Registered: May 2006
Location: Gauley Bridge,Wv
Posts: 2938

ok i know it isnt about hounds but soem of ya on here have horses and iam looking into buying my first horse i will mainly use it for just trail rideing what would the best horse be for me iam 6'0 289 and i have rode horses before do very well on the i was looking at saddle prices and they start at around $299 and go up what is all the stuff i need to get to begain rideing

__________________
CopperHead Kennels
Gauley Bridge,Wv
Chris Neff
Home (304) 632-5029
Cell(304) 651-5973

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2004
Location: tioga co.pa
Posts: 1728

Get a good mule and you will enjoy it more .... we have 3 ..they been there done that...used to coon hunt off them .....

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2006
Location: Gauley Bridge,Wv
Posts: 2938

are they better then horses can you put a horse saddle on them id reather have a horse

__________________
CopperHead Kennels
Gauley Bridge,Wv
Chris Neff
Home (304) 632-5029
Cell(304) 651-5973

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Mules are great and about 10 times harder to find a good one. For someone your size, a good Missouri Foxtrotter or a Quarter horse. Generally, older is better.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2007
Location: whitesburg GA
Posts: 3008

FOR A MAN YOUR SIZE I WOULD GO WITH ABOUT A 16 1/2 HAND HORSE AND FOR JUST PLEASURE RIDING IWOULD RECOMEND A TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE FOR A SMOTHER RIDE AND AS FAR AS A SADDLE I WOULD FIND A NICE LIGHT WEIGHT ONE WITH NYLON AND LEATHER TO MAKE IT EASER ON YOURSELF WITH A HORSE THAT SIZE YOU CANPUT ABOUT ANY SZE SADLE ON IT THAT YOU WOULD NEED ALSO MAKE SURE YOU GET A GOOD BLANKET TO GO UNDER THE SADLE

HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I RODE BUT I HOPE THIS HELPS SOME

__________________
GRNITECH CH PKC SILVER CH JUST CALL ME SNAP
DUAL GRAND PKC CH TAKE IT LIKE A MAN AT STUD
GRNITECH STYLISH SMOKE AT STUD
NITECH NOCTURNAL NAILOR JR
GRNITECH JUDGE DREDD 7/2/04 to 8/4/14
GRNITECH WALACES LITTLE ELLI (2014 SATURDAY NIGHT GEORGIA STATE GRNITECH WINNER AND 2ND IN THE FINAL 4)

GRCH GRNITECH GRFCH WOODS DANDY SAS( GRNITECH ABBOTTS ELK RIVER RATTLER X WOODS DANDY BRANDY )

GRNITECH NOCTURNAIL KIT ( GRNITECH NOCTURNAIL TORUCH X GRNITECH GOLD RIVER MEG )

NITECH CH SWAMP AND RIVER QUEEN (CAST WINNER AT BABY STAKES & 3 WINS TWDS GRNITECH) (GRNITECH DOUBLE XL X NITECH CH A LITTLE BIT NASTY )

BEANS 2 FAMOUS FOR U (GRNTCH HARDWOOD BEAN X GRNTCH SKIPPERS ALMOST FAMOUS)
GIRLS HUNT TO
Jamie Thurman
770-262-5241

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2007
Location: southern Ohio
Posts: 140

we've had horses for the past few years, my daughter has been in them her whole life, if there is one thing she knows its horses. for a beginner rider go with a quarter horse, older gelding or mare stay away from the stallions. dont get any horse that is a gaited horse such a tennessee walker or a paso fino, do you know the word gaited? you need a good solid horse, quarter horse is the best horse for a beginner rider the quarters can be tall or short, they will the hold any weight fine. my daughter started out on quarters on within a year she was riding like a pro and has since moved up to the gaiteds over the year. don't go for color, but rather on how the horse rides hard lesson learned on that for us. things you need are a good western saddle, unless you are planing to ride english. western is the best for trail ridin, you need a bridle and the right bit, you can find all this stuff at a local tack shop or tsc even sells it. on the saddle just remember that sometimes a quarter horse's withers (the bone between the shoulder blades) can be two bar or a four bar depending on the size of the horse. you can tell this by the way the saddle fits the horse, but just ask the people to which ever store you go too and they will help you. be sure to shoe your horse, dont ride a horse without shoes on the road or on gravel or on the trail, you can cause the horse many problems. good shoes, happy horse, good saddle, and a caring rider is what trail ridin is all about. if you got anymore questions feel free to ask, good luck!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2004
Location: Tonasket,Washington
Posts: 923

