Once you are bitten by the horse bug, horses become an addiction. Selecting your first horse should be done with careful research and not by the heart. You may find a horse that you feel sorry for and want to give it a better home, but unless you have lots of room and lots of money, To often horses are purchased on a whim. You need to think with you head, not with your heart. The wrong horse for you may bring you nothing but heartache. So let's get practical.

You will need to think about what is generally the best horse for you. When selecting your horse, you need to ask yourself the following questions to arrive at the perfect choice for you.

What do you want to do with your horse?

Answers to this question will point you in the right direction as to breed and type of horse you should select.
 

• Are you interested in trail riding or endurance competition?
• Do you want to compete in Horse Shows?
• What kind of competition interests you?
• Do you like to ride English, Western or both?
• Are you looking to start a horse breeding and training program?
• Would you want a versatile horse for pleasure, show or work around the farm?
• Will the horse just for you or will the whole family be riding the horse?

What age of horse will be best for you?
 

• Foals are so much fun, but they take lots of special care and training.
• Young horses, 2-3 yrs old, should have good manners with lots of ground training and very limited riding experience.  They will take time with an experienced trainer to bring them along.
• A horse that is 5-10 yrs old should have good manners and training that will make them an enjoyable friend.
• An older horse, 12 years old and up are usually settled.  
   

The ideal situation is if you can learn as much about the horses background and history as possible. What the horse did, how much training the horse had and if the horse has any difficult habits you will have to deal with.  Unfortunately, unless you purchase your horse from a reputable trainer, breeder or stable, the answers to these questions may not be answered before you make your purchase.  If you are inexperienced, getting a professional to help you is a good decision. You should always have a veterinarian examine your potential horse before you make your decision to purchase.

Boys or Girls or....?
 

• Geldings are a castrated male and usually makes the best all around riding horse.  They are more focused on you and not on the ladies or being the dominent male.
• Mares are the female horses. While most mares make excellent riding horses, they can be a little cantankerous, especially when they are in season which is once a month. They can also be willful and stubborn, but that gives them a strong heart and soul.
• Stallions are uncastrated male horses.  While beautiful, bold, and generally full of themselves, they are not suitable for most riders.  Stallions require private quarters away from mares and geldings and lots of special care and love by an experienced horseman/woman. Unless you plan to breed and raise horses, you should not purchase a stallion.  
   

DO YOU HAVE ANY COLOR PREFERENCE?

Horses come in a variety of coat, mane and tail colors.  Black, White, Brown, Bay, Chestnut, Sorrel, Paint, Pinto, Palomino, Buckskin and all variations in between.  Flashy Pintos are always a popular favorite.  Everyone has their own favorite and the color should not be a priority unless you are planning to breed for color.

MONEY!  HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND?

The purchase price of the horse is only your initial investment. Horses can be an expensive pleasure.  Regular expenses include:
 

• Housing - do you have your own stable and property or will you be paying to board your horse somewhere away from your home?
• Feed and Hay, vitamins and minerals and treats.
• Veterinary expenses include annual innoculations and regular deworming
• Farrier - Your horseshoer keeps the feet trimmed and shod.  This can easily run around $100.00 every 6-8 weeks. Cheaper if you do not shoe your horse, but shoeing is recommended for riding and working the horse. This should be done regularly to keep your horse healthy and happy.
• Tack and Equipment include your saddles, bridles, grooming items, stable blankets and everything else you will need.
• Transportation for your horse.  You may need to take your horse somewhere. Will you have your own trailer or hire someone to transport your horse for you.
   

TEMPERMENT AND PERSONALITY

One of the most important things many people overlook is personality and temperment. Every horse has his own individual personality and every horse is different. One horse's personality may appeal to you, while that same personality may be unacceptable to someone else.  When you find a horse that you feel is for you, try to spend time with the horse, both on th ground, in the stable and riding before you make this important decision.


Horse Breeds

A Very Brief and Incomplete Look at a few Different Breeds of Horses and what they are best suited for:

ARABIAN – One of the oldest and arguably the most beautiful breeds in the world. An extremely versatile horse, know for its endurance and stamina. Extremely smart...with can be an issue for the new rider.  Spirited but extremely loyal and loving. This horse can do it all, from racing, driving, working the range, to jumping and dressage. A well trained Arab is hard to beat at anything you want to do. Their intelligence and high spirit generally do not make them a good candidate for the novice.
 
QUARTER HORSE – The United States is the proud and original breeder of American quarter horse. This is another versatile breed as they can be used for riding, racing, and was originally developed for work on the ranch.  The Quarter Horse is well known for it quick starts, stops and turns.  This makes them an excellent choice for working cattle, barrel racing, cutting and reining competitions.  They are also raced in quarter mile races.

APPALOOSA - Favored by Indians for their colorful spotted rumps as well as spots all over.  The early Appaloosa did not have a pretty head. Some of the characteristics included small pig eyes, mottled skin around the muzzle, large heads, very thin mane and tails and vertical stripes on the hoof. Through breeding, the heads have become more refined.  You will see the Appaloosa ridden both English and western and is also very versatile.

MUSTANG – America's own tough, hardy little horse.  Many have been rounded up in the western states and sold or placed in adoption homes.  Essentially intelligent and capable of enduring long hours of work, they are not a good choice for the novice.

THOROUGHBREDS - This breed is most noted for speed and racing.  They are also an ideal horse for jumping and dressage.  Usually ridden English, they can easily adapt to wesern style of riding.
 

The most important thing for you to consider in selecting your first horse is how suited is the horse for you and how you plan to enjoy your new friend.