In a recent issue of Countryside I read an article about horses and it contained a lot of helpful information, but I would like to expand on the part where the author advised against getting certain types of horses.

Before going further I'd like to state that I have 44 years of riding and training experience. In those years I have worked with several different breeds of horses, Arabian, Paint, Appaloosa, Half Arab/Quarter, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbred, Standardbred (both retired racers), Mustang, Draft

'Delight' is a two-year-old Tennessee Walker filly calmly investigating tractor tires. This exercise teaches the horse to accept obstacles.

Cross, Welsh and Shetland Ponies, Miniature horses, Buckskin/Quarter type, Morgan, and currently Tennessee Walking Horses. Over the years I learned the common misconceptions about different breeds of horses, and what I have concluded is, there are good and bad, both, and calm, nervous, and quiet in all the breeds. Generally speaking the draft breeds are considered cold blooded or calm, Quarter horses have the reputation for good all around working ranch horses, Appaloosas have the flashy color that was favored by Native Americans combined with hardiness, Thoroughbreds are perceived as hot tempered, and many only see them on the race track. Likewise, Arabians are seen as the wide-eyed, flared nostril beautiful animal in the desert. Tennessee Walkers have been type cast as high steppers used only in the show ring. I'd like to show the temperament of some of these breeds that I have known and a little insight on what to look for.

Arabian

Most are beautiful to look at especially when they move. I have owned several and have had both the airhead and the solid trail horse. Arabians were bred for endurance in the desert and the mares were prized and ridden when a quiet horse was needed to surprise an enemy—the stallions would whinny to the other horses in the camps making it difficult to sneak up. A quality Arab will have a good strong hoof and I have never had to put shoes on any of mine even riding on gravel roads and rocky trails. They are sure-footed and I have ridden in areas where I simply drop my reins on the neck and let them take me safely through. They are easy keepers and require little or no grain, and stay fit on two flakes of hay a day. I have never had any leg or hoof problems.

Arrow, the mini horse, at his favorite pastime.

Appaloosa

I currently have a mare that was roughly used and had learned a few bad habits. She has the tough hoof Appys are known for and has shown us how gentle and loving her true nature is. In less than a year she now leads calmly, comes when called, is well behaved for the farrier and lets me use her for a couch when she is laying down. On the other hand, I had also owned a gelding that was broke "the cowboy way" and was a four-year-old before being gelded. Some people believe all colts should not be gelded until fully gown. This horse did not have any confidence and was terrified of men, although acceptable on the trail, he had difficulty getting over his early training. Of these two horses both were not handled correctly, but while one is able to trust and has a kindly personality the other remained aloof and distrustful. Same breed, different dispositions.

Standardbred

My very first horse was a trotter off the track. Again, this horse was an easy keeper and I worked him every day. He wore shoes only because I rode so many unpaved areas to get to the trails and it was very abrasive. Considered a hot breed, this was one of the horses that I had the most fun on and was so easy to work with that I taught him tricks and jumped him bareback. One thing to remember about horses from the racing stables, they have professional grooms who handle these horses daily and they are so used to being worked with that I didn't find anything that spooked this horse.

'Star,' a five-year-old Tennessee Walker mare, getting a little exercise in the round pen. Notice the short back, well balanced head and neck, short canon bone, sloped shoulder. This is an athletic horse willing to go anywhere. She is also five months pregnant. This is her winter coat coming in, but you can easily see the healthy coat and muscles. Nicely shaped hooves with no shoes.

Ponies

In general ponies don't always have professional training, and since they are ridden and handled by children they are often not corrected for bad behavior. I have handled some that would bite, kick and buck because they had learned that this behavior got them put back in the barn or field where they could do what they wanted, namely nothing but eating. But, to condemn all ponies from that would be wrong. My daughter's pony which we bought from a friend, was the perfect first equine, the worst thing she knew to do was put her head down to eat pulling the reins over her head. A simple solution was a dropped noseband that kept her mouth shut. I used to put her on a lead line and take her out along side my horse or with me walking. My younger sister also had a nice Shetland and I often took him on the lead line down the trails, and we took him to birthday parties for pony rides.

Tennessee Walkers

This breed has been around for a long time and unfortunately too many people think only of the high stepping show horses. A lot of folks in my generation and with the same love of horses and riding are now buying gaited horses of which there are many breeds available. To ignore this breed as a potential all around horse would be foolish to say the least. By doing a little research I found horses that were not only show quality with impressive bloodlines, but were bred to be ideal trail horses. I have been working with my two mares this past year and have not only been impressed with the intelligence of this breed, they seem more curious and quicker to pick up on the training. Because of an extended illness and physical weakness I needed a mount that was smooth and comfortable to ride, but also a levelheaded horse that would be safe.

Star calmly being ridden by my husband David with only a halter - not something you would do with a 'hot,' excitable horse - proving that Walkers make wonderful riding companions.

When I read that article and saw that he advised people to stay away from Arabians and Walkers I wanted to show that both of these breeds are dependable, easy to keep all around horses, and by all means should be considered when looking for a "good" horse.

Before you buy a horse read up on different breeds, talk to breeders and local people who have had experience with them. Go to the expos where you can see and talk to many horse people, watch RFDTV and see the clinicians and read, read, and read, all you can in books and magazines. I advise anyone who asks to go to many sources and not to take any one as gospel, since we all have our preferences and your needs and lifestyle may be different than mine. There is no substitute for experience, but each person you talk to will have had his or her own unique experiences. You also should not be in a hurry to buy or allow yourself to be rushed into buying that bargain or taking that gift horse. If you are a novice listen to the advice of a good veterinarian and veteran horse trainers.

After all these years I still enjoy learning and it is my opinion that when you think you know all there is to know about horses, there will be a horse somewhere willing to show you something new.

I suppose that if asked what would best sum up my advice for a first time horse buyer it would be to look at the training a horse has first, no matter what breed. If it isn't fun and safe to ride, pass on it and go for the well-broke gentle horse that will give you enjoyment.

Some recommended reading:

• The Complete Trail Horse by Dan Aadland
• The Revolution in Horsemanship by Robert Miller and Rick Lamb
• Horse Illustrated magazine
• Perfect Horse magazine by John Lyons
• Horse and Rider Magazine
• The Trail Rider Magazine