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Finding the Horse of Your Dreams
Key questions to keep in mind before
start looking for horses for sale
What are my goals with my new horse?
The first question you should ask yourself is: What do I want to do with my
new horse? Jumping or dressage? By answering this question, finding your ide-
al horse will be much easier. Just like people, not every horse was born to do
everything. Some of them like to jump and give their best in a jump-off full of
adrenaline, while others prefer to dance to the rhythm of the music and look
perfect in a dressage rectangle. Choose a partner who also enjoys the discipline
you want to focus on, so both of you can have fun. For example, don’t look for
dressage horses if you want a jumper. It’s true that they may be more gorgeous,
but the training is totally different. With horses there are always exceptions, but
keep in mind that even though you have a great trainer, retraining a horse re-
quires a lot of work. Try to be sure of your discipline before purchasing a horse.
A new discipline may require a new horse. If your goal is to go to competitions
and improve your riding, then you should choose a horse with potential. Make
sure your horse has enough potential to compete in the category that corre-
sponds to your current level and a few categories beyond that. The idea is to
keep your horse for at least three years. However, always keep in mind that you
don’t need a Grand-Prix horse if you’re not competing on a Grand-Pix level, so
always choose a horse who corresponds to your level. The idea is that you buy
a horse that can win with, and also learn with.
How experienced am I?
Even though it sounds strange, your horse is not all you have to think about
when you want to be a horse owner. Before you start looking for horses, you
have to evaluate yourself as a rider, and know how much experience you have
in the discipline you want to focus on. Having done so, it will be much easier
to find the right horse. By experience, I mean how well you perform in a specific
discipline, and how long you have been developing it. No matter how old you
are, ask yourself: How dedicated am I to this discipline? What is my current
level? What are my future goals? According to your own experience, the horse
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