hahaha I've been thrown off more times than I have had hot dinners...

but then, I get everyone else's 'problem' horses, to do the horse whisperer thing with..

I've learned how to dismount off a horse that is galloping but that was as close as I've come to falling off

I am lucky enough to have owned many horses..all sizes..a general saddle will fit (if you are talking about western) them little bitty things they call saddles I know nothing about). Then there are the really huge horses that may need a larger one such as Clydesdale's and Percheron's etc....a saddle that fits an Appaloosa will fit a Thoroughbred. They have large straps that go under the belly and will fit. Use a good blanket maybe two.
Good luck with the horse. I have had good luck at auctions when buying tack. Halters, lead ropes and bridles and blankets and saddles.

Kat

Dismount at a gallop???? You do mean while pulling on the reins....to slow, right? Otherwise.....never mind.

As Scttrbrain has said most standard saddles will fit. You will need a good blanket for the horse as well and as she said consider using 2 if they are worn and used or cheaper ones.

But first of all since it has been a while since the horse has been ridden I would take my time messing with the horse for several days in a row to let them get use to you as well as putting the saddle on them leading them around ect.

But the first thing you will defiantly need to do is find out the last time she had a horseshoer come out to trim the horses holves. Make sure that is done before you start riding the comfort of the horse is most important.

As far as the saddle goes if your looking for and English Saddle look around locally and see if there are any stables close by call them and ask them if anyone within the stables might have a English Saddle for sale. They at that time will also be able to guide you even more on different pieces of tack. But no matter who you buy your saddle from make sure you check all the leather straps to see if they are worn if so you will want to replace them just for safety sakes due to breakage.

Also check your local feed stores and even your auctions as well.

You will also need to check to see if the lady has any idea what type of bit the horse was use to as well.

Main thing is getting use to the horse and them getting use to you. Make sure the horse does not have any medical condition that you might not be aware of.

Most the time horses go to and auction there is and underlying reason for it there may be a reason they could not sell the horse out right.

Unless they are the more high dollar auctions.

Since you have rode you said for 6 years prior then you should know quiet a bit about horses by now yourself. It never hurts to check with the local feed stores as well to gain even more information.

What ever you do don't go cold turkey and jump up on that horse without taking your time since it has not been ridding in such a long time & make sure their feet have been tended to lately as well.

I only know of the rocking horse droppings. (Very scarce)

9 years old

so the horse prolly has some riding experience. but like Kristi said find out what kind of bit the horse is used to

maybe get a used bridle (I'm sure the feed store would have a few) and just walk the horse a bit to get her used to you

and a vet and a farrier should be the first order of business. get her feet checked out and see if her shoes need changing

No, I mean a full dismount at full speed. Pretty interesting actually.

Yeah, I'm going up to meet her next weekend and walk her around and such.

See the biggest issue is that no matter how cheap I find tack (it has to be really cheap though) its always too expensive for me. I can barely afford anything. The owner is going to talk to her friend and see if she has any available tack. I'm so hoping she has some she will let me use.

The horse was at auction because the owner had things repossessed from her and she had to sell her horse. The horse's value is 10,000 but she sold it to the the lady I met real cheap just so the horse would have a good owner.

The horse was really green when she was first bought. Besides her original owner, she only has been ridden once a few years back and apparently everyone calls her a very special horse and that she would be worth even more if she was a show horse and had papers.

Another thing, this is jersey. Where the hell is there a feed store? lol I live in the suburbs and have never seen one.

Hummm well like I said still be cautious what others say the reasons for the horse to be at and auctions and to be sold so cheap.

I had to sell my horses 5 years ago and regardless yeah I sold mine cheaper then what they were worth due to the person I sold them too I knew.

But I guarantee you if I had a horse worth that much which is hard to swallow I would have taken them to the high dollar auction and got the money for them if a horse is that green broke then I would suggest that someone ride it the first time that knows something about breaking horses.

I have taken my share of hitting the ground and I promise it does not get any easier each time it happens.

I may be wrong but I would say I don't care how gentle they may sound or how special they are one that is green is green and can in just minute turn into the horse from hell when you get on their back if not done in the correct way and time.

I understand you may not have the money for the saddle but it may be best that you take time each and every day with the horse and save up for the saddle. Tack is the most important thing one puts on a horse make sure you get tack that is in good condition it only takes one strap to be worn for one to be seriously hurt.

Most accidents when riding is due to worn out tack that was never replaced thinking it will be okay till they could replace it. Then most want to blame it on the horse for getting spooked ect. As many times as I have fell of I will admit it was due to my own stupidity the horse was only reacting the way any horse would have.

I plan to have good tack. And to save up for tack would take me over a year and I'm in no way exaggerating. Thats why I hope her friend will come through for me. I feel like I'm that little girl again that just wants to ride even though I'm virtually broke.

