Buying Tips

Use these tips to help purchase the right horse - whether you buy from us or from someone else. It is important to be well prepared before you go about the process of buying a horse. Understand what you want, where you can expect to find it, how much you can expect to pay, and what you can expect for what you pay. THEN - BE FIRM. Once you determine your criteria, you will be relaxed and confidant when you view a horse. You can eliminate "browsing", which is a waste of time for both buyer and seller. You will not be swayed by the heightened stress of negotiation, because there really won't be any. You will not compromise your desires. You WILL end up with the horse you want.

* WHAT DO YOU WANT? Define your goals and desires. Be specific. Do you want a horse for recreational backcountry use? Trail riding? Ranch work? Packing/hunting? Just a companion? Or perhaps a horse for competition, showing, breeding, training? Buy a horse that is ALREADY trained and ready for what you want. Avoid horses that "need miles" or "some work." Unless you are a trainer, you will be unhappy with a horse that isn't already doing what you want it to do. DO NOT COMPROMISE. Do not look at a horse that isn't exactly what you want, even if he's cheap. You'll end up putting more time and money into the horse than you would have by buying one ready. Know what you can spend and do not deviate.

* KNOW THE BASICS. Understand what ages are appropriate for what activities and what level of experience you have. Know how to roughly determine age by looking at his teeth. You can learn this easily online and then test yourself. We believe one horse year is like three human, in really rough terms. So, a five year old horse can be like a teenager, a ten year old horse is like a thirty year old human and is in his prime, and a twenty year old horse is like a sixty year old. They aren't really "set" in their minds and actions until they are close to ten years old. Horses can live to be thirty years old, and most work quite productively into their twenties. If you need reliability, choose something eight or older.

Understand basic conformation. Does the horse look proportionate? Most horses average 1000#. An average horse is around 15 hands high. One hand = 4 inches, measured from the ground to the top of the whither. An average horse can carry an average person. If you are a big guy, you need a bigger horse.

Know your breeds. Quarter horses, paint horses, appaloosas, and other main-stream breeds make great trail and ranch horses and are versatile. Hot breeds (thoroughbreds, arabs) make hot (spirited) horses and hard keepers. Gaited horses are a breed apart, they don't mix well with others on a trail because they are faster. Big boned draft crosses are naturally quieter, duller. Do you like mares or geldings, and why? We like them both. Avoid studs altogether.

Understand basic health issues and what is sound. Look at the horses eyes (can he see well?), feet (are they in good shape?), breath (is he heavey, sound abnormal?), and how he travels (does he move soundly/evenly - not limp - at all three gaits?). Look at his legs. Abnormal looks abnormal, you'll easily notice any arthritis, ringbone, knee, hip, or joint issues, founder, etc. by how he looks and how he travels. Is he sound for what you need? If you are looking for a performance horse, ask for a performance vet check. BUT - if you are looking at a ten year old ranch gelding who you just want to take on an occasional trail ride, make sure he is sound to do THAT (not to run the Kentucky Derby), and overlook superficial bumps, scrapes, or scars that do not affect his soundness. They just come from experience.

Temperament. We look for gentle. Is the horse easy to be around, catch, shoe, trailer? Is he quiet or spooky? If you are not confidant handling or riding the horse the day you buy it, IT WILL NOT GET BETTER.

Looking at the horse. Be prepared and qualified. Talk extensively to the seller before you drive in their yard. Do not go look at a horse unless you THINK he is right, based upon what you have learned. Make it worth bringing your checkbook and your horse trailer.(Most professionals require it.) Ask questions. Where did the horse come from, why are they selling him (this is obvious from a professional, that's their business), what experience does he have, what environment has he been in, what issues are there, where does he excel? Get specific and ask according to your needs - does he picket, hobble, pack meat, load in a two-horse trailer (ours won't), cross water, rope? Make the seller ride the horse so that you can see it at all three gaits. Then, ride him yourself. If you can't ride the horse that day, YOU NEVER WILL. Will he ride away from the corral, can you get on and off, do you like his handle/gaits/feel? Do everything you can to assure yourself it is the right horse. Match your questions and assessment to WHAT YOU WANT. Who cares if he can do a flying lead change if you are looking for a pack horse?

*KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. There are many different types of sellers. There are professionals, sales barns/auctions, traders, and private individuals. You can expect different levels of guarantees from each, and this is reflected in the cost of the horse. An auction is probably the most inexpensive place to buy, but you will know the least about what you are buying and can expect NO guarantees. A professional (breeder, trainer, broker, ranch - those who are in the business of selling horses they personally own or represent) is probably the safest place to buy, but will also be the most expensive. You get what you pay for. Private individuals are not professional horse people, so they will base their price and represent their horse based upon their personal knowledge, which may or may not be superior to yours. Traders and sale barns/auctions have bad reputations, not because they sell bad horses, but because buyers expect a level of service for which they are not willing to pay. Sellers go to an auction for a guaranteed sale. Period. There are no guarantees for a buyer at an auction once they leave the sale yard. You might not even know the name of the person from whom you buy a horse at a sale barn, so don't expect more. If you buy from a professional, their future business relies on their reputation. Trust your instincts about people...whatever type of seller.

