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Step 1
First, you are going to need to decide what kind of riding for this horse and the training facility where you will be keeping your horse. If you are boarding at a more economical, lower maintenance barn, then you will need to select a lower maintenance horse with fewer needs that can live well in a less expensive and less demanding environment. If the facility where you are boarding offers the latest technology with no ceiling on care and maintenance, your choices are much wider. If you are going to jump, ride saddle seat, show, or whatever other equestrian activities you choose, then you need to purchase a horse that is bred to perform these activities.
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Step 2
Decide whether you want a horse that will need training or need to be shown, or will be used in a school or on trail rides. After to you have decided all of the above decisions, then you are ready to pick your horse breed.
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Step 3
If you are buying a horse for a more inexperienced child rider, then you will want to go with a well-trained quarter horse or an older Tennessee Walking Horse. Both of these horses have calm, even temperaments and are not overly large. They are very kind and reliable with comfortable gaits. They can be used for schooling, then for some showing if ever desired.
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Step 4
Buying a trail horse can sometimes be difficult, though some of the best trail breeds can be quarter horses or paso finos. Quarter horses are calm, so they will not spook at objects in the woods. They also have fairly good endurance. Paso finos have a long, uncollected stride that covers a lot of ground. They are a very strong, muscular, well-built horse, as well as being incredibly intelligent, calm, alert and comfortable to ride.
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Step 5
Show jumping is a incredibly popular equestrian sport and very enjoyable. Thoroughbreds make excellent jumpers because of speed and agility. This breed is very excitable, though they enjoy jumping and galloping. Some do have higher knee action, though most have a long, low stride. Warmbloods, such as the Dutch Warmblood and Selle Francais, are very good jumpers as well. Selle Francais have strong backs, hindquarters and hocks, which make them ideal for jumping. They are an athletic breed with a sensible temperament.
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Step 6
Last, for flat huntseat or saddleseat riding, Arabians are the best horse to own. They have great endurance and are very kind, even if they do tend to be extremely excitable. They are beautiful horses with a gorgeous floating movement. They are adaptable to various kinds of environments and are a fairly medium-sized breed that many people can ride comfortably.
