Selecting a Horse for Your Lifestyle

There are many things to consider when you are buying your first horse. This includes who it is for, who will care for it, are you looking for an active horse or more of a pasture buddy horse; and most importantly, do you have necessary space and boarding facility to match its needs. You want to be sure that you have carefully thought over your decision to bring home a horse and are 100% committed to caring for it.

Choosing a horse that is the right size

Horses come in different sizes and depending on who you are getting it for and its purpose, you want to make sure its the perfect fit. If you are looking to get one for your child(ren), a pony is much more fitting. As for an adult, a horse would work great. There are also pasture buddy horses that are no longer rideable due to age or injury. However, they make great pets or companions for other horses you may have. After you have decided who it is for and what its purpose will be, make sure you are choosing a horse that fits the height of the person who will be riding or caring for it.

Types of Horse Breeds

Besides the height and size of the horse, there are many different breeds. Some horses are able to adapt and learn to do what you would like it to do, while others are bred for a certain job. Below are a few breeds that might work for you:

• Tennessee Walkers – Perfect to ride on for long walks or in a show ring
• Belgian or Clydesdale – The popular giants are great for pleasure riding
• Arabian – Great family horses that are courageous, intelligent, and gentle

Needs For Your a Rescue Horse

Investing in a horse requires a lot of time and money. You want to make sure that you are capable of caring for a horse and have a place, such as a barn, to board the giant. Other important things you will need are grooming and feeding supplies. Many horses can live for 20 or more years.

Where to look when choosing a horse

Finding the right horse doesn’t happen overnight and you will need to do extensive research to find one. If you are looking for a competition horse, your best bet would be to visit shows and show bars. Typically, there will be a certain horse for sale and it would be a good way for you to see the horse in action.

If you are looking for a certain breed, reach out to the breed Association. They may be able to connect you with breeders or owners who may have a horse for sale. Other places to look include horse publications and horse sanctuaries like Equis Save Foundation. Many will list their horses here or information on when they are having their next auction.

Be patient when it comes to looking for a horse because you will be in it for the long run. It is a big decision to make so consider everything you need to know when owning a horse.

Do we have your next horse? View our rescue horses and adopt a horse.