Trail horse

[WSU]

My wife really wants a trail horse.  I've been around horses some (not a lot) and had cattle, but really am not all that knowledgeable regarding horses.  We have the property already, and I can figure out the feeding, vet care, and similar issues.  For two people who are going to be more or less learning about horses from the start, what would people recommend as far as what kind and age of horse to get, gear for trail riding, and things like that. 

The horse will be used for riding in wilderness areas and eventually for extended trips into the wilderness.

[JLS]

Since you don't have much experience, I would personlly stick with quarter horses instead of Arabians or Thoroughbred types.  They generally are more even tempered and easier to get along with.  I prefer geldings over mares, but that's my preference. 

Don't buy anything that is listed as "spirited", "needs a firm hand", "needs experienced rider".  These are code words for PITA.

Look at disposition first, conformation second, all else (color included )last.  Size does not matter.  The best pack horse I ever owned was only a little over 14 hands tall, and had crappy withers (round back), but I would take him in a heart beat any day to pack out a tough load.  Likewise, my best riding horse was only 15 hands but was tougher than nails.  However, he was not for the inexperienced rider.  I could handle him, a rookie couldn't.  His quirks were worth it to me, but would not have been for someone new.

Look at lots of horses, and always ride them.  Catch them yourself if you can, because some have a nasty habit of playing keep away.  Ride the horse away from the barn/pen.  Is he barn sour and always trying to go back?  If so, keep looking.  Does he whinny constantly when he's by himself?  Keep looking.

You'd probably want something in the 8-10 year old range, lots of life left but old enough to have been past some of the dumb phases that young horses go through and have some experience.

Good luck.

[6x6in6]

I would agree with what JLS said and few things to add to what was said there.
I would not generally rule out an Arabian.  Sure, many of the Arab breed have been watered down to be hot wing-nuts.  Of our 5 horses, 3 are Arabs and 1 is a 1/2 Arab and half quarter.  All are related in some fashion, brother/sister,  1/2 brother and 1/2 sister, etc.  All are extremely level headed and are excellent on the trail.
Many breeds have suffered from the same bad blood breeding.  Quarter's, Paints, Morgans, Appy's. 
If I were you, one of the first things I would do is a interview process per se and find a Veterinarian that you feel extremely comfortable with and is very knowledgeable on the horse side.
2nd would be find a trainer who would be willing to work you, the horse-less owner, on training you on what makes a horse go around.  Understanding the basics - their eyes, their ears, their overall posture, the "signals" that the horse sends you so you can understand their language and communicate back to the horse.  All of this needs to be accomplished first on the ground and secondarily under saddle.  The use of your eyes, the position of your your torso, the tilt of your head, the pointing of your hand are all examples of you communicating to your horse and what you want him/her to do.  You stair at his butt and point your belly button at his butt, the well trained horse should yield to that pressure and step away, as just one example.  You develop an understanding on how a horse communicates to you and visa/versa you will then have a better understanding of what JLS and I have said on which horses to stay away from.

100% agree on the ride them, catch them, barn sour, whinny part.  These can be overcome with relative ease, but why.

A horse that is underweight tend to be a bit more "lethargic".  I would steer clear of an underweight horse since sometimes when they get the more groceries in them you tend to find out they have a little more spunk in them.  Could be a whole different horse than that follow you around mellow puppy dog you once bought.
Whatever horses you decide on, get him/her thoroughly vet checked by your vet.  Just like humans, a lot of things have transpired in life but the horse can't speak to their doctor.  Legs - Tendon issues, cannon bone rotation, joint issues.  Heart rate and lung issues.  Nervous system issues like ataxia - unsure of where to place their rear feet typically attributed to some form of neck trauma and spinal cord pressure.  All of these are things that a good vet could see in an exam and through horse movement observation yet you may not notice at all.  If the seller says the vet check has been done, do it anyways.  They so no, you leave.

Obviously, a properly fitted saddle is #1.  Your horse gets soar, it's a long walk for the both of you.  I can't remember which member it is on here, but he is a custom saddle maker and I believe he's in Nine Mile Falls NW of Spokane.  Maybe he'll chime in here and help you out with proper saddle fitting.

Again, like JLS, my #1 trail horse is not for the inexperienced either.  We have our moments together.  I have to remind him that who's on charge once in awhile then all is great.  Of all things, he's an off track Standardbred.  Didn't know much when I got him.  Never been on a trail and had no clue about anything other than yarding a cart, getting whipped and will I be first to the finish line.  He was 6 when I took him in and he's now 16.  Took a good year but the last 8-9 years he's the best trail horse I've ever had and possibly the best I will ever have.

[jackmaster]

buy a couple burrows, atleast it isnt a far fall to the ground 

[6x6in6]

buy a couple burrows, atleast it isnt a far fall to the ground 

Yer an ass.   

[JLS]

You are absolutely correct, there are very good Arabians.  My experiences with them were very bad and I have a bias that is now hard to overcome.  I much prefer Quarter Horses with ranch bred lineage to them. 

That said, the pack horse I referred to above came from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and I paid $300 for him.

[6x6in6]

I agree.  I did not have a single good experience with an Arabian until I met the Mrs, who owns the 3 I mentioned above.  The QuarAb is mine.  I got halfway sucked into the Arab thing by her. If he didn't have quarter blood in him, I think i would have ran the other way.   At least he looks like a QH and not the tell-tale Arab look, thank goodness.

[WSU]

I appreciate the responses.  About how much should I expect to spend on an 8-10 year old trail horse?  Also, about how much should I expect to spend for some good but used tack?

[JLS]

At least he looks like a QH and not the tell-tale Arab look, thank goodness.

Life is too short to ride an ugly horse

WSU,

I haven't paid much attention to the horse market as of late, but I think in the 15-1800 dollar range should get you a pretty good horse.  A good used saddle should run in the 5-600 dollar range

[jackmaster]

buy a couple burrows, atleast it isnt a far fall to the ground 

Yer an ass.   

[docsven]

Key Words in listing,  "Bomb Proof"

[Machias]

I have the absolute perfect horse, if you're interested.  She is as bomb proof a AQHA mare as you can find.  She taught my daughter to ride.  I would put an absolute beginner on her and not be worried a bit.  She has done it all, pulled a cart for the Amish, done some gaming with my daughter, worked cattle (doesn't like cattle, but worked them), been on lots of trail rides in the mountains.  Perfect for the farrier, easy to catch, easy to saddle, easy to load in a horse trailer, stands very quiet, stands still to be mounted.  You name it, this horse is perfect, no holes what so ever.  Let me know if you'd like to see some photos or come and give her a test ride.  She really is a perfect new horse person's horse.

[fillthefreezer]

reply'ing for bookmark purposes. my wife and i are in the similar position.

[KopperBuck]

I'd think around 2k you should be able to find something good. And if you're not in a hurry good deals come along, you just need to be active and willing to kick the tires on a bunch of them. My last one was the deal of the century - was free and I'm afraid I'll never find another like him.

[WAcoyotehunter]

if you show up to look at a horse and it's sweaty...leave.  Ask for a trial period.  We have done that when selling a horse, or go for a good trail ride with the owner. Go off the farm to a new area to see how it does.