What is the best horse to get for someone who has never had a horse before?

Question

I am looking for a horse that will not be too hard to take care of. I have done a lot of reaserch, so I know generally what to do. If you could give me an approximate price, that would be great too.

Answer 1

I think what you are asking for is what type of breed to get. I would suggest a Quarter Horse, they have mild temperament and they are generally easy to train. Horses like Arabians and Thoroughbreds can generally be higher spirited. They can be suitable for newer riders, but make sure you know about the horses temperament before you decide to purchase if you decide to go with a warm blood breed. The maintenance on all horses is usually high. Most do not require any more care than veterinary expenses, food and water, and of course wormer program etc. I would recommend looking for an older horse, something over 8 years old for a novice owner. Just remember that all horses mature differently and have different dispositions, it's not for any of us to tell you what age to look for, that will be up to you to find out from your seller. Younger horses are usually not right for the novice due to their temperament. Kid safe horses, are what you are looking for. Former 4-H projects are probably an excellent choice. Check out www.barrelhorseworld.com You can find a lot of horses on the site that are fit for youth or novice riders. Most of the horses on the site have some barrel racing training as well so if you are interested in riding western this is a major plus. Price range usually depends on the amount of training the individual horse has had and it's breeding. A higher trained barrel horse with good breeding can range anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000. But you can find a lot of very nice trail/pleasure type Quarter Horses for around $1200-$2500. Usually they are younger and go so fairly priced due to their lack of extensive training. Check out barrel horse world, I think you will find it helpful in your search. The data base is huge and it's one of the largest sites on the web for sales. I don't know if you have any equine experience but you should at least have an idea of what you are doing when you own a horse. Take a couple of riding lessons to make sure you are going to be able to handle the horse. I see a lot of times people who purchase horses that are "too much for them", or "too much horse." Be sure to ask your seller any questions you have, sellers are usually very helpful when they know that you are really interested.

Anyhow best wishes with your search! I hope I answered your question well. Merry Christmas!!

One more thing!! Try to stay away from Appys or Appaloosas they are known for thier bad temperment. Paints and Palominos are basically quarter horses so they are also suitable. Pintos are not of all quarter horse decent, so if you invest in a pinto make sure to ask the seller about the horse's parental lineage. Andalusians, Lusitanos, and Mustangs are usually a bad choice for the novice rider as well.

P.S. If you are interested I happened to stumble on something you might be interested in.
http://www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-31087

Answer 2

Something older....past 15 years EXTREMELY WELL BROKE!!

Prices will vary.

Have a horse knowledgeable person preferrably to go with you to look/test ride horses. Always test ride if the horse is meant to be ridden.
Don't buy the first horse you find. Go back more than once to verify that this is the "right" horse.

There is no such thing as a "not too hard to take care of horse". An easy keeper, as most horse people will call them, is a horse that utilizes feed well and maintains good weight with out extras. All horses are expensive in the long run.

They say that the purchase price of the horse is actually the cheapest part of horse ownership.

A good well broke horse can run you a couple thousand, depending on the breed.

I ever spent two grand on my 6 year old Tennessee Walker Spotted mare. Very good horse. Spent another two grand on the second Tennesee Walker mare.
Spent $800 on an older teen Walker/cross mare. ALL SUPERIOR horses for me.

Answer 3

If you've really never, ever owned a horse then I would reccomend that first you start with lessons, so that when you get your horse you can ride it. Then lease a horse, at a barn, and do the chores...muck the stalls, groom it, ride it, be there when the farrier and vet come so you make sure you're really into it!

Horses are an expesive hobby! I've had them since I was 9 and I've mostly taken care of them myself. I actually compete with mine...Hunter/Jumper. My BUG guy cost $15000, so I know.

Once you're truely committed, ask your trainer or an experienced friend to help you look at horses. Most of the time an older, experienced horse is a good one to start with.

After 30 years, my cousin FINALLY got her own horse...a friends retiree. But before she brought her home to her house to live, she boarded it at the stable where she'd been taking lessons. She felt SOOO much better about bringing her home after that because the people there helped her SOOO much and she was sure that she could take care of her....It can be really overwhelming to keep a horse at your home when you don't really know that much about them. Horses are fragile creatures despite their size and strength. If you think some things wrong at 2 am who are you going to call and are you going to feel silly if AFTER you wake your vet up at 2 am....he tells you that "it" is normal?!

Try finding a person that will let you keep the horse on a trial period to see if you're both a fit....then you can know what you're getting into.

AND DON'T BUY THE FIRST HORSE YOU SEE! Take your time and find the right horse for YOU!

Happy Horse Hunting!

