When searching for horses for sale Colorado citizens would be well advised to find a local breeder. He will be keen to maintain a good reputation. If he doesn't have a mount to suit your needs, he may know of others in the district. Horses are advertised in many newspapers and journals. A horse is an expensive item and its purchase needs to be made with great care.
It is wise to take an experienced person with you to view a potential purchase. An outsider will have a more objective opinion. They may pick up points that you have missed. Purebred animals need to fit the standards for that breed, especially if you are thinking of showing the horse. Some need to be a particular color or have particular markings.
However color is generally the last consideration. Age may be a factor. Young animals need time to develop and strengthen before being expected to work hard. Young horses are best not paired with young riders unless there is an experienced adult to help if needed. Horses are very intelligent and some will quickly learnt to take advantage of an inexperienced rider.
A horse's legs and feet are very important. Mounts with weak legs will not be able to work hard for long hours. However all other mounts need sturdy legs with good bones. A very old horse will have teeth which are very sloped forward. If the teeth don't meet, he will have trouble chewing his food.
The legs should have good bone. Watch the horse trot towards and away from you to see if his action is straight. Again it may not matter if he isn't perfectly straight in his action. Hard, round hooves should have both front and back hooves matching.
The horse should not be too narrow in the chest. A driving horse needs a broad, strong chest to pull from. A deep girth leaves plenty of room for heart and lungs. A horse which will be driven in a carriage need not have the sloping shoulder that is so prized in a riding horse. A sloping shoulder means a longer stride and a smoother ride while a straight shoulder gives a choppy, rough ride.
Before riding or driving the animal yourself, ask the owner to put the animal through its paces. Don't expect the horse to go quite as well for you. However, you should feel safe and in control. The ears are a good barometer of the mood of the animal. Ears flat back mean it is angry or aggressive. When ridden the ears should be relaxed and flick back and forth occasionally to listen to the rider.
The horse should allow you to rub your hands over the coat without trying to evade your touch and without showing any anxiety. Pick up each hoof. It should allow itself to be led from the barn or field without fussing. It should stand still to be saddled. A well-mannered horse is much easier to manage and if, for some reason, you later need to sell it, it is always easier to find a good home for an animal with good manners. Before travelling miles to view horses for sale Colorado breeders should be the first people you contact.
It is wise to take an experienced person with you to view a potential purchase. An outsider will have a more objective opinion. They may pick up points that you have missed. Purebred animals need to fit the standards for that breed, especially if you are thinking of showing the horse. Some need to be a particular color or have particular markings.
However color is generally the last consideration. Age may be a factor. Young animals need time to develop and strengthen before being expected to work hard. Young horses are best not paired with young riders unless there is an experienced adult to help if needed. Horses are very intelligent and some will quickly learnt to take advantage of an inexperienced rider.
A horse's legs and feet are very important. Mounts with weak legs will not be able to work hard for long hours. However all other mounts need sturdy legs with good bones. A very old horse will have teeth which are very sloped forward. If the teeth don't meet, he will have trouble chewing his food.
The legs should have good bone. Watch the horse trot towards and away from you to see if his action is straight. Again it may not matter if he isn't perfectly straight in his action. Hard, round hooves should have both front and back hooves matching.
The horse should not be too narrow in the chest. A driving horse needs a broad, strong chest to pull from. A deep girth leaves plenty of room for heart and lungs. A horse which will be driven in a carriage need not have the sloping shoulder that is so prized in a riding horse. A sloping shoulder means a longer stride and a smoother ride while a straight shoulder gives a choppy, rough ride.
Before riding or driving the animal yourself, ask the owner to put the animal through its paces. Don't expect the horse to go quite as well for you. However, you should feel safe and in control. The ears are a good barometer of the mood of the animal. Ears flat back mean it is angry or aggressive. When ridden the ears should be relaxed and flick back and forth occasionally to listen to the rider.
The horse should allow you to rub your hands over the coat without trying to evade your touch and without showing any anxiety. Pick up each hoof. It should allow itself to be led from the barn or field without fussing. It should stand still to be saddled. A well-mannered horse is much easier to manage and if, for some reason, you later need to sell it, it is always easier to find a good home for an animal with good manners. Before travelling miles to view horses for sale Colorado breeders should be the first people you contact.
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