Best Montana Horse (Helena, Big Sky: sale, new home, neighborhood)
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Hello
My partner and I have purchased a 287 acre gentlemens ranch,near Helena,Mt. We want to exit the hectic life in Providence,RI.,and enjoy the sunsets in the Big Sky. We are a gay couple,recently married,and have never owned an animal bigger than our cat.
Can some rancher type cowboy recommend what horse would be the gentlest to ride? Looking forward to your advice. Thanks.
Pachaug
Look at my name, AQHA. Its a no brainer, The American Quarter Horse is the best. Most breeds are represented in Montana but the most popular is the Q/H. They are calm easy going horses. If you guys dont have any horse experience you may also consider the Halflinger.
The halflinger was breed originally to be used as a small draft horse but they have become very popular as riding horses. My elderly mother was getting to weak to climb up on a 15 hand horse so she bought her a halfinger to use in harness and under saddle. She uses it several times a week to pull the buggy and to saddle up and go for a ride.
When she fist got it she had me put 30 days on it under saddle. I am 6'2 and 240 pounds, that little horse (13'2 hands) hauled me around just fine. Those halflingers are great horse for new horse riders if you ask me.
We have a trail riding club here in Helena, The Helena Trail Riders. If you are interested I will give you some contact information. We get together and go for a trail ride every three or four weeks. Its a great group of middle to older aged people who just like to get out and ride. Some are old pro's, and some are new to horses. This is a great way to learn about horses, or if you are already salty with horses it is just a good way to learn different places to ride.
Pachaug,
I have lived in Montana for quite some time now.
I see many cowboys riding shetland ponies. They are gentle and easy to ride.
There are many old timers,selling off big parcels of land in that area, for
affordable housing developments. I appreciate new comers as yourself,
who are interested in preserving the land.
A
Pachaug,
Look in the papers once you get settled in at your new home for a rancher/farmer selling a good kids horse. It really doesn't matter what the breed is, it is all in how they were trained and raised. I grew up riding appaloosas, quarter horses, arabians, welchs(pony), even shires(draft horse). Every horse has their own personality, take the time to get to know them. Then make sure that your tack fits your horse properly. Find out from who you buying the horse from what type of bridle and bit they have had the best luck with, and what type of saddle best fits them. More good horses have been ruined because of discomfort from saddles and bridles than any other reason. Then take some more time and get really familar with riding. Point is, take your time, don't just buy the first horse you meet. You might stick with a horse that is around 8-10 years of age, although this doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot either as there are some very young (2-3) horses that are awesome and some very old horses (18-22) that are the worst you could imagine. One that is over 15 hands and under 17 hands is also a good idea. A horse that is short may have a very choppy gate, while a horse that is tall may be a little harder to mount. Good luck and welcome to Montana. Most of the people here are open to others as long as you don't try to push your way around. Just find things in your area that you could help with and you'll have no problem.
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You can take this for whatever it's worth... I wouldn't buy a horse from someone who didn't care who was buying it... If they don't seem to care where the horses are going or how you'll take care of them I'd worry about how they took care of them. Hope that makes sense....
You've been given good recommendations. I second the thoughts on getting a Quarter Horse. Though each animal is an individual, they tend to be well-mannered. With the experience I have had with my 1/2 QH 1/2 Arabian I would stay away from Arabians. They can be flighty. I've also heard good things about Morgans and the Rocky Mountain Horse if they are still around. And if you really want gentle, look for an aged horses to start with versus a youngster. Good luck and welcome to Big Sky Country!
Most newbies (people younger than 30) to the business of Quarter Horses, often times forget that there are two distinct types of quarter horses.
Old foundation line bred stock, and the new foundation .
The old foundation quarter horse was used mostly for rounding up the cattle, back in the day. Because of their girth, weight and gentle temperment, they were much prefered here in the west.
New foundation quarter horses (such as the Bar 3/Sugar Bar breeds) are much taller and because of their thoroughbred breeding, are much flightier and much less predictable than the ole friendly Boxaro bred types.
Old foundation quarter horses aren't really much to look at. They are shorter and much stockier. What they might lack in speed and looks, they more than make up for in gentle disposition.
If you are just going to have a hobby ranch, then I would suggest, and highly, that you go in for the old foundation stock as opposed to the new.
New foundation stock may require a professional horsemsn 24/7, whereas, because of their friendliness, old foundation stock are much easier to deal with when it comes to amatures, such as yourselves.
Don't buy your horse from some backyard buckaroo either...... When you shop for horse stock around here, buy from the professionals. Trainers are prefered, but established ranchers can provide a quality sale too.
Before you give up your money for a horse, be sure to have it vet checked thoroughly. Most may already have vet papers, but get it vet checked on your own... you never know when a nasty case of Ringbone might rear it's ugly head...
