Congratulations!

You've decided to take the first step in buying your first horse!  Horses can be wonderful and exciting, scary and BIG and a HUGE investment in money...and time.  So what are you looking for?  I suggest making a list of the activities you see yourself doing with your horse.  Do you see yourself learning to race barrels, rope cattle or just a leisurely trail ride with friends.  Once you have decided what your primary activity is going to be, I suggest finding someone you trust who is horse savvy.  Don;t know anyone?  If you have found a horse you're interested in you can hire a local veterinarian to perform a horse wellness/soundness check.  Much like buying a car and checking under the hood.  This is an inexpensive way to provide you with a horse that is sound.  If you know someone who has good horse sense, they can be very helpful to you in preventing you from purchasing a horse that seems fine, then is very lame the next day at your home and requires many hours and many dollars to heal. 

      Ok, now that we have an experienced horse person to help, we are going to start looking for a horse.  Where to look?  The internet provides a good resource for higher dollar, well bred horses.  But, lets say you want to start with a good horse for riding down the road and some trail riding and you are totally a beginer and haven't ridden since you were eight.  The local feed store, newspapers, veterinarian clinics often will have ads for horses.  So you find a pretty little paint mare, 3 years old and is just "started" under the saddle... only 300$!  GREAT DEAL RIGHT?!?  Don't be tempted unless your best friend is a horse trainer.... I would suggest the older, bomb proof kids horse that is in the ad right next to it.  Say it is a 17 year old gelding, running on the assumption that all of these horses have passed the initial check and are sound and healthy.  So he is a sorrel,red, very common in color and isn't shown prancing across a green pasture.  But really look, his head is down, his eye is quiet and he will take good care of you on the trail.  So you call and make an apointment to go see him.  He is standing in the paddock with a bright eye and anticipating his current owner.  I guess all I am trying to say is don't fall for the Black Stallion syndrome.  We all want to ride off into the sunset in a blaze of glory.  But, this is your first horse and you want a good experience witha  trusted proven friend.  Many times people often make the mistake of buying a young, untrained horse thinking you both can learn together.  This is a recipe for disaster!  Young horses need an experienced person to teach them and give them confidence and green riders need a horse that will overlook mistakes and who won't spook into traffic and harm the rider.  So, back to our imaginary gelding, have the owner take him out of the paddock and saddle him.  Have the owner ride hime out first, then you.  See if he is responsive to you as well.  Beware of the horse that is standing already saddle and the owner is nervous to ride him!  There could be trouble brewing!  Have them pick up all four feet, load him into the trailer and ask if there are any bad habits you need to be aware of such as kicking on the trail.  If you like the horse, make arrangements to come again and try him out.  Check other ads and look at other horses before deciding.

     With just a pinch of common sense, leaving the Black Stallion to the movies and having an experienced horse person along with you you should be able to find yourself a good solid partner for many happy hours in the saddle!  Good luck!