Ridecamp: [RC] Horse shopping questions

 I want a
> horse that I can do a sitting trot on, if I want.  Something
> smooth. 

Personally, I like a trot 5 times too fast to sit...then I get back to my
cot 5 hours faster. :-)  I'd rather ride a 5 1/2 hour 50 with a nice
breeze, then doze on a cot than sit a smooth trot in the heat the entire
12 allowed hours...but do your thing, to each his own. :-)

  I know I
> don't want a lot of excessive knee and hock action as that
> is inefficient on the trail, and makes for a really springy
> trot - this is what the mare I have now was like.  Ugh!  I
> think I need a horse that moves with more level motion to
> cover more ground without wasting enegery...right?  :)

To some extent, but a true "daisy clipper" tends to trip a more.  My
daughter's horse has a lot of hock action. He's 20 and still sound, but
you're right...it's work to post him.  Mine travels longer & more level. 
Hers is faster at picking through rough going.  Watching him from behind
is like watching a football player run through a row of tires doing the
high stepping drill.

> Anyway, if anyone can tell me what the real differences are
> in horses that excel in these different categories, it would
> be helpful, so I can weed out some of these ads I'm looking
> at.

You mean...you think the people in the ads have a clue what they've got? 
I've given up on that.  I just call to see if I think they're clueless or
not...and sometimes things they say give me some hint what the horse is
really like.
 
> Also, what is considered "good bone" measurement-wise?  I
> plan on taking a tape with me and actually measuring cannons
> when I go look.

I believe it's according to the size of the horse.  Just look at it. Does
it look like a deer, or like it might hold somebody up?  I don't like
back at the knees...I do hold that against one.  

Does the back look like you can fit it with a saddle? Level is great.
Does he look strong in the loin? Withers sure come in handy on downhills
and when short people have to mount.  Are there girth rubs?  If he gets
rubs easy that can be a lifelong pain in the butt.

I've seen so many horses with "technically wrong" conformation who did
great that I'm hesitant to recommend, or disqualify much of
anything...but avoid one with interference scars.  If he's interfered
already with limited riding...picture the chewing up he'll give himself
over 50 or 100 miles.

Avoid one that steps on his front feet. They'll pull their own shoes off
by stepping on the front with the rear in mud.  I don't mind "clacking"
(O.K. it's irritating, but no big deal).  I think that's just the rear
shoe hitting the bottom of the front. But avoid one with scars on his
bulbs.

I like a horse that wears his rear shoes out first.  If the horse is
shod, take a look at them.

Learn to do flex tests.  You'll save yourself some time.

Learn to look concerned and a little disappointed at many of the things
we *want* in a horse that others hate.  It'll brings the price down. For
instance, "Gosh, he just keeps trotting faster instead of going into a
canter!"

Measure the horse while you're there. They have undoubtedly told you it
is taller than it really is.  If they ask $1500 and say he's 15.2 and you
measure him 14.3, sigh, then insinuate the price should drop accordingly.
(which it should)

Angie

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