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What To Look For When Buying A Horse - Cover The Basics
First of all, let's go through some questions to find out what you're after and what's most suitable.
At what level are your horse and riding skills? It is a huge mistake, as a beginner, to purchase a horse that is beyond your current ability. It is far safer and easier to grow out of a horse than into one. You want a horse that you can ride now, based on your current level of skill.
At what level are your horse and riding skills? It is a huge mistake, as a beginner, to purchase a horse that is beyond your current ability. It is far safer and easier to grow out of a horse than into one. You want a horse that you can ride now, based on your current level of skill.
Untrained, lightly trained, lightly handled or 'green broke' horses are often cheaper. There's a reason for that. It's because they need work, an experienced hand and time. They aren't as predictable or reliable. The training required can take months or even a few years (think $$) and can lead to a dangerous horse if not done right (by a beginner).
What you pay for with an experienced horse is the training that has gone into the animal and the world experience and familiarity the horse has with human ways. It IS worth it for a first horse.
And please remember that if a horse is to be ridden by more than one person, look for a horse that will be suitable for the lowest skilled person.
Next question, is this a child's horse or an adult's? The answer will determine a suitable size for you to be comfortable on and build to carry your weight. A horse for both children and adults will need to be small enough for the kids to be comfortable, while tall and strong enough to carry an adult easily.
Now what sort of riding do you want to do? Is this a work horse? A show horse? A serious or fun competition horse? A jumper, barrel racer or endurance ride? Or a trail & leisure horse? Do you want to do dressage? The reason for answering this question is that it will help you focus the temperament, skills and confirmation you require from your horse. And perhaps a suitable breed.
There is no right or wrong breed of horse for a particular genre of horse sports in terms of suitability. It is dependent on the individual animal. Some types of competition are restricted to a particular breed. ie horse racing is restricted to thoroughbreds. There aren't many of these, but find out beforehand.
Having said that, some breeds TEND to be particularly suitable for particular sports as they have been bred to excel in these. For instance, warmbloods and dressage, quarter horse and barrel racing, arabian and endurance riding. This does not exclude other breeds from excelling. Confirmation (the shape and way a horse is put together) will determine what horse will be good at what activity. A good endurance horse is built differently to a good dressage horse, for instance. There is no need to purchase a purebred or discount one breed over another. Find out what is important in a horse for your chosen discipline and look for a horse with those qualities. This is where your expert friend will help sort a suitable horse from one that just won't do. If you don't have a specialised sport in mind, any sound, healthy, quiet, gentle natured, well trained horse will do.
As far as a 'good' breed for a beginner goes, there is no right or wrong. The individual temperament of the horse and the training it has received are more important factors than it's pedigree or papers.
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Labels:
buying a horse,
choosing a horse,
horse for sale
thank you for your recent email about purchasing a first horse. I wonder though, whether the 'wild' reputation that stallions have is slightly exaggerated and more linked to differnt horse cultures and the keeping of stallions rather that something inherent. I spent months riding in Peru at a riding/stud farm where only stallions were riden. The brood mares were kept miles away. All the stallions I rode had lovely temperaments, were well-behaved when ridded out with mares and did not fight amongst themselves in the yard. In the UK stallions are often stabled, seperated from horse and human contact and I feel it is no surprise that they are often aggressive and unpredictable. I take your point though, that keeping a stallion would be a greater challenge for an inexperienced rider.
Joanna said...
12:07 AM
It is too often that some less tasteful salesmen will sell a horse too far above a rider's level. Repeat business may not be a factor for these individuals. Always be sure to have a trusted equestrian with you when purchasing a horse, especially since commission is involved! As far as breed per discipline, I agree with the article. I look at an individual horse's attributes for a particular discipline. One thing I would add is that in some styles conditioning plays a role. For example, I find that warmbloods are harder to keep fit for 3 day eventing than a thoroughbred. I can see how a stallion is a problem for an inexperienced horseman. You can ride for years, but if you don't have a lot of ground/handling experience with many different horses and prior experience with stallions, it is a bad idea. I don't think of stallions as having displeasing personalities or nasty habits, but the fact remains that a stallion wants to breed. Whether a mare has a rider on it or not, a stallion may try to mount. People and horses can get hurt if you don't know the signs and correct training know-how of a stallion.
Holly said...
12:35 AM
wish I had found your website when I was looking for a horse.
I heard so many dire warnings about drugged horses I was too frightened to
make a decision for ages! Thanks.
Suzanne said...
11:19 AM
I am so glad to get this one... however, it is rather late for me... it is good information that is still helpful... you see four years ago I adopted a PMU mare who is now 14 and has taught me as much as I have taught her.. she has been under saddle since being here but is more of an on ground companion for me... I've slept in the straw and she has followed me like a puppy... since her being here she gave birth and the filly is now two, she has been haltered lead and blanketed, she loves people and can be very pushy when anyone gets between her and her people. ( when I say anyone I mean other horses) I than went back to adopt a foal (also female) taken from her mom at 3 mon and was 5 mon old when she got here... the mare trains her horse style and she is now a yearling which has also been haltered, lead and blanketed... we love grooming time and ground work as a team... the biggest problem is getting them to work seperate or for other people.... they seem to like being together as long as each respects the others space. I like being out in a round pen with all three, but have to admit that a problem accures if in stable area (which is now an open barn concept with rest stall to one side if needed) along with another person ( more than two of us) and I get tense... that doesn't help my horses but I agree with them, it is much nicer out in the open areas than confined to a small area with a bunch of people around. I use to loose rein ride when younger ( even found myself under the horse's neck a couple of times) but now I'm older and I love being on the ground with them... they (horses) are very smart and full of personality that I never noticed while in the saddle, so this even though difficult at first was really good for me and an eye opener. Yes the young should start with an older calmer horse, but I;m finding horses love children and seem to know the difference... can't lie to a horse, they know how your feeling rather you do or not... :)
greatful of the added infos.
Lura said...
11:19 AM