Anyone have horses?

[Eskimo]

My folks and I are discusing getting a horse a about a year from now when we move and I was just wondering if anyone else has a horse. I rented a big thick book about horses and I went over the different types and all... I think the Arabian is the best choice. They are so cute! But I wanted to know if any one else had a horse or horses and if you do, what type(s)? And how is their temperment and behavior?

[ahoteinrun]

Eep.

Arabians? As a first horse?
First thing you need to ask yourself is how much experience you honestly have with horses. If you don't have much, I really would not suggest an arabian. I own one myself. And though I love him dearly, in most cases they are not a beginers horse. They're lovely creatures, but they're very high strung and hot blooded. And unfortunately they've been way over bred in the past thirty years so they're developing many health problems. People bred them for looks and not for temperment and personality, so finding a good sound arab can often be very difficult.
Another thing you need to ask yourself is what are you going to be doing with this horse? And how many people are going to be riding it?
If you plan on showing your horse you should look for something that suits the disciplin you want to show in. Showing a draft horse in a english pleasure class is not normally going to win you good points with judges. (NORMALLY BEING THE KEY WORD!)
If you're just looking for a quiet family riding horse, ie. One that everyones going to ride, and that you won't be showing, your best bet would be to start checking out places that offer well trained older horses. Before you buy anything, you need to go check it out and ride it first. And have EVERYONE ride it whose going to be riding it in your family. You will also want a vet to come out and check the horse. Do not let the owner of it tell you that it's already been vet checked. If you're serious about a horse, find a vet you can trust and have them come out and check it.

I'd really be wary of buying an arab first things first. And don't think I hate them or anything, I love them dearly, but you need to be prepared to deal with everything that comes with arabs. They can honestly be the most skittish little snots. And a skittish horse, is a dangerous horse. Do not buy an a horse based on it's looks.

Really I think you need to do a lot more research on horses before you make your choices. Ask yourself what you're going to be doing with it, and then go back to planning.

[MyleneFarmer]

I've had horses in the past, one of them being an Arabian, and while it was loving, like Ahoteinrun said, it could be very skittish.

Personally, I'm terrified of horses now. I couldn't handle the size jump from a pony to a horse, and after 3 serious falls (wish my parents would have thought of helmets) and a very nasty pony-cart crash, I just can't get myself back in the saddle.

[Eskimo]

Well, thats why I said about a year from now. I do not know a lot about horses, so I plan on going to camps that teach you things you must know about horses. I am also in the middle of a whole bunch of research figuring out what types of horses are best for beginers. I also plan on jumping and possibly showing, not quite sure about that yet. Since you have a horse and know alot about of them, could you tell me the type of horse you recomend for a beginner? (I dont care about looks)

[ahoteinrun]

I've had horses in the past, one of them being an Arabian, and while it was loving, like Ahoteinrun said, it could be very skittish.

Personally, I'm terrified of horses now. I couldn't handle the size jump from a pony to a horse, and after 3 serious falls (wish my parents would have thought of helmets) and a very nasty pony-cart crash, I just can't get myself back in the saddle.

Thats too bad about your crashes, i've been in a few myself (like this summer), and it's unfortunately a risk that comes with horse back riding.
And thankyou for bringing up that point.

PLEASE WEAR A HELMET.
Everyone needs one whose going to be riding. Really you don't want ot be sharing helmets, you want your own so that it fits best. Don't wear bike helmets either, get an actuall horse riding helmet. They're meant to take the fall of falling off a horse. A bike helmet is not.
And for people who think it's "not important" i've had my life saved by my helmets twice now. I'm fairly sure that during this last fall (on a gravel road) I would not be sitting here if I hadn't been wearing it. I would have had a hole in my skull.

[Eskimo]

I've had horses in the past, one of them being an Arabian, and while it was loving, like Ahoteinrun said, it could be very skittish.

Personally, I'm terrified of horses now. I couldn't handle the size jump from a pony to a horse, and after 3 serious falls (wish my parents would have thought of helmets) and a very nasty pony-cart crash, I just can't get myself back in the saddle.

