Featured Article (February 2005)

Horse Shopping III

The last two articles on "horse shopping" have provided insight from two leading hunter/jumper trainers, Pam Freely and Denice DeRisio Perry, on the process they use to begin the search for the ideal mount for their riders. The trainer has ascertained the customer’s needs, financial capability and agreed on the financial terms. The next phase of horse shopping, Horse Shopping II, is where the "rubber meets the road."

The shopping experience can be made a bit more expeditious these days thanks to modern technology. The screening process may begin with a tape of the prospective horse. This is, of course, particularly helpful when one is shopping from a distance and plane trips or long car rides are involved.

If the prospect is in the immediate vicinity, Pam Freeley likes to make the screening run herself to see the horse and assess whether or not the horse is appropriate for her student. If the screening run is literally by means of a tape she reminds us that it is probable that the horse is being shown to you AT HIS BEST!! So therefore you have to assess how he moves and how he jumps and his overall presence. If he doesn’t particularly appeal to you on the tape, you may decide not to further pursue that particular horse.

Let me take a moment and say that we are not discussing the green horse in this particular article. We are talking about the seasoned animal who is to be the prospective partner of the trainer’s student for the level that the student plans to compete. Pam makes the point that with a green horse her attitude is "what you see is what you get at that point in his training."

Test Drive

A possible candidate has been found and the decision is made to pay a visit to make a "test drive." This is often a moment of anxiety for the amateur rider as there is usually a number of strangers around to watch the proceedings. Pam likes to watch how the horse comes into the ring and goes around. When it is time for the prospective buyer to get on the horse, she likes to calm her shopper’s nerves with the observation that " What you do doesn’t matter. No one is purchasing you! Just ride like you are at home." Pam welcomes the mistakes because she gets to see how the horse handles himself. She wants to see the horse that keeps trying even when a mistake is made. The odds of any of us making a mistake in the show ring are high so she wants to see the horse that is still willing to try and "doesn’t fall apart."

Trial Period

The ideal situation is to be able to bring the horse to your farm (where he will live) for a trial period. This enables you to see how the horse will react in new surroundings and how he will fit into his new environment. However, this trial does present certain risks to the owner. When a horse goes somewhere on trial he is temporarily taken off the market. There is always the possibility that someone may ask the horse do to something that he is not qualified to do. For example, the prospective buyer might decide to see if the 3 foot horse can really jump 3’6 and over face the horse. Or there is always the risk that the horse is injured. If you are able to bring the horse for a "home trial," be sure you have placed an insurance binder on him for the sale price. Pam says that she usually knows in three days if she is "going to call the vet or the van." If she is at all undecided she might ask for a bit more time.

Vet Exam

The next step in the process is the vetting. 1) Get the vet with whom you are most comfortable. 2) Try to be there if possible. If the distance is too far to have your own vet, have your vet find a colleague he knows in the area to manage the vetting. They can review the results together. "If there is anything that stands out in my mind, say stiffness, I want to discuss this with the vet. Vets do not have crystal balls," says Pam. There is no such thing as the perfect horse. It is difficult for the owner when the vet report communicates every flexion, every little shadow, and imperfection. "One must consider the horse’s past job in relation to his future job," Pam states. Pam considers the older horse an advantage to students at a beginner level through higher levels as these horses "have been there done that" and can teach riders to be successful.

The Winning Combination

The last step is putting the new horse and rider together. "Some matches are perfect from the beginning. However, it is not unusual for the winning relationship to take three years to evolve. The first year of the combination may not be THE WINNING COMBINATION. You hope you have the "recipe book" from the previous owner. You have the information as how to best care for the horse and prepare him for the show ring. However, the reality is that there is an overall adjustment period. Even though the horse may have been at the top of the competition ladder with his former rider, we are almost going to have to go back and climb each rung of that ladder as the new rider, says Pam." Pam cautions us to remember that there are many different levels. The last thing any trainer wants to do is over face the new horse and rider combination. "As a trainer when you hit a valley you have to be able to step back and reassess the situation. We need to help our students and parents to learn to manage their expectations."

Humility and Perseverance

Pam observes that riding really teaches humility. "One day the rider thinks she is hot stuff and the next day something happens. Maybe your horse was up late the night before and just doesn’t feel like playing. It’s just not happening today. Shrug it off. It’s just not your day. If you never lose you’ll never appreciate winning." The hardest thing for a child (and for that matter anyone) to see is the disappointment from family, peers and trainers. There needs to be a combination at the in-gate of just the trainer and the groom (a quiet, calm groom). When the student comes out of the ring that same combination should be there to give thoughtful encouragement."

Pam makes an interesting distinction between the child and the adult competitor. The child doesn’t have the same control over his surroundings as the adult. Therefore, it is important for the family, friends, and trainers to be sensitive to the child’s needs. "The adult needs to learn to surround themselves with positive people. The team must be in place before you ride through the in-gate," says Pam. Once the trainer turns you lose at the in-gate it’s just you and the horse.

We hope this information helps you choose the best possible new equine partner.