We Got A New Horse!

[ducks4you]

Not really. Give it a good year and it will come back. You might take to braiding it. The wind whips my horse's manes and tails up and then they sometimes break off bc of it. Long manes and tails are often genetic. My Mountain horses have very thick and long manes and tails. My Quarter Horse does not, BUT "Rugged Lark"
https://www.aqha.com/media/2887/rugged-lark.jpg
and many other show QH's have very long tails bc they really work at keeping them brushed out, moisturized, and covered so that that they don't break off short.
Maybe you just want to even it out and then length is less important. He will probably enjoy you working on his mane tail as good attention. He's a lucky guy!
Btw, are you sure he isn't gaited? Here is my gaited mare.

Notice the straighter and long back and how the back legs are little bit camped out. Your gelding hasn't got the forearms of a QH, which is what most grade horses really are. SHE is smooth as silk to ride.

 

[Nyboy]

Bay love the white legs looks like he wearing boots. Ducks beautiful shine to horses coat !!

 

[valley ranch]

There is something about a horse. Interesting persons. If there is no possible way to get hurt, they will invent a new method. If you are working on a project he or she will nose in pretending to try to understand what you're doing, while trying to get you to drop everything and give em a hug.

And they think about people in kinda the same way!

A wand with a core of a good hearted horse hair mane could make a very nice first wand.

 

[baymule]

@ducks4you the lady we bought him from said he is gaited. But when I rode him, he was showing out and acting up, he trotted and didn't gait. I do think he has a nice gait in there somewhere, it will take a little time and work to bring it out. She claimed that he gaited real nice, so we'll see.

 

[seedcorn]

Imagine that, someone selling an animal promising more than received. Happens way too often.

I have no doubts that this horse is and will be worth every cent you spent. He's already worked into your heart.

 

[valley ranch]

Yeh, like on a flat, straight, clean path, where he can move smoothly, and when he sees you like it. I can picture that. Quarter horses aren't known for being gaited. What is his family? I'll go back and read your description of him.

 

[catjac1975]

My neighbor used to wrap her gorgeous show horse's tail in a nylon stocking to keep it from breaking.

 

[Nyboy]

Some people with long haired show dogs wrap hair in aluminum foil.

 

[ducks4you]

@ducks4you the lady we bought him from said he is gaited. But when I rode him, he was showing out and acting up, he trotted and didn't gait. I do think he has a nice gait in there somewhere, it will take a little time and work to bring it out. She claimed that he gaited real nice, so we'll see.

I have owned at least one gaited horse every year (I've owned 35 horses over the years) since 1986. They DO trot, which many people don't know, and usually to be balanced, like trotting while crossing a stream. If he was acting up NOW is the time to begin training. Get help if you are not sure how to retrain him. You are correct--underfed and undertrained/abused WILL become trouble as they get stronger. Start with PERFECT ground manners. Get him to drop his head and tip it towards you to put on his halter. Push his head at the poll (behind the ears) and say, "head down." Good to do this FIRST when there is grass to nibble out, and then use your foot underneath his head and tap up, and say, "head up." Horses learn English...and French and German, etc., very well. MY horses know the English, "open the gate" and will push it with their heads on command. Try to work with him with haltering and leading 5 minutes/day. Best to remain patient and then, as the US Cavalry Manual suggests, when he does it right, stop and "make much of him." That's when you can love on him and show that he has pleased you. Ryan Gingerich suggests that you repeat no more than 5x-7x on any skill when doing initial training. BUT, if he won't behave for the most basic handling KEEP repeating until he does it right. People don't realize that horses are not big dogs. Dogs want to please you and you become their "world." Horses follow leadership, but if they don't respect your leadership the horse WILL fill the void and become the leader.

BY THE WAY, every time one horse person gives you some advice or gives you a link, aNOTHER horse person will find fault. I only gave you this link in the case that you didn't know. Many of us buy great already trained horses and find it a mystery to start a horse or retrain one. Whatevery or WHOever you follow, just go with it. EVERY ONE of these TV trainers can sell you a horse that he started and you would be very pleased with that horse. EVERY ONE of them can retrain your horse for you, and you will be very pleased with the result.
Good luck!!! Been there, done that, done that WRONG and got thrown (broken arm), been there, done that RIGHT, (Corporal, "Arabian", bought as a green 4yo, 1982-2009, RIP).

 

[catjac1975]

Some people with long haired show dogs wrap hair in aluminum foil.

Poor dogs!