What horse to get?

Question

I want a horse to ride, but I have no idea what to get. I do not want a pony or any of that, but a real big horse. I have hardly ever ridden a horse, but I could get lessons. So what kind of horse do I get?

Answer 1

I wouldn't buy a horse until you've had lessons, had horsemanship training, and ideally spent some time at a barn caring for horses. You need to be a rider in order to know what sort of riding horse you're going to be happiest with.

Answer 2

I would HIGHLY suggest that you go to a barn and take lessons for awhile. They can teach you about all the nuances that come with riding and owning a horse - believe it or not there is a LOT more than throwing on the saddle, riding all day and putting the horse out in the pasture at night. Lesson barns have school horses and that would be the best place to begin your education.

Horses are very expensive - and you're going to want an older horse that is dead broke if you're a beginning rider, which will likely cost more. But the initial expense of the horse is nothing compared to what you're going to be facing in boarding costs, feeding costs, vet care, worming, farrier bills. Not to mention all the time you're going to invest in feeding and caring for the horse (should you choose to keep the animal at your place).

If you're wealthy, have loads of time and care to bite off a big investment then I would start looking for a dead broke horse around 10 years of age. No matter how much fun you think it would be don't go for a yearling or younger horse - they haven't had the training and are SO much work! If someone offers a green broke horse don't take it. If someone offers a free horse - run!

Be sure you get *your* vet to check out this horse before you buy to make sure there is nothing wrong, take along an experienced horse person with you to see the horse, and be aware that it can take MONTHS to find the right horse for you.

Answer 3

Just because you don't want a pony doesn't mean that a "real big horse" is a good idea, especially since you've hardy ever ridden. I'll tell you on thing: the bigger the horse is, the farther it is to the ground. There's no need for a huge horse unless you're going to be doing a serious Equestrian sport, or until you have enough experience not to fall of and gain control of a bigger horse. There are horses out there that are medium sized, and JUST right. Bigger horses are usually harder to control. (Since they're bigger, of course!) and they know it. My 2 year old gelding is over 15 hh tall and he's still growing. Trust me, it gives a person much more confidence to climb on a smaller horse and see the ground than to climb on a big horse and hardly see the ground, LOL. Trust me, I know. BUT, if you TRULY with all your heart want a big horse, make sure you have lessons. And make sure the horse is DEAD broke. You don't want a huge, green broke or stubborn or spoiled horse. Once again, TRUST ME.

Answer 4

My suggestion to you is to first take some more lesson. Get so you are comfortable riding and know how to properly care for a horse before you consider purchasing one of your own.

After you are comfortable riding and caring for a horse, then you should look for a horse that is fairly bombproof, good for beginner riders. These horses are often older, like >15 years old, however there are always exceptions! Breed doesn't matter, what is most important is the horses personality and skill level and how it matches with your personality and skill level. If you do want a purebred, know there is exceptions in every breed. Quarter Horses are generally calmer than a lot of other breeds, however, there can be wild Quarter Horses and bombproof Thoroughbreds! You never know! Your best bet is to look for a horse that is good for beginners.

To find a horse, go to tack and feed stores, they usually have postings on a wall of horses for sale. Employees may also know of people. I'm sure there are people out there with a beginner horse that they want to sell for something more challenging. Check out local reputable stables where the horses are well cared for. There are probably people there who know of horses for sale.

When you go to look at horses, try to take someone experienced with you. Groom the horse, see how it is to work around on the ground, ride the horse, and then, if you are still interested, get a vet check done by a vet you trust and who doesn't work for the owner.

Good luck! :-)

Answer 5

Hi Sara,
This is what I did: I took horse lessons for a couple of years so that I could try many breeds and could see if I preferred a female horse or a gelding (male who is no longer able to make babies = stallion). After I rode for a while, my pick was a male gelding, Morgan breed.
I found that the Morgan horse is very versatile. It can do western, dressage, race, english, endurance, pleasure, or whatever. They can pull carts for shows and are very flashy in the way they hold their head arched when you trot them. They also have a gaited trot (smoothe!!!) so that you feel like you are gliding on air.
What I loved about my Morgan Gelding is that they are to live about 35 yrs average (race horses are 17 or less), they are very healthy, seem to really like people, and they have great memories of what you teach them. Some horses, if you don't ride them for a month, you almost have to start all over again!
So, my suggestion is to ride somewhere and try all kinds of horses, both male and female, and you will know when there is a match.
Remember that the cost of the horse is pennies - its the upkeep that costs alot:
boarding
vet
feeding
shoes
insurance
saddles & tack
and on & on.
Buy some horse magazines and read up on what you need to know because a horse is a very very expensive hobby.
Enjoy!!!

032807 4:49

Answer 6

If you're like me, and there is no place close to you where you can take lessons, find someone who is experienced with horses and maybe has a few that can teach you how to ride and care for a horse properly.

Also, I highly doubt you want a "real big horse"....the bigger your horse is, the farther you have to fall in case your horse spooks or you have to dismount quickly.

My suggestion to you is a bomb-proof, totally broken older horse--a Paso Fino is a good choice because they are smaller (around 14-15 hands), but they are very strong so they can carry a very heavy and tall person. They are also gaited and their "trot" is very smooth and you will never have a sore butt or bounce around like other non-gaited horses(which can cause some new riders to feel scared...), so they are ideal for a beginning rider. You can spend as many hours riding a Paso Fino since your butt won't be sore--that way you can get a lot of practice riding in.

If you have any other questions about Paso Finos, please email or message me. Good luck with your horse search and don't rush into it--the process will take time. Do your research!!!

Answer 7

OK if your a begginer on horses then you don't want a big horse. Just get one in the 15hh area. Well, the best horse to start off with would probably be a Quarter Horse if you are doing western riding. Quarter Horses are one of the best horses to have when you first start out. And no matter what type of horse you get, get a gelding! PLEASE! They rock. (well so do mares, but get a gelding to start of with * i recommend it*)

English riding, well if your going to do english riding then you should maybe get an Arabian mix? I don't really know I'm not good in English so just don't even pay attention to this paragraph.

Well hope I helped! Horse are so great!
AlWaYs...
♥melissa♥

Answer 8

A very broke one. First time riders should get a older horse that has been well broke and kid tested. Do not get a young one till you learn to ride and are comfortable handling a big horse.That is a mistake a lot of people make. Then something happens and they are afraid for the rest of there lives.

Answer 9

Get lessons first, then talk to your trainer about buying a horse. He or she will be able to walk you through the process and help you find the perfect horse for you. Having a professional with you when you go horse shopping will prevent you from buying a lemon, or a major problem.

Answer 10

Riding horses is not as easy as it looks nor is taking care of them, not to mention a good trainer and board cost. I would go to your local barn that boards horses and ask around for the best trainer. Take lessons and volunteer to clean stalls for someone so you get to know about caring for a horse. Then you should ask your trainer to help you find a horse when they think you are ready for one. Also look into the cost of board, shavings, hay, grain, suppliments, shoes, shots, wormer, vet bills and last of all the price of good and well fitting tack. And don't forget a good trainer will cost money also. Iam not trying to discourage you ... just trying to save you a lot of surprises down the road. My kids have 4 horses that I board and pay for all of the above and that cost me about $600.00 a month.
Of course your only talking about one horses so you will get off easy.......good luck