Answer 4

I personally ride American Quarter Horses. I find that they (as a generalization) tend to be more docile, and somewhat 'lazy' compared to other horses. Through the years, Paints, Appaloosas and Palominos have always borne me good luck as well. Just make sure that you avoid horses that are 'off-the-track' (esp. thoroughbreds, and some quarter-mile AQH's), they tend to have hoof, leg and tendon problems.

If you are planning on riding it, then make sure that the horse is well within your experience level. I would suggest for most first time buyers, perhaps an older lesson horse (about 13 to 17 years). You can pretty much flop around on most lesson horses, without provoking and ill effects. If your riding experience is limited, then lessons are strongly suggested, for at least the first month, before the purchase, and at least a month after the purchase.

If riding isn't your thing, and you are looking for more-or-less a lawn ornament...a senior horse of almost any breed would be suitable. They may require additional supplements, but they usually run less than 100.00 a month. Some people complain, that the senior feed is a pain, but it runs along the same price as regular pellets, and sometimes beet pulp is substitutable.
Miniture horses/ponies/mules are also an option. While you can't 'ride' them, many people teach them to drive. That way showing is still an option.

A 10-15 year old AQH/Paint or App show horse would run between 15-25,000. They tend to be of higher maintnence (usually kept under lights in the winter, lots of clipping, ect.)

A 12-20 year old lesson horse would run aroun 2-5000 depending on the age, health, versatility, they usually require average maintenence.

A 20+ senior horse would probable cost between 1-2000. Depending on the rideability, the maintenence varies.

I dont' know how much a mini would cost but their maintence can be pretty much nill. Despite a balanced diet, farrier, vet and occasional brushing your can pretty much just throw them in your backyard. (well, not literally)

Just always get a vet check.

Answer 5

If you had ridden at a barn, or spent time around horses, you would know these answers. First off, no horse is easy to take care of, even the easiest of keepers require money and time to take care of. Research is just background information and will point you to the right place to get the hands on information you need. Unfortunately, the horses that are the best for beginners are cherished members of familys, or riding programs and you won't be able to buy one easily. Again, I would recommend getting as much hands on experience you can and figure out the answers yourself. Also, it will get you out into the horse community in your area. I haven't had to do too much work to find either of my horses because I happened to be in the right circles. Best of luck....

Answer 6

Research is alot different than the physical work that you will need to do to care properly for a horse. First, there is the time it takes to feed them at least twice a day. Then you should also spend some time brushing your horse and cleaning their hooves. Every horse is going to take effort and time to take care of.

I would suggest that if you are seriously considering purchasing a horse, that you go and spend some time with someone who already has horses. Then you can see what all is involved. Horses are herd animals and if you only intend on having one then you need to spend a lot of time with the horse that you get.

Answer 7

there is not really a "approximate" price on any kind of horse.... depends on where u live... the market right now for horses is low in most places.......for someone that has never had a horse u will want to find something extremely broke. something in its teens. have u been round horses at all? rode? what kind of experience do u have? where will the horse be staying? u have land? are u going to board the horse? do u know how much it cost to board? feed( hay and grain) these are things that need to be questioned when pro suing to buy for the first time

Answer 8

My family bred Quarter Horses and I owned them plus some of the warmbloods. But the Quarter Horses are one of the most versatile and level headed breeds. They are the best first horse. You may want to look into some of the rescue organizations. The adoption fee is small any wher from $0.00 to $2,000 and you can get almost any breed. Prices on horses vary, a lot depends on the age training and breeding of the horse. Price can go from $0 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. You can get a good horse for any range of price. Try looking at the rescue sights Petfinder.com can give you direction. If it is your first horse go with alittle older one who has the spunk gone.

Answer 9

I would for sure take lessons first! Or at least offer to muck stalls aat a local barn for a day or something....you really need to be around ital before you buy a horse! And the people there may even have horses for sale, at the least they will be conected and know someone who does, or where to look, and what you need to know.

Other then that, for sure broke and over 10, at least! :) Geldings are the best IMO, but mares aare fun too..a little moody though! :)

Have fun and may your day be full of horses!

Answer 10

generally an older,well broke and well trained gelding is the way to go. I DO NOT recommend gaited horses (Tenn Walkers,Saddlebreds etc) or Arabs and DO recommend a stock horse type breed such as a Quarter Horse (non race bred)mainly out of personal experience when it comes to this type of thing.You get what you pay for when it comes to horse. You are NOT going to find a well trained,gentle,sound horse with decent conformation (for health purposes) for $800. You may be able to find one in the $2500 range.Good luck and ask a reputable trainer to help you out.