| The time has come and you are finally | | | | another important consideration. Some |
| ready to go out and buy a horse of your | | | | disciplines are very specific to certain |
| own. But how do you know what to look | | | | breeds or horses. Others are more |
| for? It might seem simple at first to | | | | flexible. Consider what you plan to do |
| state what the perfect horse would be, | | | | with your horse, and choose a range of |
| but is it a realistic possibility? | | | | breeds that will work for your needs. |
| When looking for your first horse, you | | | | Sometimes the best horse may not be your |
| need to be brutally honest about what | | | | favorite breed, but once again, this |
| you need. This may not be easy, so be | | | | will give you somewhere to start. |
| sure to set aside any preconceptions you | | | | Once you have an idea of what you want, |
| have about finding your equine soul-mate | | | | you need to decide what aspects are most |
| and start from the beginning. | | | | important to you. All too often buyers |
| First of all, consider your riding | | | | spend years searching for the right |
| ability. Have you primarily ridden in | | | | horse because they are too rigid in |
| lessons, or at a trail barn? If this is | | | | their criteria, often passing up horses |
| the case, you will need to find a | | | | who may be perfect for their needs |
| well-trained horse that will not need a | | | | because the horse is the wrong color, or |
| lot of extra training to get where you | | | | is a few years too old, or isn't quite |
| need it to be. If you are more | | | | as tall as they want. |
| experienced, keep in mind that it is | | | | Finally, when you have all your criteria |
| easy to become overfaced, so always look | | | | in mind, consider price. While there |
| for a horse that you are comfortable | | | | are many deals to be found, often what |
| with right now, not one that will be | | | | you get is what you pay for. Pick an |
| right for you some day in the future. | | | | upper limit, and look around to see what |
| You can always upgrade if you need to. | | | | you can find that suits your needs. If |
| What does your ideal horse look like? | | | | nothing seems to be suited, you may have |
| While this may be one of the least | | | | set your upper limit too low, and should |
| important aspects of buying your horse, | | | | save up for a while before continuing |
| it can be a great way to start narrowing | | | | your search. |
| down the field. Pick a size of horse | | | | Take your time to find the right horse, |
| that suits your build. If you are | | | | but when you find something suitable, be |
| barely over 5' tall, you don't need a | | | | aware that horse sales are first-come, |
| 17hh horse. Likewise, if you are over 6' | | | | first-served. Don't be afraid to place |
| tall, a 15hh horse would look a bit | | | | a deposit if the horse seems to be just |
| silly. A stocky horse is better suited | | | | what you are looking for. Sometimes it |
| for a larger boned individual, while | | | | is better to risk losing a few dollars, |
| someone fine, would look better on a | | | | than to lose the horse than was just |
| fine-boned horse. | | | | right for your needs. |
| The right breed, or range of breeds, is | | | | |