Background

I have been very happy with our trainer with respect to the show and teaching program. My horse -- a green off track QH -- was given to me so I showed up at the barn with him. He is now sore and I think will need several months of R&R. In the meantime my husband has decided he wants to ride. We are therefore shopping for a new horse that is gentle enough and big enough for him to learn and advanced enough for me to ride as well while waiting for my guy to recuperate.

Problem

Every horse my trainer has liked is over 12 and "will need their hocks done". I am sick of vet bills and am not crazy about the notion of "doing hocks." Trainer is telling me that in my price range -- $20K -- that is all I am going to find. I hit the websites and find a beautiful horse -- quiet, has been a lesson horse, is 6 years old and has won championships as a pre-green and baby hunter in his last 6 shows within my price range. I ride it, husband rides it, and even little tiny daughter rides it. I go back to the barn thrilled and Trainer will not even look at the tape. Says, "If the horse is in pre-greens it will kill your husband." I try to explain that I saw the horse in person, I rode the horse. Response - people have needles and sedatives. My response - vets have blood tests. End of discussion.

Is quiet pre-green an oxymoron?