| Buying a horse is actually the simple procedure of | | | | he spooky? Can you start and stop him? Is he too |
| exchanging dollars and cents for an animal of your | | | | spirited for you to handle? Does he switch his tail |
| choice. But buying an animal suited to your abilities is a | | | | constantly? Can you ride him away from the stable? |
| difficult task. Before looking for a horse decide what | | | | A tail-switcher means that the animal has been pushed |
| use and purpose the horse will serve, for pleasure, for | | | | too fast in training and indicates nervousness. Usually a |
| breeding, or for showing. Each of these is in a different | | | | horse that has been trained by a woman will not like a |
| category and requires a different kind of animal. | | | | man rider, or will be uneasy with a man on his back. |
| However, you may be fortunate enough to find a | | | | Sometimes this works in the reverse. Many times it is |
| combination of all three attributes. | | | | because of the handling of the reins. A man is normally |
| Consider these tests before you buy a horse: | | | | heavier handed than a woman. However, this depends |
| 1. Look at him from a distance and examine his build as | | | | on the horse and the rider in the main, but it is |
| a whole. This is called conformation, and each breed | | | | something to consider in buying a horse that has been |
| of horse has certain characteristics that identify him by | | | | privately owned by one person for some time. |
| form. The animal should carry his head well and be | | | | 8. Don't buy a stallion. He may look good in the movies |
| neatly put together. | | | | but is not practicable in real life. He is likely to be |
| 2. Check for soundness. Run your hands up and down | | | | unpredictable and should be managed only by an |
| his legs. Look for an unexplained lump or sign of | | | | expert horseman. He belongs, mainly, on the breeding |
| soreness. | | | | farm. You'll find just as much spirit and animation in a |
| 3. Test his vision. A horse should blink when you wave | | | | good mare or gelding and far less trouble. |
| your hand in back of his eye. | | | | No horse is perfect, but whatever faults are present |
| 4. See whether or not he leads in or out of the stable | | | | you must decide whether or not they may be |
| easily. | | | | eliminated with some training. Many times all a horse |
| 5. Watch saddling and bridling. See if he is uneasy | | | | needs is work. Horses also respond to owners. They |
| when cinched. Some horses are afraid of a girth, | | | | have their likes and dislikes. Personalities clash just as |
| caused by too tight a cinch. Notice whether or not he | | | | between people. Whole personalities have changed |
| is bridle shy, touchy about the ears; whether he opens | | | | with ownership. |
| his mouth to receive the bit. | | | | Be sure the animal is suited to your own capabilities. |
| 6. Have the owner ride the animal so you can see | | | | And, once again, don't buy the first horse you see. |
| how he handles. Watch whether he stops easily, reins | | | | Somewhere there is a horse suited to you. Two |
| well, backs, and has an easy gait. Have the owner | | | | things are important: the age of the rider and of the |
| work the horse to a gallop. Try to determine if he is | | | | horse, and the experience or lack of it in both rider and |
| speed crazy. The owner should guarantee the safety | | | | animal. |
| of the animal as to training. Also, note whether or not | | | | One must equal the other, rider and animal, because no |
| there is excessive breathing, noise with the breathing, | | | | matter how well trained the horse, if the rider does not |
| and flanks that heave spasmodically. | | | | understand this training, then the horse will not work |
| 7. Most important! Ride the horse yourself. Is he | | | | well. And a good horse can soon be ruined by a poor |
| smooth in the walk, trot, and canter? Does he shy? Is | | | | rider. |