The best age to buy a trained horse is between the ages of 4 and 6.
Older horses (8 to 12) can have any good number of bad habits that you'll find yourself having to correct.
Novice horse purchasers should also try to avoid stock that has been trained for things like cutting. The last thing a newbie needs, is to have a horse that's constantly looking for a cow to chase... you'll want to ride this horse, not cut and run every time you mount up.
Feed lots of COB (corn, oats and barley) in the winter, along with some good third cutting alfalfa. Grass and alfalfa (50/50) in the summer.
Arabians are worthless. Week kneed stumbling wonders they are, and though they may be long winded... they can't and never will stack up to the Morgan, Appaloosa, or Quarter Horse.
--- just my two cents ---
Last edited by GiftShoppeGuy; 09-14-2007 at 07:55 PM..
while I agree with most of what you said, there are parts of your post that need correcting, or maybe clarifying.
"Old foundation quarter horses aren't really much to look at." I take issue with this. The Foundation Quarter Horse is about the prettiest horse there is. Beautiful rumps and baby doll heads. Bulldog muscles and a head carriage to die for.
"The best age to buy a trained horse is between the ages of 4 and 6." This gentleman has not given us much information on his horsemanship skills but if he is a greenhorn I think he would be better served on a horse that is a little older. One that will be less influenced by his lack of horsemanship. I would recommend over 8; over 10 would be even better.
"Novice horse purchasers should also try to avoid stock that has been trained for things like cutting." If he got an older one, with the good foundation breeding he would be getting the perfect horse. Cutting horses are more responsive than any I have ridden. They are broke broke broke.
I'm pleased to see there are others who appreciate the old foundation quarter horse lines. They are what I have and as far as I'm concerned there is nothing better. I have a Doc Bar horse from the Wagner ranch breeding program that I feel very lucky to have. He is the best horse I have ever been around bar none. A guy only gets a horse like this once in a lifetime.
while I agree with most of what you said, there are parts of your post that need correcting, or maybe clarifying.
"Old foundation quarter horses aren't really much to look at." I take issue with this. The Foundation Quarter Horse is about the prettiest horse there is. Beautiful rumps and baby doll heads. Bulldog muscles and a head carriage to die for.
"The best age to buy a trained horse is between the ages of 4 and 6." This gentleman has not given us much information on his horsemanship skills but if he is a greenhorn I think he would be better served on a horse that is a little older. One that will be less influenced by his lack of horsemanship. I would recommend over 8; over 10 would be even better.
"Novice horse purchasers should also try to avoid stock that has been trained for things like cutting." If he got an older one, with the good foundation breeding he would be getting the perfect horse. Cutting horses are more responsive than any I have ridden. They are broke broke broke.
I'm pleased to see there are others who appreciate the old foundation quarter horse lines. They are what I have and as far as I'm concerned there is nothing better. I have a Doc Bar horse from the Wagner ranch breeding program that I feel very lucky to have. He is the best horse I have ever been around bar none. A guy only gets a horse like this once in a lifetime.
To clarify;
I was thinking of our Hancock line quarter horse mares (running quarter horse)... in relation to the King Ranch old stock. Sorry for not being more specific.
And yes... an old nag might do the trick for someone who might be grossly inexperienced... you are right... just so long as the ole sway-back isn't dragging the ground.... heh heh...
There's nothing worse than having the neighborhood horses laughing at your horse when you go riding by... LOL...
You'll have to excuse me though... my life has been filled with the fast adventures of the horse industry.... it's just not an easy thing for me to settle down when the blood starts pumping over some great horse stock.....
You are indeed lucky to have what you do.... Actually, I think, "Blessed" comes closer to describing it.
I'm very partial to our old foundation stock over any of our new, though the new often times fetches a higher price.
As far as the trained cutting horse?... You'll have to admit that attitude rules the day when it comes to the round up...... these horses are high spirited and thrill at the thought of the chase (they don't even have to have a rider to cut two or three from the herd)... They can be "too responsive" for most newbies.
The horse cuts sharp left at gentlest tap and the newbie continues to keep going straight.... I know you've seen this happen before....
I have, and it's not an easy thing to hold back the laughter, I must admit....
It's usually the 15 year olds that are broke, broke, broke.... at least in my experience.
There can be some pro's and con's... in that older, much more experienced horses are often the masters of dumping their rider over their younger counterparts... they may ride slower, and turn back when you want them to, but they also can come with some bad habits too...
Either way, I'm sure that it will all work out for the original poster to this thread.. he may go through 3 or 5 different horses before he gets the one that's just right.
Last edited by GiftShoppeGuy; 09-14-2007 at 10:11 PM..
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