appaloosa's

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weebarney

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So I've never had one and dont know too much about them but i'm going to see a (seemingly) very reasonably priced one for sale tomorrow. He sounds perfect for me(calm, well behaved, good in traffic) except he is 4 yo and I didnt want anything so young but I have tried out a 4 yo appaloosa a couple of year ago and it was incredibly sensible and laid back for its age and I'm wondering if this is common in appaloosa's?
Also I've read about genetic defects in them but i've no idea how common they are or what to look out for when viewing is this something I should be worrying about?
 
I bought a spotty mare who had the loveliest on the ground temperament, but was impossible to ride. I put her up for sale to be re backed and almost everyone who replied asked if I had tested her for PSSM. I knew nothing of this and had to google it! Anyway, she tested negative and she went off to her new home.

I would have a look at the following
http://www.appaloosa.org.uk/healthmatters.htm

Ask lots of questions depending on what in the link worries you.

Good luck! xx
 
weebarney said:
He sounds perfect for me(calm, well behaved, good in traffic) except he is 4 yo and I didnt want anything so young but I have tried out a 4 yo appaloosa a couple of year ago and it was incredibly sensible and laid back for its age and I'm wondering if this is common in appaloosa's?
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Lol I literally nearly spat my tea all over the keyboard when I read that last bit.Sensible and laid back are not terms commonly used for appy's when ridden IME.
They are perfectly capable of being bombproof and sensible,but generally choose not to be:p

Interestingly mine is calm and well behaved when in busy traffic,or other situations he knows it matters to be reliable,but on a quiet lane or in the school,field etc,all bets are off and he's a fruit loop lol.

I love my lad dearly,but he's not remotely sensible or calm,and from what i have read on here and elsewhere it seems appy's rarely are.
On the age thing,my lad turned 6 this year,and has just started to mature and settle into his work.At 4 yrs he was unpredictable and inclined to be bonkers,but I guess they are all different and some might grow up earlier than others.

Over sensitive,over responsive,over intelligent,spooky,quirky and just generally drama queens would be my summary of them TBH.Can be reliable on the ground,but usually hilarious to ride:D

Sorry that was an essay,and not overly positive.They are amazing little horses,and very rewarding to train and work with,just not known for their sensible and calm natures when ridden as a rule;).

If you search on here there have been a few threads asking about appy's,mostly with the same responses I have to say,but some very accurate POV and lovely stories and well worth a read is seriously considering owning one.
 
devonlass said:
Lol I literally nearly spat my tea all over the keyboard when I read that last bit.Sensible and laid back are not terms commonly used for appy's when ridden IME.
They are perfectly capable of being bombproof and sensible,but generally choose not to be:p

Interestingly mine is calm and well behaved when in busy traffic,or other situations he knows it matters to be reliable,but on a quiet lane or in the school,field etc,all bets are off and he's a fruit loop lol.

I love my lad dearly,but he's not remotely sensible or calm,and from what i have read on here and elsewhere it seems appy's rarely are.
On the age thing,my lad turned 6 this year,and has just started to mature and settle into his work.At 4 yrs he was unpredictable and inclined to be bonkers,but I guess they are all different and some might grow up earlier than others.

Over sensitive,over responsive,over intelligent,spooky,quirky and just generally drama queens would be my summary of them TBH.Can be reliable on the ground,but usually hilarious to ride:D

Sorry that was an essay,and not overly positive.They are amazing little horses,and very rewarding to train and work with,just not known for their sensible and calm natures when ridden as a rule;).

If you search on here there have been a few threads asking about appy's,mostly with the same responses I have to say,but some very accurate POV and lovely stories and well worth a read is seriously considering owning one.
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Yeah i read a previous thread on appys and im kinda getting the jist:/ Maybe the one i tried was a one off? Oh well as long as the one tomorrow doesnt want to kill me then i'll take it that he likes me.
 
weebarney said:
Yeah i read a previous thread on appys and im kinda getting the jist:/ Maybe the one i tried was a one off? Oh well as long as the one tomorrow doesnt want to kill me then i'll take it that he likes me.
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Sadly i think the one you tried may have been a rarity:p

They are not the easiest of horses that's for sure,but if you have patience and staying power they *can* be one of the most rewarding,and their natures are second to none.

My lad may be 'difficult' at times,but he is by far the most affectionate and loyal little horse I've ever known.The bond with an appy is not soon forgotten or matched IME.

I love working with him on the ground,the intelligence and quick thinking makes them amazing to train.I also love watching him working when ridden by a skilled and confident rider,it's just the riding him myself that causes me the wibbles lol
Having said that we are having a ball these days,he's grown up enough to be reliable *most* days,and he's always good fun,even for a semi decrepit farm rider like me lol.

Not sure I would get another,but I wouldn't swap mine for the world either so make of that what you will and good luck with the viewing:)
 
Mine has been pretty much bombproof since he was 2years when I got him. was what sold him to me really. Wanted a nice safe youngster and that is what I got.
He is crossed with welsh and tb though but I think his temperment is def appy! He can be a bit bolshy and in your face but think part of the reason is prob because he was hand reared.
 
