Navigating the world of horse purchasing can be daunting, especially when considering the investment in professional training. While the cost of training, often around $850 per month, might seem significant, it pales in comparison to the expense and uncertainty of acquiring a “finished” horse. For those seeking horses under $10,000, it can often feel like playing the lottery, with many horses not being as sound, gentle, or well-trained as advertised. The journey to finding a reliable roping horse, for instance, typically requires an investment of $10,000 and upwards. AJ Performances Horses specializes in helping clients find and train the ideal equine partner.
For individuals looking to buy a horse for personal use, the process can be particularly challenging. While professional horse trainers have evaluated thousands of horses, the average buyer may have only seen a handful, leading to intimidation. It’s crucial to understand that many issues, even in young horses, may never be fully resolved without experienced guidance. Problems like running off, circling within an arena, or issues with the starting box can put a buyer at an unnecessary disadvantage, especially if they don’t ride or rope daily. Fixing these ingrained problems can be incredibly difficult for the inexperienced.
The Risks of Training a Young Horse
The cost of training a young horse incorrectly can be substantial. Young horses are highly impressionable, and mistakes made during their early training can lead to lifelong problems. They can develop aversions to the box, the rope, or the run itself, which are notoriously hard to rectify. Green horses can also be unpredictable and potentially dangerous when handled improperly. Young horses naturally make poor decisions, a tendency that is amplified if they aren’t ridden consistently. Without daily reinforcement and guidance, their decision-making skills can quickly deteriorate, much like teenagers left to their own devices. Given their size and power, horses can easily cause harm, even unintentionally. Inexperienced individuals attempting to train young horses themselves often put themselves at significant risk. For this reason, it’s often recommended to consider horses that are slightly older, perhaps 7 or 8 years old, rather than those who are not yet mature.
The Value of Professional Training
Often, the most effective solution is to have a horse professionally trained to your specifications. When executed properly, professional training can overcome the challenges associated with buying an unfinished horse and result in a reliable equine partner for many years. A skilled trainer can assist in locating the right horse, filtering out unsuitable options, and protecting you from unscrupulous sellers. They can also manage veterinary checks, ensuring the horse begins its career on a sound footing. Even receiving advice via photos or video of horse papers from a trusted trainer can be immensely helpful.
Furthermore, a professional trainer can help prevent fundamental issues from developing in a horse. Trainers aim to avoid problems not only for their clients but also for themselves, as a well-behaved horse is far more enjoyable to ride. While experienced trainers can address many issues, they can typically achieve superior results when starting with a clean slate rather than trying to fix pre-existing problems.
As previously mentioned, the best approach is often to have a horse started correctly from the beginning. This is where a trusted trainer becomes invaluable. For a truly exceptional horse, consider purchasing a quality young horse and sending it to a reputable trainer for several months. This allows the trainer to mold the horse according to your specific needs and skill level, resulting in a problem-free, safe, and personalized equine partner.
The Financial Perspective
The idea of professional training might seem financially out of reach, but a closer look at the numbers can be reassuring. Typically, a quality young horse can be purchased for under $6,500, with many suitable prospects available around the $4,500 mark. Investing four months of professional training at approximately $850 per month ($3,400) brings the total to around $9,900. If you acquire a horse for $4,500 and invest in two months of training ($1,700), the total cost comes to approximately $7,900, comfortably placing you under the $10,000 budget.
A Horse Made for You
Opting for a trained horse means acquiring your dream equine partner, one that has been meticulously trained without developing negative habits. You avoid the stress and potential danger of training a difficult horse yourself. A skilled trainer, attuned to your preferences, can ensure the horse is developed to your specific needs and riding style, rather than being generically patterned. If you’re interested in building the right horse rather than leaving it to chance, consider contacting professionals like AJ Fuchs. With extensive experience in roping and horsemanship, he and his team are dedicated to improving horses and can help you find your perfect match. You can find more information on his website at ajfuchs.com.
