Narrowed the selection down to 2 horses...which should I choose?

Both of these horses are sweet as can be with great temperaments. The price is in the same range. Both have GREAT barn manners. Both have been vet checked successfully. I'm looking for a trail horse I can take out for 3-4 hours, 2-3 times per week. Here they are:





1. 6 year old off-track TB gelding; 15hh. He'll never be able to jump due to a chip in his leg, but I don't do any jumping anyway. He's a hard keeper; has trouble keeping weight on especially during the winter. Otherwise perfectly healthy. Great on trails - not spooky at ALL. He's at the bottom of the pecking order in the herd.





2. 18 year old appendix QH gelding; 16hh. Gelded at age 5 but you can't tell; puppy dog disposition. Takes some time to trust his rider to take him on trails. He has arthritis in his front right shoulder and during the winter it clicks with each step he takes. Gets better with regular light work, but expected to gradually worsen. He loves horses and people; he's a barn favorite.

Narrowed the selection down to 2 horses...which should I choose?
The QH sounds like a doll, but personally I'd go with the TB. I am all for giving older horses a wonderful retirement home, but if it's a pleasure riding horse you're after, I'd stick with the younger horse. Good luck to you and congrats!
Reply:The TB, without question I wont worry much about the chip. ex-racers ahve a very unfair rep for being nutsy, all I've been around are great when they get a new job
Reply:I really did not need to look twice I would go with the T/bred. Age is on his side. He sounds perfect if you do not intend to jump. Also with some tlc I think you will be able to sort out his weight problem. Good luck.
Reply:TB No Doubt!
Reply:Each seems to have plusses and minuses. TB's often have trouble keeping weight on in winter, they're thin skinned and expend more energy keeping warm, he's the herd omega which can require keeping an eye on his wellbeing in the herd... The QH's arthritis will require managment and work but has a great personality. It's always a hard decision... but I'm sure in your mind one is already more "your horse" than the other. Go with your gut and heart. Good luck.
Reply:You could always buy them both...however if you have to narrow it down to one...it is not an easy task.


Do you go for the younger of the two who is not an easy keeper...you can always give extra feed to that one in the winter, and make sure that he has plenty of hay and roughage to eat. "not spooky, great on trail, these are excellent qualities in what you are looking for.


The 18 year old ,,the arthritis is what would bother me...age and arthritus, not a good thing.


With all things considered I would have to go for the 6 year old..seems that this one would have a longer shelf life for a good trail horse.
Reply:The QH





I had an ex racer. He seemed great. But, after some time, he would have moments where he COMPLETELY wigged-out... especially on trail. Also, my friends took off running on their horses... he ALWAYS had to be ahead. He ran straight into a fence one day leaving me with a broken arm, broken ribs, and knocked out cold on the ground. He was also TERRIFIED of longe whips and men. Also, a LOT of them have leg injuries that don't always show up right away. Horses are raced WAY before someone should even consider getting on their back. Get the QH.





How much time have you spent with this horse? Are you just taking the sellers word for it?
Reply:Honestly I wouldn't choose either. The OTTB is a hard keeper.. personally I wouldn't buy a horse that has too much trouble keeping weight on. The QH wouldn't be good for semi-long trails because of the age and obviously the arthritis. I would keep looking, there are so many horses for sale don't settle. But if you are dead set on one of these horses get the TB. The QH is a very bad choose for what you are looking for.








Good luck! =]
Reply:Hey x





They both sound like excellent horses and I think number 1. would be a better choise for trails and he seems much younger. If he dosn't get spooked than he's probaly going to make a great pet! The second choise also sounds ery good but is a lot older and it took me ages to build up trust with my very shy horse so if you got him it could be a while before you go on a trail with him. Do you have the time?


hope it helps x
Reply:Depends on the ground you'll be covering. If you are just pasture putting, then whichever horse is a better ride. If you are going to be on inclines and narrow pathways, I wouldn't take a horse with a permanent injury out on trails. Shoulders, chips, whatever it is, it should be considered
Reply:I would choose the six year old, it'll be a lot easier to get him to put on weight then it will be to deal with the arthritis as the other horse gets older.
Reply:1. choice, 2nd sounds nice as well but he's too old..
Reply:I would go with the first one, however you are chosing two horses that both have problems that will get worse and cause more problems.





The first one sounds like the best because although he has a 'bad' leg he is young and has plenty of riding time. However his chipped legs could cause problems as he gets older.





The second one is older and has arthritis. I wouldn't get him as a riding horse. He sounds like a really nice horse, and if you are willing to work around his arthritis then he sounds great. With him I don't think there are many years left in him.





I, personally would NEVER ride a horse for 3-4 hours if he had arthritis in his shoulder.





Good luck.
Reply:The 6 year old, seems the better of the two, mostly because of his age. Is the chip in the knee or ankel? I understand u have spent $$$ on having them vetted, but in truth, If it were me I would keep on shopping.
Reply:I dont' know what is the hip from in his knee? The TB gelding you could ride for longer as long as you took good care of him but the QH seems sweet to I would have to say for you to decide you need to pick which one you think would be better for you. You would know that stuff better than any boby else.Good luck.
Reply:I would go with the 6 yr.old. You will get more years of riding from him and fewer health issues. There are supplements to help keep his weight on. (I also have a TB hard keeper)





Have fun what ever you chose! :)
Reply:Have you been able to keep them on a trial basis to really see both of their personalities on a daily basis? I guess it really depends on the extent of trail riding your going to do. If you just plan on doing light load easy rides, the QH's arthritis should be able to handle it, at least for a while or eventually while on medication. Both of these horses can present you with high costs later on down the road, so be sure you are prepared for that. Do you have to purchase one of these or can you find something else. I just think for a trail horse, neither of them sound 100% suitable, but would do what was asked of them. If the TB is a hard keeper in the winter, who knows as he gets older his hard-keep could get even worse and on a more regular basis.Just really weigh out the pro's and con's of both before you make a final decision. I wish you the best of luck!