| Join the ranks of millions worldwide who aspire to | | | | the type of riding you plan to do. Barrel racing |
| the privilege of horse ownership. But buying a | | | | does not require a large flashy gaited warmblood. |
| horse is not something to be done on a whim. | | | | If you're a dressage rider, you probably shouldn't |
| Please consider the consequences carefully. | | | | consider a "stock" type Quarter Horse. |
| Horses are expensive. Expensive to buy and | | | | Let's focus on a few specific characteristics for |
| expensive to care for so plan for a major | | | | now. |
| commitment financially and in terms of time. | | | | Age |
| Anyone who is seriously considering purchasing a | | | | The horse owner's age will go a long way in |
| horse should do exhaustive research so they | | | | determining the ideal age of the horse you'll buy. |
| aren't caught off guard by all the expenses | | | | For a younger or less experienced rider, an older |
| incurred by horse owners. These expenses include | | | | horse - age ten and up - is better. An older horse |
| boarding, shoeing, and the veterinarian, to name a | | | | is already trained with saddles and riders and so |
| few. The best place to start is your local library | | | | doesn't need to be broken in. As you can imagine, |
| where you can read books and magazines about | | | | a steady, confident, mature horse is best for a |
| horses. | | | | new rider. Horses are commonly active and ridden |
| Also contact local stables and horse farms to | | | | frequently well into their twenties. |
| meet and talk to people who own horses there. | | | | Please do not buy your child a young, unbroken |
| Start up a conversation with any horse person | | | | horse. While these are fine for the experienced |
| and you will soon get an idea of what it is like to | | | | rider, it will more than likely prove disastrous for |
| own one. After you've done your initial research, | | | | the young or inexperienced rider. Breaking an |
| it's time to think about the ideal horse for you. | | | | unbroken horse is not something that should be |
| Your new horse will be more than a pet. It will be | | | | attempted my a novice. |
| like a new member of the family. | | | | What other characteristics should you consider? |
| The key is finding a horse that you that you get | | | | Find out at |
| along with both physically and emotionally. A huge | | | | Are you ready to buy a horse? Do you love |
| horse for a small child simply will not do, as a timid | | | | horses? Discover the most important horse |
| rider needs anything but a bold "hot" | | | | criteria to consider plus many other dirty little |
| thoroughbred. | | | | horse "secrets" and a special "Quarter Horse |
| The right horse for you will also be influenced by | | | | Resources" section at Quarter Horse Secrets. |