Find a good appendix bred quarter horse(has some thoroughbred blood).They are usually bigger and because of the running blood they usually are longer pasterned horses,therefore a smoother ride.Also the thoroughbred blood gives more endurance for those long days.The quarter horse blood usually ads some brains so your not trying to hold back some idiot that wants to race everything on the trail.We have an 8000 acre ranch so this is coming from someone who has spent plenty of time in the saddle and until 3 years ago we owned 250-300 horses.
For the saddle,someone your size is going to need probably a 17 inch saddle.Some 16 1/2 saddles may fit you but ya better try it first.We always use 1 pad covered by a blanket,gives ya a good fit with enough padding(especially for the higher withers on the appendix horses).Be careful on some of the no gall cinches,they are not all created equal,for this reason we just use a good cotton roping cinch(wider center).Also be sure for trail riding to get a good wide breast collar for going up them hills.
The bridle depends on the horse and if you are buying an already broke horse they'll let ya know what he needs.He brings to mind another thing,I and most every other cowboy I know ride geldings.They don't have the call of the wild on their mind as studs and mares can get(unless he's been proud cut LOL).

__________________
Home of Strawberry Mt Kennels
Never underestimate the Power of Hillbilly Mac and Southern Sound
Nt Ch Owens Glassy Mt Skip
Nt Ch Southern Sound Jimbo
Gr Nt Ch Ch Southern Sound Matlock
Gr Nt Ch Strawberry Mt Korn
Pr Strawberry Mt Sadie
The reason I hunt this bloodlines is a quote an old friend gave me,"Your either making dust or your eating it."

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Holden, MO
Posts: 408

Lots of difering oppinions here. Quarters are generaly a good stout horse. Like some said, your "Best" trailer is a good mule but if you're wanting a horse a quarter would work fine or my personal prefrence is a Morgan. Their strength and endurance are superior to most. But, their very pricey too. And generaly aren't a very big horse.
Find you a saddle thats confortable. For you and the horse. Find you someone willing to help you out fitting one is probebly your best bet.

__________________
Dennis "Marty" and Heidi West
Holden Missouri
(816)850-3987 or (816)785-1740
westshounds@yahoo.com
GRCH GRWRCH'PR' White Reuben Timber Thrasher
-------------------------
GRCH'PR' Red Raven Timber Thrasher
-------------------------
GCH'PR' Ladys' Amazing Grace
(E-Days '07 Grand Female,
Autum Oaks Grand English Female 07)
-------------------------
WCH GRCH'PR' Aspin Rain Timber Thrasher(2-1st place wins)
-------------------------
CH'PR' Heidi's Hillbilly Dancin Amber(E-Days '06 BFOS)
-------------------------
CH'PR'Ester's not in Kansas Anymore(E-Days '07 BFOS
______________________________________________
Grch GrNtch'Pr'Howard Co Set'em Up Tree SHAKER: ______________________________________________
Ch GrNiteCh'Pr'Herd's Barber Creek ACE
'04 UKC English World Champion and 16th Place Over All
______________________________________________

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2006
Location: Dinwiddie, VA
Posts: 295

Walking horse all the way! Get a whole one, not a 1/4 one! I guess there are good ones in all breeds, but we've had walking horses all my life. Don't let them fool you either, you don't have to have a big horse to have a strong horse. I'm about 230 and my favorite horse is a mare about 15 hands. She will carry me, a case of beer, my lunch, and my son anywhere I want to go. Big horses are just harder to get on, especially after that case of beer! JMO

__________________
Home of 2010 VA PKC STATE CHAMPION
PKC Ch GrNiteGrCh PR Fuzzy's Bionic Bill

and
PKC Ch / NiteCh PR Bionic Hook
PKC CH / ChNiteCh PR Bionic Bonnie
PR Five Oaks Sandy Bottom

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

well here is my opinion, For general trail riding for a guy your size, I hear that mules are the best. but for me, a nice 15.2 hand Morgan or Morgan Cross ( old style morgans something with Lippitt, Western bred, or old goverment) They are stout. I had one that was like a mini percheron she weighed 1, 100 lbs at 15 hands. Awesome in the woods.. she was cross of Lippitt and old goverment. I also had a morgan paso fino cross you couldnt ask for a better horse..
examples of bloodlines: Chasley Superman,Buckeye blood, Whippoorwill, and Lambert.. I hope that helps..

