United States Eventing Association

The Young and Future Event Horse article series is being provided through a partnership between Mythic Landing Enterprises, LLC., and the USEA.

Daniel Clasing and Kaitlin Spurlock, both accomplished riders in their own right currently run a successful training operation together based out of the historic Hermitage Farm. After learning from some of the most notable names in the sport including Phillip Dutton, Phyllis Dawson and Packy McGaughan, the pair has gone on to open their own training business. Both riders have campaigned their horses at the highest levels and pride themselves on bringing up horses in a methodical and patient manner and then continuing their education all the way to the top of the sport.

For those ambitious riders with a dream of bringing their own horse up from scratch, choosing an un-broke horse can be tricky. When you begin this process you’ll start by evaluating them on the ground and considering their overall conformation. “Most importantly in my opinion, as far as conformation goes, is their feet,” Clasing explained. “If the horse is already in glue-on shoes and pads, I wouldn’t pick that horse to buy. It’s a bad sign of things to come.” Besides their feet, you’re also looking to make sure they don’t have any major conformational flaw including: remarkably different feet, toeing in, badly over the knee, poor quality to their feet, an unexplained effusion in a joint or obvious soft tissue injuries.

Spurlock continues that it is very important to have a pre-purchase examination performed, preferably by a trusted veterinarian, to make sure that the horse has no serious preexisting conditions. The key to a successful pre-purchase exam is an open line of communication with your veterinarian. You want to make sure they understand your goals with the potential horse, so that they can best advise on what is acceptable in order to reach those goals.

After you’ve evaluated the horse on the ground, it’s time to watch how they move. Clasing and Spurlock both agree that they oven value positive demeanor over actual movement. Their ideal horse would be confident looking horse, one that’s not too worried, and one that doesn’t have their head in the air and running around as that can be a clue into their trainability. Additionally, Clasing advises to not put too much emphasis on their movement on the flat. An overly expressive trot doesn’t mean that they’re going to succeed at the highest level. Keep in mind that our sport today is much more of a cross-country competition.

The next step would be to see the horse free jump, which is vitally important when selecting an event horse, and especially if you are looking to go to the upper levels. Spurlock explains that when evaluating a horse that has yet to be broke under saddle, she’s looking for a correct jumper. She goes on to explain that being correct is more important than being flamboyant. Be sure to note their level of scope and if they have a decent way of getting over the jump. She is also looking for consistency in their jumping efforts.

Both Clasing and Spurlock make sure to point out that although a perfectly built horse is ideal, there are many conformational faults you can overlook. “The top horse in my barn right now is an inch or two lower in front than he is behind,” Clasing commented. “Just because they are built a bit downhill doesn’t mean they won’t have a good uphill way of going. A horse with a long back may actually feel quite strong behind the saddle. Don’t get too caught up in the specifics.”

Clasing and Spurlock were careful to also state that extremes of anything should be avoided, for example, a very long back or a very short neck. However, the horse’s overall way of going, their attitude and how they use themselves should be given more weight than specific conformation flaws.

Like all of our professionals in this column have been sure to point out, Spurlock and Clasing state that as an ambitious amateur rider, it’s important to have good help and good advice around you. It’s very important to guarantee your horse a good start and especially that they understand the boundaries of training and they respect you and your space even when they’re on the ground.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article where Clasing and Spurlock delve into groundwork training exercises to work on with your un-broke horse to begin establishing your relationship with your horse before sitting in the saddle.

To learn more about Daniel Clasing, please click here: http://danielclasingeventing.com/

To learn more about Kaitlin Spurlock, please click here: https://kaitlinspurlockeventing.wordpress.com/