What do you look for when buying a good dressage, jumping, eventing, or english pleasure horse?

Answer 1

Those are all very different sports that would require very different characteristics from your horse. It also depends how far you want to go with your horse in competition. Will you be showing mostly smaller, schooling shows, or do you want to go to USEF rated competitions? If it's the later, you're likely going to be looking at spending a lot more money on a top prospect.

In dressage, the principle requirement would be a horse that has three good gaits to begin with. All horses have flaws with their movement, but in dressage you want a horse with good basic balance and impulsion. You'll want to look at conformation, as you're going to need a horse that will be able to collect under saddle, especially if you are going to perform upper-level tests.

In jumping, I would definitely x-ray the legs of any horse you buy before making the purchase. Now, there is a difference between jumpers classes and hunter over fences. If you're looking for a jumper, conformation is not quite as important as long as the horse is sound. You'll want to evaluate his form over fences for safety and talent. Obviously a horse that significantly trails its front end would not be safe or reliable in competition. You'll want a horse with a thrusty jump for the higher fences of these competitions. You'll also want one that you're able to push forward and collect back in a short period of time. You'll see a big variety in the jumper ring as to breed and build. If you're looking for a hunter, though, form and style becomes much more important. You'll want a horse that jumps with its knees up and together, front legs even. You'll want him to round over the fences and present a good, clean picture. Again, top hunter prospects are usually very expensive.

Eventing horses also come in many sizes and shapes. Many thoroughbreds make excellent eventing prospects because their stamina and fitness as ex-racehorses provides a great foundation for the demanding sport of combined training. When looking at OTTBs, though, x-rays become very important as a racing background can cause splints, fractures, and other injuries, especially to the legs. You'll want to evaluate the horse's jumping ability, scope, and bravery. The cross country fences can be designed to look intentionally intimidating, so a spooky horse is not a good candidate unless you are a strong, experienced rider. You'll want a horse with good balance. The dressage portion of eventing (especially in lower levels) is very basic, but it's becoming increasingly more important to score well in this first day of eventing if you want to finish well after the third. Thus, while you might not have to find a horse with absolutely flawless movement, you should put the energy into finding one that at least has three solid gaits.

English pleasure is sort of a catch all division. You'll see numerous breeds in your classes. If you don't plan on jumping, you can find an older horse or one with an old injury that prevents it from such rigorous over-fences work.

No matter what your discipline, if you're a novice or even an intermediate rider, I highly recommend bringing a trainer along to look at any prospects. A professional opinion will help point out any flaws in temperament, movement, or confirmation that could later prove a major detriment. I would also strongly caution against buying a horse without a vet check. If a seller tries to convince you that no check is necessary, you should be on the alert at once.

Answer 2

those 4 topics each require a different type of horse. For dressage, you want a horse with good conformation and three solid gaits, meaning a solid, not lateral walk (any dressage insructor can tell you if a horse has this or not), a springy 2 beat trot (if you are an amature, you will not be able to sit this trot). and a three beat bouncy canter. the horse also has to be quiet and a hard worker for dressage. However, if you want a hunter jumper (i.e. just stadium jumps in a ring with poles and standards) you need a horse with a bouncy canter and really good flexability and coordiantion in his legs. On the other end of the scale an event horse needs more personality traits such as boldness and a horse that is scopey b/c cross country is the hardest part with all the difficut questions (water, ditches, drop downs, jump ups, etc) you will not be able to find a horse that is equally good at all three phases (dressage, cross country and stadium) the rest can be taught. And an engish pleasure horse should be a quiet minded horse that just needs three solid gates with a tempo that does not waiver. If you are looking for a horse, in one of these four areas, I would suggest taking lots of lessons on horses in each of these areas and decide which interests you most; then go looking. You will not find a horse that is equally good in all of these diciplines.

Answer 3

It really really depends on the level you are riding and competing at.

A beginner wants temperament first and foremost. After a few years, the rider can 'upgrade' to a more suitable horse.

ALL horses need to be vet checked for soundness. Be sure to tell the vet about your plans.

A person who's been around a little bit longer and is more experienced can start trading temperament for ability and potential. For someone who is serious about competing and training, then a 16.2hh Hot Headed Thoroughbred with a beautiful gait and jumping look would be far more desirable than a 15hh bombproof stocky quarter horse who should'nt jump more than 12".

Most trainers will also come out to look at horses that you are considering. They know you and will honestly tell you if the horse is a good match for you. It will cost money, but may save you money in the long run.

Good luck in your search!

Answer 4

I would be sure to have the horse vetted with x-rays to make sure that he/she could stand up to the rigors of jumping.
I would want to know what level dressage he routinely was shown at and what height of jumps.
I would want to ride the horse at a totally strange arena to test it's willingness to work for me.
I would want to take the horse on a trail basis if possible to make usre it's tempermant and mine matched.