inbox is full

[Mark Brenckle]

Yep, I won't go through that crap again. My wife's current horse is close to retirement but she's always been pretty healthy. She'll live out her remaining years here and be comfortable and well cared for.  We bought her in '06 as an 8 yo, so getting up there. My horse we got in '17 as a guesstimated 12 or 13 yo, he's had very little if any formal training but he's such a good horse I'll overlook a lot of little stuff and be thankful he's sane and an easy keeper.