*KNOW THE MARKET. Look around the area to see what horses are selling for from the various types of sellers. Right now, Spring 2010 in Montana, good solid riding horses, gentle and middle aged, especially geldings, are at an all time high. Expect to pay $3500 - $7500 for a gentle horse who is broke to ride from a professional and at least $2500 from a sale barn with no guarantees. The more experience, the gentler, the more training, the better looking and stouter, the higher the price. Mares are slightly cheaper. Prospects, young horses, unbroke or green horses, broncs and spooky horses are at an all time low. SO, if you are wrong and think you bought a gentle well trained horse but ended up with a bronc, expect to sell him back for 1/10th of your money, or less. It only takes one mistake, on a chance, to negate the savings you might receive by buying from a less reputable seller. The private market is all over the place. You can find bargains there, if you have time to look and know what to look for. Horses are least expensive in the fall and most expensive in the spring.
Know what you can expect. Is there a preview period? If so, what are the conditions? (Expect to be liable for injuries or sickness and to assume all liability.) Is the price firm? (Ours always is.) Is there a guarantee? What kind? How long? Will you get money back or another horse? Is there anything in writing? It's not always necessary, but treat this transaction like any other. Trust your instincts. DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING. Remember, a horse is a reflection of his environment. If you buy a ranch horse who is accustomed to running on thousands of acres with hundreds of horses, he will change somewhat when placed in a stall or small pen with no other horses. Feed and work will determine his new identity, and it could change. Horses can as easily be mistrained as trained - by you. Keep this in mind when you establish a relationship with the seller. Think now about how you might handle an issue later.


* KNOW THE RULES. All sales west of the Missouri require a legal brand transfer. This is generally paid for by the seller. A health inspection (this is not the same as a vet check) is required to travel across state lines, generally paid for by the buyer. Transfer of breed registration papers must be signed by the owner listed on the registration or last transfer.

        

Competitive Trail Ride Weekend Cancelled A BIG HEARTFELT THANKS - to all of you who expressed an interest in Competitive Trail Riding and THE ULTIMATE HORSE COURSE. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, increased insurance rates, lack of profitability, and an error in judgement about a prior ride affiliation:  We are permanently cancelling the May 29th Competitive Trail Challenge and the Open House May 30th.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.    We hope you will find using the Course a helpful and fun way to work on backcountry and trail horsemanship.  The Ultimate Horse Course will be open for your use again this summer beginning June 11th every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday by reservation for $35 per person. Join Our Mailing List!      Montana Horses, Inc. 9700 Clarkston Rd. | Three Forks, Montana 59752 406 285-3541 or email

        

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIpzAhDD2EI&feature=email

        

Andrews View
"Andy"


2005 ApHC Gelding
A super cute registered leopard Appaloosa, Andy is an extremely friendly and quiet gelding. He is a great trail horse, and has been shown a little in 4-H under english and western tack. He has extensive training. Andy is a beautiful mover, gorgeous conformation, is quiet under saddle, and a nice horse to be around. You can catch him anywhere, he is a well-mannered horse with perfect ground manners and a kind disposition. Buy him in time for the Chief Joseph Trail Ride this July!

5 year old gelding, approx. 15.3hh and 1100#

$4,000
Call or email us for more info.

        

Thank you stick horse buyers and jockeys! We raised $3000 for the Wyatt Welch Foundation. Special thanks to Chris Greco, our high bidder. We appreciate you all, and especially our Horse Drive participants who made this the rousing success that it was.


Lori Young and Mark St. John (owner of the winning horse) pictured here with the winning jockey and the prize saddle.

        

These were sent to me by Lonnie Mantle, my father-in-law. They would have been handy about 17 years ago, when I met Kail and the ranch life.