We are on our 2nd - God knows why, you'd think we would have had enough after the 1st!
She was bolshy, nappy, claustrophobic, loud in all senses of the word, very clever and incredibly affectionate with a sense humour. She had no manners when we bought her aged 8 - she had obviously been allowed to do exactly as she pleased in all situations. No-on ever fell off her in the 25 yrs we had her, although many wished they could get off.
Sis decided we wanted another, so the one we have now has a sense of humour, is affectionate, in your face, a drama queen, spooky when the mood takes her, good in traffic, well-mannered, having been brought up properly by her breeder and extremely forward going.
Neither of them could be described as suitable for a novice, by any stretch of the imagination and yet they both look/ed after their handler/rider in various circumstances.
 
It depends on the bloodlines really, just like with any other breed. I have owned quite a few registered appaloosas and they've all been quite similar; pretty bombproof out hacking and will go through anything; they're very intelligent horses which can sometimes get them into trouble when left in situations where there's not much going on ... they will find something to do! Mine were all simple to back and they remembered everything I taught them and I'm sure had someone trained them incorrectly, it could get them into trouble. Mine were/are all very well mannered in hand and are more like a dog than a horse as I can tell them to stay and they do! I use special clips on the stable doors and the field gates when the apps are in, otherwise they'll let themselves out. Ridden, mine are all superb. They are trustworthy, very sensible and safe horses. Not much fazes them and they take everything in their stride. I think they are great horses, or at least the bloodlines that mine are, are great horses. Good luck for tomorrow :)
 
Erm our appy is calm? Laid back but responsive, fab in traffic, with other horses.
He had nine months box rest due to ems lami once he was able to be ridden again we just chucked his tack on and hacked round the farm on the buckle.

All the other appys I've known are the same and I would def get another one.

Try it and see. All horses are different, my 21 year old mare is a fruit loop but the ex racer is a complete donkey.....
 
I had a lovely little appy from rodega tobias lines so had an amazing jump.

He was sane and sensible when he wanted to my friend who never sat on a horse before rode him. But jumping he kicked up a gear and was a handgun but really great fun.

He was mature for his age but passed away at 6 so don't know about any defects.
 
well i bought him, gulp. Going to collect tomorrow. He was a little spooky with traffic(i dont think owner has hacked him much on roads) but was excellent in every other way. Very good temperament, owners dogs were scampering round his feet and didnt bother him.
 
Hope you have a wonderful time with him, my daughter has one by Dirks Orion, she has had him for 8 years since she was 12 & he was a newly backed 4 year old she can't imagine life without him & they have had great times together from county showing to be eventing to fun rides all with lots of success. He can be spooky but never dangerous & is kind & genuine always looking after her. It would be lovely to see a photo. Good luck with your boy.
 
weebarney said:
well i bought him, gulp. Going to collect tomorrow. He was a little spooky with traffic(i dont think owner has hacked him much on roads) but was excellent in every other way. Very good temperament, owners dogs were scampering round his feet and didnt bother him.
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Congrats! What bloodlines does he have out of interest?
 
Good and bad horses in all breeds, so don't let breed put you off!

ETA glad to see you haven't :D Will look forward to updates. And pics - pics are essential!
 
My appy is amazing he's 4 and still entire he's a dope on a rope, think he may be a one off by the sounds off things! ! He's never put a foot wrong!
 
no idea how to put photos up, ive got a couple on my pictures file but havent a clue what to do next. I cant remember his breeding but i'll find out tomorrow when i get his passport. I think the girl said he was from lincolnshire and his breeders prefix begins with T but can i hell remember what it is. His last name is Joe.
 
My Part-bred Appy is my horse of a lifetime. :) He is an amazing, forward going ride and very affectionate, but also quirky and stubborn at times! He also has a mean buck in him when he wants - e.g when he has a tantrum when schooling because he thinks he is way past his schooling years at 13 years old and has nothing left to learn..! He does work very well though (when in the mood!) ;)

He absolutely loves hunting and is amazing to ride on the hunting field - he has an incredible jump! :D

He is fantastic in all types of traffic etc and isn't nappy but as he can be spooky, sensitive and a little sharp, he wouldn't suit a novice.

Does PSSM include Shivers?
 
I have a part bred and she is just the most wonderful thing I have ever known. I've had her over 4yrs now, got her as a rising 4yr old that had been bashed about a bit. I didn't want a youngster either but she has been perfect from day 1. She is quiet, calm, sensible and generally very level headed. She can hack for miles, pop a course of jumps and compete successfully at BD. She is no fuss to look after and once she is taught something she remembers it. She tries her little heart out. She'll never be a world beater but she is the kind of horse everybody should have at some point in their lives :) Can't speak highly enough of them!
 
I have a mostly appy.. he can be incredibly spooky, suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder and really object to rude people to the point of fight. However he came to me with major issues at 4 1/2 and we have worked through them all and he is now the most loyal, protective perfect all rounder ever.. from xc, dressage, hunting, lead rein for youngsters, jumping, fun rides, general hacking. roads, travel... yep he rocks totally.. but definately not a novice ride or a ride for inconsiderate people as plenty of go or slow when the mood takes him....

Congratulations on your buy.. appys are longterm horses...the more you put in the more you get out, they are not push button but show them their job they will want to do it and show you how to do it even better...LOL
 
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