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| Selecting A Horse - Choose The Breed Carefully
- By Lynn Walls |
Owning a horse is a huge responsibility.
Just like owning any pet, you should put a great deal of thought
and consideration before you decide to purchase an equine. Since
most individuals will have to house horses off their property,
you should first consider finding a suitable stable before you
purchase a horse. Also, consider your wants and needs.
If you or your stable has limited space, you might not want
to consider a sizable draft horse like a Clydesdale. However,
if you are in need of a large horse to do a great deal of work
pulling wagons, you should consider breeds other than Shetlands.
There are a great number of breeds, each with a different pro
and con. After carefully reviewing each breed, you are sure
to find the exact type of horse to fit your needs and your lifestyle.
Ask yourself what you are looking
for in a horse. Do you want a horse that you can show? Do you
want a horse for work purposes? Do you want a horse to jump
or ride competitively? Do you want a horse to race? Do you want
a horse to ride on trails or one that is compatible with children?
After you determine why you want a horse (and the answer should
be better than "just because"), you can set out determining
what breed is best for you. Keep in mind, even though the breed
might fit everything you want, each horse will have a different
personality. Before you run out and buy the first horse in your
desired breed, take a careful look at the specific horse in
question.
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If you are interested in showing a horse
for its beauty and grace, an Arabian horse is probably your
best bet. These beautiful creatures are well-liked on the show
circuit and enjoy being fussed and fawned over. For those daring
riders who want a horse for jump training, the strong-legged
Thoroughbred may be the perfect fit. These gentle giants are
rugged enough to withstand the abuse of jumping, but are agile
enough to soar over the highest gates. If you would rather have
a rough-and-tumble horse perfect for uneven trail rides, the
American Quarter Horse should be your top pick. These famous
horses are often used in competitive Western riding events,
including the heart-pumping barrel racing.
American Quarter Horses are perfect for the intense training
required for competitive racing, but also have the sure-footed
step necessary for making the quick turns and negotiating rocky
terrain. A Tennessee Walking Horse or Mountain Horse is the
perfect fit for the horse owners who want to go on quiet rides.
The gentle gait of these beautiful creatures gives these horses
the best ride over even terrain. Finally, if you are looking
a horse for a child, consider a smaller breed like the Icelandic.
The shorter stature better fits the proportion of a child, and
their smooth gait and easy-going attitude will prevent much
bumping and jostling.
Whatever your choice of breed, carefully consider its pros and
cons. Even though you may have your heart set on one specific
breed, if it will not meet your needs, you should carefully
rethink your choice. A horse is a huge responsibility and you
cannot simply return the magnificent creature because you did
not seriously research all your options and hastily chose a
horse that will not fit into your lifestyle.
To find more information about selecting a horse, just log on
to the Internet and visit locations such as www.ahorsesite.com/dir/typesofhorses
to do a thorough search.
© Copyright 2005
by Lynn Walls. All rights reserved.
About the Author: Looking for information
about horses? Go to http://www.ahorsesite.com.
A Horse Site is an excellent horse information directory and
resource Site. Provides a consolidated listing of the best Horse
sites in one easy to navigate location. Source: www.isnare.com
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