hey, i'm new here. from Fort Macleod Alberta, and totally 100% a true Albertan Canadian. now for my question: i'm 14 years old and i've wanted my own horse for as long as i can remember. (right now i just ride my sister's) well i finally found one that i can afford and i really really love him. but my dad thinks that buying him would be a bad choice, b/c i'd have to train him myself. and i have no experience there, but my sister does, so i'd have help. he's two years old and has a ton of energy but that's normal. and a good thing in my opinion. i like a challenge. well, just wondering what ya'll think i should do, b/c i'm totally in the dark. my dad thinks he's hopeless, but i know with a little work and a lot of love, he'd be awesome. any tips???
p.s. he's a quater horse, and i have the most experience with those

It depends on how long you've been riding! And how well you ride. its more of a chore than you think. And youll find that once youve started... being thorough is very important.

i've been riding on my own for about since i was 8, and before that i'd go with my dad or sister. but since he's 2 years old, for now it would be mostly ground work, since i think that riding a horse before they're at LEAST 3, is simply cruel. and ground work i've been doing longer than i can remember.

If your sister has real experience and has started colts before, and if she is willing to help you out, it shouldn't be a problem. The thing that concerns me is the words, "a ton of energy". I have some 2 yr olds and some yearlings sitting around here right now and I wouldn't describe any of them having a ton of energy. Is it when he is haltered or is it all the time? If he is overly active now, he might be that way even after he is trained.

p.s. thanx for the comment. i really need to kno what to do, and everything helps. ..... i hav until tomorrow to decide, they're (the sellers) are not going to hold him any longer than that for me...

well he's got a ton of energy when he's loose. when he's haltered he's as quiet as any horse i've seen

A green horse for a beginner is not a good idea in my opinion. There are lots of well broke, seasoned horses available that you will enjoy right from the time you unload him off the trailer. Take a look at the website http://www.northernhorse.com/ and you'll see many horses that are ranch raised/broke and will give you many years of enjoyment. That's just one place, there are lots of other places to look for good horses for beginners. Your dad is probably worried about you getting hurt, and rightly so. Good luck.

i looked at the website and it seems awesome...it's just that i can't afford a fully trained horse rite now. if i do the math, considering my wage right now, i'd have to wait for another 2 years, before i'd be able to get a good horse, and all the equipment i'd need.

Well whatever works for you and your family. I have seen people buy an inexpensive young horse only to find that after they invest in the training it needs later on to correct problems, they have spent the equivalent (or more) of a fully trained horse. Just something to consider.

I usually have a problem when a family that knows nothing about horses, buys a yong green horse for their kids. That is a recipe for a wreck. I don't have a problem with a family buying a young horse if there is outside supervision from a person that knows what is going on.

If you decide to get this horse, don't be afraid to put it back on the market if you don't get along with it. You have a long road to travel in the world of horses, if the first one is a problem, don't feel like you have to keep that horse around for the rest of its life. A good horse doesn't cost any more to feed and care for than a bad one. If you want to feed one, feed a good one.

Alberta Rose,

Rafter MK, Ranchroper and NW have given you some great TIPS and advice.

My tip is pass on this young untrained horse.

Your horse is still out there waiting for you to find him.

Take your time to find the right horse. Too, in winter, some great horse may be sold for less because their owners don't want to feed them through the winter.

I am sure this is not what you want to hear, but I've been there and wish I had an older trained horse. With your limited funds, your folks not wild about the idea and all of schools activities, an older horse trained horse is your best bet.

Good Luck!

Maybe start looking for a horse thats just a little bit older and not all the way trained. After you start training the horse you may realize why unstarted horses are so cheap. You probably dont want to hear my advice though, most of the horses i've started are to be race horses and they're ussually long yearlings.

I bought my first horse last summer. A healthy , extremely well trained 18 yo QH. Every moment spent with him is a dream come true.
No issues, no fights, no time spent training...every available minute I have to spend with him is pure enjoyment. To me thats what its all about. I passed on several before I got him which is difficult to do when you are anxious to get one, but when I found him I knew in my heart, without question that he was the one for me.

GREEN ON GREEN MAKES BLACK AND BLUE!!! For your first horse, get one that is reliable, and that you can really enjoy...PLEASE!! After you have some real experience under your belt, then you may go for the younger ones.

I agree with everyone's advice. A young horse with a young/inexperienced rider or handler is a potential recipe for disaster.

I think you'll be much happier with an older horse. Yes, you may have to get one that is past his prime, but those are the greatest teachers and are usually reasonably priced. Sure you might need to save your nickles a little while longer, but I think you'll be happier in the long run.

Good luck.

I have to agree with all of the advice given above. You will enjoy your horse much more if you get one right off that is mature, trained and ready to go. Look at it this way. If you buy this horse now, but can't ride it for two years (you said you feel it is cruel to even start riding a horse before it is three), you will be spending a lot of money on feed, hay, farrier, de-wormer, etc. and still not riding. If you take that same amount of time and continue to save your money instead of spending it on care of one you can't ride, you will then be able to soon afford a more expensive horse that you can ride and enjoy right off. That is the advice I gave my sons, and it really paid off. Either way, I wish you the best.