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2005
Location: St. Ansgar Ia.
Posts: 791

From my experience most people think the best horse is what ever they have for sale. Good Luck! We ride paints quarters and the kids are riding poa,s and yes we have several well broke horses for sale.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2003
Location: nwpa
Posts: 2385

make sure you ride that horse before you buy it. don't buy from an auction. seen to many people get bad horses that way. don't buy the first one you see and don't be afraid to go back and retry another time. buying a horse is almost like buying a hound. keep trying until you find the one that suits you. get an older well broke animal. i prefer arabians, my daughter prefers morgans. a well bred endurance arabian can't be beat on trails imo.

__________________
Milarken Kennels
Home of;
Ch. Milarkens Dog Of interest(Pita)
Milarkens Coronet. Bleu(Gandalf)
Milarkens Army of 12 Monkees(Pippin)
Gone but not forgotten
Grfch. Grch. Milarkens Reevewood Shi-Ster
Ch. Milarkens Sportie Shortie

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Pleasant Hope, Missouri
Posts: 506

You need to do a lot of research on the different breeds of horses. Find the breed that will best suit you and that is how you should choose. Once you have found the breed you like and will suit you go and find some horses for sale in that breed and ride them yourself. There are alot of horse jockeys out there just like in the dog business. Dont buy the first horse that comes around. Remember they are always expensive when you are buying them but when you turn around to sell it they are not worth anything..

__________________
Indian Ridge Coon Dogs
Kimberly Ireland
(417) 818-7511

Check Out Our Website!!
www.IndianRidgeCoonDogs.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 1962

Get a polaris, they only eat when you ride em.................

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2006
Location: Gauley Bridge,Wv
Posts: 2938

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hiphop
Get a polaris, they only eat when you ride em.................

---

__________________
CopperHead Kennels
Gauley Bridge,Wv
Chris Neff
Home (304) 632-5029
Cell(304) 651-5973

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2006
Location: Gauley Bridge,Wv
Posts: 2938

why a large one ? and can yall post a photo of your horse or horses and what breed they are

__________________
CopperHead Kennels
Gauley Bridge,Wv
Chris Neff
Home (304) 632-5029
Cell(304) 651-5973

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 349

just for trail riding a walking horse will have the smoothest ride you can get and they are a good size for you to

__________________
"This Aint No Beauty Contest"

Hard Stroakin Kennels
Josh Parks

Coon and Bear Dogs of the FINEST Kind

Home of:
GR NT CH' PR' Owenbys Rebel Sue
(AKC GR NT CH, PKC CH)
PR' BH MTN Lee's Image
PR' Hard Stroakin Trouble Maker
PR' Lee's Hard Stroakin Meg
PR' Hard Stroakin Jake
PR' Hard Stroakin Bonnie
PR' Hard Strkn Red Lightening Bolt

Gone but never forgotten:
NITE CH 'PR' Hanks Wild Meg
GR CH' PR' Spring Hill Blue Spice
GR NITE CH' PR' Heartbreak Holly

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2007
Location: Darlington, South Carolina
Posts: 1139

I have a Tennessee Walker and a Quarter Horse. I don't have a picture of my Tennesee Walker right off hand, but here's one of my Quarter Horse. I like both breeds. I'm 5'10, so I'd rather have a horse with a little height.

__________________
Erin Britt

Aight guys, this ain't a bench show and I ain't a hound. Keep ya eyes where they need to be.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2760

since I was a kid (over 20 years ago)......... I have Appaloosa's, always have and always will...... my first horse was an App and I have had one in my pasture ever since.... right now I have 4 Apps, 1 Halflinger & a mule...... I have rode TN Walkers, Arabs, Morgans, Drafts, Quaters, 1/2 this & 1/2 thats......

If I were you I would start with a good solid cow bred Quarter Horse..... 15.1 or 15.2 hands is tall enough.... what ever you do NOT get a 16.2H Walking horse....... the hieght has absolutely nothing to do with how much weight it can carry.......

TRUST me if you trail ride and are going to be in the saddle all day you don't want to go over 15.2..... four inches doesn't sound like much, but if you peel out through the woods every limb in the country will hit you in the face..... YES you can duck the limbs, but something else to think about, when you go on a 8 or 9 nine hour ride you will get on and off that horse several times (resting the horse, stretching you legs, taking a leek, eating lunch, etc...) after about 4 hours, everytime you get off it will get harder to get back on..... I know been there done that......

__________________
ringtail dave

"TREE MY DOG" - NO BETTER FEELING

NAADP Charter Member....... appointed by King Dave himself........

