Selecting Your Horse

Besides specific breed traits, other traits are equally important if the horse or pony is to provide a maximum of satisfaction to the owner and have a maximum resale value. The following points should be considered:

Disposition and manners:

a horse with more fire and spirit than the owner can manage is a poor choice regardless of its breed.

Freedom from vices such as kicking, bolting, cribbing (biting the manger or feed box while swallowing large amounts of air), stall walking, weaving, refusing to take the bit or the saddle, and tail rubbing:

these vices all reduce the value of the horse and sometimes make it impossible to manage.

Trailer loading:

a "barn sour" horse that won't load is very restricted in its use. If the horse won't load it can't be shown.

Size:

a large man riding a small horse is simply inappropriate.

Training:

a well trained horse is the result of hours and months of schooling by someone who has the knowledge, ability, and patience to convert a green, uncoordinated animal to a show or pleasure mount, one that will respond to the rider's leg, hand, and voice cues. Not every aspiring rider has the ability to train a horse. Thus, training, beyond breaking to ride and to lead, naturally adds considerably to the horse's value.

« Previous Section | Table of Contents | Next Section »

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.

University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.