Many horse lovers have an idea in their mind as to what type of horse qualifies as their "dream" horse. Sometimes these ideals are very realistic for new horse owners, but other times, their ideals might not be the smartest choice. If you've decided that horse ownership is for you, it's important to consider a few factors before purchasing your first horse.

Age
Every horse is different and each has its own individual personality. Sometimes young horses are more calm and levelheaded than older horses. Other times, older horses are more steady and reliable than a young horse. Generally speaking, age is directly related to level of experience. What this means is that if you're a beginner rider, it's unwise to partner yourself with a horse that is also a beginner.

Many people feel that buying a young horse will give them the opportunity to make that horse their own and learn together with their horse. Unfortunately, this rarely works and paring a beginner rider with a green horse can have disastrous consequences. Instead of choosing a 2- or 3-year old for your first horse, consider a middle aged to older horse that has prior riding experience. This ensures at least one out of the two individuals - horse and rider - knows what they are doing. It also offers greater potential for success in learning how to ride.

Color
Color is a relatively common consideration when purchasing a first horse, but it should not be your first priority. There is an old saying - "There is no bad color for a good horse." Everyone wants one that is pleasing to the eye, but don't overlook the perfect horse just because you don't like his coat color.

Temperament
Temperament should be your primary focus when shopping for your first horse. Often overlooked in the horse buying process, many people fall prey to the idea that they want a horse with "spirit." Keep in mind though, that spirit without respect is dangerous.

When looking at horses, watch how they interact with you and their current owners. Are they difficult to catch or do they seem pushy? Do they pin their ears back when you approach them? These are characteristics you want to avoid in a first horse, as they will slow your learning process and possible lead to dangerous situations. Instead, look for a horse that is friendly and approachable without being pushy. Also, ask the owner to catch the horse, saddle him and ride him in front of you. If the owner struggles with this after working with the horse for awhile, it's likely that you will struggle too.

Breed
Breed is another important consideration when purchasing your first horse. For example, you may admire the beauty and athleticism of the thoroughbred, but given their large size and generally "hotter" temperament, they may not be a good first horse for you. Before choosing the right breed for you, read up on various breeds you are interested in. Doing a little research on your breed of choice will help determine if it is right for your needs and
level of experience.

Cost
Before purchasing, decide on a price range and budget. Try to avoid purchasing a horse that you'll have to make payments on. The costs of maintenance and upkeep of a horse such as worming, shots and farrier, is expensive enough without a monthly payment to consider. Instead, save the money before you look for a horse and only purchase one that is within your price range.

Finding the right horse to fit you should not be a snap decision. Try to look at several horses and compare their pros and cons. If you make the right decision, the purchase should result in a horse that is easy for you to handle and learn from.

This article was written on behalf of Triton Barn Systems, an Iowa-based manufacturer of horse stalls and horse barns.

• A Tropical Fish Guide With Some Easy To Follow Tips So you're ready to discover the very exciting and rewarding world of owning tropical fish? You have made an excellent choice! Exotic pet ownership is fun and challenging. You have a lot of responsibilities at the beginning but once you've learned about how to care of your tropical fish,......
• Types of Horses - Warm, Cold and Hot Bloods There are many horse breeds (hundreds) but they all fall into one of three categories: warm blood, cold blood or hot blood. The breeds making up the cold blood category originated mainly from Europe, where they were the result of breeding programs to produce horses that could work long......
• The Two Main Types of Saddles For Sale: English And Western? by Jodie Daisy There are two main types of saddles for sale, english and western saddles. With so many different saddles for sale, it is helpful to know a quick way to distinguish between english and western saddles, the horn that is found on western saddles. Another easily noticeable and......
• The Arabian Stallion - Mighty, Brave And Bold by William Owen James Thompson The Arabian horse is a mighty horse bread which has developed in the Arabian Peninsula for the past couple of thousand years. The horses reflect all that is good in horses; strength, bravery, beauty and endurance. The Bedouins were a nomadic people who are given......

• 101 Ways to Save Money in Your Everyday Life Tiny leaks and evaporation put a constant drain on your resources. As discussed in our previous post, From Pennies One Million Dollars Grow, a few cents saved here and there can add up to be a significant amount. Here we offer 101 suggestions for plugging expenditures in various aspects......
• Our Family Guidelines for Using Credit Cards I mentioned yesterday that our family has decided that we spend less when we use cash instead of credit cards.  Yet, I mentioned that we do still have and use credit cards. Photo by mangpages. Here are our family credit card guidelines: If we are going to buy a single......
• The Dow 10,000 means nothing Last week as the Dow crossed 10,000 again, I saw some serious chatter about this milestone, the press celebrating and even the traders on Wall Street wearing Dow 10,000 2.0 caps on their heads. A number of people pointed out that this number gets far more attention than it deserves.......
• 9 Tips to Maximize Free Shipping Codes & Coupons The phrase "free shipping" is a siren song to many online shoppers. For whatever reason, a "free shipping "coupon that saves shoppers $6.99 can be more appealing than a "$10 discount." There's something about the word "free" that's oh-so appealing. With a touch of know-how and research, however, you can take......

	Aero Mist 52501 Outdoor 6 Ft Extension Kit List Price: $26.95 Sale Price: $24.99
This professional grade, copper tubing rated to 1000 PSI, uses genuine brass fittings, stainless steel orifice nozzles (.014 orifice - medium fine) for long life, and comes complete with all necessary components to extend your 12 foot Professional Misting Kit (part number 52500) by up to 6 feet.

Written by Curtis Gardner using tags: horse barns, horse stalls, Pets, Triton Barn Systems