| omeone what they see when they picture horses in | | | | Thoroughbreds from stables around Florida. |
| Florida and you're likely to hear about an imagines | | | | As is the case in most places, when buying horses in |
| scene that places the rider and horse on a Gulf Coast | | | | Florida, the best guidance to choosing a horse is going |
| beach with the sun setting in the background over | | | | to be what purpose the buyer has in mind. Those who |
| crisp blue water. While that is, admittedly, an idyllic | | | | wish to build a stable of racing horses will be looking at |
| scene that is fairly common, horses in Florida are also | | | | different animals than those who are casual riders. |
| likely to be scene carrying their riders along state and | | | | Those who are looking for a horse that will more or |
| national park trails, at racetracks and in both dressage | | | | less be a family pet will be looking for different horses |
| and jumping rings. | | | | than those who need horses in Florida that will assist |
| Jumping and hunting horses are so common in Florida | | | | them with working their farms. |
| that many horses for sale throughout the state are | | | | The motivation for buying a horse will, therefore, |
| described as jumpers and hunters. Because great | | | | impact the breed of horse that is chosen. Once that |
| hunters are less easy to come by than jumpers, listings | | | | decision is made, the next important considerations will |
| for these horses in Florida and elsewhere tend to | | | | be in regards to the health of the horse. A healthy |
| carry a higher price tag, but that doesn't mean that | | | | horse will have the build that is best associated with |
| everyone who makes an investment in horses in | | | | the breed - for example, an American Quarter Horse |
| Florida is going to buy a jumper - it's often a matter of | | | | will have well-muscled, strong hind quarters that enable |
| preference, not just availability. | | | | it to reach sprinting speed quickly, thanks to the |
| Beginners and seasoned riders alike have a variety of | | | | concentration of power. Likewise, its hooves, back, |
| preferences when it comes to the horses that they | | | | teeth and eyes will be healthy, and the horse will have |
| buy and ride. To some extent, the preference that | | | | good hearing and eyesight. |
| they have is going to be influenced by the style of | | | | While a visual check of horses will help you to identify |
| riding that they are going to do. Those who are looking | | | | major health issues such as leg problems - evidenced |
| for a great all-around horse will be more likely to look | | | | by scarring or bumps and bulges in the horse's legs - |
| at Paint horses or an American Quarter Horse. | | | | having a veterinarian perform a more thorough |
| Not only are Paints and American Quarter Horses | | | | examination is always a good idea. Whether you are |
| both capable workers that are still common on farms | | | | looking for racing horses in Florida or a work horse, |
| in Florida, but they are also great horses for families, | | | | you want to be able to be sure that you are going to |
| who want to be sure that their kids are brought up | | | | have an animal that will be in good health when you |
| around horses - who have an even temperament and | | | | bring it to the stable. |
| responsive disposition. American Quarter Horses are | | | | Whether you are able to stable your horse at home or |
| great for Florida rides in areas like Amelia Island State | | | | you rent a stall from someone who has a stable and |
| Park in the Northeast corner of the state where riders | | | | pasture, know that owning horses in Florida will take |
| can watch marine life from the coastal shore. Just as | | | | some effort on your part and can be pretty |
| the sea cow, or manatee, can be seen in great | | | | expensive, depending on where in the state you reside. |
| numbers near Crystal River, Florida, one could also rent | | | | Still, many find that once they have had a horse, |
| horses for a day trip near the same location, north of | | | | worked with it and experienced the thrill of riding, they |
| Tampa Bay and two hours west of Orlando. | | | | cannot simply go back and not have horses as a part |
| Of course, those who crave speed while on horses | | | | of their lives. Perhaps this is why horses remain an |
| are likely to turn to Arabian horses and Thoroughbred | | | | integral part of the American psyche, a century after |
| horses. Likewise, when looking for horses for sale that | | | | the introduction of the "horseless carriage". |
| can be groomed for the race track, plenty choose | | | | |