Thats too bad about your crashes, i've been in a few myself (like this summer), and it's unfortunately a risk that comes with horse back riding.
And thankyou for bringing up that point.

PLEASE WEAR A HELMET.
Everyone needs one whose going to be riding. Really you don't want ot be sharing helmets, you want your own so that it fits best. Don't wear bike helmets either, get an actuall horse riding helmet. They're meant to take the fall of falling off a horse. A bike helmet is not.
And for people who think it's "not important" i've had my life saved by my helmets twice now. I'm fairly sure that during this last fall (on a gravel road) I would not be sitting here if I hadn't been wearing it. I would have had a hole in my skull.

I NEVER ride without a helmet (a properone). My friend would have died with out her helmet...

[ahoteinrun]

Well, thats why I said about a year from now. I do not know a lot about horses, so I plan on going to camps that teach you things you must know about horses. I am also in the middle of a whole bunch of research figuring out what types of horses are best for beginers. I also plan on jumping and possibly showing, not quite sure about that yet. Since you have a horse and know alot about of them, could you tell me the type of horse you recomend for a beginner? (I dont care about looks)

Well to be honest, i'd suggest getting an older horse first. You can often buy older well trained horses, that still have quite a few good years left in them. Which is why vet checking is so important. Any horse can normally jump, but you really should take lessons if you're going to learn how. Jumping is a dangerous sport, and you need to learn to do it correctly from the begining rather then have to be retaught later on.

In general i'd stay away from any horse that originates from a desert environment or that was bred specifically for racing or thats descendant from Arabians. Horses that make good begginers horses in general are ones like Quarter horses, Paints, Appaloosas... horses like those. They're stock horses for the most part, but they're also good solid horses and they've normally got a even temper. As well they're multi talented.
They use a lot of stock breeds in beginners jumping.
Morgans are often also very good horses if you can find a nice one. And they're often great at jumping. A lot of the bigger English based breeds can be great as well. Things like New Forest and Connemarras can be great horses. And they're rather spiffy jumpers. But then you need to look at size as well, because unfortunately it is possible to out grow a horse.

[Kitten Medli]

The only thing I can suggest is that if you are going to take riding lessions, pick your instructor teacher person wisely. I have had two bad experiences.

[Bangel]

Just wanted to note to some people- Kyra has owned a horse before when she was younger, so it's not like she's just buying one spur of the moment. If she doesn't know very much, her parents probably do.

And I must take this time to suggest http://www.petfinder.com . You can search for horses that need homes there. =)

[ahoteinrun]

Just wanted to note to some people- Kyra has owned a horse before when she was younger, so it's not like she's just buying one spur of the moment. If she doesn't know very much, her parents probably do.

And I must take this time to suggest http://www.petfinder.com. You can search for horses that need homes there. =)

And Kyra is well able to speak for herself. I asked about such things, but go no answers so I can only go with what i've been told.

[Eskimo]

Oh paints are great. When I was a bit younger I took lessons and it was a paint. But, I dont want a horse older than 17...

[ahoteinrun]

Oh paints are great. When I was a bit younger I took lessons and it was a paint. But, I dont want a horse older than 17...

There are horses competing in professional show jumping that are 17-20 still. Though thats pushing it. Robinson is just retiring at 18 from the professional ring, and he'll still be shown (one of the best there was IMO.)
But ah well.

By older I meant over 10. Normally the older they are the calmer they get. In the case of my arab, it's kinda opposite. Smoky (my arab) hasn't calmed down yet, he's still as skittish as he was when he was young. But that could come from the abuse... so... *shrug*.

[Eskimo]

What about Painted Arabians?

[ahoteinrun]

What about Painted Arabians?

Pintabians? Thats a crossbreed, and in general i'd still say the arab influence would be strong in it. I"ve dealt with Quarabs at my camp for quite a few years now, and they always tend to over react to things more then just pure quarterhorses do.
*shrug*

[Eskimo]

So you are saying quarterhorses are the best bet?