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Elk Garden, WV
Posts: 488

I don't know if I spelled that correctly. Don't care for Appalosso. Everyone I have rode is hard headed and a pain in the ass. We drive cattle with horses and you won't get me on another. I would stand on point and he would go nuts (guess he wanted to be with the other horses). Started getting rowdy so I would spin his ass in circles til he dam near fell over. If another person took off hawling ass to cut the cows off he thought he had to do the same thing no matter what you did. Put me up over his neck. He is alright to trail ride with since all the horses are there with him.
Quarter horses are nice.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2004
Location: Jefferson Ohio~ ashtabula co
Posts: 907

You asked a Loaded question on what breed to get of anything! LOL. You are going to find good and bad in any breed of horse as you could in the hounds. Equipment wise a good saddle is VERY important since you plan to be in it for a while to trail ride. A thick saddle pad is cruetial for the horses comfort for that long. You may want to look into a nice set of saddle bags. I would recomend going to a store of your choice such as Tractor Supply get a good stiff bristle brush, curry comb, hoof pick and a soft brush. (Make sure you groom all mud off before you ride, and clean hooves before and after). Aside from that get an adjustable head set. Wait to buy the bit untill you know what YOUR horse will work best off of. Remember when fitting for a bit you want roughly 1 finger on each side of the bit for free space (maybe just a little less since you are a bigger man). The auctions houses are a very good place to buy your brushes and buckets etc. for a more reasonable price. Good Luck on your search and please post pics when you find the one for you. Sandi

__________________
Heart Throb Coon Hounds and
show supplies
contact info: 440-645-7875 or
Heart.throbcoonhounds@gmail.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2006
Location: Gauley Bridge,Wv
Posts: 2938

quote:

---

Originally posted by nkisamo1
. We drive cattle with horses .

---

__________________
CopperHead Kennels
Gauley Bridge,Wv
Chris Neff
Home (304) 632-5029
Cell(304) 651-5973

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19374

..You know, I'm 4'11"... I was LUCKY! I can ride a pony or a BIG horse..... Ability to ride and strength or size is NOT the key to riding. That said...
The height of the fall wont make a difference...LOL... I broke my back on the nastiest little pony. I've been dumped by Big horses and little ones... it's NOT the size of the animal but it's TALENT for dumping you that matters.....
Find a horse or mule you like the looks of then RIDE IT and take it on trial!. Horse people can be as Honest or Dishonest as hounds people... BE CAREFUL! Horses can easily be drugged to be quiet and sound.... have the horse VET checked and BLOODWORK done.... OR trust the seller 100% because you TRULY know the person.... With hounds you aren't risking your life...with horses you ARE so just be careful.
Hope you find a great one and love to ride. I miss riding alot at times. Miss teaching more though. Today is the tenth anniversary of my truck accident... thinking alot about it today. IF I recall I was out riding a horse or two that morning. Would have been my last ride too.....
Have good day, HappyHunting and...LOL.. "Happy Trails to you......" Heather

__________________
Home of the BIGCASTLEDAWGS
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i71/BIGCASTLEDAWGS/Websters%20First%20coon/IMG_0045.jpg

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 1962

quote:

---

Originally posted by mudman
i was thinking about one of those my uncle has a ranger and its tuff i just dont like how they ride

---

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

Here is a picture of our horses on a recent elk hunting trip



The tallest horse in that group is pushing 15.2 hands. One is a Quarter Horse, one a breeding stock Paint and the other is half Arab half Quarter... Now for trail riding the half and half or the BS Paint mare is the best.. Why?? Not because of the breed, but because I raised them to my specifications and they haven't picked up any bad habits...

Let me explain a tad bit... You don't like a hound that barks kenneled? How about a horse that freaks when seperated from other horses, or continuously paws while tied, or a zillion other bad habits they learn to get away with... Horses aren't different then hounds, other then about 900 lbs (or more) You really need to try a horse out before you buy.. A couple times if you can. I have worked a couple summers running wilderness trail rides and also packing elk camps in.. At the times I only had my riding horse and had to use the outfitters horses for the dudes and for packing. You find out how much people can ruin an animal or at least let it get away with some really stupid stuff..

That horse in the front picture... Raised and trained in an arena to be a roping horse... If he didn't belong to a family member, who's feelings get hurt when you don't use him.. He wouldn't be tied on that highline. Because of what he was used for and how he was trained he is useless in the woods. Has a heck of a time putting his feet in the right spot, thinks every good size boulder is going to jump up and kick his @ss... Not his fault he is trail stupid.. Just trained that way.. A couple more seasons under him and I am sure he will get better... I just prefer to deal with that mess when they are 3 or 4 and not 10..

And someone mentioned a shorter horse for trail riding.. Very smart person.. You will VERY much appreciate a smaller horse once you hit the woods...

__________________
~Melanie Hampton~
OutWest Big Game Hounds

You've only got 3 choices in life, give in, give up, or give it all you got.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged