| Recently, I published an article called Before Buying a | | | | they need to have a pleasant attitude toward people |
| Horse, You Must Consider..., which provided information | | | | as well as toward other horses. Sometimes the show |
| on what to look for, and how to size up the good and | | | | ring can become a very crowded place. The color of |
| the not so good points of a horse that you need to | | | | your horse is not as important, as everyone has their |
| consider before buying one. I would like to walk you | | | | preferences as far as color and breed. |
| through the next step; hence, part two. | | | | There are many types of horses and breeds. I have |
| If you have taken an interest in a particular horse, and | | | | chosen the above categories because they are the |
| the horse is of riding age, you should always sit on their | | | | most popular in the minds of new horse owners. This |
| back and see what they have to offer. Expectations | | | | is where I started and throughout the years, as I grew, |
| will differ according to your needs as far as your | | | | I ventured out into the world of Thoroughbred race |
| intentions for each horse you purchase. For instance, if | | | | horses. Try to stick with the breed that interests you |
| you are looking for a trail horse, he or she should be | | | | the most. Quarter horses for example, in my |
| easy to work around, easy to brush and pick out the | | | | experience have always been very quiet, very nice to |
| feet, and easy to put the saddle and bridle on them. | | | | ride, and easy keepers, meaning it takes a small |
| Trail horses should be easy to mount and dismount | | | | amount of grain and hay in order to keep them at a |
| and should have a pleasant attitude towards people. | | | | good weight. |
| Also you want a trail horse to be eager and willing to | | | | Thoroughbreds, on the other hand, usually are higher |
| go wherever you ask without question or hesitation. | | | | strung, a bit more difficult overall, and need far more |
| Always keep your demands within reason. | | | | grain in order to keep a good healthy weight on them. |
| If you are looking for a horse that you have intentions | | | | The different breeds are many, and each one has |
| of showing, the requirements are different. Show | | | | their own unique characteristics. The possibilities are |
| horses should have good confirmation, preferably a | | | | endless as is the undying love and caring that many of |
| smart looking head, have good feet, and be good | | | | us feel for these animals, as well as the endless |
| movers. Good movers should be pleasing to the eyes | | | | thoughts and experiences I have yet to venture upon |
| as you watch them move. A good mover should look | | | | with you. I know how hard it is for a horse crazed |
| like a well oiled machine as you watch them walk, trot | | | | person that can hardly wait another moment until they |
| and canter, or walk, jog and lope. Show horses should | | | | have their very own horse, but you must be patient. |
| be light in the mouth, (meaning easy to control), and | | | | Take your time as there are many horses out there, |
| well behaved at all times. Very nervous horses usually | | | | and instinctively, you will know when you meet the right |
| have a hard time with being shipped and taken to | | | | one. |
| strange and different places on a regular basis. Also, | | | | |