Thanks for your input ... everyone else too. I really appreciate it.

As far as you living in town and don't know where the feed stores are surely the lady that has the horse could tell you where one is.

I mean heck I live in town too and there is a feed store within 5 blocks of me. Just look in the yellow pages if nothing else for the feed stores. Talk to them they will be able to get you in touch with those that work with horses ect.

One thing that should be considered a horse that is green is not one you can work with once a week it is and everyday choir something that takes up a lot of time in the beginning.

Just be very careful and not rush into the situation.

My ex found a horse at one time we went and looked at it just what he was looking for had a reddish brown coat 4 white stockings blazed face the horse was beautiful. The lady brought it out had it saddled by the time we got there she got on it rode it around right where we were no problems.

At the time we had had horses for a couple of years my ex was a Horseshoer. The minute he put his foot in the stirrup the horse took off like a bat out of hell. He was big enough and had rode enough that he did get the horse under control. He got off and she acted like she had no idea why the horse acted that way changed bits ect.

She then put him in the corral again my ex got on and the horse took off like a bat out of hell. Well the more I talked to her I found out the truth she had actually just acquired the horse a few days prior and it had only been ridden my a women and her daughter come to find out the woman's husband about the same size of my ex had problems with the horse and had made them sell it.

Therefore the horse hated men and did not want them near her. All we could figure out is the man must have been mean to the horse. Horses are smart they don't forget when one abuses them. Needless to say no matter how pretty that horse was it was not worth getting hurt over. One really never knows the history behind a horse unless you knew the ones that had it prior and they are honest with the reasons they get rid of them. Believe me most are not honest why they get rid of them when it is a problem horse specially when they take them to a auction.

Thanks the gods and goddesses you arrived TxsGal!!!

We aussies do it a little differently...

and I didnt want to get the poor love killed..

Unfortunately, I don't have a car three days out of the week. But i was planning on spending friday, sat, and sunday with her for a few hours. Just grooming her and letting her get to know me.

Unless it was a school horse, I would never just get on a horse i didn't know. I'm not that crazy although I'd like to be considering how excited I am.

Just another thought if you are wanting to ride that much check there has to be stables near you and you would be surprised at how many people would be willing to work with you just to exercise their horses on a daily bases and they furnish their own tack. Since you are wanting to ride and at times they pay someone to exercise their horse if you told them you would do it for free just to get to ride you may be surprised what kind of deal you could in fact work out with them. Just something to think about.....

Girths are easy to organise...if it's western saddle it's usually a ring and cinch girth which adjusts up or down...depending on the grass belly, and the work the horse gets..

English saddle...from girth strap to girth strap when the saddle is seated on the horse's back will give you the basic measurement.


I did trackwork with racehorses when I was 15/16 ...and one of the things we were taught was to 'tumble' at full pace...

it defies everything we are conditioned to do....and certainly reminds us why tuck and roll is so important..

Something else I thought of last night...

you mentioned she lunges well...so tack her up, and lunge her first...before every ride, and if you have someone who knows what they are doing, then ask them to lunge her whilst you put her through her paces under saddle.

So true this is very important to do with the saddle on to make sure she is not skittish of having the saddle on her back.

Kristi....smack me if I am out of line...please? (use the magic delete post button if need be )


WolfEyez,

I don't want to rain on your parade...I want you to be safe, and also this little mare...

How often have you tacked up? Adjusted bridles? Sized bits?

Seated saddles properly, girthed up?

Worked horses...?

This is serious stuff...I am hearing some pretty concerning stuff here...

A green mare that is 9 years old, been paddocked for years with no work..and been ridden once, that you know of?

If you are NOT experienced, and I mean it...REALLY experienced, been thrown, kicked, bitten, stood on, leaned on...and every other 'love bruise' that horse owners get...I am seriously concerned.

Girth galls,and saddle sores from poorly fitted saddles and girths...sore mouth from ill fitting bit sat too high or too low in the horses mouth...brow bands too tight...cheek straps too tight, nose bands too tight... all of this will cause the little mare consternation...

if you don't know these things, you have to find a mentor NOW...to teach you...to be standing beside you, to saddle her up... and ride her for you, FIRST.

I mean this in the kindest spirit..please start looking now for someone to help you...in real time...

I want you to have the freedom, and the joys of being as one with a horse...but I want you both to be safe.

I've been bitten, I've been leaned on and stepped on. I've been reared up on (on and off saddle), and had the privilege of riding an arabian who did nothing but spin in circles and buck.

I know when brow, cheek and nose bands are too tight. Anything else I'm not sure of but I know how to adjust the girth and how to fit it right.

I appreciate the concern though i promise not to do anything stupid. I wish i could find someone on here that was close by to me to help me out. The horse's owner has no clue about horses. maybe her friend will help me out but i can't rely on on that.