1. Always load your horse last in the trailer so it is the first one unloaded. By the time he's got his horse unloaded, you will have your cinch pulled and be mounted up ready to go - lessening the chance of him riding off without you with your horse trying to follow while you are still trying to get your foot in the stirrup.
2. Never - and I repeat never - ever believe the phrase "We'll be right back," when he has asked you to help him do something out on the ranch. The echoing words, "this will only take a little while" have filtered through generations of ranch wives and still today should invoke sincere distrust in the woman who hears them.
3. Always know there is NO romantic intention when he pleadingly asks you to take a ride in the pickup with him around the ranch while he checks waters and looks at cattle. What that sweet request really means is he wants someone to open and close the gates.
4. He will always expect you to quickly be able to find one stray in a four-section brush-covered pasture, but he will never be able to find the mayonnaise jar in four-square feet of refrigerator.
5. Count every head of everything you see - cattle especially, but sometimes horses, deer, quail or whatever moves. Count it in the gate, out the gate or on the horizon. The first time you don't count is when he will have expected that you did. That blank eyelash-batting look you give him when he asks "How many?" will not be acceptable.
6. Know that you will never be able to ride a horse or drive a pickup to suit him. Given the choice of jobs, choose throwing the feed off the back of the pickup. If he is on the back and you are driving, the opportunity for constant criticism of speed, ability and your eyesight will be utilized to the full extent. "How in the *@*# could you NOT see that hole?"
7. Never let yourself be on foot in the alley when he is sorting cattle horseback. When he has shoved 20 head of running, bucking, kicking yearlings at you and then hollers "Hold 'em, hold 'em at the top of his lungs, don't think that you really can do it without loss of life or limb. Contrary to what he will lead you to believe, walking back to the house is always an option that has been used throughout time.
8. Don't expect him to correctly close the snap-on tops on the plastic refrigerator containers, but know he will expect you to always close every gate. His reasoning, the cows will get out; the food will not.
9. Always praise him when he helps in the kitchen - the very same way he does when you help with the ranch work - or not.
10. Know that when you step out of the house you move from the "wife" department to "hired hand" status. Although the word "hired" indicates there will be a paycheck that you will never see, rest assured you will have job security. The price is just right. And most of the time you will be "the best help he has" even if it is because you are the ONLY help he has.

        

NEW! One- Day Photo Safari During the Drive! Annual Horse Roundup and Drive Photo Expedition  DATE: Saturday, April 24th, 2010 TIME: 7:30am - 4pm LOCATION: Winter range to Three Forks, MT Cost: $350 (lodging available separately)   Join award winning photographers Val Westover and Stephanie Adriana for a one-day workshop during the horse drive.  This is an exclusive opportunity to photograph right in the action with instruction from two of the best in the business.      Horses will be running down Main Street early afternoon, Saturday, April 24th. 4pm - Stick Horse Auction and Races - To Benefit Wyatt Welch and Family Fine Art Gallery Exhibit and Signing.  Wine Tasting - Purple Cowboy Wines - Sales Benefit "Tough Enough to Wear Pink"  Cowboy Music, Comedy, and Poetry - Under the Big Top at The Sacajawea Hotel  Contact us for more information.   Montana Horses, Inc. 9700 Clarkston Rd. Three Forks, Montana 59752

        

Hey all you Competitive Trail Riders! The May 29th ACTHA Competitive Trail Challenge has been changed. Join us instead for the Ultimate Horse Course Trail Challenge. Same day, same trail, same ride, more obstacles, different sponsors, different goals. Call or email for details.

        

Well it's that time of year again when we look far and wide for replacement horses. Over the last week we've driven 3500 miles and were in three states and came up with a whopping 17 horses. "Gramma Geldings" is the term I came up with that describes what we look for in a horse. This basically means I can put Gramma on him today with no problem.

Now, mother-in-law geldings are an entirely different deal and last year I wound up with one of them.not on purpose of course, but this was his address for awhile, nonetheless. He had the typical description in the catalog about how he loved mountains and brandings and people and work and the like and even though I know there are no mountains in Minnesota, his price finally fell through the "can't stop myself" line and I bought him. Incidentally, I've noticed over the last couple years that there seems to be more horses at the sale that have "drug calves to the FIAR" than there are calves in the whole 3 state area.and this is especially amusing because I know the guy selling this horse and he doesn't own any cattle. I'm just curious whose calves and whose fires, that's all.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm getting ready to test drive the mother-in-law horse. He's a 1200lb lineback buckskin gelding with a super gentle disposition and he seems very willing. He's not lame or anything. I saddle him up and lead him around. no problem. I swing into the saddle expecting an explosion.and still no problem. I walk him out the gate and look back over my shoulder to inform my wife what an astute horse buying expert she's married to, when it happens. My new buddy and I have inadvertently entered a Zero Gravity Area. Time to sit down and pay attention, as the gravity here is very sporadic and quite unpredictable. There's no-one home on the other end of my reins. He's doing remarkably well despite all the supernatural conditions, but they seem to be lasting quite long and there may be an oxygen deficit, too.

The first row of trees are behind us now and they have removed my shirt and some of the hide between the buckskin's eyes.which incidentally were between his front legs at the time. The Russian olive patch is coming into view and it doesn't appear we're slowing down much. It's hard to tell though, with all the pig noises coming from down under my saddle somewhere. Have you ever heard a baseball bat break? That's kind of what it sounded like when ole bucky bulldozed down the olive tree with his head. It slowed him down enough that there's a little give in the reins. His head comes up, we stop and everything's quiet except for the wheezing of the horse and rider trying to recuperate from the oxygen free zone.

The birds are singing, somewhere a frog croaks and a gentle breeze teases the new leaves as I ride half naked back into the corral.

The smirk on my wife's face gets bigger. "Know what I named him?" she quips, with clipboard in hand.

"No, what?"

"Briar," she howls, as I jerk my saddle off him and turn him loose.

"When does your Mom show up, again?"