Tips for Selecting the Right Horse for You

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Sir Winston Churchill once said, "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." This feeling is shared by many horse owners of this generation, says Steve Jones, extension equine specialist/associate professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Jones says this love of horses may be the reason the horse is such a popular form of recreation in the technology era.

"The relationship between a horse and rider can be unparalleled if the right horse is chosen," he says.

How does a new buyer find the right horse? 
Jones advises buyers to do their homework in locating and choosing the right horse. He says it's critical that people who are giving buyers advice and sellers provide them with straight information.

"Many horses may be acceptable, but the purchaser must select the one that is right for him or her," Jones says.

Many considerations must be evaluated and questions answered when selecting a horse. The issues include age of rider, the rider's experience, age of the horse, horse's level of training and horse and rider combination.

The rider's age and size are important because they influence his or her ability to make a horse perform, Jones says.

"I believe that the younger the child, the older and more trained the horse should be," he says.

A rider's experience is equally important, he says, because "many accomplished young people can capably manage and ride horses that would be inappropriate for adults who lack experience."

Experience will play a major role in determining the right horse for any rider, he says. Prospective new horse owners may benefit from riding lessons for about 30 days before purchasing a horse.

"If you buy a horse before learning to ride, you're almost sure of having a bad experience," he says.

The age, maturity and training of the horse are important because they need to match up with the wants and experience of the rider.

"When selecting a mount, the level of training or the experience of the horse is a consideration that should be given high priority" Jones says. "Generally speaking, the inexperienced rider should select a highly trained or experienced horse."

The horse's training level will decrease to the rider's level of inexperience until the rider advances to the horse's level of training.

Jones explains: "A horse will decrease his performance level to match the rider's lack of experience. Horses are naturally lazy and want to get by with as little effort as possible."

He says the horse's performance will move back to its peak when the rider's level of experience increases to the point that the horse respects, or recognizes, the rider's cues, or the rider's body control and balance doesn't hinder its movement.

"Older, more mature and experienced horses forgive rider mistakes more quickly and are less likely to panic or become nervous from the inexperienced rider's cues," Jones says.

The horse and rider combination requires serious thought and consideration. Horsemanship is a partnership between horse and rider. 

Source: www.extension.org