Owning a horse is a huge responsibility. Just like owning any

pet, you should put a great deal of thought and consideration

before you decide to purchase an equine. Since most individuals

will have to house horses off their property, you should first

consider finding a suitable stable before you purchase a horse.

Also, consider your wants and needs.

If you or your stable has limited space, you might not want to

consider a sizable draft horse like a Clydesdale. However, if

you are in need of a large horse to do a great deal of work

pulling wagons, you should consider breeds other than

Shetlands. There are a great number of breeds, each with a

different pro and con. After carefully reviewing each breed,

you are sure to find the exact type of horse to fit your needs

and your lifestyle.

Ask yourself what you are looking for in a horse. Do you want a

horse that you can show? Do you want a horse for work purposes?

Do you want a horse to jump or ride competitively? Do you want

a horse to race? Do you want a horse to ride on trails or one

that is compatible with children? After you determine why you

want a horse (and the answer should be better than "just

because"), you can set out determining what breed is best for

you. Keep in mind, even though the breed might fit everything

you want, each horse will have a different personality. Before

you run out and buy the first horse in your desired breed, take

a careful look at the specific horse in question.

If you are interesting in showing a horse for its beauty and

grace, an Arabian horse is probably your best bet. These

beautiful creatures are well-liked on the show circuit and

enjoy being fussed and fawned over. For those daring riders who

want a horse for jump training, the strong-legged Thoroughbred

may be the perfect fit. These gentle giants are rugged enough

to withstand the abuse of jumping, but are agile enough to soar

over the highest gates. If you would rather have a

rough-and-tumble horse perfect for uneven trail rides, the

American Quarter Horse should be your top pick. These famous

horses are often used in competitive Western riding events,

including the heart-pumping barrel racing.

American Quarter Horses are perfect for the intense training

required for competitive racing, but also have the sure-footed

step necessary for making the quick turns and negotiating rocky

terrain. A Tennessee Walking Horse or Mountain Horse is the

perfect fit for the horse owners who want to go on quiet rides.

The gentle gait of these beautiful creatures gives these horses

the best ride over even terrain. Finally, if you are looking a

horse for a child, consider a smaller breed like the Icelandic.

The shorter stature better fits the proportion of a child, and

their smooth gait and easy-going attitude will prevent much

bumping and jostling.

Whatever your choice of breed, carefully consider its pros and

cons. Even though you may have your heart set on one specific

breed, if it will not meet your needs, you should carefully

rethink your choice. A horse is a huge responsibility and you

cannot simply return the magnificent creature because you did

not seriously research all your options and hastily chose a

horse that will not fit into your lifestyle.

To find more information about selecting a horse, just log on

to the Internet and visit locations such as

www.ahorsesite.com/dir/typesofhorses to do a thorough search.